For those of you not in the loop, acne is the overproduction of sebum (or just grease, to you and me) in the skin. It blocks microscopic hair follicles which then provides the perfect environment for the bugs that are responsible for white heads, black heads and red cysts. Lovely.
A recent study by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust found that four out of five sufferers could be suffering from acne that is resistant to the most commonly prescribed antibiotics, including erythromycin, clindamycin and tetracycline.
In 2002, a study in the Clinical Therapy journal showed that antibiotic-resistant strains of propionibacterium (the bugs that were previously mentioned) can emerge after eight weeks of antibiotic therapy.
They become resistant because not all bacteria can be immediately killed, and random mutations occur as a result of the drugs. Acne can be a battle for some on a daily basis, but these random mutations could mean that it’s not about to get any easier.
Dr Bav Shergill, a consultant dermatologist in Brighton told *The Daily Mail*that ‘Antibiotics often become ineffective after three to six months of use and can allow the bacteria to become resistant.’
Earlier this week, it was reported that Anglesey teenager Elin Rowlands, 16, had to have most of her pancreas removed after suffering from the side effects of a commonly prescribed acne drug, Roaccutane.
While the drug company Roche said that it ‘recommends any prescription medicine is prescribed carefully’, this does not seem to be stopping the antibiotic resistance. And with an estimated 80% of teenagers suffering from acne, that’s a lot of people that are missing out on appropriate treatment.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.