Skin help please.

[WelshMoth]

Also posted in Health.

My skin is combination, large empty pores on t-zone. Terrible breakouts with large red sore spots on neck too . Doc gave me duac bit even if I restrict it to dabbing it onto the actual spots, it brings my whole face out in tiny tiny bumps.

My periods are heavy and long lasting and during this time my skin and hair becomes very greasy and even more spotty.

Terrible moodiness. So unlike me.

Help!

Hi - can I ask what you've already tried?
By "Duac" do you mean topical antibiotics?
I've just been on a month course of Doxycycline to try to clear up my perioral dermatitis - which is still there but side effect was that I didn't get any really nasty spots during the month. Might be worth you asking for a three month course (you need to be on them for a long time to make a diff)
But massive watch out to take with a full glass of water or the heartburn kills.

If you think it's period related (which sounds like it is) and if you aren't ttc-ing or planning on it, how about trying either the pill or the Depo PRovera injection. My heavy periods almost stopped completely on the Depo injections. However after being on it for 2 years, it took another year for them to come back so I could then ttc DS - so that is a BIG watchout.

Skin care wise - I am using bepanthen and metanium on my sore & spotty bits at the moment - metanium is yellow and so have to use it just at night - but is ace at calming sore red patches

The Depo is a big no-no for anyone prone to acne. It contains only a progesterone, which will make acne worse.

If the spots are causing scarring then I would be actively looking for treatment. Having been there and done that, I never found an over-the-counter or cosmetic product that helped. Duac is a very good product, but it's obviously not agreeing with you. Oral antibiotics might help. Or, if you're not TTC, a combined oral contraceptive pill, like Yasmin, might help, esp since your acne also seems to be hormonal. The last step on the treatment ladder is roaccutane, but you need to be referred to a consultant for that.

In short, there are lots of options. Go back to your GP.

Go back to the GP and asked to be referred to a dermatologist.

I am still struggling with acne (now in my forties). To be fair it is not too bad now, but I still have to check and count blemishes every morning when I wake up . I was on Dianette for years -it works wonders. Truly. However I can no longer take it.

There are lots of treatments to try - but your GP isn't bound to be the best person to offer these. I was referred to Derm early on this year - and am due to review in a couple of weeks to see how things are. They do take it seriously and wil be able to help you mlore than the GP.

Be wary of your GP offering you a mini pill or implant/depo/mirena - as they (I think!) are all progesterone heavy, which is likely to worsen your skin. If you are having heavy periods a common solution from doctors is mirena coil, but I would research it thoroughly first.

Good luck.

You're right shrimp, no progesterone only contraception for women suffering from acne. Even, according to my derm, the Mirena coil.

As regards diet, limit fruit intake, fruit sugars are pro-inflammatory, apparently.
And avoid dairy. You might find this interesting to read.

As Shrimp says - the contraceptive pill DIANETTE has worked wonders for me - my oily skin and spots dried up within a week.

Only problem is that doctors do not like you to use it long term. My spots were so bad and making me so miserable that my doctor has agreed that I can use it until I am 45 (I am 42 now). My husband has had a vasectomy so I am not using it for contraceptive purposes, it's just making a wonderful difference to my skin.