Q: "MY 16-year-old son has very bad acne and has been taking antibiotics prescribed by our GP for four months, with only a slight improvement to his skin. Should he be taking antibiotics for that long, and is there anything else he can try?"
A: Dr Heather Whitehouse of the British Association of Dermatologists says: "Acne is a very common condition that can have huge psychological and social impact, particularly on teenagers, among whom there's a strong link between appearance and social acceptance.
"When it comes to treating acne there are guidelines provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which doctors will usually follow unless they feel there's a good reason not to. Oral antibiotics are recommended for moderate to severe acne because they act by reducing inflammation in the skin and limiting the growth of bacteria implicated in causing acne.
"Oral antibiotics should be used alongside treatments that are applied to the skin, as together they are more effective and limit the chance of the bacteria becoming resistant to treatment.
"Antibiotics can take a little while to work. Guidelines suggest doctors should prescribe them for up to three months before they decide they aren't working. In cases where there's been a noticeable benefit, treatment may continue for as long as six months.
"If the acne is still active beyond this time, your doctor should consider referring you to a dermatologist who specialises in treating acne, as they're able to prescribe stronger treatments, if suitable, that act in different ways to antibiotics.
"If your son has any signs of scarring due to acne, then this is another reason your doctor can refer him to dermatologist sooner."
