MODERN ALLOPATHIC THERAPY

Mild cases may not require any medical therapy; moderate cases may require treatment with topical application and severe cases are usually treated with both topical agents and systemic corticosteriods.

1. In moderate cases with open and closed comedones and a few papoles and pustles are effective treated with topical agents of Vitamin A as isotretinoin 0.05% gel or cream applied sparingly 1 or 2 daily for 6-8 weeks.

2. Resorcinol 2% + sulphur 8% applied sparingly once daily.

3. Bacteriostatic and comedolytic agents benzoyl peroxide, 2.5 %-10% gel BD.

4. Salicylic acid 2% with warm water and then massage as to skin 2-3 times daily and then rinse.

5. Topical antibiotics as erythromycin, clindamycin and tetracycline.

6. In severe cases with postules, cysts nodules and scarring, the patient is given systemic abouts such as tetracycline or erythromycin 500 mg 2 BD orally.

TOPICAL ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS USED IN ACNE

1. Azelaic acid 20% cream

2. Benzoyl peroxide 2.5-10% cream, lotion or gels

3. Clindamycin 1%

4. Erythromycin 1.5-2%

5. Metronidazole 0.75% lotion, cream or gel

6. Sulfacetamide 10% lotion

7. Sulphur 5%+ sulfacetamide 10% lotion

NEW ADVANCES

1. Adapalene (differin), a derivative of napthoic acid, solution or gel formulation for topical use.

2. Tazarotene (tazorac)

SOME MARKETED PREPARATION

1. Cleocin-T: Clundamycin

2. Persa-gel: Benzoyl peroxide

3. 5% Benzamycin: Erythromycin

4. Klaron, Sebizon: Sulfacetamide

5. Metrocream, Metrogel: Metronidazole

6. Azelex: Azelaic acid