Antibiotics for spots experiences

[hickorydickorynurseryrhyme]

Been taking them for a few weeks. They're helping a bit but I don't really want to be taking them for months as doctor suggested. What are people's experiences please? Do the spots just come back again when stopping tablets?

If you have acne there is so much more available now. Roaccutane etc get referred to a dermatologist. No young person should put up with how acne makes them feel these days there is lots out there.

I'm 35. It's on my chin. Painful lumps.

The doctor said that they suggest taking dianette pill usually before referring to a dermatologist but I don't want to take that.

I had a roll-on antibiotic about 15 years ago which was brilliant. Applied to face twice a day. It stopped the regular, painful, bumps on my chin and around my mouth & nose. Plus I liked the fact that it was topical rather than systemic.

Don't take antibiotics unless you absolutely have to (i.e. for an infection). They destroy your gut bacteria and more and more research is coming out linking poor gut bacteria to a host of mental and physical health conditions. I would stop them and get the clever gut diet book and some good probiotics!

I was referred to dermatology 5 years ago (in my mid 20s) for terrible cystic acne on my chin / jawline and took a very low Roaccutane for over 12 months. It was life changing, as it has not come back

Curbside did it dry out your skin?

I had acne, fairly severely, from about 11 years old. Various lots of antibiotics through my teens, didn't work (sorry). Dianette was disastrous & has left me with a serious health condition, although my reaction to it was extremely rare. Roaccutane (2 full courses of it) has made my skin, if not perfect, much much better than it used to be. I won't lie - the side effects can be quite unpleasant, & you need to be on absolutely foolproof birth control or risk needing an abortion if you get pregnant. But, it works.

No. I had an excellent Dermatologist who prescribed such a low dose that I didn't feel any of the side effects

What is Roaccutane?

Pennydrops - it dried my skin out, to the point where the corners of my mouth used to split & bleed if I opened it too wide, they were slightly scarred for a few months but completely healed & invisible within another 3 months after stopping the treatment. I think you can now get moisturiser specifically designed for Roaccutane users (wasn't available until relatively recently so I can't comment on how good it is). I used to use one by Eucerin for extremely dry skin & apply it every hour or so...

Agree with Mini and others. My experience, and of several friends, is that antibiotics don't work, and can cause gut imbalance. Obviously I am not a dermatologist!

I would see a derm (rather than GP) and ask about other options. I found making sure I cleansed really properly every single night without fail made a massive difference.

I got prescribed antibiotics but in the end I couldn't be bothered taking them as they were quite hard to swallow.

In the end what works for me is mixing a bit of Benzyl Peroxide with my moisturiser morning and evening.

Son has a gel applied nightly and pink pills 2x twice a day. Been on for 4 months has really really made a big difference. Has a dermatologist appoint mid August was thinking about cancelling but praps he should go.

www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/skin-and-hair/a7486/roaccutane-isotretinoin/

I was on on long term. Think it began with an 'L'? No problem taking it and it cleared my spots, but when I stopped taking it, boy was I constipated. For weeks and weeks. Eventually, the only thing to help was this: www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/bioglan-biotic-balance-ultimate-flora-capsules-60005098?skuid=005098

Roaccutane is a steroid that son was told would make acne disappear for ever. But needs a blood test for liver function before being prescribed so I guess that is what the dermatologist appointment is for.

*on one

I have taken antibiotics on and off over the years for acne. It worked, but was always slow to kick in (usually took 3 to 4 months before I noticed a difference). I also had awful IBS and stomach pains whilst on antibiotics. It has always come back once I've finished the course.

I'm currently on my 3rd (!) course or Roaccutane, and like a previous poster I'm on a long and low course. So by the time I've finished it'll be nearly 15 months worth, but the dose has been low enough to have no side effects of all. It works so much better than antibiotics - quicker and as well as getting rid of spots vastly improves the texture/feel of your skin. Each time I've taken Roaccutane it's stayed away for a few years too - hopefully this time, now I'm 40, it won't come back!

I am at the moment, I think it helps but I definitely still have acne.

My GP said I had to try everything for 2mths (couple of different things suggested) before being referred to the dermatologist. Roaccutane can have pretty hard core side effects so I don't mind trying other things first!

Anyway, suspect that's where I'll end up regardless.

@Shitalopram I had the roll-on too in my late teens. it was amazing. It's was called Dalacin T if I remember correctly.

Ask for the 50ml instead of the 30ml since you'll be paying for prescription.

And it had my acne under control within a week.

I was prescribed oral antibiotics and a lotion which I had to apply twice a day. Best thing I ever did.

I've only used antibiotics a handful of times in my life. My skin is not perfect but it's never been as bad as it was before the antibiotics. My skin flared up after dd was born but has really cleared up since I started using Boots own brand charcoal and witch hazel face wash

Forgot to add, it was a 3 month course and I was in my late 20s.

I use Zineryt Solution on prescription. It's a mixture of zinc and antibiotic erythromycin.

I find it really works for me, clears up acne very quickly.

It does cause a little dryness when first using it but it does clear up quickly once the skin is used to it.