Does clindamycin worsen acne?

Author: Kay White  |  Last update: Thursday, May 25, 2023

They may make your acne worse. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Can clindamycin make your acne worse?

This may dry your skin and make your acne worse. Washing with a mild, bland soap 2 or 3 times a day should be enough, unless you have oily skin. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor. Topical clindamycin will not cure your acne.

Can antibiotics make acne worse?

Antibiotics don't usually cause breakouts. Antibiotics are designed to rid the body of bacteria, but your body's microbiome needs some bacteria to have a healthy skin flora. Without it, yeast (and yeast conditions, like fungal acne) can flourish.

How long does it take clindamycin to treat acne?

Topical 1 percent clindamycin was shown to reduce acne in people with moderate inflammatory acne after 8 weeks of twice daily treatment, according to a 2013 study .

Do antibiotics for acne make it worse first?

Official answer. Often for people who take doxycycline for acne, the acne can become worse before it starts getting better, this is sometimes described as the "purging phase".

Clindamycin gel for acne: Q&A with a dermatologist| Dr Dray

Can clindamycin be used on open acne?

If you have moderate to severe acne, your healthcare provider may suggest using clindamycin either on its own or in combination with other medications to manage your breakouts and clear your skin.

Why is clindamycin not working for acne?

Clindamycin may be an effective acne treatment, but because of growing antibiotic resistance, most dermatologists use it only in combination with other acne treatments, like topical retinoids and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide (Zaenglein, 2018).

What not to mix with clindamycin?

You should not use clindamycin and tretinoin topical if you are also taking another antibiotic called erythromycin, or using other skin medications that contain erythromycin.

Does clindamycin cause purging?

Topical Clindamycin/Benzoyl Peroxide or Azelaic Acid do not cause an increased turnover of skin cells, therefore, the side effects these medications have should not be seen as real skin purging, even though the experience of worsening skin could be very similar.

What is the strongest antibiotic for acne?

Antibiotics. For moderate to severe acne, you may need oral antibiotics to reduce bacteria. Usually the first choice for treating acne is a tetracycline (minocycline, doxycycline) or a macrolide (erythromycin, azithromycin).

Why is my acne getting worse after treatment?

Acne treatments — especially those that contain active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid — are drying and a bit harsh on your skin. If you use too many treatments at the same time, your skin may become irritated, and you may actually suffer more breakouts as a result.

How often should you use clindamycin for acne?

It is usually applied twice a day, in the morning and evening. To help you remember to use clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel, apply it at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Why do I break out after antibiotics?

Oral antibiotics can aggravate pityrosporum folliculitis because skin-inhabitant bacteria and yeasts are normally in competition on the skin surface. When antibiotics suppress the bacteria the pityrosporum yeasts can over grow. The rash consists of tiny itchy rounded pink pimples with an occasional tiny whitehead.

How long does it take for antibiotics to clear back acne?

Antibiotic tablets

It usually takes about 6 weeks before you notice an improvement in your acne. Depending on how well you react to the treatment, a course of oral antibiotics can last 4 to 6 months.

How do you know when acne is healing?

7 signs that acne is healing
  1. Larger cysts and pustules crust over. Acne cysts are deep, pus filled bumps that are very noticeable. ...
  2. Nodules retreat. ...
  3. Reduction in 'redness' ...
  4. Fewer new spots appearing. ...
  5. Less severe spots/cysts. ...
  6. Skin appears less oily. ...
  7. Reduction in blackheads/whiteheads.

Can clindamycin make you feel worse?

This medication can cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, which can be severe. If you already have a gastrointestinal disease, taking clindamycin may worsen your condition. In this case, your doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring or a different treatment option for you.

What is the major side effect of clindamycin?

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loose skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while you or your child are using this medicine.

What does skin purging look like?

In most cases, purging looks like tiny red bumps that are painful to touch. You may even notice blackheads or whiteheads, which is why many people confuse it with a traditional acne breakout. Skin purging can also cause your skin to be flaky.

How long does it take for clindamycin to start working?

How soon will it start working? Once you start taking clindamycin, you'll likely notice an improvement in your symptoms after a day or two. If your symptoms aren't improving at all or seem to be getting worse after taking clindamycin for a few days, follow up with your healthcare provider.

Why clindamycin is no longer recommended?

The 2021 AHA scientific statement no longer recommends the use of clindamycin for patients who are allergic to penicillin or ampicillin. This is because clindamycin is known to cause more severe adverse reactions such as C. diff. In fact, one dose of clindamycin has an equivalent risk of C.

What should I watch when taking clindamycin?

Clindamycin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • nausea.
  • vomiting.
  • unpleasant or metallic taste in the mouth.
  • joint pain.
  • pain when swallowing.
  • heartburn.
  • white patches in the mouth.
  • thick, white vaginal discharge.

Why do you need to drink a lot of water with clindamycin?

Take the capsule with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. This is to prevent irritation of the esophagus (tube between the throat and stomach).

Is it worth taking antibiotics for acne?

Acne isn't an infection, but an antibiotic can provide real relief from deep, painful breakouts. Certain antibiotics such as doxycycline (dox-ē-cyc-lean) and erythromycin (eh-rith-row-my-cin) can reduce the amount of P. acnes bacteria on your skin and lessen inflammation.

Can antibiotics cause hormonal acne?

Medications, antibiotics, specific foods, depression, anxiety, stress and other mentally triggering elements can cause hormonal acne as well.

How do you get rid of hormonal acne?

What else can I do to clear hormonal acne?
  1. Wash your face in the morning and again in the evening.
  2. Apply no more than a pea-size amount of any acne product. Applying too much can dry out your skin and increase irritation.
  3. Wear sunscreen every day.
  4. Use only noncomedogenic products to reduce your risk of clogged pores.

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