Can't face work tomorrow

[lemonrefresher]

I’ve always had acne but recently I’ve had probably the biggest breakout iv ever had. My skin is so dry and sore to touch. I’ve got massive lumpy spots all around my mouth and even on my head. Make up makes it even worse. My whole face and head area is so sore to touch and looks hideous. I’ve just sat looking at my face in the mirror and I want to scratch my face off. The thought of work (or anything for that matter )tomorrow is making me feel sick. I just want to stay in the house so I don’t have to see anyone.

I know it sounds dramatic.

tell your dr it's causing you stress and you really can't face going in to work... (no pun intended)

Bleach bathing sounds harsh whatever it is, don't do it without proper advice. Is this something you've always suffered with? I never had acne until I was in my late 20s and then got the most awful sort of abscess things on my face. It was definitely hormonal, as it was linked to my periods going mad. It settled down after a few years but the GP was useless.

I can sympathise with you OP, having acne myself for years. The only thing that worked for me in the end was Roaccutane, which you have to get through the dermatologist. Could you call in sick tomorrow and get an urgent appointment at the doctors? Don't take no for an answer with the receptionist, then see GP and explain you've called in sick at work because you are so distressed and upset with how your skin is. (tell the receptionist too if they push you for a reason). That's disgusting the doctor fobbing you off. Try another doctor if you can. Best wishes.
PS Our skin always seems worse to ourselves than other people see it.

Take photographs of your skin asap so you can show the dermatologist how bad it gets. This will help you get roaccutane if you decide to go down that path. (Sod's law is your appointment will be on a day when it doesn't look bad).

Roaccutane cured me.

If your head is painful and throbbing would it not be wise to get medical attention tomorrow? I appreciate you've had a bad experience with the GP before, but that was with breakouts less severe.

I get it 100%. Some days I couldn't even make eye contact I feel so ashamed about my skin. I have tried everything but roccutane at this stage.

Poor you. I'd take a few days off; you won't be able to concentrate or relax at all, better to be at home and take care of yourself for a few days. People are off sick for less. Not sure why we are so hard on ourselves for taking time off for things like this.

In the long term, you do need to see your GP and insist on being taken seriously/referred to dermatology.

In the short-term, this week, things can improved a bit by taking anti-inflammatories (like aspirin or ibuprofen), gentle bathing with something non-comedogenic (neutrogenia do good non-comedogenic washes), applying free-derm fastrack after washing, then using a good soothing Aloe Vera gel (aloe pura 99.9% is good and in most chemists). It can also really help to take a high strength Vit B supplement, particularly if there's a hormonal element. If you have any really nasty ones, hydrocolloid plasters can help them heal a bit quicker. Otherwise avoid anything too strong if your skin is sore- nothing stronger than sudocreme.

Of course, beyond this everyone has their favourite regime. Different things work for different kinds of acne. My acne is very much hormonal, associated with having very oily, blockage prone skin. Rarely get any on my head, mostly chin and jawline, occasionally around my nose. I like Origins Zero Oil range, but I add freederm gel after washing morning and night, and a few days each month when the oiliness is bad and blackheads are proliferating I use acnecide (5% benzoyl peroxide). I also find what I eat really matters -carbs/sugar=acne, salmon, melon, fresh fruit and veg-clear skin.

Good luck. Take a look at acne.org.

OP, that sounds horrific. Do not let your GP fob you off.

Not dramatic at all. I’ve also had acne since forever, and it got really bad in the 30s with hormonal cysts and the like. I have it under control now using low-ph cleansing, benzoyl peroxide and plenty plenty of hydrating products. Both my older kids went on roaccutane and it completely cleared them up - but they had body acne too. Insist on a doctor!

and no, you are not being dramatic, OP. acne can be really nasty. I had a good friend at school who suffered really badly with it and took Roaccutane for it.

You really should go back to your doctor and get something. Maybe see a different one if you’re getting fobbed off.
In the mean time, I have heard that witch hazel is supposed to be good

Defo do everything you can to get a dermatologist referral. There are lots of things they can give you that gp can't

I have something from dermo called alitretinoin for my dermatitis, and there is something v similar they can give for acne. Meant to be good.

It sounds really painful! Have a few days off and take some steps to sorting out your skin. See GP tomorrow. I'm a manager and I would be sympathetic to this.

The only thing that ever helped mine was Dead Sea Mud. There are different products, but those using actual minerals/mud from the sea will do something for you.
Holland and Barratt do some products in the blue and white packaging that is good. Dead Sea Spa Magick or something? Especially the face mask.

GP tomorrow for sure. Is there any way you could afford to see a dermatologist privately? Unfortunately on the nhs he waiting time for an initial appointment can be quite long.

I advise you to apply nothing more than water and a very, very simple and plain moisturiser until you’ve had advice. And if you can possibly face it, take some detailed photos because it’s Sod’s law that by the time you see the dermatologist your skin will be having a good day.

It's not dramatic. Acne can be debilitating imo. I've suffered with my skin over the years, and actually just posted on style and beauty. I'm suffering a bad flare up for the first time in about 5 years. I totally sympathise.

Go back to the doctor's and say it's affecting your mental health. You need a dermatologist referral.

I hope you get some help

I second going back to your GP and making it clear that this is affecting your ability to function normally. Insist on a referral.

As for throwing a sickie - I don't blame you for wanting to, but won't it be the same on Wednesday and Thursday? It won't really solve anything, just delay it. The only way to 'fix' it is to get a referral.

I'm sorry though. I really feel for you.

I’ve been lucky enough to inherit good skin and I don’t think you’re BU to not want to go to work.
You might feel better if you go and take your mind off things though.
Do you have a public facing role or work in a team who know you well?
Most people, especially people we know, are not as shallow as sleb culture would have us believe.
Don’t hide if you don’t have to. Appt with gp to request dermatologist referral then decide what to do.
for you, really hope you can get a solution quickly but be brave and dont let it spoil your life in the meantime.

Not dramatic at all. Severe acne is an absolute bastard, and I don't think people realise how uncomfortable/painful/just downright miserable it is, unless they've been afflicted.

My DS had it all over his face, shoulders and chest at 14, and has since been successfully treated with roaccutane. The spots were so painful at one point, he was in tears, couldn't even be touched, let alone carry a school bag on his shoulder. He did have the odd day off school when it was terrible - and I don't regret that. He also had a get off PE note for months because of it.

Definately a GP trip, and get a referral to a dermatologist.

Do you have any other issues? I have the skin of a 14 year old boy at times and it was only when we started TTC that we discovered I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The dodgy hormone levels often result in acne but it had never occurred to me in the previous 15 years that my spots could be hormonal.

On the thread I started I've been recommended Mario Badescu drying lotion. The reviews look good. Might be worth a look. They have other products. Apologies if you've tried this stuff already.

Does the change in weather affect you? For example does the central heating really dry you out? I notice mine and my daughters skin doesn't react well to the sudden temp drop mixed with radiators on. I have to drink water like hell and change my face lotion to a thicker one otherwise I dry out and my skin gets more irritable. It takes about a month or so for my skin to get used to the season change.

I hope it gets better OP
I have no suggestions regarding treatment, but I would think using make up (as tempting as it might be) is only going to make it worse.

Keep a face diary. Take a photo or several of your skin even day so you can show the doctor. If your like me and wear tons of make up take wipes with you to gp appoinment. Mine had fobbed me off but was truly shocked when I wiped my make up off - I'd gotten very good at cover up and not looking caked.

You def need see the gp as other have said it could be somehing other than acne.

You need to be super gentle with your skin. Very mild products, no water and good moisturiser.