Featured Links

Other Topics
Sponsored Links





Quote of the Day










 




 
Featured Acne Articles

Acne and prostaglandins
There are two main groups of hormones that are neccessary to balance if you want to effectively treat and cure your acne. The first type of hormones, androgens, are responsible for the regulation of sebum (skin oil). Your body creates acne when you ...

An Introduction to Acne Treatment
Nearly 17 million people in the United States have acne, making it the most common skin disease. Acne affects almost all teenagers as well as a growing number of adults. It attacks all kinds of skin - with little regard to race or gender - on the face, ...

The Truths about Zits.
Skin rash and acne are both very common and emotionally damaging. The sad part is that they are not so easily treated thus undeniably creating fear, low self-esteem especially to teenagers who are just starting to explore what the world has to offer them. ...




Accutane - The Answer To Severe Acne?
 
Many people of all ages are troubled by irritating outbreaks of acne and are searching for a cure, once and for all. Very often, in severe cases of acne, their search leads them to Accutane. Also known as Isotretinoin, Accutane is taken orally, and is available only by prescription. It is a five month treatment regimen for severe cystic acne.

Taken once daily with food, Accutane works by decreasing the amount of oils produced by the glands. Acne may worsen before it gets better, and it usually takes about two months on Accutane to notice improvements in symptoms.

While it can be very effective, Accutane has many significant side effects, ranging from mildly irritating to severely life-threatening.

The most frequent side effects reported by Accutane users are:
Dry, chapped, or peeling lips
Dry, itchy skin
Dry nose, mild nosebleeds
Irritation of the eyelids and/or dry eyes
Joint and muscle pain
Thinning of the hair
Rash
Intestinal problems
Urinary problems
Headache
Increased skin sensitivity to light and sunburn
Decreased night vision, which may continue after completing treatment regimen
Depression and/or thoughts of suicide.

Accutane may also increase the level of blood fats (cholesterol), sometimes to dangerous levels, which may interfere with liver function. Prior to starting the Accutane regimen, blood tests are required to rule out pregnancy and establish a baseline for monitoring cholesterol levels. Frequent blood work is ordered by dermatologists to check these levels which, if too high, may cause complications with liver functioning.

The most dangerous side effect of Accutane is severe birth defects if taken during pregnancy. It is strongly recommended to avoid becoming pregnant during treatment and for at least one month after stopping Accutane.

Accutane is not guaranteed to cure acne. Reports have found 1 in 10 Accutane users have reoccurrences of acne one year later and 1 in 4 users after two years. It may be prescribed again for reoccurrences of acne.

Only you -- with your doctor -- can determine if treating your acne problem with Accutane is worth the potential risks involved.

About the Author
Diane Darling, COTA/L, is a licensed and certified occupational
therapy assistant who works with learning-challenged children.
She also has a keen interest in issues of skin care and acne,
and maintains the Treating Acne website located at
http://www.treating-acne.com



Acne News


FDA OKs New Acne Gel Epiduo
WebMD - 17 hours ago
6, 2009 -- The FDA has approved a new prescription acne gel called Epiduo for use in patients 12 and older. Epiduo, which is used once daily, combines two ...
FDA Okays Combination Gel for Mild-to-Moderate Acne MedPage Today
Epiduo gel for acne vulgaris Prescribing Reference
Galderma Announces Availability of Epiduo(TM) Gel, the First and ... PR Newswire (press release)
all 10 news articles

WKRG-TV

Adult Acne Treatment
WKRG-TV, AL - 22 hours ago
By Kesshia Peyton Anchor/Reporter Acne is no longer considered a teenage skin condition, adults are dealing with breakouts as well. a medication typically ...

Basic Skin Care Regimens for Patients With Acne Vulgaris
Medscape - Jan 5, 2009
What basic skin care regimens do you recommend to your patients with acne? Acne medications can be drying and somewhat irritating, especially during the ...
Top 10 Natural Acne Treatment Tips To Overcoming Acne PWO
all 3 news articles

Daily Mail

Bunged-up nose? Just take these acne pills
Daily Mail, UK - Jan 5, 2009
By Roger Dobson A drug used to treat acne and prostate disease may help sufferers of nasal polyps. This is one of several new non-invasive treatments for ...

The Inside Story Of Acne Cleansers - 2
PWO, France - Jan 5, 2009
First of all, let us find out why acne cleansers are called so? How are they different to other cleansers? There is not much difference between an acne ...