Treatment of dysbiosis as the first step in getting rid of acne

Acne is a defect of the epithelium, leading to an inflammatory process, accumulation of sebum and pathogenic microorganisms in deep pores. This leads to the concept of acne, pimples, blackheads. There are many factors that trigger acne. If you find out exactly what mechanisms of damage led to it, you can carry out high-quality treatment that eliminates the risk of relapse.

Features of therapy

If treatment of the pathology has just begun, it is recommended to first use local remedies. For example, creams, ointments, tonics, masks, lotions. They act only locally, so the risk of side effects is reduced. With their help, you can provide high-quality care, during which excessive sebum production and clogging of pores are eliminated.

If pimples arise due to systemic abnormalities, local remedies will not be enough, so you will need to use medications in conjunction with diet correction, the correct regimen and other methods.

Oral medications should only be prescribed by a doctor. They have side effects, contraindications, and can cause an overdose. Therefore, the purpose of therapy is determined by a cosmetologist, dermatologist, or therapist.

To eliminate acne, tests and a general examination are performed. With their help, the need for the use of the following drugs is identified:

• antibacterial agents;
• hormones;
• retinoids;
• sorbents;
• multivitamins.

The listed therapy methods can be used alone or combined with each other. It all depends on the cause of acne formation.

Sources

1. Yu.V. Yudina, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. A.A. Korsunsky, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. A.I. A minova, G.D. Abdullaeva, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. A.P. Prodeus “Intestinal microbiota as a separate system of the body”, Evidence-based gastroenterology, 2022, T. 8, No. 4-5, p. 36-43.
2. Zimmerman Ya.S. Gastroenterology: a guide. – 2nd ed., revised. and additional – M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2015. – 816 p.: ill.
3. T.Yu. Demidova, K.G. Lobanova, O.Sh. Oinotkinova “Intestinal microbiota as a risk factor for the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus,” Therapeutic archive, 10, 2022.
4. Monograph edited by E.L. Nikonova and E.N. Popova "MICROBIOTA".

Causes of acne

Without identifying the root cause, therapy cannot be started, otherwise harm may be caused or pathogenetic therapy may be used too late. The table shows the main causes of the pathology, the location of acne, and recommended methods of therapy.

It is impossible to accurately recognize the root cause of the pathology based on the localization of pimples alone. Anamnesis collection, identification of bad habits, and laboratory and instrumental examinations will be required. This is the only way to accurately determine the damaging factor.

Antibiotic therapy

Antibiotics are used not only to relieve systemic infections, but also to eliminate inflammatory lesions of the skin caused by the accumulation of pathogenic microflora. Normally, the epidermis always contains opportunistic microflora. But if there is an additional damaging factor, bacteria begin to actively multiply, secrete toxic products, and clog pores. The optimal course of antibiotic therapy is 10 days. If the effect is small, treatment is extended to a maximum of 14 days. But it is important to understand that antibiotics have serious contraindications and side effects.

Attention! If the patient uses antibiotics, it is recommended to additionally use a gentle diet and not drink alcohol, otherwise there will be a burden on the gastrointestinal tract. The medicine may not work.

Erythromycin

A broad-spectrum antibiotic is recommended for use with the following agents:

• gels;
• ointments.

Zinc ointment has a special effect, as it disinfects and additionally dries the skin, reducing the size of acne. Recommendations for the use of erythromycin:

• drink 1 tablet 2 times a day;
• use the maximum course of treatment for 7-10 days;
• It is prohibited to interrupt the course of therapy in order to prevent the bacteria from becoming accustomed to the active substance with the subsequent lack of effect from the treatment.

Side effects:

• vaginal candidiasis;
• digestive disorders.

Contraindications:

• individual intolerance to the components included in the composition;
• severe inflammatory pathologies of the liver;
• children under 9 years old;
• pregnancy, breastfeeding.

If the patient decides to use erythromycin, it is recommended to reduce the amount of dairy products in the diet. Milk negatively affects the active component, slowing down its effect on the body.

Levomycetin

A broad-spectrum antibiotic is intended to treat persistent bacterial infections when pathogenic microorganisms may be resistant to other drug groups. Indications for use:

• small acne with purulent contents;
• acne;
• boils.

Effects:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antibacterial.

Contraindications:

• severe liver and kidney diseases;
• pregnancy, lactation;
• candidiasis;
• individual intolerance.

Side effects include an allergic reaction on the skin and mucous membranes, and impaired stool formation.

