Is there any point to seeing a GP about acne?

[LeotardoDaVinci]

DD13 has not had her 1st period but is 5ft 7 and 7.5 stone weight so should be catching up any day soon. In the last few months her skin is deteriorating. She does not get big, boil-type spots but has dozens of small pimples - all over. Both dh and I suffered badly through our teens but mine were usually only t-zone and I'm not sure what dh's were - he doesn't have scarring but says he had "awful" spots. I feel no-one should have to suffer - her confidence is plummeting - and despite cost being an issue (am in ROI so €60 GP visit; up to €200 dermatologist consultation plus up to €130 in medication costs per month - that's the cap I think) I will happily pay if I think there's something they can do. She eats a very healthy diet: non-dairy, low sugar, high fibre, is very sporty and so far I have tried upping her vitamin uptake, making sure she cleanses everyday, steams regularly but they are getting worse.
So, has anyone had success with GP's re acne?

[LittleCandle]

DD2 has acne. She is on long-term antibiotics for her skin. They do help, although she recently had a change because her stress load had increased dramatically (3rd year uni, joint degree). It definitely is worth going because a really bad case of acne will destroy your DD's confidence.

[DramaAlpaca]

Yes, definitely go to the GP. I'm in Ireland too, so I understand the costs thing but it's worth it and there's plenty that can be done. Your GP should be able to help and you may not need to see a dermatologist at all.

DS1 had moderately bad acne at 14 and was very self-conscious about his skin so I took him to see our GP. He was prescribed a topical cream and a facial wash to be used together with a long term course of tetracycline antibiotics. It worked wonders and within six months his skin was clear and he has no scarring at all. I think he was on the antibiotics for about 18 months in total, with the dose gradually being reduced, and if I remember correctly they are not an expensive drug.

[Adeleslostbeehive]

Yes please get antibiotics. I suffered for many years and it was easily fixed with antibiotic lotion. Wished my mum had supported me in just seeing the GP for help.

Diet wont do anything. It's caused by an infection

[Brightnorthernlights]

I was very dubious about taking my DD (14) to the GP, she had mild acne and was becoming very upset about it. So glad I did, She was prescribed an antibiotic cream that has worked wonders.

[Emochild]

Yes definitely go

Dd was so upset about her spots and we exhausted the over the counter treatments

Topical cream and face wash from gp have worked a treat and dd has her confidence back and is no longer spending hours putting her face on everyday

[Cel982]

I'm an Irish GP, OP - there's loads that can be done for this, and she shouldn't need to see a dermatologist unless it doesn't respond to the standard treatments, of which there are many. Do bring her.

[petitepo]

It is definitely worth going to the GP. I suffered with acne (face, chest and back) from my early teens which continued into my 20's and it resulted in major self confidence issues. Last year my GP referred me to a dermatologist who prescribed me a 6 month course of Roaccutane, and now for the first time in 13 years I have beautifully clear skin! I also tried antibiotics for 6 months beforehand, but that only improved my skin slightly.

I hope your DD's skin improves soon, acne is a horrible condition to grow up with

[sandgrown]

My son was the same Petitepo .he had horrible acne that affected his confidence. Dermatologist prescribed Roaccutane and he has never looked back. I was worried about possible side effects but he was desperate to try it .

[cosytoaster]

Yes - my son takes a daily dose of antibiotics and also has cream to apply, it has not cleared his acne but it has improved it - he ran out of both recently and the difference before we could get a new prescription was significant.

[Talulaley]

Can I ask what the difference is between spots and acne? I didn't have many spots as a teenager, but dd14 has a lot of small ones on her nose, forehead, and a very big one on her nose we can't get rid of, plus lots of blackheads. I'm worried a gp will laugh if I take her "just because of spots"

[Adeleslostbeehive]

I've always been spotty, but acne outbreaks were quite distinctly different- I can only describe them as spreading across my face whereas "just spots" we're localised here and there.
My dermatologist explained that you get a spot (which is just an infected pore really) and the pus which contains the infection Rises to the surface. It pops, or leaks, and the infected pus is spread over your face and infects more pores.
One thing which helped a lot was better hygiene with make up tools- brushes and sponges.


The GP shouldn't laugh because of spots- they should have some understanding how upsetting they are. An adult wouldn't walk around with say, a harmless rash all over their face without seeking medical advice so why should a teen with acne?

[Groovee]

My Dd has had issues since she was 12. We've had some great creams over the years and she is now on long term antibiotics.

For her self confidence it has been worth it X

[JustDanceAddict]

Definitely worth seeing GP. They will probably give Duac in the first instance and then tetracyclines if that doesn't work. I need to take DD back as hers have come back again. She has most of them on her back and chest, so her face isn't too affected, but that's teh pattern that DH had and he has terrible scarring on his back. I don't think hers are as bad, but they're bad enough for hte GP to take seriously. No GP should poo-poo acne issues as they can lead to scarring and having to take strong medication if they don't treat them early enough.

[Talulaley]

Thanks, I'll make an appointment for my dd to see our GP.

[newname99]

What is her skin routine like? in the uk Cepahil is recommended or Sebmed.Its gentle but keeps the skin clean, also the simple range of cleansers.If she wears makep may sure it non comegenic.

Try an antibiotics cream like Duac but also see a GP.It can be totally miserable, I avoided swimming in my teens because my skins looked so bad compared to others.

[Kelsoooo]

Another one saying take her.

I still have awful acne now. But if I'd have treated it when I was younger I probaby wouldn't suffer badly now. They can and will do lots to help.

[Radyward]

I had bad 'spots' as a teen and into my twenties . I am really not sure it was ' full blown ' acne iykwim but it was just awful for me. They only cleared up when I went on the OCP. I wished my mum had taken action on my behalf. I have a 6yr old DD and plan when she hits this phase I'll have her straight at the gp for help. It's so damaging to self confidence. I'm in ROI too and won't give a fiddlers about the cost( I hope by then anyway )
I feel so sorry for teens with bad spots . I think parents mustnt realise or something. I'm so glad there so so much out there now. I just thought poor DD when the time comes would have to go on the OCP which I thought might be a very tricky kettle of fish !
Really hope you get it sorted for your DC.

[robin64]

Back and forth to GPs for years with my DD (now 17) Nothing has worked - various antibiotics, creams, dianette contraceptive pill and all manner of over the counter creams etc but some improvement with taking fish oil supplements & using effaclar duo by La Roche Posay and at Xmas I got DD a Clarisonic which has improved her skin noticeably (she has redness from acne). She has appointment for roaccutane which we were not too keen to try but it does appear to be the only thing that works for a stubborn acne problem. Do go to GP and never feel spots are not important, they are to your teens and are one of the biggest causes of unhappiness.

[StayWithMe]

Sorry to am use your thread OP, but my girl has awful acne too an I was thinking of taking her to the doctor. I was wondering what happens after the antibiotics course is finished? Dies the acne come back. She's 20 now, bty.

[StayWithMe]

Ambush not am you

[robin64]

staywithme

Take your DD to the GP (or at 20 she may just want to sort this out herself) I think everyone is different when it comes to skin and she will need guidance through the various options. A good skin regime can help and sometimes supplements work for some people but stubborn spots/acne may need a referral to a dermatologist.