In the fight against acne, we use a variety of means, including acyclovir. But can this ointment be applied to acne?
Let's try to understand this difficult issue, because acyclovir is probably in your first aid kit.
How does acyclovir work?
Acyclovir is a drug that relieves a person of viruses, or rather the herpes virus. The medicine works at the cellular level, while the DNA production of the virus is blocked, and it stops reproducing. But this medicine has no effect on healthy cells of the human body.
The medicine has antiviral activity against two herpes viruses - type 1 and type 2.
Moderate activity is exerted on the pathogen that causes cytomegalovirus infection, and also has a detrimental effect on the Epstein-Barr virus.
Analogues are Zovirax and Herpevir.
Is it possible to apply aciclovir to acne?
You can use acyclovir only if you are infected with the herpes virus. The medicine is also recommended for use when lubricating rashes at the height of chickenpox or shingles. In all other cases, this medicine is absolutely useless.
This means that before using this drug, you must consult your doctor.
Herpetic rashes mainly appear on the lips. These are small bubbles with cloudy contents that are very itchy. After a while they burst and become crusty.
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To put the virus back into a latent state, you should use not only ointment, but also tablets that are taken orally. But only a doctor can choose a treatment regimen.
- For single pimples on the lips, you can use only one ointment.
- If there are a lot of such pimples, and they appear not only in the lip area, but also on other parts of the body, then it is recommended to use tablets and ointment at the same time.
Only the doctor selects the dose and duration of treatment.
How to use it correctly
Ointment For rashes, you should apply up to 5 times a day, and ideally every 4 hours. The easiest way to do this is with a cotton swab. The course is 5 days, and if necessary it can be extended to 10.
Pills should be taken 5 times a day. Full course - 5 days. If necessary, the duration of administration can be increased.
You cannot prescribe the drug yourself, as there is a large list of contraindications.
Features of using acyclovir for acne
Is it possible to apply aciclovir Akrikhin to pimples that do not appear due to the herpes virus, that is, they are not of viral origin? This method does not always help and not everyone. Although you can try.
If you decide to do this, then it is recommended to follow these simple rules:
- The skin must be thoroughly cleansed of makeup and all possible contaminants. This can be done using gel or lotion.
- It is advisable to treat the area of inflammation every 4 hours. Only in this way can you get the desired effect.
- For the treatment to actually bring results, the skin must be properly and daily cared for.
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That is why antibiotics are most often used in the treatment of acne in both adolescents and adults.
Why the drug can still help
According to numerous reviews that can be found on the Internet, the drug acyclovir does not help with ordinary acne. At the same time, there are stories about how the medicine became a real salvation.
Here, most likely, the most common herpes was smeared with this ointment, since it is very easy to confuse these rashes with ordinary acne.
There is another factor - the placebo effect. That is, if a person believes that the medicine will actually help him, then it will definitely help.
Some people ask whether it is possible to sprinkle baneocin powder on top of acyclovir. Such treatment will not do any harm, but it will not do any good either. Baneocin is a drug that can be used for the herpes virus. But since it will be applied on top of acyclovir, it simply will not get into the site of inflammation.
How to distinguish herpes rashes
The first thing you should pay attention to is is there itching?. With ordinary acne, this phenomenon is relatively rare, but with herpes it is the first symptom. Moreover, it begins to itch even when there are no rashes on the skin yet.
The second important sign is place of appearance. In most cases, the disease begins with damage to the upper lip. If pimples appear only on the chin or even on the forehead, then they have nothing to do with herpes.
The third important sign is appearance. With herpes, the pimple is filled with cloudy translucent contents. In all other cases, these are purulent rashes with a yellowish tint. But this sign cannot be considered accurate, since during inflammation a purulent infection can join the virus, and then there will be no difference.
Contraindications
Before you start using acyclovir against acne, you need to familiarize yourself with the contraindications.
- Individual intolerance and allergic reaction.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Age under 2 years.
- Renal failure (with caution for tablets).
- Dehydration (with caution for tablets).
- Neurological disorders (with caution for acne).
Side effect
Most often, the drug is well tolerated during the treatment period, although in some cases some side effects may occur. So, for example, when using tablets this could be:
- Nausea.
- Abdominal pain.
- Headache.
- Weakness.
- Drowsiness.
- Allergy.
- Fever.
As for the ointment, side effects may include:
At the first manifestation of side effects, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Author - Anna Mikhailova, dermatologist-cosmetologist of the first category, specialist at the Academy of Scientific Beauty. Especially for the site “Treating Acne”.
Video: acyclovir in the treatment of acne
Reviews
Natalya: “I used acyclovir to treat herpes. Great help! But, unfortunately, it does not treat ordinary acne on the forehead.”
Oksana: “I found a tube of ointment in the medicine cabinet at home. Since I was terribly late for a date, I applied it to a pimple on my chin. Unfortunately, there was no effect, I had to cover it up with foundation.”
Nikolay: “Smearing bacterial acne with antiviral medication is stupid. Only a person who lives in a cave can do this.”
