Medicine for Acne on the Back, Shoulder & Chest

Developing acne on the body-- including the back, shoulders and chest-- often occurs in tandem with puberty. However, it can persist in adults as well. Body acne, especially of the back, is somewhat more common in men, but can occur in women as well. In addition to being a cosmetic issue, the acne can form into deep cysts that are painful to the sufferer.

Treatments for acne on the back, shoulder and chest include exfoliants, over-the-counter cleansers and prescription drugs. A mild exfoliating scrub can be used in the shower on a regular basis to prevent outbreaks. Exfoliating scrubs remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores that can lead to acne outbreaks. Over-the-counter cleansers can include mild soaps like Cetaphil or more drying cleansers containing salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid or benzoyl peroxide. Prescription antibiotics, such as tetracycline, are sometimes prescribed for severe cases of body acne. Additionally, doctors will sometimes prescribe certain brands of oral contraceptives to women because the hormones contained in the medication are found to reduce acne in some patients. If a severe case of acne is not responsive to other treatments, a dermatologist may recommend treatment with the drug Isotretinoin (common brand name Accutane), a form of vitamin A.

Topical solutions work to dry excess oil from the skin and kill bacteria that lead to inflammation. Oral antibiotics kill the bacteria that cause acne infections. A common cause of body acne in women is a hormone imbalance which causes excess production of oil on the skin. Oral contraceptives often eliminate body acne by restoring hormonal balance. Isotretinoin reduces the amount of oil the skin releases and helps skin repair itself more efficiently.

While severe body acne is often caused by an unlucky coincidence of heredity, actions can be taken to reduce and prevent outbreaks. In addition to using medicine for acne on the back, shoulder and chest, a sufferer should bathe regularly, especially after working up a sweat from exercise or hot outdoor conditions. Those with body acne should not pop or squeeze pimples, since this may spread bacteria to uninfected areas of skin and make the condition worse. Additionally, women and girls may want to consider choosing cosmetics labeled as "noncomedogenic." This means the products don't block pores and are less likely to lead to acne outbreaks. While this advice is mainly useful for combating facial acne, it applies to body lotions and other cosmetics applied below the neck as well.

Many of the medications used to treat body acne are very drying. The use of a non-clogging lotion, possibly one containing alpha hydroxy acid, is often recommended. Use of Isotretinoin comes with even more warnings. Use by pregnant women can lead to severe birth defects. In a small number of cases, Isotretinoin has also been linked to severe depression in users.