ACNE

[mymatemax]

Hi any anti Acne tips out there please.
My son has awful acne at the moment.
He is using over the counter face wash & a spot cream & they do help a little.
Any further advice greatly appreciated

[tilliebob]

I gave in and took DS1 to the doctors. I was reluctant to go down that route initially but now I wish I'd done it months ago. 3 weeks in and his skin is beginning to look calmer and he's much happier in himself too.

[gingerfluffball]

Absolutely, drs is the best bet if you can get him there. They'll talk through options of stronger topical stuff or medication and he can decide what he wants to do. Totally worth it, wish I'd cracked on with the meds (roaccutane in particular) back when I was a teenager!

[VegasIsBest]

Another vote for going to your GP

[BloodyDogHairs]

Yip go to the gp. I took my DD in December after years of trying every wash, she was prescribed DUAC which is clearing her face which was pretty bad. We have it on repeat prescription but the gp told her if more spots appear then to go back and she would be referred to a dermatologist. I wish I had visited the gp sooner.

[mymatemax]

Thanks all, I'll have a word with him. I remember reading some really abd press about prescription medication for Acne a while ago causing mood swings and depression. Is that all a thing of the past?

[myotherusernameisbetter]

we went to GP last week and she was saying how more people should go with their Acne!

DS was prescribed Zineryt and Differin.

Other advice was to wash face (and chest/back if affected) thoroughly morning and night with simple bar soap - rinse with warm water and use a clean flannel too. Moisturise with a light non perfumed moisturiser and wait half an hour before applying his cream.

Use a non greasy shampoo such as t gel or head and shoulders and don't use conditioner - if possible keep hair of face (DS has floppy thick hair that he wears long but wont get it cut short).

Too early to say if it's working.

There is a last resort treatment that can cause the side effects you are talking about OP but that is not generally prescribed as a first option.

GP also said that 95% of the population will get acne at some point in their lives and that it clears itself after 2-3 years.

[mymatemax]

thanks all. I think I'll make him an appointment

[gingerfluffball]

Oh also, if you can get it, Cetaphil is a non-comedogenic brand of face wash and moisturiser, lots of derms recommend it for acne. I ordered online but I think some branches of Boots stock it. Totally gender neutral packaging too

[mymatemax]

Thanks Gingerfluff

[lljkk]

Dd seems to have herself on a regime of 5 different OTC potions & her acne has settled down.

[AllAboutThatBump]

I was prescribed minocycline for acne as a teenager and had a really bad reaction to it. I lost weight, my periods stopped, I developed severe joint pain which made it difficult to walk and I had a fever every day for over a year (weirdly, despite lots of blood tests and hospital visits, it took that long for anyone to make a connection to the medication). I think they still prescribe it but are more aware of the potential side-effects.

[ApplesTheHare]

My mum took me to the gp for acne as a teen and at the time I was mortified but now I can't thank her enough and wish she'd done it sooner. I got to see a dermatologist who was brilliant and I had clear skin within a few months Anybody you see will also explain the risks of any medication they prescribe. Good luck!

[smileyforest]

Zineryt....recommended..all the boys in my family have suffered with Acne...runs in families (blame my Dad)!!...also my daughter had a flare up whilst pregnant (skin normally good).and it was safe to use...It really helps and not too harsh. I just asked the Gp for it...I really feel for teens with Acne...a lot going on with hormones and it can really affect their confidence...must seek help...

[AnythingNotEverything]

DS is getting acne I think - red bumpiness rather than lots of individual spots IYSWIM. At what point do you see a doctor?

I'm sure we're not there yet, and it isn't bothering him so certainly not a big issue, but his Dad had very very bad acne and I would like to catch it before it gets that bad ... Or does it need to be that bad to be taken seriously on the NHS?

[tilliebob]

My DS1's skin was totally covered in spots at all stages, and a mixture of whiteheads, blackheads, spots and inflamed skin. However shaving just make things a whole lot worse and his jawline was starting to become infected. I had casually mentioned going to the doctors last summer but he wasn't fussed at that point. However he had a bit of a melt down over Christmas about his skin and we agreed to make an appointment then.

[gingerfluffball]

Anything - if it's bothering him then it's worth seeing your GP. It's not like he'd be started on the strongest medication straight away, you usually are prescribed something topical to start off with (like Zineryt) and if it doesn't clear up then you'd step up to stronger options. If acne runs in the family it's less likely to be 'just teenage spots' so worth bearing in mind.

[AnythingNotEverything]

Thanks Ginger. Hard to bring up without making it an issue so well see how we go.

[GnomeDePlume]

My DS was lucky, he went to the doctor about an ear infection. Doctor also looked at his skin and prescribed zineryt. Not a total cure but it did help a lot.