Teenage cystic acne out of control

[KingofQueens]

My poor son is 15, and has had acne that has been getting worse and worse since being under the GP.
They say he has to persevere with oral antibiotics and Acnecide, but his skin has got so much since starting with them. We're desperate now. I'm so worried about his mental health and long term scarring.
Has anyone had a child with skin like this who has had anything work for them?
He's such a lovely boy, never complains, but I can see him becoming a shadow of himself.

Just reemphasising my post @KingofQueensask to start on a lower dose than “standard”. You can always increase but it definitely is easier on the body but with the same fabulous results.

Agree with a low dose, for longer if necessary. DS was on his maximum dose during his GCSEs and he had insanely dry lips and nosebleeds. Lowered the dose and all well. Mood was fine (I hoped his grumpiness was roaccutane related but he's still really grumpy!).
It was a miracle for him as well, nothing else worked.

I had 1.5 courses of roaccutane approximately 10 years ago and it was the only thing that sorted me out.
My mental health was absolutely terrible anyway, but I'm not sure if these meds made it worse, because it is a well known side effect of them.
The first cycle wasn't enough, and it came back, hence the re-uptake.
I can't remember why I (probably) stopped mid-cycle, but my face is wonderfully clear and I forget now how bad the acne was previous to this... it was persistently all over my face and I think I always had almost a full face of spots that I was very, embarrassed about.

I have thought about this. I'll chat to him about it and see if he's willing to give it a go.

Thank you.

Yes that was me. Only Roaccutane worked for me.

I am very, very sceptical about claims that cutting out diary etc will help, or that any non-medical potions and lotions.

acne is quite a serious skin condition and he needs to see a dermatologist.

As so many others have said, Roaccutane is literally a wonder drug for severe acne. We went through a private dermatologist for my son and his skin was clear within a few months. As far as I can recall, he was started on a low dose which was then increased after a follow-up appointment. He did have incredibly dry lips and mucous membranes while taking it, so we had loads of good lip balms to hand - that was vital. Best of luck to your lovely boy. It will be such a relief to him when his skin is sorted out.

If he’s not on roaccutane yet he needs to go on it asap or the scarring will be much worse. I know it seems scary, but as someone who has lived with lifelong scarring - and not even that bad, really- it has made my life so much more difficult than it needed to be. It’s a forever reminder. You can’t get rid of the scars but you can get rid of the acne which leads to further scarring, now.

Yep, so was I. I’m a bloody scientist and it would never, ever have occurred to me that diet - other than keeping relatively healthy- would help.

it was a last ditch thing dd wanted to try before we saw the GP for roaccutane. For girls as well it’s slightly more complicated as they like you to be on permanent birth control.

I figured there was nothing to lose in a two week trial of no dairy. Relatively harmless, and when it didn’t work we could say we tried everything.

it’s anecdotal I know, but it did work in our case. After she stopped eating it we realised that she’d probably had a dairy allergy all her life, we’d just ignored the non-specific gastro symptoms as reflux/vomiting bugs, and the dislike of cheese as picky eating. I mean, who doesn’t like cheese! Now it’s obvious, as because she doesn’t eat it al all, if she does by accident it’s like the exorcist- and antihistamines help.

i always reckon it’s worth a try, what have you got to lose 🤷‍♀️

Absolutely. He is seeing a dermatologist every week now, but cutting out diary as well can't hurt?

Have you decided to start the roaccutane op?

I do remember in The Trip Rob Brydon said that he’d found out he had a yeast allergy which contributed to his skin problems. So I’m sure diet has some effect but I certainly wouldn’t think it has a profound effect if you’re unlucky enough to have cystic acne,

Maybe not. But a two week trial will show if it makes a difference, and it’s an easy option.

Not going to do any harm if it doesn’t work, and if it does then there’s a possibility the more severe treatments can be avoided.

He has a review next week and we will see what the dermatologist says in light of progress so far. My son is feeling more positive about giving it a go.

Another vote for trying cutting out dairy. It's not a miracle cure by any means but we noticed a mild improvement within a week and other people started to notice within about 3 weeks - his skin seemed much less 'angry' and congested.