Teenage boy acne. Antibiotic resistant

[Snowonground]

I wondered if anyone had any experience/tips. My son has been on the same anti biotics for two years and has been given various creams by the doctor that make his face sore so he won't use them. Ive tried to get him referred to a dermatologist through the NHS but the wait is extremely long. We've tried all sorts of things.. Korean skin care, azalaeic acid, salicylic acid etc. All the things that can be easily looked up and are advised by good social media influences. So Im not asking for thoughts on that per se. Just experience and whether anything worked for antibiotic resistance. Any thoughts outside the box!

Was it an oral antibiotic or topical or both?
How old is he?

Oral antibiotic. Hes 16. I feel quite despondent for him.

I posted this on another thread, it's expensive but it works permanently - my DD had fantastic results with it. I can't remember if they'll do it on under 18s though.

https://aviclear.com/en-uk/

If it's truly antibiotic resistant, then roaccutane.

But if he's been on the same antibiotic, taking it correctly and at the appropriate dose, for TWO YEARS!!, then I'd certainly give him a different antibiotic to be trying whilst awaiting a dermatology appointment.

You don't see quick results with antibiotics in acne, but two years is just waaaaaaaay too long. Give it at least 6 weeks to know whether an antibiotic for acne is starting to have any effect, 3 months for a fuller assessment.

Following with interest.

Salycilic acid used to really help my kid but for some reason it now doesn't.

I'm going to try and convince him to try my led face mask.

Roaccutane is amazing for this. Dont listen to the unproven rubbish about it affects mentsl health. It doesn’t unless making your acne go away & feel amazing counts. 3-6m on roaccutane it will all be gone. Go private if you want it quickly. Save hu dress on creams.

I have seen Number 47 skin advertised for acne. I am going to try and get a trial size one for my DS who seems to be getting quite spotty lately. Weirdly, Head and Shoulders used as a face wash - the classic clean one - is apparently what some USA Dermatologists recommend. It can help with the skin condition HS and acne. Worth a try and v inexpensive.

47 Skin serum has been the best thing we've tried for my son's skin. He uses Cerave blemish control face wash twice a day and then the 47 Skin serum. It took a couple of weeks to work and he does still get the odd spot if he's lazy with washing his face, but it has helped a lot.

Roaccutane. I had it as a teenager & I paid privately for my DD to have it after nothing the gp prescribed worked. Best money I've ever spent on her & she agrees!

Accutane - it works.

And teenagers with bad acne can suffer depression as a result of their acne.

Hi I have some experience with this!
You can get private dermatology in the UK for acne via skin+ me or dermatica. Both operates in an identical way (online consolidation form + pictures) and it's around £24.99-29.99 per month for the treatments and there's usually a cheaper option for a new client. They also give you a routine and recommendations of the most gentle products that shouldn't aggravate.
I am not affiliated with either.

I'm a dietitian and work a lot with people with acne. There limited nutrition evidence but would you like a of somethings to add/take away from diet alongside his current treatment to see if it makes any improvements?

As he is 16 he is old enough for a skin and me prescription- they would probably prescribe a combination of a topical antibiotic and tretinoin at first. You can usually find a code for the first month for £5 and then it's roughly £35/£30 a month after. It completely cleared my skin when I had cystic acne.

As he is 16 he is old enough for a skin and me prescription- they would probably prescribe a combination of a topical antibiotic and tretinoin at first. You can usually find a code for the first month for £5 and then it's roughly £35/£30 a month after. It completely cleared my skin when I had cystic acne.

We tried skin and me but no sucess unfortunately. But yes please to any dietary advice! He is a boy who historically had a few allergies (peanuts). So perhaps thats relevant but I don't really know what to do!

Hes too scared of Roccutane. I know he's worrying over nothing but I was hoping theres an alternative.

Wow I could have written this!

We have tried everything and I would pay for roccutane but my 17 year old is too scared to try it, I think because of the danger of making it worse through the purge stage and the side effects.

OP I recently got a blue light skin mask which has helped slightly, and he eats a UPF free diet (his choice) which has helped a bit. Still pretty bad though.

I feel for you, I wish I could take it away for him and worry it is really limiting him as he is so self conscious. His siblings have not suffered at all.

Could you get him a private dermatology appointment ?
I paid £240 iirc for my DS , (not acne but it was a dermatology issue) rather than wait .Our wait time would've been at least 9 months
I know it isn't available to everyone but you could spend ££ on the wrong creams and your heart breaks for them .

He has nothing to lose by trying an inexpensive bottle of Milk of Magnesia and applying to a cotton pad and swiping over face.

https://www.dailychemist.com/product/milk-of-magnesia-original-200ml/

I know you said he’s nervous about roaccutane but I must stress it is a total game changer. I had terrible skin as a teenager - 6 months of roaccutane and I never had a spot since. I was prepared to be dry as a crisp, I even bought a throat spray as I was told it dries up your saliva but I needed no more than a good moisturiser and a lip balm. I’d started to scar by the time I took it and I dread to think what I’d be like if I had delayed it any longer.

Change your GP - he shouldn't be on anti biotics for 2 years.
Ask for a referral to dermatology.
He will get a consultation and will be reassured by them about treatment.
GP's do not understand skin.
Sorry- a bit of a rushed reply. My son was similar to yours and dermatology was the answer for him.
Also skip all the dietary and 'products' rubbish. My son now just cleans his face with water.

He’ll probably have to go on roaccutane. I wish my DS had done it sooner, but he’s finally on it aged 21 and it’s made an amazing difference. He’s got a few more months to go but in 5 months it’s been so effective. His are mainly in his back/chest and so using creams etc wasn’t practical.

He did all the antibiotics and worked up to Trimethoprim, but it’s rough on the stomach so he had to stop it. It’s about a year for dermatology referral so I’d def try something else in the meantime.

Good luck!

So was my son but he finally agreed and it’s been amazing. The dermatologist will decide whether it’s appropriate for him and he’ll be under proper supervision - my son has regular check-ups and he’s had a blood test as well). He does get very dry - and you have to use sun cream as well (he’s ok now in the winter but he started in July, so…) but no other side effects reported.

Ahem. Don't use such a broad brush, please. Some GPs understand skin very well; I'm an ex GP with an additional post-grad uni qualification in dermatology. There are quite a few of us around.

But I DEFINITELY agree that no- one should be taking antibiotics for 2 years if they're ineffective!

Don’t waste any more money on various creams and potions - they really do not work.

go and see a private dermatologist.

I'm aghast at the use of antibiotics for two years! He must be feeling so rough and rundown from it!

Roaccutane worked a treat for my son. He had some mild side effects - dry lips and more sensitive skin in general - but nowhere near as bad as he felt from the antibiotics he was given first.