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Newspaper Columns, Pharmacy Q&A September 3, 2008
Q. My mother, a retired nurse, encouraged me to write you regarding my son's acne problem. He is 19 and has been through many rounds of antibiotics with limited success. I don't like his taking antibiotics for such long periods of time. Any suggestions?
A. You will laugh at our suggestion and dermatologists will cringe. We have heard from readers that putting milk of magnesia on the skin can be helpful for acne. One mother recently shared the following story:
“I wrote you several months ago about my son who almost died back in October 2007 from vitamin A poisoning. The dermatologist taking care of him had prescribed Accutane, and that seems to have been the cause.
“He has been using milk of magnesia topically at bedtime for months now. Our pediatrician ran a test to make sure he wasn’t getting too much magnesium, and also retested the vitamin A level to see if it had come back to normal.
“The happy news is that both magnesium and vitamin A levels are normal. My son looks great and feels well.”
Tags: Accutane, acne, antibiotics, milk of magnesia
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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
© 2008 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Reader Comments
I read about MofM for acne on this website and it's great. I put it on with a cotton ball before bed and leave it on while I sleep.
I'm 52 and my acne (actually rosacea) is related to menopausal hormonal changes. Since my mid-forties I've tried many different prescription and OTC treatments. I like MofM the best and it's by far the least expensive.
MofM is drying right after I put it on, but by morning my skin looks better. MofM seems to cause the plugged-up pores to clean themselves out and dry up infection.
Btw, it took me a little while to get over my initial aversion to buying a laxative and putting in on my face. I'd go to the store to buy it and then change my mind! Now it works so well that I don't care.
I also read about using MofM on this website as a deodorant and it works great for that too. It prevents BO, doesn't have a smell of its own, and doesn't leave marks on my clothes.
Posted by: Eliza | September 4, 2008 2:04 PM
When I get pimples, I put Campho-Phenique on them. It clears them up quickly--often overnight.
Posted by: DK | September 5, 2008 2:00 PM
My skin has cleared up since I began 'washing' my face with Listerine. I'll take a cotton ball doused with Listerine (the yellow original formula) and wipe my face; not only is it refreshing, it cleans wonderfully.
Posted by: Anna | September 5, 2008 6:30 PM
Try apple cider vinegar. I read about it many years ago. Tried it just before going to bed on a pimple that was just starting. Next morning it was gone with no trace, redness, raised skin, etc. Told my RN step-daughter. She tried it and was pleased with the results. Apple cider has is excellent for a lot of cures because of the enzymes in it. I always have a gallon on hand. Good luck.
Posted by: marty | September 6, 2008 3:10 AM
Tea Tree Oil is very affective on acne, it draws out the infection..and clears it right up
Posted by: Stephanie | September 6, 2008 8:38 AM
Thanks for all the helpful info on acne. I am going to try the MOM
Posted by: C Hayes | September 7, 2008 10:23 PM
I was on Accutne for about nine months 10 years ago for painful and unsightly cystic acne. The drug worked great and cleared the problem. I'm 34 and occasionally have mild breakouts and out of desperation during one episode I put Betadine on a painful cystic pimple and to my surprise it was cleared the next morning! It has been a mainstay in my nightly beauty routine ever since. I can't recommend it enough.
Posted by: pc | September 25, 2008 10:49 PM