Spotty Problem

[slj]

Hello

Im a dh to one of your crew and shes too embarrassed (and thinks its a bit vain, anyway) to ask you for advice. dw is mid-30s and has always suffered from the odd spot on her face but since conception of our son nearly 3 years ago they spread to her chest and back and have refused to go, despite trying all the over the counter remedies you could think of. She doesnt want to bother the doctor with this. Her main problem is she feels very self-conscious taking our son swimming (and in fact has only done this once). Swimming isnt my thing (I swim like a brick) and we feel our son is losing out. Again, she knows its really just her vanity stopping her going (she doesn't even like me seeing her back, and Ive told her it really doesnt bother me one bit). Have any of you ladies had this problem, or can you give some advice? thks

One of the most common causes of acne (rather than the odd spot) is a condition called PCOS - polycystic ovarian syndrome. There is a thread on this on Mumsnet I'm sure. Apart from spots there can be other symptoms: difficulty with conception, overweight, excess body hair, but many people have only one or two of the symptoms at any one time.

One of the commonest treatments for this is a contraceptive pill called Dianette. If your DW doesn't see her GP for contraception and goes to a clinic perhaps she could mention it to them there?

Go to the doctor's!

It's classic acne, precipitated by the hormonal changes of pregnancy and can be treated in various ways; an antibiotic lotion applied to the affected areas (I use this and its great), oral antibiotics or failing that stronger drugs from a dermatologist.

Tell her not to feel vain, if it's causing her problems with her self esteem and affecting the activities she feels comfortable doing then it is a real issue.

One thing, I have had a bad experience with one GP who said I was making a fuss about nothing and said something along the lines of "oh well, it'll be summer soon and that will help" to which I replied "unfortunately I find it rather impractical to wander around with my chest and back exposed" and saw a different doctor who has been great.

Good luck! Mx

I went through a phase of spots in my 30's (never had them as a teenager!) and I nervously went to the doctor, expecting a thick ear. She was very sympathetic and all it needed was a 3 month course of antibiotics to clear it up, so do urge your DW to make an appointment. HTH.

Ladies,

Thanks to you all for such swift responses. It looks like a trip to the doctors then - a possible spanner in the works is that we are trying for no. 2 so the Pill is out and Im sure the doc would advise whether antibiotics are OK or not. Now I just need to persuade her to go!

Thks again, Im sure Ill be back again with another Q soon (I can see why dw is always glued to the internet, this certainly is addictive!)

SLJ, I think your DW has passed her problem on to me! I've woken up to three whoppers on my face today, when it's been an age since I had any zits!!!!

Hey, stop talking about this subject it is obviously catching through this website; I've got a big one right in the middle of my right cheek - most attractive

Whoops, sorry ladies, but hey, that's real sisterhood for you, coming out in sympathy like that!

I have always suffered from the odd spot or two, usually at its worst just before a period even though I am on the pill. It got worse the first few months when I was pregnant on both ocassions, but then got a lot better. The reason being was that I was drinking a lot of water. It flushes toxins out of your system and wow did it make a difference! The fact that I had stopped drinking lots of wine might of had something to do with it as well! Definitely go to the doctors and if you get a bad response, go to another one. Your DW should not have to suffer and she is definitely not vain. Let us know how you get on.

slj, I can really confirm that Dianette is a very good thing to bear in mind once you have had your second child! I too suffer from mild-ish acne (at 32!) and have done since about 18. I tried quite a few lotions and potions and it wasn't until a good GP prescribed this that my world changed, I finally had a clear face, it was absolute bliss. I haven't been on it for a few years now and although I still get spots (and some quite spectacular eruptions!) I would say it is generally better than it was before I started taking Dianette. I was also confirmed with polycystic ovaries this year, with no other obvious symptoms, so may be worth checking out at some stage but I think they only prescribe Dianette anyway. In the meantime perhaps the lotion Mopsy mentioned would help and, as it is a lotion, I would assume she could keep applying this no-matter if pregnant, etc. Good luck to your DW, I know it can be quite miserable when a real breakout hits.

slj, I can really confirm that Dianette is a very good thing to bear in mind once you have had your second child! I too suffer from mild-ish acne (at 32!) and have done since about 18. I tried quite a few lotions and potions and it wasn't until a good GP prescribed this that my world changed, I finally had a clear face, it was absolute bliss. I haven't been on it for a few years now and although I still get spots (and some quite spectacular eruptions!) I would say it is generally better than it was before I started taking Dianette. I was also confirmed with polycystic ovaries this year, with no other obvious symptoms, so may be worth checking out at some stage but I think they only prescribe Dianette anyway. In the meantime perhaps the lotion Mopsy mentioned would help and, as it is a lotion, I would assume she could keep applying this no-matter if pregnant, etc. Good luck to your DW, I know it can be quite miserable when a real breakout hits.