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For many representatives of the fair sex, the problem of acne is a real disaster, because they cannot be hidden even with the help of foundation or powder. To combat this scourge, girls use various ointments, creams and tablets, while neglecting the consultation of a specialist.
Acyclovir can be found in the medicine cabinet of every person who periodically experiences herpes rashes on the lips. There is an opinion that such a drug is effective in combating acne, but in reality, many cosmetologists doubt this fact.
In order to find out whether acyclovir helps eliminate skin rashes, you should understand the principle of its action on dermatological rashes.
Compound
The main active ingredient of the drug is acyclovir, and its concentration in one form or another may vary.
In addition to the main substance, the medication contains auxiliary components such as propylene glycol, paraffin, microcrystalline cellulose and others.
After taking acyclovir internally or externally, the drug enters the bloodstream. Upon contact with virus cells, a chemical transformation of the drug occurs, and it is introduced into the DNA chain.
The main component is converted into acyclovir triphosphate and over time the chemical synthesis of the virus is blocked.
As a result, the active substance acyclovir inhibits the further development of the virus and prevents its reproduction. Pathological cells are broken down and gradually eliminated naturally through urine from the body.
Release form
Several forms of a drug such as acyclovir can be purchased on the pharmaceutical market.
Aciclovir tablets for acne are prescribed to adults in the amount of 800 mg 5 times a day, and the medicine should be taken at equal intervals after meals.
The medication should be taken with plenty of water to prevent the development of side effects. Acyclovir tablets help destroy the virus in the body or suppress its activity, after which the medication is eliminated from the body naturally.
Aciclovir ointment and cream for acne can be used to combat acne and herpes rashes, as well as acne.
The medication should be used for adults to treat inflamed skin several times a day, and for children and adolescents - 2-3 times a day.
Acyclovir powder is considered an antiviral agent, which is effective in eliminating acne, cytomegalovirus, acne and inflammatory rashes. When the medication is taken orally, the bioavailability of the powder reaches 15-30%, and the remaining medication is excreted from the body most often with urine.
Usually, experts recommend using ointment to eliminate acne and pimples on the face. To achieve a more pronounced effect, it is allowed to combine its use with tablets.
Acyclovir is not an antibiotic, but is considered an antiviral drug. It affects acne at the cellular level, which makes it possible to achieve a high treatment effect.
The components of the drug penetrate deep into the skin, identify affected cells and treat them, while destroying pathogens.
Instructions for using acyclovir for acne on the face
The treatment regimen for herpes or acne with acyclovir should be selected by a specialist. If single rashes appear on the face, you can use cream or ointment.
The external agent does not allow virus cells to spread to nearby areas and prevents complications of the disease.
If too large areas of skin are affected and chronic rashes are usually prescribed, Acyclovir tablets or injections of the drug are prescribed.
How it works
The instructions included with the drug suggest several regimens for using acyclovir.
When treating acne on the face with acyclovir ointment, apply the product to the skin for up to 10 days. Every day, every 4 hours, inflamed areas of the skin should be treated with the product, lubricating them with a thin layer. It is first necessary to cleanse the epidermis of cosmetics.
The duration of therapy with acyclovir tablets is 5 days, and the usual dose is 1 capsule every 2-3 hours up to 5 times a day.
In case of a complicated form of infection, the course of drug treatment can be extended with the permission of the doctor. In order to prevent exacerbation, it is allowed to take Acyclovir 1 tablet 4 times a day.
How to use during pregnancy
Despite the fact that, if available, the use of such a medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding is allowed, it is necessary to obtain approval from a physician before starting to take it.
The two most commonly used forms are tablets and ointment. The daily dosage of the medication during pregnancy is 200-400 mcg, which should be divided into several doses. The ointment should be applied to inflamed areas of the skin no more than 5 times a day, avoiding contact with mucous membranes.
Causes of internal acne on the face. More details here.
Indications for use
The main indication for the use of external forms of the drug is considered to be the elimination of epidermal lesions caused by herpes viruses.
With their help, it is possible to slow down the development of viral cells and the formation of new rash elements, as well as speed up the healing of blisters that have already appeared on the skin.
Acyclovir tablets can be prescribed for the following indications:
- fight against infections of the skin and mucous membranes caused by the herpes virus;
- elimination of primary infections caused by the varicella zoster virus and herpes zoster, as well as preventing their relapses;
- prevention of exacerbation of herpetic infections in patients with good immunity and with a decrease in the body’s defenses;
- complex treatment of people with immunodeficiency.
Acyclovir can be used to treat pimples and acne, but you should not expect an immediate effect. In addition, it is unlikely that you will be able to completely clear the skin of blackheads, whiteheads and red pimples.
Sometimes acyclovir really helps eliminate not only herpetic rashes, but also subcutaneous pimples. This result can be achieved due to certain properties of the medication.
Acyclovir stimulates the production of its own interferon, although in small quantities. This helps boost immunity and thereby speed up the patient's recovery. The better the body's defenses, the better it copes with acne and pimples.
The main substances and auxiliary components have a light cleansing effect, which accelerates the healing of wounds and the elimination of redness.