Take 3 tablets per day. The optimal course of therapy is selected only by a doctor, and lasts up to 14 days. If the tablet is pre-crushed and added to the mask, it will have both a moisturizing and antibacterial effect, penetrating into the deep layers of the epidermis.

Metronidazole

The drug has a triple effect:

• eliminates acne due to its antibacterial effect;
• heals damaged tissue without leaving scars;
• relieves active inflammatory process.

Contraindications:

• individual intolerance to the components in the composition;
• severe damage to the nervous system and liver;
• bearing a child, breastfeeding.

Side effects:

• allergic reaction;
• headache, dizziness;
• violation of stool formation.

When using the product, the functioning of the endocrine system improves, which helps in eliminating teenage rashes. To do this, it is recommended to take 1 tablet 2 times a day.

Tetracycline

After consuming the drug, the antibiotic spreads through the systemic bloodstream, affecting the elimination of acne from within the body. It destroys germs and helps fight even boils. The drug is taken 250 mg 2 times a day.

Contraindications:

• liver damage;
• spread of fungus;
• pregnant, lactating women.

Side effects:

• prolonged diarrhea with reduced absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream;
• plaque on the teeth, causing an unpleasant odor and damage to the enamel;
• photosensitivity, that is, a negative skin condition under the influence of sunlight.

The drug begins to decompose under the influence of sunlight. Therefore, it is not recommended to store the packaging in a sunny place.

Mechanism of action

It is optimal to choose modern drugs (for example: with the active ingredient Polyethylene glycol).

Hormone therapy

Acne often appears in adolescence due to hormonal imbalance. Doctors recommend using hormonal medications only in extreme cases when other medications do not help. For this purpose, hormonal contraceptives are prescribed to stabilize hormone levels.

Jess

One of the most popular pills for preventing unwanted pregnancy. Additionally, they stabilize hormonal levels, so increased sebum production and clogged pores are eliminated. Skin condition improves.

Diana-35

The composition contains estrogen, which is a female sex hormone. When its level stabilizes, inflammatory processes on the skin are eliminated. The process of menstruation is normalized and unwanted pregnancy is prevented.

The drug may cause increased thrombus formation and an increase in the concentration of clotting factor. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically do a coagulogram to prevent complications.

Yarina

The tablets quickly and efficiently stabilize hormonal levels and help get rid of small rashes and purulent acne. The function of the endocrine system is normalized, which helps stabilize the negative psycho-emotional state.

Retinoids

The drugs improve the condition of the skin, saturating it with nutrients. They are allowed to be used over a long course of treatment.

Regulon

The product suppresses the production of sebum and has a damaging effect on pathogenic microorganisms. Gradually, the sebaceous ducts decrease, so less fat is released.

Capsules are recommended to be consumed in a concentration of 0.5 or 1 mg per kilogram of body weight. The optimal course of use is 4 months.

Retinol palmitate

The following description of the drug is given:

• domestic production;
• release in capsule form;
• low price, ease of use.

If you use the product over a long course, it is recommended to consume at least 300,000 IU per day.

Isotretinoin

The product is used for the formation of cysts localized in the facial area. The drug destroys bacteria and relieves inflammation. Its effect on the body increases with prolonged therapy. This helps get rid of pimples of any origin and size.

Contraindications:

• bearing a child, breastfeeding, children under 12 years of age;
• increased concentration of vitamin A;
• severe kidney and liver diseases;
• photosensitivity;
• hypersensitivity to components.

Adverse reactions:

• local and systemic allergies;
• damage to areas of the musculoskeletal system, nervous, digestive, visual systems;
• dry epidermis.

Compared to other systemic medications, retinoids have fewer side effects. But this does not mean that they can be used uncontrollably. It is important to take into account the doctor’s testimony to prevent negative reactions.

Colon cleansing drugs

The quality of the digestive tract directly depends on the condition of the skin. If the intestinal microflora is disturbed, dysbiosis may occur, leading to frequent rashes on the face. Its formation causes a disruption in the normal microflora on the epidermis, which leads to the risk of the formation of ulcers.

If the main problem is the function of the gastrointestinal tract, acne is most often localized on the wings of the nose, chin, and neck. Additionally, other symptoms are detected in the form of impaired stool formation, abdominal pain, and increased gas formation. In this case, it is recommended to use not only probiotics, but also sorbents that eliminate toxins from the digestive tract.

Lactofiltrum

The drug contains components of normal intestinal microflora that inhabit it after consumption. Probiotics remove toxins, intoxication products, and normalize the body's own microflora. The concentration of pathogenic microorganisms gradually decreases, and the function of the digestive tract improves.

