‘Super Acne’? Doctors Warn Of Antibiotic Resistant Acne

Whether you’re in your 30s or a teenager, you’re not immune to the troubles of acne. It’s a skin condition that has plagued millions of people since the dawn of time. Acne may be a normal part of life but severe cases have caused people their self-esteem. What’s scarier is that doctors have discovered a super-strain dubbed as “super acne.”

Doctors are warning the public that this acne is fast becoming resistant to antibiotic medication, urging them to prescribe long-term solutions rather than short-term ones. This, according to experts, means that acne would soon become untreatable.

This was revealed through a study released at the British Association of Dermatologist’s Annual Conference.  

Many acne sufferers are being prescribed antibiotics for 6 months, which is two times the recommended limit, according to Huffington Post. Meanwhile, Mirror reports that the longest prescription anyone has ever been on was seven years.

“Antibiotics remain an important part of acne management but given concerns about antibiotic resistance we should be using antibiotics judiciously as part of a treatment regime - limited to the shortest possible time period," said lead researcher Dr. Heather Whitehouse. “Oral antibiotics are frequently being prescribed on their own for patients with acne.”

"As the NHS and advisory bodies get increasingly serious about the responsible use of antibiotics –“ said Matthew Gass of the British Association of Dermatologists, “ -- it's important for doctors to reflect on how they prescribe for such a common condition which relies so heavily on antibiotic usage.”

He added: "This study provides an important warning and will hopefully help healthcare professionals and patients alike."

Meanwhile, Dr. Jasmine Chan, dermatologist and Hydracol USA’s consultant said that it’s important to have a daily skin regiment to prevent acne.

“Always cleanse your skin before going to bed,” Dr. Chan said. “Avoid sleeping in your make-up and choose a toner, cleanser and moisturizer that’s compatible with your skin type. As a precaution, use Vitamin C serum to help your skin produce its much-needed collagen for regeneration.”