Is eczematous acne difficult to treat? These methods are worth trying

Men's skin is rough, so skin problems are always easy to occur. In particular, the incidence of acne is higher, probably because men do not pay attention to skin care. Acne is also divided into many types, such as eczematous acne. So how can men treat such skin diseases?

1. Daily care

Wash your face with warm water once or twice a day to clean your skin. Avoid squeezing or scratching the skin. Avoid using oily or powdery cosmetics and ointments and creams containing glucocorticoids.

2. Common methods of acne treatment

(1) Topical medications: Retinoids (retinoic acid cream, adapalene gel, tazarotene gel), benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics (clindamycin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, etc.), azelaic acid, sulfur lotion, etc.

(2) Oral antibiotics of choice are tetracyclines (minocycline, doxycycline, etc.), followed by macrolides (erythromycin). Avoid antibiotics commonly used to treat systemic infections such as levofloxacin. The course of antibiotic treatment is usually 6 to 12 weeks.

(3) Oral isotretinoin For severe acne, oral isotretinoin is the standard treatment and is currently the most effective method for treating acne. The goal of the treatment course is to achieve a minimum cumulative dose of 60 mg/kg.

(4) Anti-androgen therapy, such as oral contraceptives such as cyproterone acetate tablets, is suitable for female patients with moderate to severe acne, accompanied by excessive androgen levels (such as hirsutism, seborrhea, etc.) or polycystic ovary syndrome. Female patients with delayed acne and those with significantly aggravated acne before menstruation may also consider the use of oral contraceptives.

(5) Oral glucocorticoids are mainly used for acute or aggregated acne, following the principle of short-term, small doses, and combined with other methods.

(6) For patients who cannot tolerate or are unwilling to accept drug treatment, physical therapy such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), fruit acid therapy, laser therapy, etc. can also be considered.

3. Graded treatment of acne

(1) Level 1 is generally treated topically, with topical retinoic acid preparations being the first choice.

(2) Level 2: Combined use of topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide or antibiotics, and oral antibiotics if necessary.

(3) Grade 3 often requires combination therapy, with oral antibiotics combined with topical benzoyl peroxide and/or retinoic acid drugs as the first choice. Antiandrogen therapy can also be considered for female patients with indications.

(4) Oral isotretinoin is the most effective treatment for grade 4 and can be used as first-line treatment. For patients with more inflammatory papules and pustules, systemic antibiotics combined with topical benzoyl peroxide can be used first, and then oral isotretinoin can be used for sequential treatment after the skin lesions have improved significantly.

4. Maintenance treatment of acne

Regardless of the treatment method used, treatment should be continued after the skin lesions have significantly subsided. Topical retinoic acid drugs are the first choice and should be continued for 6 to 12 months. Benzoyl peroxide can be used in combination if necessary.