The body has a lot of defence mechanisms against bacteria and other microorganisms, making it resistant to some forms of infection. The primary defence of the body is the skin, which serves as a protective barrier against pathogenic microorganisms. The skin protects the body from infection through the presence of normal bacterial flora on the surface, which inhibits the growth of the pathogenic strains, the secretion of oil and sweat that provide a toxic environment to microorganisms because of their pH, and enzymes that are present in the mucous membranes that kill or degrade the pathogens. The skin contributes a big part in one’s immunity to diseases and infections because once the integrity of the skin has been broken, immunity greatly decreases.
Haemorrhoids are very prone to infections because it breaches the defence of the skin. It protrudes from the anus causing the veins to get exposed to the bacteria. Though there is no break in the skin, the protrusion of the vein itself can attract pathogens. What makes it more prone to infections is the presence of different microorganisms in the anus due to its role in the passage of stool. When the stool gets in contact with the protruded part, the normal flora present in the stool can turn into an opportunistic microorganism that can ultimately cause infection. To prevent infections from occurring, you can use antibiotics for hemorrhoids.
Antibiotics are not only used as treatment for existing infections; they can also be used as prophylaxis against them. The principle that governs the use of antibiotics for hemorrhoids is that it should be effective for the microorganisms that are usually found in the stool, because they are the most probable causative agents. Some antibiotics for haemorrhoids include Cephalosporins and Fluoroquinolones.
Cephalosporins are beta-lactam antibiotics, and is greatly related to Penicillin, which belongs to the same class of antibiotics. What beta-lactams do is that they prevent the formation of cell walls in actively replicating bacteria. The cell wall confers strength and protection to the bacteria and if their formation is inhibited, the bacteria become susceptible to increased pressure and will eventually be degraded by human cells.
Fluoroquinolones, on the other hand, act by inhibiting one of the enzymes, DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV, that are needed for the synthesis of bacterial DNA, which is a very important part of every cell. This will also lead to the death of the bacteria.
The use of antibiotics for hemorrhoids can effectively prevent infections but it must be used appropriately. Antibiotics are not advised to be taken as an over-the-counter drug because inappropriate use can lead to antibiotic resistance of the bacteria. Antimicrobial resistance means that the bacteria is no longer susceptible to the medicine because it has already adapted to it- either by a change in its structure or synthesis of enzymes that can degrade the antibiotics.
If the bacteria present in your tissue is resistant to the antimicrobials that you are taking, this means that you have to look for other antimicrobials that can exert its intended effects on the pathogens. There has been an emergence of antimicrobial resistant pathogens and you have to be careful in using these types of medicines. It is still best to ask your doctor about it.
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