To think 80 weeks to see an acne specialist is mad?

[Spotthe]

DS 16 has really really bad acne. 80 weeks till he can see a dermatologist possibly longer. The private hospital the doctor suggested near us can’t see him till mid January.
beayty type private place won’t see anyone under 18.
please, is there anything else I can do?

Oh dear awful awful. Any other private resources you can check availability? Ask to be let known about cancellations?

I'm month 25 on an urgent rheumatology referral.

Seriously? DH waited near on 3 years for an orthopaedic appointment and is now on a 4/5 year wait list for surgery

Mad but certainly not unusual, unfortunately. Have you considered travelling elsewhere in the UK for quicker private care?

Not diminishing how difficult teens will inevitably find it, but I'd gently suggest being grateful it's only acne.

80 weeks is 18 months. A relative of mine waited nearly 4 years, using wheelchair and crutches, for surgery that allowed her to walk again.

Mid January for the private place will come around quick to be honest, is going private a feasible option?

There are hundreds of dermatologists in the country. Are you sure that’s the best you can find private?

It’s all relative - I think that you are diminishing things if I’m honest. My DD waited 2 years on major spinal surgery, that doesn’t mean that OP’s DS and his condition is any less valid. As someone with a child who has experienced severe acne it is awful and you do get to a point where you feel helpless with it. I understand the concern

Lots of private consultants offer video appointments nowadays so finding someone local isn’t such a big problem. Have a look at The Portland hospital for Women and Children in London to see if they have someone who specialises in acne - all of the Dr’s CV’s are online.

Online Dr - Superdrug
will ask
send photo of the acne
treatments more available now without dermatologist

used name and DOB of older child as meds not available at my child’s age so used older child details with photo of younger teen acne

it was a year difference so not feeling too criminal

Severe acne isn't vanity. It can cause serious mental health problems. I'd say it drove me to the brink of suicide and pretty much ruined my youth.

I'm still haunted by it all aged 42. I'm terrified my daughters might suffer the same fate.

OP I hope you can get something sorted and I really feel for your son.

Yes it's awful. My son is the same and now has lifelong severe scaring it is majorly effecting his confidence. Of course other conditions are terrible and should be treated urgently but it doesn't diminish this.

I saw a private dermatologist whilst on holiday last year, Europe, they spoke English. Was 50 euros and I paid for medication, but saw him within a week, and started the meds.

I recently had an NHS appointment with the dermatologist (for my teen daughter, also acne) and the GP initially told us 12-18 months wait but we received an appointment letter at around the 4/5 month mark for a few weeks later.
I honestly felt quite helpless trying to support her with her skin, after trying various GP prescription gels, lotions and tablets we got referred, although the dermatologist just stated that before she would prescribe anything else DD has to go on the pill for at least 3 months.
Obviously your son won’t be advised to try that route so I really hope he gets a satisfactory treatment plan that clears his skin.
If you have the means to afford a private dermatologist appointment then I’d look at reviews online and take that option.

You are diminishing it though. It's not a competition so just stop.

Acne for teens can massively impact their confidence, friendships and mental health at an already vulnerable time in their life. If left untreated, and sometimes even if treated, acne can cause scarring which can impact a person badly for life.

OP, look at other private dermatologists. One of my children got an appointment within 2 weeks and started treatment straight away. Skin much improved within a month, clear by 4 months. Now has clear, scar free skin 3 years later. I wouldn't wait 18 months.

I've had to go privately for my daughter's acne and we got an appointment within a month. We're about to go back again and start roaccutane - scared of his much it's going to cost privately. She had become so depressed and was in a lot of discomfort that I felt I had to do it. Our GP is appalling.
I'm in London and she is 15.

Its awful isn't it..what has the GP prescribed so far ?

After suffering with acne as a teen I vowed I would do anything I possibly could to avoid my own dc suffering the same way. People who haven’t had acne in their teen years haven’t a clue how awful it is. My sympathies op. I would be looking nationwide for a private dermatologist to get it sorted. Sorry I can’t offer more practical advice.

It's definitely not an 'oh, it's only' condition.
I have been there and know how damaging it is for so many aspects of your life.

It's not a competition. NHS waiting lists can be shite, we all know this.

All the best to you and your son, @Spotthe .

Yes it is. It’s scary and ridiculous how long the waiting lists are for anything now.

I’ll be honest it’s put me off even going to the doctor for things because I just think it’ll mean joining a pointless never ending waiting list.

I guess all you can do is pay and see someone in January?

The NHS isn't working well at all, too.many users and too few staff running it. I have painful gallbladder stones. When I have an attack I end up.in a and e asking for morphine. I've been told to wait 9 months to have it out. The NHS is broken. People shouldn't be in pain for long amounts of time. People like your child should be seen within a few months.

Thanks everyone.obviously I realise there’s worse things out there, but yes, it’s impacting his mental health - as it did to me.
its worse because he has to shave. Ouch.
ill google private acne clinics/dermatologists.
thanks for the going to Europe tip. I’m guessing you researched, booked, then went?
he’s on the apparently strongest antibiotic the gp can offer - we’ve tried a few. Doxycycline and duo cream.

You probably have looked at these sites, but just in case. There's some great information and guidance. - https://www.acnesupport.org.uk/about/ https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/support-resources/acne-support/

You're right OP, it's ridiculous. But the whole NHS is ridiculous unless either your GP can sort it for you (which in this case they apparently can't) or it's an emergency/seriously life threatening. Anything else, you're put on a waiting list that's months and often years long. It's utterly shit.

The private hospital the doctor suggested near us can’t see him till mid January.

It's sad you should have to go private because the NHS is in such a state. Private hospital waiting lists have crept up too as so many people going private.
Can you not phone round other private hospitals up to 2 or 3 hours away to see what their waiting times are?

We went private using an online service. It was really affecting my DS to the point he hung his head down and grew his hair to hide his face. He was very introverted and although he wouldn't admit it I think he was depressed. We had exhausted all topical options and antibiotics only had limited effect.

He went on accutane over the summer before starting 6th form and he's like a different person now. He's almost finished treatment and his skin is almost clear although he does have some surface scarring. It was expensive but I probably spent more on all the previous skincare.

If you have the resources then pay to have him seen quickly. This is such a pivotal time in their lives.

Forgot to say, the online service we used is excellent. You send multiple close up pictures and consultations are in-person over Zoom. He has to have blood tests but you can do that part through your GP although we pay for that to speed up the process. Message me if you would like to know who we used.