Adult Acne and Dermatitis Misery :(

[BookFairy]

Hi all,

Over the past year I have gradually developed adult acne on my face. It came and went for a while but since January it has firmly settled itself on my jawline, top of my neck/underneath my chin, and is creeping up to my cheeks. I know there are workse things in life but I am seriously :( about it. I was referred on the nhs to dermatology in early January but it has been a bit of a shambles. I was given Roaccutane 2 1/2 weeks ago but before I took it I found out it could be dangerous for me to take as I have epilepsy. The doctors are faffing around with what to do but in the meanwhile it has become a lot worse.

I started trying "the regime" this week but it has flared up my dermatitis so I had to stop. My current plan is to not leave the house so people can't see it, but this is not feasible long term (!). I'm 26 and don't have any children. I had acne when I was 11-18ish, so it feels even worse to have it back again.

Any advice?

TIA

(I wasn't sure whether to put this is S+B or Health, so I thought I'd start off here and see what the response is.)

Have you had any antibiotics for it? I had acne into my thirties and then had a flare up again in my early forties. I was prescribed oxytetracycline a few years ago, which worked quite well. Also, the pill can sort acne problems out.

I've also heard acne can be a symptom of polycystic ovaries, so maybe see your gp again for some tests.

I hope you get sorted quickly as having acne can be miserable, and uncomfortable when the spots are big and under the skin.

I had acne after finishing breastfeeding and it was exactly as you describe (neck, jawline). From personal experience, I would continue down the Roaccutane route if you can. I know it gets a bad press but if you have a sympathetic dermatologist it can work wonders. Obviously you have to be sure it is safe with your epilepsy. To this day I still cannot believe what it did for me. I know, believe me, how miserable it can make you. FWIW I tried antibiotics and the pill when my acne was at its worst and nothing touched it (except Roacc). Good luck x

Oxytetracycline worked very well for me when I had a flare up a couple of years ago. Now in early 50's and am hoping it's all behind me having started at about 15!
Regarding the dermatitis (yes had this too), buy some Nizoral shampoo, you can buy it without prescription for a small bottle. Put a small amount on your wet hands and use as a face wash. I used to do this whilst I was in the shower, so it got left on for 4 or 5 minutes and it was the thing in my 30's that finally cured what I had thought was dry skin.
Recommended this by a very good West London dermatologist and never had dermatitis again.

Hi

I've had acne since I was a teenager. I now have 'adult acne' as I am 38 so even better as now have wrinkles, lines, dry skin and acne so very hard to treat : (

I have tried everything over the last 25 years. Roaccatane was the only thing that made a dramatic difference, anti biotics would be worth a try.

Have you been back to your GP - that is not good that you were prescribed roaccatane if unsuitable - they should check everything before resorting to that as it is so hard core.

My acne is 'better' than it was when I was teens and early twenties - like you it is mainly my jaw line (big sore cysts), spreading down neck to chest shoulders and up to cheeks.

I have tried a more low key approach recently - clinique antibactirial cleansing bar thing which a friend swore by but unfortunatley not having much effect on me so I am going back to doctor. I feel that mine is stress related (although GP doesn't agree) would that apply to you?

I know how you feel - it really gets you down doesn;t it? I spend my life in high neck tops and am dreading an upcoming wedding as no idea what to wear with skin like this.

Hope your GP can help clear yours up.

forgot to say that I also have scalp dermititis and use various treatments for that most of which warn that they make acne worse.

Have used nizarol and that did not make spots worse

Thank you for your replies!

I've tried antibiotics in the past but I'm limited slightly with the epilepsy drugs. The nhs dermatologist ignored my queries about dermatitis... I feel quite glum at the moment. I've been thinking about hormones/pcos so I'll go to the GP tomorrow to ask about what else could be done and I'll definitely buy some Nizarol.

I'm sorry to hear you're in the same boat gilmoregirl. It seems silly but it's so miserable having acne. I'm 26 and single so I should be fancy free, instead I'm skulking around the house and only going out wearing big sunglasses!