Contrary to popular belief, adulthood does not guarantee an individual’s immunity from acne, especially hormonal acne. This skin disease, which is prompted by the hormones called androgens, although is more apparent in teens, is also reported to occur in adults. The said condition happens when the androgens activate the production of excess much oil, which eventually clogs the skin pores, and encourage the growth of pimples in an abnormal number, thus acne.

The above-mentioned concept is the simplest explanation for hormonal acne. However, for most women, the skin disease is triggered by a hormonal imbalance. Thus, females who are susceptible to what is also known as acne hormonal imbalance condition may not necessarily have excessively oily skin, but still they develop acne because of an underlying internal cause.

Various oral medications have been developed to cure adult hormonal acne. These medications usually affect hormones by creating a balance in the production thereof. Among the most common medications for hormonal acne treatment are anti-androgens, oral corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory products), and oral contraceptives.

Anti-androgens control the body’s production of the said hormone. As such, it minimizes the risks of the skin becoming too oily, which in turn will prevent acne from forming. Medications such as spironolactone and flutamide are the most recommended anti-androgens.

Meanwhile, oral corticosteroids or anti-inflammatories are prescribed by some dermatologists to their patients whose problem is mainly concerned in an unregulated production of androgens. These drugs further help the patient prevent acne inflammation. Dexamethasone and prednisone are the usual anti-inflammatory products used by acne sufferers.

Another cure for hormonal acne is oral contraceptives. These drugs have progestin and estrogen to replace androgens. As such, the body will produce less oil. Low dosages of oral contraceptive pills are FDA-approved to cure blemishes and severe acne. The said type of medication is a great adult hormonal acne treatment for women who are still not yet ready to have a baby.

However, just like most oral medications, the above-m entioned possible solutions to adult acne also carry adverse effects. For the most part, an adult hormonal acne treatment such as an anti-androgen drug is known to cause irregular menstrual period. It is usually associated with menstrual spotting and nausea. On the other hand, oral corticosteroids can lead to the thinning of bones, which gravely affects the health of the acne sufferer, and weight gain.

Some acne sufferers prefer oral acne medications over topical or surgical types of treatment. This could be partly because of the availability and the convenience of taking such medicines. Moreover, oral acne treatments are believed to cure the skin disease by fixing some internal bodily problems like the presence of bacteria in the body to treat the acne. This being the case, a drug such as an antibiotic, not surprisingly, can also be a part of an acne treatment regiment.

Antibiotics, as effective bacteria killers, find and attack harmful bacteria that can cause infection, which also works well for preventing acne growth, not to mention the early treatment of growing pimples. In this regard, on of the most commonly-recommended antibiotic against acne is doxycycline.

Doxycycline is originally prescribed to individuals who are suffering from bacterial infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. But later on, it has become a medication for severe acne. This antibiotic is often associated with tetracycline because of its effectiveness in reducing pimples and inflammatory acne.

Acne sufferers whose conditions do not respond to antibiotics such as tetracycline or erythromycin take doxycycline for acne treatment. Although this antibiotic is generally safe to use, there are a number of things that must be kept in mind in taking doxycycline.

The dosage for this antibiotic is 50 milligrams (or twice this measurement) at least twice everyday. Doctors advise patients to take doxycycline after taking their meal to avoid significant nausea. Furthermore, if the dosage is exceeded, as some patients do because they want faster results, the drug can cause diarrhea or vomiting.

To make doxycycline work better and faster, individuals who prefer this antibiotic should not take other supplements. Minerals and vitamins such as iron, calcium, and antacids counteract the drug’s efficacy because they prevent the body from absorbing the drug. When under this medication, it is also important that patients use sunscreen or avoid sunlight because doxycycline can cause sunburn.

Doxycycline is also not recommended to pregnant women because it can pose threat to the health of unborn babies. In the same manner, breastfeeding mothers must also avoid this antibiotic for it affects the baby’s teeth and bone development.

Unfortunately, just like any other oral acne treatments, doxycycline is not without adverse effects. For one, facial swelling and itching are the less serious side effects of the drug. But sometimes, it affects the respiratory functions of the body, while it can also cause stomach cramps or fever.