Anyone had a really stubborn spot?

[Wallawallakoala]

I’m prone to hormonal acne (at nearly 40 what?!) but I’ve had this one spot stick around for maybe 2 months now.

I am struggling to get in at the gp but will call them tomorrow but my health anxiety is now increasing as I’ve just realised how long I’ve had it! It’s never popped (sorry) and I feel like it’s gone down slightly but it’s still there and it is hard.

has anyone else had anything like this and any good solutions?

I also had awful adult acne (the cystic sort) well into my 40s and I think my record for a spot that would not go away was six months. Yes, six months 😩
The only thing that got rid of it for ever was Roaccutane. Before that, I’d spent more than 20 years taking hundreds of cycles of antibiotics & short extra doses of penicillin when it all got particularly infected. Waste of time. I wish I’d pushed harder for a referral to a specialist. Once I did, six months on Roaccutane and I’ve not had a single spot since. That was 11 years ago.

Urgh sorry to hear that, I’ve tried the normal stuff but has other things to think about so put off going to get advice about it. Thank you so much, that’s really helpful to know. this is the thing I know the gp will say either give it more time or put me on antibiotics which do me no favours.

i think that when you have pretty severe and stubborn acne, especially when it goes on into your 30s and 40s, the antibiotics just keep it at bay temporarily but never fix the problem. They always stop working after a while, then you try a different one, the whole cycle starts again but your acne is always hanging there in the background. And who wanted to be on antibiotics for decades? Roaccutane actually makes your skin feel like it’s different skin.
GPs are reluctant to refer you so that you can get Roaccutane (they can’t prescribe it) and it’s considered a last resort, but with hindsight I wish I’d pushed harder for it so much earlier.
Do update and if you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Good luck 😀