Low dose oral antibiotic prescription is a very common acne treatment. The systemic use of antibiotics seems to have a positive effect on acne symptoms by lowering the total bacterial load of P. acnes on the skin and by reducing inflammation. There are a number of antibiotics commonly prescribed for acne including doxycycline and tetracycline. These drugs have a number of well known side effects. For example, they often lead to stomach discomfort and allow yeast infections to flourish. They also make the skin very sensitive to UV radiation, increasing the risk of sunburn. Now, there’s a potential new side effect associated with use of these medications over the long term (such as with ongoing acne treatment).
Pennsylvania Study Shows Connection
In two associated investigations carried out at a medical school in Philadelphia, participants were quizzed about their use of oral antibiotics for acne. The goal was to explore a potential link between these drugs and pharyngitis (sore throat). The definition of pharyngitis used in the study was sore throat symptoms severe enough to warrant a medical evaluation.
Based on the data gathered in the study, individuals taking oral antibiotics for acne had 3 times the risk of developing a sore throat than those with acne who were not taking oral antibiotics. Topical antibiotics did not appear to increase the risk of pharyngitis at all. These findings are considered preliminary due to the self-reported nature of the data collected. But it’s a strong indication of a link.
Additional Conclusions
The researchers conducting the study thought the use of oral antibiotics might be allowing group A strep bacteria to overrun the throat area, leading to infection and sore throat symptoms. However, only a few participants tested positive for this bacteria in their throat culture. None of the individuals with A strep colonization were in the group taking oral antibiotics. So, one potential cause of the sore throat symptoms appears to have been ruled out. This still leaves a lot of room to uncover a cause since other factors such as smoking habits of the participants were not explored at all in this study.
DEC
About the Author:
After graduating Kent State University with summa cum laude honors and finishing in the top ten percent of his graduating medical school class, he performed his preliminary internal medicine internship at Emory University/Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He then completed his three year dermatology training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Since moving out to California in July 2005, he has worked with the Cedars-Sinai Medical Group and in private practice. He currently is on staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Glendale Memorial Hospital, and Providence Tarzana Medical Center. Dr. Mehrabi enjoys all aspects of dermatology, including medical / general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, surgical dermatology, and laser dermatology. His particular interests include Botox, dermal fillers, Mohs surgery, and laser dermatology. He is very proud to be able to offer all of these services in Beverly Hills, Encino/Tarzana, and Glendale.