Sulfamethoxazole Acne Treatment
Most people associate acne with teenagers. While acne breakouts do begin during the teenage years, for 17 million adult Americans, acne is a lifelong problem. The condition ranges from mild to severe. When all over-the-counter treatments have failed, some people turn to prescription medication such as sulfamethoxazole, an oral antibiotic.
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Symptoms
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Most people can recognize the symptoms of acne. They include red spots (pimples), deep inflamed lesions, blackheads (open comedones), whiteheads (closed comedones) and greasy skin. In some cases, the symptoms are very mild. They can also be chronic and severe. Squeezing pimples can lead to infection and permanent scarring.
Causes
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Acne is caused by overactive sebaceous glands. These glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which is necessary for keeping the skin soft and supple. Sebum production is controlled by a sex hormone called testosterone. Too much testosterone causes the glands to become overactive, producing excess sebum. Sebum gets trapped in the opening to hair follicles, causing blackheads and whiteheads. These become a breeding ground for a bacterium called propionibacterium acnes. It is the bacterium that causes pimples and lesions.
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Sulfamethoxazole
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Sulfamethoxazole is an oral antibiotic that is only available be prescription. Its full name is Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Like other antibiotics, it kills bacteria. In this case, it kills the propionibacterium acnes that causes acne.
Sulfamethoxazole comes in the form of large pills. The patient must take one or two pills a day, depending on the doctor's recommendation. For many people, it's a very effective treatment for severe acne. It can clear up chronic breakouts within days.
Side effects
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Sulfamethoxazole is a strong antibiotic, and it has side effects. Approximately 6 percent of users are allergic to it. Symptoms of the allergic reaction include severe skin rashes, body aches, and high fever. If you are allergic to other sulfa drugs, sulfamethoxazole would not be suitable for you.
Side effects usually occur in the first four to six weeks of treatment, so if you've made it that far, chances are that you're not allergic.
Warnings
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As with all antibiotics, overuse can lead to resistance. You cannot kill every single bacteria. The ones that survive reproduce, creating bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. Do not take antibiotics longer than is necessary, or than is advised by your doctor.
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