Teen spots/acne: Will the doctor be able to give dd something?

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Poor dd I don't think her skin is as bad as she thinks it is, but nonetheless it's bothering her hugely and all the over the counter products either do little or make her skin sore which then over-reacts and makes the problem worse. If I take her to the doctor, is there I could ask for on prescription which anyone has found to be any good? Dd's diet is good, she cleanses her skin properly etc.

Just gone through this. We tried all the over the counter rubbish. The GP gave something which when we saw a private consultant said it was something they used in the 1950's. His view was that GPs have huge amounts of drugs and products to choose from. They are not specialists and months (if not years) can be wasted trying them all.

Also note that if the acne is really severe roccautane could be prescibed and that can only be given through a consultant.

Problem is that the NHS wont let you see a consultant straight off. I had to find one specialising in teenage acne but had to pay (£180 plus the drugs). Well worth the money. Acne can go on for years and years and cause scaring.

What did the specialist prescribe handcream? I'm just bracing myself for this with DD as DH and I had dreadful teen acne - I had antibiotics but he just suffered. Family member had disastrous side effects from Roaccutane so I wouldn't contemplate that.

Is Roaccutane the drug that can cause depression? I'm sure I read one drug for acne did. I'm thinking more of creams or a face wash really at this stage. Dh had acne I think but I didn't have too nay skin problems as a teen. I really feel for her atm. She's not the most confident person at the best of times

Antibiotics and a gel. Roaccutane is the next stage. Says we will know whether it will work in 6 weeks or so.

I think the thing about Roaccutane is that its easy to dismiss something because you are not at that stage yet.

A friend of mine many years ago got married and automatically assumed she would get pregnant. She was totally against IVF and didnt feel it was natural. She kept relating horror stories and articles from papers saying it wasnt safe etc. Six years later she had a choice. Try IVF or never have a baby. She chose the IVF.

Personally I would cut through all the NHS marklarky and waiting lists. You might even find acne is not covered and you are left with a GP who might or might not have an interest in this area.

Perhaps think about an appointment with the GP then and try a few things. If they really arent doing anything then go to a specialist.

I am also wondering whether not treating the acne can cause depression as well.

Thanks for your advice handcream. Hope you get a good result.

That was me with IVF too handcream . I can definitely see why people might think Roaccutane (and watching them like a hawk for mood change) is worth it, I do know how awful acne can be, but having seen the worst case side effects in person I personally would be too scared.

Yes I think you may a have point regarding not treating it handcream. I will take her to the doctor. At least she'll feel someone is trying to help her, she gets very down about it atm.

How old is she? I remember being prrescribed a variety of stuff as a teenager but it was the contraceptive pill (dianette i think) that sorted me, i think from 15ish

DS has been using Duac gel since Oct, prescribed by the GP, he was told it takes 3 months before he would see any improvement and it is slowly improving, he had quite bad acne on his face
I would go to the GP, he said if no improvement then to go back for stronger stuff (DS is 16)

I also went onto Dianette at the age of 14 and this was the last option before I was referred by gp to dermatologist.

I have recently had more problems with my skin and after going to gp a couple of times I chose to pay for private consultation and managed to get a top consultant to seee within a week and the difference was so noticeable as he was much more knowledgable and if this time around my dds suffer as well then I would definitely consider just going straight to private.