Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Exam Prep 2025 – Complete Practice Resource

Oral antibiotics are commonly considered for the treatment of severe cases of acne when topical treatments alone are insufficient. This approach is particularly useful for inflammatory acne, such as cystic acne, where the inflammatory component is significant. Oral antibiotics work by reducing the population of bacteria on the skin that contribute to acne formation and can decrease inflammation associated with acne lesions. They help to manage the condition more effectively in cases where topical treatments are not achieving desired results.

In contrast, topical antifungals and topical antivirals are generally not effective in treating acne, as they target fungal and viral infections, respectively, rather than the factors that contribute to acne development. Willow bark extract, while it has some anti-inflammatory properties and is occasionally included in some skin care products, does not have the same level of efficacy as oral antibiotics in the context of severe acne treatment. Thus, when managing severe acne, oral antibiotics are a standard therapeutic option.