Why is overuse of antibiotics a problem?
Antibiotics improve acne by fighting the bacteria that infect pimples. When antibiotics are used for long periods of time, the bacteria “learn” to alter/change themselves (develop “resistance”) so that they can survive in the presence of the antibiotics. Too much exposure to antibiotics leads to bacteria that are no longer treatable with antibiotics. With the development of widespread bacterial resistance, severe acne has become more common, and people with acne must resort to using increasingly powerful medications that can cause many side effects. To decrease the development of bacterial resistance in any one individual or for all acne-sufferers, in general, experts recommend using antibiotics for relatively short periods of time, and treating, long-term, with other types of acne medications.
