治療暗瘡不是一件容易的事，過去，醫學及皮膚學專家一直都希望尋找到一種能減輕不適感及能應付準備會出現暗瘡跡象的配方。縱使暗瘡是很難根治，但都有一些原料是有助治療暗瘡的良藥，而杜娟花酸就是其中之一。
從麥，黑麥和大麥中，也可發現含有杜娟花酸，也從酵母中形成的天然物質，可生存於皮膚上.
這些酸性物質能用作天然抗菌─在皮膚上有效地消滅細菌。故此杜娟花酸能用作為局部面霜(含20%成份)，即只塗上己長有暗瘡或有機會長出暗瘡的位置上。
另外，杜娟花酸亦可減退暗瘡的紅色和發炎症狀。就因它能抗炎，所以也能用作治療玫瑰痤瘡。
自發現暗瘡原來是有很多種類後，使採用杜娟花酸去治療有細菌的患處了。一些醫學研究已指引顯示杜娟花酸能被採用與面霜混合一起使用，如benzoyl peroxide，抗生素和tretinoin有更好的效果。使用杜娟花酸的一般時間為每天用一次，持續一至兩個月左右。
從有暗瘡徵兆開始由經醫生指導下使用的話，那患處會逐漸減退及致消失。然而在市場上杜娟花酸並不是抵抗暗瘡最強的物質，且還未有證實是否可適合12歲以下兒童使用。
杜娟花酸也像其他藥物一樣都會有副作用。最常見刺痛、變紅、灼傷或乾燥的感覺。故此，最好用於有暗瘡或準備會長暗瘡的地方便可以，須緊記塗此霜時與眼睛，口及鼻孔保持距離。使用後要徹底地清潔雙手。如使用後令你皮膚感到非常不適或痛楚，應立即告訴你的家庭醫生了。
最重要記住杜娟花酸是治療暗瘡良藥之一，但並非優勝所有治療暗瘡的東西。所以使用它時都要有耐性地等待效果出現，(大約須幾個月左右)或你可能須用到比杜娟花酸更強的藥物或經醫生用另類藥物的方法去治療。
Treating Acne with Azelaic acid
Treating acne is no easy feat. For years, medical experts and dermatologists have been trying to find just the right ingredients to alleviate the uncomfortable and oftentimes unsightly symptoms of acne. Even though there is no cure for acne, there are certain ingredients that are proving effective. Azelaic acid is one of them.
Azelaic acid can be found in wheat, rye and barley but also forms as a natural substance in yeast-form that lives on normal skin. This acid works as a natural antiseptic that is very effective in killing bacteria on the skin. For this reason, Azelaic acid is used as a topical cream, usually at a concentration of 20%, to treat existing acne outbreaks and prevent future breakouts by killing bacteria. In addition to getting rid of acne causing factors, Azelaic acid also reduces redness and inflammation associated with acne. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, Azelaic acid is also used to treat the skin condition Rosacea as well.
Since there is more than one type of acne, Azelaic acid is only effective in treating acne conditions that are directly infected with bacteria. Some medical studies have been conducted that show Azelaic acid can be used in combination with other creams, such as benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, and tretinoin for more advanced results. Regardless of what form it appears in, the use of Azelaic acid for acne typically takes about one to two months of daily application before actual results show. When used as directed by a doctor, the symptoms of acne as well as the appearance of acne lesions will begin to fade and eventually disappear. While Azelaic acid is not the strongest acne-fighting ingredient on the market, it has not been approved for use on children younger than 12-years-old.
Just like any other acne medication, Azelaic acid is prone to side effects. The most common include stinging, redness, burning sensation and dry skin. For best results, it is important to apply the topical cream only to the areas that are affected by acne and breakouts. Be sure to keep the Azelaic acid away from your eyes, as well as the inside of your nose and mouth. After each application, wash your hands thoroughly. If you experience any other side effects, especially if they cause you any pain or make your skin uncomfortable, tell your doctor immediately.
It is important to remember that the effects of Azelaic acid may work better for some than for others. Because it can take a few months for results to show, you need to be patient. If your acne does not start to clear up or fade after a few months, you may need something stronger and your doctor will more than likely put you on a different type of medication.
