Dermatologist ?

LegacyUser

For the past number of years I have suffered with acne (pimples and blackheads) and as time goes by its getting me down more and more. To be honest I will admit that there are people out there worse then me but I'm very self concious and embarrassed about this and am confused and uninformed about how to go about things.

I have being to the doctor a number of times and all that was given to me were antibiotics and Duac cream. I've being on them for over a year now and there hasn't being much change at all.

I'm not sure now if it's worth going back to my doctor(s) about this to see if I can get put on stronger medication or be referred onto a Dermatologist as he's the type who takes the whole ''ahh sure you'll be grand'' approach to things and send you on your way and one of the other doctors in his surgery once laughed at me when I asked if I could be sent on to a Dermatologist.

I've tried numerous of thing at this stage such as the medication as mentioned above, face washes, steam rooms and pore strips but not much changes.

I am wondering what my options are at this stage ? Even if anybody has any recommendations as to any good soaps or face washes that might help ?

Thanks and sorry for the long post.

Forest Master

What's your diet like?

fghijkl

OP i'm in 2 minds about this is it really as bad as you think? I mean is it simply a case of an occasional few spots, or is it full blown acne? If the doctors are not taking your issues seriously, you may be just over self concious about your spots, everyone gets a few spots from time to time, it doesn't mean there's anything medically wrong with them.

Now OP that doesn't mean i'm belittling your situation at all. I've had acne in my teens so i know how it can destroy your confidence.

one of the other doctors in his surgery once laughed at me when I asked if I could be sent on to a Dermatologist.

That's completely unacceptable behaviour OP.
My advice would be to find a different GP in a different surgery.
Get a second opinion. If it is acne it can be very hard to treat, But yeah whatever you do make sure to get a 2nd opinion.

You don't say if you're male or female OP, but going on certain types of contraception pills can help. Also the reverse, if you're on the pill, that could also be a cause of spots.

LegacyUser

I have been on medication for acne since age 13. I am 22 now. I originally started on antibiotics and creams with my GP which helped but did not cure. He referred me to a dermatologist at age 16 who prescribed me a course of Roaccutane (the lowest dose possible) for about 6-9 months. This drug is very difficult to live with and can have serious side effects, including depression. Google this. However, it was the most effective thing yet and when I was finished I was acne free for several months.

Since then I have had a relapse and went back to my dermatologist. He offered me the option of Roaccutane again but I declined as I found it too difficult to live with the first time. I have since returned to antibiotics, but on double the dose I used to have which is proving very effective. Because of this I have to get regular liver tests. That sucks and to be honest I think it's not sustainable in the long term.

So my advice to you is seek a referral to a dermatologist if you are not satisfied with your treatment. My GP referred me so I don't know if you can get a referral without your GP playing ball. If you can get an appointment, you have nothing to lose but your consultation fee. The dermatologist will be able to tell you exactly how serious your condition is and believe me, it will have to be serious to get any of the stronger drugs. If so, you may be able to find a solution for your condition. However, I must urge caution that the stronger drugs can have serious side effects which must be discussed with your dermatologist, should he or she choose to recommend that course of action.

LegacyUser

You can go see a dermatologist without a referral. Bypass your GP.

:rollseyes: at the diet comment.

Also personally the harsh stuff like clear pore strips from the pharmacy didnt help. Really gentle products from la roche posay work for me best.

mood

acnesufferer did you dermatologist ever discuss laser treatment with you? It is meant to be successful in the treatment of acne and I am surprised a dermatologist wouldn't consider it instead of years of medication!

borabora

Change your pillowcase every night.

flippnflopp

I agree with acnesufferer. I had a very similar experience with Roaccutane - serious side effects but it cleared up the acne in the medium term very succesfully. I am currently on maintenance on the contraceptive pill (Dianette) which suits me very well (also unsure of OP's gender here...)

