Cystic acne?

[SinkGirl]

I’ve always had skin prone to spots, blackheads etc but for the last 3 years or so since my twins were born it’s been much better.

Then about 3 months ago I started getting giant deep spots that you can’t pop. It’s getting worse and worse, and they take weeks to heal and then quickly recur.

It’s so painful, as well as so horrible to look at.

I’m under a lot of stress at the moment but nothing else has changed in terms of diet etc.

I’ve tried lots of different products - prior to this I had a good routine that was keeping my skin clear but anything I try seems to make things worse. It’s like infections under my skin, when they do eventually pop I get gross thick yellow goo but they still don’t fully heal. I currently have one cluster on each cheek and both sides of my nose, I feel awful.

I think I’m going to have to talk to the GP but feel ridiculous wasting their time with spots.

Is there anything that has actually worked for anyone? Light therapy, certain products etc. I’ve tried Acnecide which has worked in the past but it’s just left me with bug patches of dry peeling skin around the cysts.

Any tips for things I can try before bothering the doctor with this would be great.

Oh and I’m 37 - I have endometriosis and spent most of my life on hormone treatments until 4 years ago but haven’t been on anything for a couple of years now.

I got great results with Theraclear. Got rid of it for a year at a time. Also lymecycline was good but obviously you cant keep getting courses of antibiotics!
Never tried roaccutane but sometimes think I should.

I had cystic acne since my teen years and it's only this year (age 29) that it's fully cleared. I've essentially fought it on 2 fronts- hormonal and on my actual skin.

On the hormonal side, 2 things helped. I have both PCOS and Hashimoto's. For the PCOS, dairy is a huge trigger so I've cut that back to just a little cheese. That made a huge difference. After I did that I was also diagnosed with the Hashis and was put on levothyroxine which cleared up the rest. This will differ for everyone ofc but the underlying causes definitely need addressing to really clear it up.

On the skin side, before the PCOS and Hashis were diagnosed I could limit the acne with skin products. Nothing I used needed a prescription. For face wash, I used Cetaphil and was very gentle, didn't use hot water. I use an oil-free moisturiser with Licochalcone (helps redness/inflammation). Then I apply benzoyl peroxide 2.5% strength. I use a full fingers length of the benzoyl peroxide and apply it all over my face apart from eys/lips.

The hardest part in the UK is finding 2.5% benzoyl peroxide in a large enough size. I live in the US now but for years I was importing it. If you do, I recommend Acne.org as a reputable source, but I often use Dr Song which is from Amazon.com. 5% of 10% benzoyl peroxide works but it's really damaging to the skin. The 2.5 concentration gives you all of the benefits with less of the side effects.

Good luck!

When i get one odd those it lasts for months Ahmad usually leaves a red mark on my skin. And when i finally think I've killed it and stop treating the area it spawns a centimeter away.

Initially i took a medicine to clear it, i have a prescription cream for the individual cysts.

Pita.

Hope you get a resolution soon.

Thanks all - i suspect I do have a thyroid issue but tests are in range so doctors won’t do anything about it. So that might be a factor.

Acnecide is benzoyl peroxide but it’s just not working. Will check out all your suggestions thank you. It’s just so painful.

Hey, Honestly you wouldn’t be wasting the GPs time at all! They are painful and they affect how you feel.

For me, I started getting those spots about a year ago. I tried everything and nothing helped, then a few months ago I very reluctantly went back on the pill and it cleared completely! Haven’t had one of those deep bastard spots since.

You say yours feel infected sometimes, GPs occasionally prescribe antibiotics for spots too.

Make yourself a GP appointment or if you have a bit of cash to spare, private dermatologist!