Acne

K09

Hi,

I am in my late 20s and have had pretty bad acne on my back and shoulders for the past 5 yrs now.

I have been to the doctor and put on tablets for 6 mths, which worked. But as soon as I stopped the acne returned.

Anyone with similar issue? Any advice?

Thanks.

LadyE

Are you male or female? Contraceptive pill Dianette helps acne, als dertmatalogical facials I find great.

Im using a antibiotic ointment now called Dalacin, maybe ask your doctor about that?

AARRRGH

This probably isn't what you want to hear, but my advice is to not worry about it.

If I met a girl and she told me she has some acne on her back, and she has tried everything but it won't go away, I wouldn't be bothered by that at all.

Things which are out of your control shouldn't be a problem for yourself or other people.

Dave!

What kind of acne OP? Is it cystic?

Was it Roaccutane that you were on? If not, talk to your doctor about going on it. If you were already on it, then talk about going back on it.

Have you been referred to a dermatologist? If not, get referred.

All the best

cjmcork

I'm on Dianette, but I also use a cream called Timodene - it's bloody brilliant - a spot would be coming up today, catch the git on time and it's dried out by tomorrow.......

genegenie

I have been to the doctor and put on tablets for 6 mths, which worked. But as soon as I stopped the acne returned.

Were these antibiotic tablets you were taking? Remember the name of them at all? Antibiotic treatment works by killing the bacteria that cause acne, so unfortunately when you discontinue treatment the bacteria can proliferate again and acne returns in many cases.

I second Dave's recommendations, to see your doctor and/or a dermatologist. There's really no need for you to put up with this, there's so many treatments out there. There most effective treatment is Roaccutane, but it's really only given in cases of severe cystic acne when other treatments have failed. No harm in mentioning it though.

Other prescription treatments usually involve taking oral antibiotics and/or applying topical antibiotics or isotretinoin to the affected area. The treatments containing isotretinoin (Roaccutane, Isotrexin) tend to be the most effective. If you're female you could try a birth control pill called Dianette. This contains an anti-androgen which controls the hormone that causes excess sebum production. If your skin is rather oily this could be quite effective and you have the added benefit of birth control.

If you're looking for a stop gap measure in the meantime you could try an over the counter benzoyl peroxide treatment. I personally recommend Panoxyl, a topical cream. It comes in two strengths, 5% and 10% which you can pick up in any chemist. Try the lowest to begin with (it can cause a little irritation at first) and see how you get on. If you're not seeing improvement after a couple of weeks move up to 10%. Benzoyl peroxide works in a number of ways to treat acne. It's keratolytic, so it sloughs off the dead skin cells which clog pores and lead to comedones (blackheads/whiteheads) and it's antibacterial, so it kills the bacteria which cause infection and inflammation of the comedones. It's really very effective in a lot of cases, you should try it. I had mild (but stubborn) acne myself for 5 years, I tried a lot of treatments and the only one which consistently cleared me up was Panoxyl 10. I still keep a tube of it nearby in case of emergencies!

Idbatterim

if its just on your back, Benzoyl Peroxide is your best bet, Panoxyl is expensive and harsh however. Antibiotics over the long term are not a good idea. I could recommend another brand of BP that has worked on me excellently anytime iv tried it, but dont think im allowed!

TheMelodyOfRain

A woman by name of Theresa Dillon has set up a clinic in Limerick which houses a bath containing Garra Ruffa fish which are originally used to treat psoriasis but can also treat acne. Her success rate, she claims, is 75%.

If you call the RTE studios I'd imagine they would be able to provide you with contact details.

kick-on

i was beginning to get spots there a while back and the cousin told me that he used to be the same and to stop eating chocolate, since then ive had very few spots!!!! i also got medicated soap, (ask in d chemist) and that defo helped aswell

msg11

Have some acne on my face also, but mixed with some freckles, not too worried about it too be honest, I am who I am and all that. :pac:

But on a scientific note, what foodstuff's/drinks etc... Cause the spots ?

I have come to the conclusion it is a lack of face moisture?

Now I have done some research/testing things myself, I have a dislike of any tablets.

I found that if my stress level are high, the spots show up, if they are low they go. I also found after washing of the face the spots vanish only to return when the water is taken away ?

I also think, that it varys from person to person. Too be honest, I could not really care about them, it's natural, it's life & there spots :pac:

Any idea's or suggestion on a solution without tablets ? ? ?

Vitamin A is a great for skin, but what product come with it, that you can readily eat, so I don't have to walk down the road eating a tomato.

Seonad

I'd acne myself for years, it would appear on my face, back and chest. I used everything and anything to try and get rid of it.
The only thing that worked for me was roaccutane. Ive been off it for a few months now after starting it early last summer and so far so good. The dermatologist did say that there was always a possibility that it would flair up again and that a subsequent course may be necessary but it does work.

Don't give up on it just yet (if that was what you were taking).
I suggest going back to your dermatologist, gps don't really have a clue. I know they can be expensive but it's definately worth it in my opinion.

Best of luck to you:)

Tigger

genegenie wrote: »

I tried a lot of treatments and the only one which consistently cleared me up was Panoxyl 10.

its the only thing that works for me except for stomache churning pills