Best Acne Medication Information

Unfortunately millions of people suffer from acne and there are loads of products on the market - many of which can be ineffective and expensive. Acne can reduce one's confidence and can be a sign of nutritional deficiencies or even allergies, so it is worthwhile finding the best acne medication for you to handle the problem once and for all.

The best acne medications and treatments tackle the problem by reducing the production of sebum, removing dead skin cells and killing acne-causing bacteria using topical drugs and oral medications. The choice of acne medication and treatment used depends upon how severe the problem is. Below are some of the most common treatments used today.

Treatments for acne generally come under the categories of General, Prescription and Specialized treatments. General treatments are products which can help clear acne on the surface but do not tackle the underlying causes of the acne. These treatments include the various creams and lotions out there on the market. Whilst some of these can be effective, they can be costly and often do not target the true source of the problem. They can be effective for the treatment of mild acne, but again you may wish to look into the area more to handle any underlying physical causes.

Prescription drugs include acne medications such as antibiotics which is usually used for patients who have more serious acne conditions. Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria which causes acne but the body is only meant to be on antibiotics for short periods, so this is not an ideal life-long acne medication.

The oral contraceptive pill is a possible treatment which is sometimes used to treat women for acne. This can take three to four months to be effective though and not all women wish to take the contraceptive pill. It is however an option for treating acne.

Another popular acne medication is called Accutane. However, Accutane has many side effects and can be harmful in some cases. Some doctors and dermatologists that refuse to prescribe Accutane due to the uncertainty of its side effects. Due to this, I would not recommend this medication.

Specialized treatments work by handling the root cause of the acne. They usually approach the problem from a combination of angles. These treatments can include handling acne by addressing nutrition, nutritional deficiencies, allergies, avoidance of certain trigger foods, skin hygiene and lifestyle. These are usually the favourable treatments to go for as they do not involve harmful drugs or harsh chemicals. They also usually have longer lasting results as they are getting to the true cause of the problem.

Whichever treatment you choose for handling acne, the best acne medications will not only free you of acne, but will also prevent your acne from returning. It is worth trying to handle acne with specialised treatments as above first and if you do not experience the results you are looking for, see a dermatologist.

Signs, Symptoms, and Medical Information on Potassium Permanganate Intoxication

It is widespread practice that potassium permanganate is used for several medicinal applications such as foot soak for athlete's foot and a warm bath for eczema. It is also used as a disinfectant, deodorant and astringent alongside being an effective bactericide and fungicide.

Potassium permanganate has strong oxidizing properties which make it ideal for applications in treating certain medical conditions especially those which involve the skin.

This chemical is not identified as a carcinogen or a reproductive toxin but it is classified as highly toxic. In its pure form, it occurs as a deep purplish to blackish crystals or granules. It is highly hazardous in this form and proper dilution with the exact amount of water is very important.

Although reports of potassium permanganate poisoning is quite uncommon, there is still the real possibility that such an incident will happen particularly when people are not aware of the hazards, the signs and symptoms of poisoning as well as first aid measures.

How does potassium permanganate poisoning happen?

There are basically four routes for poisoning: inhalation, skin, eyes and ingestion.

Children are predominantly in danger of poisoning and this happen for two reasons: carelessness of adults and the natural tendency of children to put anything (may it be solid, liquid or in any other form) straight to their mouth. This is compounded by the fact that potassium permanganate in its pure form can be readily mistaken for sweets. When dissolved, it results to a rather attractive pink to purple liquid, something a youngster can't resist and the inevitable happens.

However, poisoning is not limited to the young ones. Adults can also suffer from poisoning especially those who are occupationally exposed to the chemical. In a medical report, one 66-year old man was orally taking a solution of 8% potassium permanganate for four weeks and neurological examinations reveal that there have been disorders in several subsystems of the central nervous system.

What are the signs and symptoms of potassium permanganate poisoning?

This chemical can be a concern especially when not prepared properly for medication purposes - it can do more harm than good. It is typically used for topical antibacterial applications and water purification. The nature and severity of the symptoms depends on the amounts and the means of exposure to the chemical.

Symptoms include a burning sensation and redness of the skin, eye and/or skin irritation, cough, shortness of breath and labored breathing, sore throat, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and may even cause shock.

Always prepare your potassium permanganate solution as advised by your doctor or per label instructions. It becomes an irritant at concentrations of 1:1,000 or higher and can be fatal when taken in its pure form and at very high concentrations.10 - 20 grams of unadulterated potassium permanganate is a sufficient amount to kill a person.

What are the other important medical information on potassium permanganate?

In the 1930's and during World War II, it was a popular abortifacient or a drug which induces abortion. Women introduce crystal or granules into the vagina and being an irritant, potassium permanganate irritates the uterus and may stimulate it to get rid of the unborn fetus.

However, it is also used as a stomach wash due to its strong oxidative ability and administered to people who suffered from poisoning such as one caused by overdose of opium. Unfortunately, the same chemical used to reduce the effects of poisoning can also be a poison itself. More so when people do not know how to prepare it and are not informed of its high toxicity.

Keep in mind that although potassium permanganate is a very important chemical with many applications not only as a treatment to different conditions, it is also highly toxic and can be poisonous if not lethal. So always practice caution when dealing with potassium permanganate.