My main advice would be to consult a Dermatologist as there are several options that should be discussed with a professional. My long-term experience was that over-the-counter washes and soaps simply were not enough by themselves. My acne was only moderate at worst, but it still left fairly visible scarring and permanent redness from my teens. So you are entitled to get a referral from your GP if that is what you wish.

biddywiddy

+1 for getting a referral to a dermatologist. I had acne for years, it would flare up alot, often quite badly. I saw my GP about it in my late teens where I was prescribed face washes and ointments which did little except bleach the dye out of my pillowcases and sheets. In my early twenties, I went to the GP and began taking the pill Dianette. This helped alot, but the acne was by no means gone.

Eventually, enough was enough, and I made an appointment with a new GP. My only goal was to get a dermatologist referral, and I just wasn't going to leave without one! That makes me sound very forceful, but I just wasn't going to go through the bleached pillowcase scenario again. The GP was really nice, said that it was time to do something about it. I am embarrassed to say that I started to cry. It was like someone just listened to me properly for the first time, and actually understood that it was more than "just a few spots".

I went on a course of minocin (I think) while I waited for the dermatologist appointment (took about 4 or 5 months I think). This slowly started to clear my skin, and then I moved to Roaccutane. I was on it for 5 months. At one point the dosage was too high (and the side effects too severe) so I moved back to a lower dose.

All I can say is that it worked for me, though I realise it's not a great solution for everyone. I still get the odd spot, but just one, not twenty. And they never hurt as much as they did before. At least if you see a dermatologist you can discuss what action is best for you. I would push for a referral from your GP. If you would like a recommendation for a great dermatologist in the Galway area, pm me.

pheasant tail

OP whatever you do,roaccutane is a last last last resort and it really isint worth it,i was on it for 6 months and the depression didnt start until i finished the drug,its a last option but id only advise you to not go near the stuff,its lethal,best of luck

LegacyUser

pheasant tail wrote: »

OP whatever you do,roaccutane is a last last last resort and it really isint worth it,i was on it for 6 months and the depression didnt start until i finished the drug,its a last option but id only advise you to not go near the stuff,its lethal,best of luck

You cant be giving advice like that!

I took a course of it when in my late twenties, and I flew through the treatment with few side effects. With the way people talk about it you'd nearly be expecting to go psycho on the stuff.

OP skip your GP and go straight to a dermatologist. you dont necessarily need a referral. Few consultants read the referral letters anyway!

LegacyUser

Thanks for the replies people.

Should of stated this in my original OP that I am male and in my late teens.

Yeah I know about roaccutane and I don't think I will ever have to go down that road. It's more of a blackhead problem then a any other types of spots. I used to suffer bad with pimples but the Minox and Duac has helped to an extent. Still get the odd few though but it doesn't bother as much.

But I'm just starting to notice lately that my chest, back, shoulders (torso) and face are becoming worse with blackheads. Some people say that a good face/body wash does the job and others say '' you'll need to have them extracted '' ?

Regarding my diet yes I do eat the odd bar of chocolate, bag of crisp, chips. However I do drink a lot of water. Don't really drink that much alcohol, only when I go out. And before anybody asks no I do not drink orange juice occasionally.

Ickle Magoo

Can recommendations regarding which prescribed medications are taken, when and why be left to the professionals who have seen the OP and are qualified to make the judgement.

Many thanks

While you're figuring out what course of action you want to take, it couldn't hurt to try La Roche-Posay Effaclar foaming gel as a facewash. I used it along with a topical medication but every time an acne thread comes up I always recommend it. I can't speak highly enough for how good it is for me. It's in most pharmacies, I think in Boots it's around 13 quid but it lasts a really long time, you've nothing to lose by using it, and as it's formulated to be used in conjunction with medication, if you do end up going to a dermatologist and getting medication it's good for using during your course.

It's here under Oily Skin with imperfections: http://www.laroche-posay.ie/_en/_ie/index.aspx

To be honest though, it sounds like you're mainly just worried about blackheads, which as a male in your late teens, you've probably got good skin compared to some of your friends. Maybe it's just something you should try to deal with? A bit of confidence goes a long way.