To achieve a high-quality effect, you need to take 3 tablets at a time. They need to be drunk 3 times a day. The optimal course of treatment is 4 weeks.

Bifiform

The drug contains a large number of lactobacilli, which improve the condition of the intestinal microflora. Main active substances:

• lactic acid bacteria;
• lactulose, dextrose;
• leaven.

Take 1 capsule 3 times a day for 1 month. Gradually the negative symptoms will pass.

Linex

A probiotic contains 2 main substances:

• lactulose;
• lebenin.

The components inhibit and destroy pathogenic microflora. The normal concentration of nutrients in the intestines is restored. The body is strengthened, toxic components are eliminated from the gastrointestinal tract. Drink 2 capsules 3 times a day for 3 weeks.

If you use sorbents for a long course, after a week the formation of feces will stabilize. The patient no longer feels pain or increased gas formation. But the skin will begin to recover only 1 month after treatment; this is a long process.

The effectiveness of sorbents in combination with probiotics will be discovered only if the cause of acne development is caused by disorders of the digestive tract.

The problem of treating dysbacteriosis85

To prevent dysbiosis, regulate microbiocenosis, and normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, synbiotics, probiotics, and various bacterial cultures are used. Researchers note that monotherapy for intestinal dysbiosis is ineffective. This is due to the fact that there are several obstacles to the colonization of the large intestine with exogenous microflora: an acidic gastric environment, an alkaline environment in the duodenum, and tough “competition” with the local microflora of the large intestine.

The difficulty of correcting dysbiosis explains why, after numerous attempts at self-treatment of dysbiosis and acne, the result never came.

Multivitamins

If there is a lack of vitamins in the body, it affects all systems in a complex manner. Metabolism slows down, regeneration of damaged tissues worsens, and a person begins to get sick often due to the influence of negative factors. The quality of the skin deteriorates, the production of increased concentrations of sebum is activated. In this case, it is required that the body receives a sufficient amount of nutrients, microelements, vitamins, and minerals.

Loma Lux Acnemol

Natural, homeopathic remedy designed to eliminate pathologies:

• rosacea;
• acne.

The drug regulates sebum production, eliminates inflammatory processes, and normalizes the condition of problem skin.

Brewer's yeast

The tablets contain concentrated amino acids, iron, zinc and other beneficial substances. They regulate the production of sebum, normalize metabolism, and accelerate the renewal of cellular composition. Additionally, they have an antiseptic effect that helps fight pathogenic microorganisms on the surface of the epidermis.

Zincteral

The product is recommended for patients who have a deficiency of zinc and other trace elements. When they are actively introduced into the human body, the endocrine background and the secretion of sebum are normalized. Gradually the size of pimples decreases and they are completely eliminated.

What is dysbiosis

A child is born sterile; there are normally no bacteria in his body. The intestines and skin are colonized gradually, starting from the first attachment of the baby to the breast. The older the child gets and the more varied his food, the more different bacteria enter the intestines and form its microflora. In adults, the composition of microorganisms stabilizes, but becomes diverse. It can be compared to a fingerprint; despite the similarities, it is not repeated in any person.

Among intestinal bacteria, there are hundreds of types of good microorganisms, but normally there are also bad ones, the growth of which the body can restrain. There are three types of microbes:

• dominant - present in all healthy people, these include eubacteria, bacteroides, bifidobacteria, lactobacilli;
• non-permanent species - not found in everyone or under certain conditions, these are streptococci, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Cytobacter;
• transient species - sometimes enter the intestines, but do not stay there for a long time; these are types such as yeast fungi, clostridia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Good microorganisms are the dominant bacteria, they should be the majority. Thanks to the presence of normal microflora, food is digested. Bacteria help ferment some indigestible foods and participate in the absorption of vitamins, amino acids, and sugars. They themselves also synthesize vitamins B, K, and fatty acids. Therefore, with dysbacteriosis, signs of hypovitaminosis appear.

Good bacteria act as human shields. They form a protective layer on the intestinal wall, which does not allow pathogenic microorganisms to attach and limits their supply of nutrients. The immune function is to train immune cells and regulate its response to the penetration of foreign microorganisms or proteins.

But with a change in the ratio of bacteria, an increase in the number of transient species, and the appearance of yeast fungi, dysbacteriosis develops. It cannot be called a disease, but a person’s well-being is impaired. With dysbacteriosis, there are no pathogenic microorganisms in the intestines (Salmonella, Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia, pathogenic Escherichia, as well as viruses). Changes in composition occur due to an imbalance of normal flora and an increase in the concentration of opportunistic bacteria and the appearance of fungi.