Contraindications and side effects
The use of acyclovir tablets, cream and ointment is contraindicated in the following cases:
- individual intolerance to the main or auxiliary components of the medication;
- during pregnancy and breastfeeding, since the active substance can penetrate the placenta and enter milk;
- children under 2 years of age.
Before using the drug, you should consult a specialist.
Acyclovir for acne rarely causes side effects, but it is still possible to experience:
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- stomach problems;
- headaches;
- allergic skin rash.
When treated with acyclovir, there may be a feeling of constant fatigue, and most often this reaction is caused by the body's individual intolerance to the constituent components of the drug.
If at least one of the listed signs appears, you must stop using the medicine and seek advice from a specialist.
Medical practice shows that most often side effects occur when taking acyclovir tablets, so it is recommended to use ointment to combat acne and acne on the face.
However, in some cases, treatment of acne with acyclovir may be accompanied by local adverse reactions on the skin in the form of redness, itching, dryness, tingling and burning sensations.
Precautionary measures
Long-term or repeated treatment with acyclovir in patients with reduced immunity can lead to the emergence of strains of viruses that are not sensitive to its action.
The medication is prescribed with increased caution to patients who suffer from impaired renal function and to elderly people due to the increased half-life of acyclovir.
When taking tablets, you must consume a sufficient amount of fluid and be sure to monitor your kidney function.
Video: How to get rid of rashes
Photos before and after
How to remove internal acne on the face? Find out further.
How to get rid of internal acne on the chin? The answer is here.
Acyclovir is considered an effective drug that helps get rid of acne of viral origin. Each patient is given an individual medication regimen and it is best to avoid any self-medication.
Pimple is evil! This is what both the average teenager and adult think. In addition, inflammatory processes on the face are unsightly, unaesthetic and indicate a metabolic disorder in the body. Various methods are used in the fight for clear skin, including Acyclovir ointment. Anyone who has treated colds with this remedy believes in the effectiveness of this drug for acne vulgaris.
Does Acyclovir help with acne? How to use this medicine?
Brief instructions for Acyclovir
Before using Acyclovir for acne, you should read the instructions for the drug.
The main active ingredient of the drug is acyclovir. The drug is available in several dosage forms - cream, tablets, and a form for preparing a solution for injection.
Indications for use:
- Herpetic lesions of the skin and mucous membranes by Herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2
- Genital forms of herpes
- Chickenpox in adults
- Shingles
- Preventive measures aimed at suppressing cytomegalovirus after bone marrow transplantation.
When treating viral infections, the use of ointments to treat rashes and tablet forms to reduce the viral load on the body is indicated.
The drug is not used for:
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
- Individual intolerance
- Up to 3 years of age.
Acyclovir ointment and tablets have a number of side effects, both local and system-wide.
Local side effects include itching at the site of application, hyperemia, and various types of dermatitis. When taken orally, the drug causes dry mouth, defecation disorders, headaches, and convulsions. If system-wide side effects occur, use of the antiherpetic drug should be discontinued.
Directions for use for acne
Effective dosages of the drug depend on the form of the drug and the severity of the disease. If a single bubble appears on the skin, then topical application of the cream is sufficient. If the affected area occupies several square centimeters or the genitals are affected, then a tablet or injectable form is connected to the external agent.
- The ointment is applied in a thin layer to the affected area 5 times a day. The amount of cream depends on the area of the affected area. The duration of therapy is at least 5 days from the onset of the first symptoms.
- Tablets are taken 200 mg 5 times a day when herpetic rashes appear. For herpes zoster, dosages may be increased.
Does the medicine help?
The appearance of acne vulgaris is the result of blockage of the excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands on the face and body. Fatty secretions accumulate in the gland and when pathogenic microflora penetrate, an inflammatory process develops. A pimple appears.
Facial acne products contain anti-inflammatory ingredients. In addition, the components of ointments regulate the activity of the sebaceous glands, which helps reduce sebum production.
Acyclovir is an antiviral and antiherpetic agent. The active ingredients of the drug do not have an anti-inflammatory effect on the affected sebaceous gland and do not reduce the secretion of sebum.
Acyclovir only helps against acne of herpetic origin. Acne vulgaris and milia are not treated with this remedy.
Why does the drug help with acne vulgaris?
Why, despite the lack of indications, do women use antiherpetic drugs for acne vulgaris? The positive effect of using Acyclovir is as follows:
- The drug locally stimulates the production of interferon. This small amount may be enough to suppress pathogenic microflora and the inflammatory process subsides.
- It is a mistake in self-diagnosis, since herpetic eruptions are similar in appearance to acne vulgaris.
- The placebo effect is triggered.
- Additional components of the ointment have a cleansing effect on the skin. The pimple dries out and the inflammatory process subsides.
Some conclusions
Whether or not to use Acyclovir ointment for acne vulgaris is up to you. But there are no indications for acne.
If you are tormented by skin rashes, then do not self-medicate. Contact a dermatologist, gynecologist and venereologist. Get examined, undergo treatment. The doctor will select for you an effective acne ointment and medications to normalize hormonal levels. And you will forget about acne, and you will use Acyclovir only to treat herpes.