Other than that, change your pillowcase every night, don't touch your face with your hands and don't touch your face off surfaces (these do make a huge difference). Ignore the people who tell you it's your diet, unless you're literally smearing the food on your face. Nothing annoyed me more than when people made out like it was my diet. Something to bear in mind also is conditioner. Backne (and on your shoulders, chest etc.) can sometimes be caused by conditioner settling on your skin, so make sure you're finished washing your hair before you wash the rest of your body, so that you're cleaning off any residual hair product. Good Luck!

LegacyUser

true-or-false wrote: »

While you're figuring out what course of action you want to take, it couldn't hurt to try La Roche-Posay Effaclar foaming gel as a facewash. I used it along with a topical medication but every time an acne thread comes up I always recommend it. I can't speak highly enough for how good it is for me. It's in most pharmacies, I think in Boots it's around 13 quid but it lasts a really long time, you've nothing to lose by using it, and as it's formulated to be used in conjunction with medication, if you do end up going to a dermatologist and getting medication it's good for using during your course.

It's here under Oily Skin with imperfections: http://www.laroche-posay.ie/_en/_ie/index.aspx

Will give that a try The stuff I'm using at the moment is Johnson & Johnson Blackhead scrub but I read that from peoples opinions its muck.

true-or-false wrote: »

To be honest though, it sounds like you're mainly just worried about blackheads, which as a male in your late teens, you've probably got good skin compared to some of your friends. Maybe it's just something you should try to deal with? A bit of confidence goes a long way.

It is something that I would except but I dread the day when its pointed out to me and people think I don't wash/shower myself ect ect.

true-or-false wrote: »

Other than that, change your pillowcase every night, don't touch your face with your hands and don't touch your face off surfaces (these do make a huge difference). Ignore the people who tell you it's your diet, unless you're literally smearing the food on your face. Nothing annoyed me more than when people made out like it was my diet. Something to bear in mind also is conditioner. Backne (and on your shoulders, chest etc.) can sometimes be caused by conditioner settling on your skin, so make sure you're finished washing your hair before you wash the rest of your body, so that you're cleaning off any residual hair product. Good Luck!

Yeah I'll try the pillow case thing, suppose it work in favor from my greasy hair ( but thats for another day) and me head.

I always make sure that I wash any suds off before I finish in the shower, in fact I rinse myself in cold water to close my pores.

Thanks

fghijkl

Have you tried those face masks that warm up when you put them on your face or the peel off ones?, they're supposed to draw out impurities, i've never tried them myself but they might be worth a try, only a couple of euro available in most pharmacies?

Also there are anti bacterial face washes and soaps you can get in some chemists, could be worth a try also?

I'd generally stay away from any of that Johnson & Johnson, clearasil, neutrogena, etc facewash muck, it's fine for keeping away the odd spot but they can be quite harsh and drying on your skin.

WhatWillBee

ok OP heres what you do...

1. Buy a facewash with either salicyclic acid or even better benzoyl peroxide in it. I think Clean & Clear have a good one.

2. Change your pillowcases everynight. This was mentioned already but its one of the most littleknown and highly effective solutions to acne. An easier version of this is to buy 7 cheap towels, and place a different one on your pillow every night.

Good luck!

shinikins

Have oyu thought of changing your shower gel? the reason i ask is that products like Lynx shower gels aren't actually great for the skin at all, in fact it tends to promote bad skin. My boyfriend loves the Lynx scrub shower gel, but ran out of it and had to use my girly stuff for a few days and his skin cleared up considerably. It might be worth changing products for a while to see if it makes a difference

LegacyUser

Have oyu thought of changing your shower gel? the reason i ask is that products like Lynx shower gels aren't actually great for the skin at all, in fact it tends to promote bad skin. My boyfriend loves the Lynx scrub shower gel, but ran out of it and had to use my girly stuff for a few days and his skin cleared up considerably. It might be worth changing products for a while to see if it makes a difference

I have. I use a Nivea shower cream. It's better then lynx which I don't use any more but still not the best.

Thanks.

zimmermania

Dr Ramsey is very good,hard to get an appoinment inside 3 months,there is a dermatoligist working out of barringtons.