Hope for acne sufferers as scientists work on VACCINE to banish spots forever
The injection targets bacteria on the skin that causes pimples to form - much like drugs like Roaccutane and retoinoid creams
ARE you one of the millions of people plagued by acne?
Well, we've got some good news for you - scientists are working on a vaccine that could banish those pesky spots for good.
The injection targets bacteria on the skin that causes pimples to form - much like drugs like Roaccutane and retoinoid creams.
In the first breakthrough of it's kind experts from the University of California have discovered antibodies to toxins released from acne-causing bacteria called acne vulgaris, which can reduce the inflammation of spots.
In other words, the vaccine could block bacteria that causes acne.
Lead author Eric Huang, from the university's dermatology department, said: "Once validated by a large-scale clinical trial, the potential impact of our findings is huge for the hundreds of millions of individuals suffering from acne vulgaris.
"Current treatment options are often not effective or tolerable for many of the 85 percent of adolescents and more than 40 million adults in the United States who suffer from this multi-factorial cutaneous inflammatory condition.
";New, safe, and efficient therapies are sorely needed."
One in five women in the UK are affected by the skin condition, and cases of adult acne continue to soar.
At its worst it can not only affect the face but spread to the neck, back, chest and in extreme cases all over the body as a painful condition known as whole body acne.
THE JAB COULD REPLACE CONTROVERSIAL DRUG ROACCUTANE WHICH CAN HAVE NASTY SIDE EFFECTS
Roaccutane can have serious side effects, and must only ever be taken if prescribed by a dermatologist.
The NHS states dry lips and skin are "very common" side effects.
For safety, don't go for any waxing, dermabrasion or laser skin treatment while taking the drugs - or in the six months after stopping it.
Common side effects that occur in one in ten people are:
- skin becoming more sensitive to sunlight
- dry eyes
- dry throat
- dry nose and nosebleeds
- headaches and general aches and pains
Serious side effects, that happen in less than one in 1,000 cases include:
- depression or mood changes
- stomach problems including severe tummy pain, bloody diarrhoea and feeling sick
- serious skin rash that peels or blisters
- muscle weakness and difficulty moving your arms or legs
- yellow skin or eyes, difficulty peeing or feeling really tired - signs of liver or kidney problems
- a bad headache that won't go and makes you feel sick
- sudden changes in eyesight
Tell your doctor straight away if you experience any of these.
In very rare cases, you can suffer a severe allergic reaction. Signs include:
- getting a skin rash - red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
- wheezing
- tightness in the chest or throat
- having trouble breathing or talking
- swelling of the mouth, lips or face
A severe allergic reaction is a medical emergency, dial 999 if you show any of the signs.
Current treatment for acne can cause unpleasant side effects like skin dryness, redness, irritation, depression, suicidal thoughts and an increased risk of birth defects in pregnant women.
This vaccine would be the first to target bacteria already in the skin - so it would prevent spots before they've even started.
Eric and his team first started looking at how toxins secreted by acne bacteria last year.
They tested antibodies on mice and human skin cells and found it reduced inflammation.
Tests have not been carried out on people yet.
MORE ON ACNE
Acne is a common skin condition that causes spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that is hot or painful to touch.
The most common areas where acne develops are the face, back and chest.
Just about everyone who has acne get is on their face.
About half of people get it on their back and 15 per cent get it on their chest.
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