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Suggest Medication For Chronic Acne Problem

Posted on Mon, 25 May 2015

Question: Hello, I am a 30 year old female. I have been suffering from major acne problem from past 8 years. I wanted to try cod liver oil or vitamin d3 tablets..which one is a better option. I took a dose of 60000 iu of vitamin d and after ten days I took one tablet of 1000 iu for two days... This made my skin very itchy and dry and increased my pimples. So I discontinued the tablet. Pls suggest the right tablet and dose and when to start taking it again. No other oral or topical treatment or diet has helped me so far

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Combined approach

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query.
Vitamin D or cod liver oil is not going to help you.
It is very important to know the cause of acne in order to approach it properly.
Following are the common causes.
1. Blocked glands of face
2. Bacterial infection.
3. Excess Oil production by glands.
4. Environmental pollution.

It is better to go for a combined approach to get rid of acne completely.
Please follow the following.
1. Use a combination of adapalene or other retinoid cream and clindamycin. This will take care of blockade as well as bacterial infection.
Apply adapalene in night keep for 1 hour then wash off and apply a mild moisturiser like acne moist.
2. Use a water based sunscreen with spf 30 in morning.
3. Use a drying face wash like tea tree oil.
4. Its best to keep face covered by cloth whenever possible to protect from dirt.
5. Don’t rupture or try to remove scabs from infected acne, This will lead to pigmentation and scar formation.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (46 hours later)

Thanks for the info. I have already tried the medication you've mentioned in point1. The thing is my skin will be perfectly clear when I'm under medication but pimples return if I stop even for few days. Root cause of my problem is excess oil production. Pls suggest a cure for the root cause and hence eliminate pimples permanently.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Reduce fat intake

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Sebum is produced by sebaceous glands.
This sebum is derived from fatty acids.
Only way to reduce sebum production is by reducing intake of fat in diet.
Take lot of fibres in food.
When acne flares up you can use clindamycin and adapalene.
Keep using tea tree oil face wash.
Let me know if you have any other doubt.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (15 hours later)

Can you suggest an XXXXXXX brand tree tea oil face wash which has no side effects. Right now I use saslic ds face wash which is made from salicylic acid. Pls suggest a brand which does not dry out the skin too much

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Gorgeous

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
You can use gorgeous face wash.
It is tea tree oil based face wash.
Let me know if you have any other doubt.
Thank you

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar