Permanent treatment for acne?

Dylanw2u

Hello, my eldest son (17, 18 in a week) suffers from acne.

Now, while it isn't severe it often lasts for months on his face, he exercises and eats well but he cannot rid of it.

We've tried everything, acne products, antibiotics etc. Nothing works.


My son has become very self conscious over the years, and was bullied in secondary school up to third year and he isn't himself anymore. He is very depressed and has tried committing suicide in the past through overdosing. Now-a-days he always avoids going outside as he hates his appearance, he has even stopped coming down for dinner now (the only time we see him) and rarely eats as he says "if I eat less then I'll get less acne" and I'm so concerned for his health and well being. He is diagnosed with depression and is on medication for it, but I was wondering if there's treatment that permanently rids of acne. I've read accutane works wonders but also read it's been banned now.


I know my son most likely won't be allowed any severe forms of acne medication since it isn't as bad as some cases, however I'm very scared of him starving himself to the point of death (He's 5' 11 and weighs 7 stone) or committing suicide due to him becoming more upset over acne.


Does anyone think it would be possible for a dermatologist to prescribe a strong acne medication given the circumstances? I'm terrified of losing my son, and will do anything to make him happier.

My best friend had terrible acne through college; he tried all the prescriptions from his dermatologist and none of them were satisfactory.

bizarrely, what completely cleared his acne was something he tried by accident and out of desperation: haemorrhoid cream! I'm not sure if he still uses it, but he's got clear skin now, albeit with a bit of scarring.

I hope your son gets good medical advice from the appropriate professional. It can be devastating for a guy his age, and you're obviously very concerned, so best wishes to you both.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

First of all, we can't give medical advice but if your son is suicidal then that's your biggest issue, and I'd hope you're seeking help for that issue already.
Secondly, a dermatologist could assess and advise re:treatmeant (roacutane etc) however sometimes the side effects are worse than the condition.

domrush

Exercise, a balanced diet, changing pillow cases regularly, showering in the mornings rather than evenings and drinking minimum 2 litres of water a day cures most acne from my experience

steddyeddy

So scientists have long said diet. Doctors disagree with this (except the progressive ones) but it's the way forward. Reduce sugar for one thing.

Dylanw2u

LexieOnRale wrote: »

First of all, we can't give medical advice but if your son is suicidal then that's your biggest issue, and I'd hope you're seeking help for that issue already.
Secondly, a dermatologist could assess and advise re:treatmeant (roacutane etc) however sometimes the side effects are worse than the condition.

My son is receiving help for his depression at pieta house in lucan.

I shall research the medication and see the side effects..

kirving

Dylanw2u wrote: »

He's 5' 11 and weighs 7 stone) or committing suicide due to him becoming more upset over acne.

Does anyone think it would be possible for a dermatologist to prescribe a strong acne medication given the circumstances? I'm terrified of losing my son, and will do anything to make him happier.

I'm a little over that height and weigh 12 stone, and I'm thin. That sounds dangerously underweight. He needs to see a doctor, like tomorrow.

To answer the second part. If your son is depressed, and also has acne, the doctor, dermatologist, and psychologist can absolutely work together to treat all aspects simultaneously and with respect to one another.

Dylanw2u

steddyeddy wrote: »

So scientists have long said diet. Doctors disagree with this (except the progressive ones) but it's the way forward. Reduce sugar for one thing.

My son eats healthy but very little.


He does not eat breakfast nor lunch and generally only has dinner (but so long as no one is in the kitchen) and he usually eats just fruit and veg and sometimes beans. So I do not think sugar is a problem...

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Also what's his skin care routine like?
I'd cut out anything harsh such as the likes of clean and clear/soap. You need to be gentle with the skin and remove excess sebum without completely stripping the skin of oil as it just makes the condition worse and the skin more inflamed. Dermalogica do a range esp for acne prone skin called clean start, it should help as its an amazing range but it's not a quick fix by any means.

Dylanw2u

Kevin Irving wrote: »

I'm a little over that height and weigh 12 stone, and I'm thin. That sounds dangerously underweight. He needs to see a doctor, like tomorrow.

To answer the second part. If your son is depressed, and also has acne, the doctor, dermatologist, and psychologist can absolutely work together to treat all aspects simultaneously and with respect to one another.

My son has always had a fast metabolism, and although I've expressed my concern on his weight directly in front of his GP she simply said "you can never be too skinny" this was when she was checking his heart beat and said she could hear a buzzing and concluded it was because there was so little on his chest that she could hear the heart beat very clearly.


Naturally I was shocked she said you can never be too skinny, as that completely disregards anorexia. But I simply thought if she isn't concerned then I should worry less.



And I hope that is the case...

Ken.

Mod-You already have a thread open in a suitable forum so locking this one.
For anyone with genuine advice for Dylanw2u here is a link to that thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=103984238

Please read the local charter before posting in Health Sciences http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057641197