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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

desperate teenager ...spot rescue needed immediately

28 replies

babybear5 · 08/02/2011 21:22

Can anyone help please...my 15yr old dd has a massive outbreak of angry red spots that will not clear up. It's been months now. We have tried everything i can think of to help her.Can anyone sugggest anything that i can get her to use please? Our problem is she is on the books of a modelling agency and could get a shout at anytime so she is desperate now Sad
Am I being over neurotic if i try gp next?

OP posts:
ihearthuckabees · 08/02/2011 21:27

Is it definitely acne?

Have you tried using a benzyl peroxide treatment?

I combine this with the oil cleansing method (google it), and it really works, but I am in my 40s (have suffered acne since teen years though, and this is the first time I don't have angry red spots).

There's no shame in going to the docs though. She may get offered antibiotics, which do work well for a lot of people.

LionessLady · 08/02/2011 21:36

Be VERY careful about weather it's just a break out or acne - if it's the former, then acne medication will make it worse.

Changeisagoodthing · 08/02/2011 21:38

Use clinique anti blemish. Expensive but worth it. Friends son had been treated by hospital but no success. Swapped to this and it worked. They suggested it for my daughter and it's been great.

Wash and tonic stuff everyday and then an emergency overnight spot treatment

Littlefish · 08/02/2011 21:40

I put aloe vera gel on mine. It clears them up really quickly.

However, in a teenager, I would probably go and see the GP if it's been going on for some time.

LynetteScavo · 08/02/2011 21:41

Go to the GP. I had an outbreak in a small area which didn't clear up. GP prescribed anit B and it was gone forever. It pretty much cleared up immediately.

I also used dead sea soap at the same time, but I doubt it was that which worked the magic.

posey · 08/02/2011 21:47

Dd's skin has been transformed by Clinique facial soap. Seems expensive but sh got a pack of 3 small ones for her birthday in June and is still only on the 2nd one. So guess 3 will last her a year. She uses on face, chest and top of her back. Skin is SOOOO much better, none of that mass of red and angry spots anymore.

Look here
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hogsback · 08/02/2011 21:47

Go to the GP. Really don't understand why people are reluctant to see the GP about acne. It's a disfiguring skin condition that can cause psych problems and scarring. OTC acne cures are ineffective against severe acne. GP can prescribe antibiotics, steroids, the pill and retinoids that actually work.

Original poster
babybear5 · 08/02/2011 21:47

Thank you for all your replies..She has had it a while and every so often she has another spot come up in the same area so i don't know if it is acne or just spots but i think i will just check it out with gp.
Thanks again everyone Smile

OP posts:
maryz · 08/02/2011 22:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

maryz · 08/02/2011 22:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

senua · 08/02/2011 22:22

DS has spots - not really bad ones, but any spots are bad for teenage self esteem.Sad GP prescribed oral anti-biotics. After about a month I took him back as the AB did not seem to be working. GP says it takes 6-8 weeks before you really know if AB are working. But GP prescribed an additional topical gel, and that does seem to have improved things greatly within a fortnight.

MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay · 08/02/2011 22:34

For bad skin verging on-but-not-quite-acne, I can recommned Panoxyl. It's over the counter gel (can be prescribed too) that comes in 3 strengths and contains peroxide.

One of my teens has had moderately and skin, the other severe (on antibiotics) and the panoxyl has helped both... we were recommended it by the GP for the lesser effected child and it has been GREAT.

Lloyds chemists do it.. and others do own brand (Boots does one). It's worth a shot and results are fast:)

Original poster
babybear5 · 08/02/2011 22:34

I am so glad to tell her that she isn't alone with this and appreciate everyone taking time to help us Smile

OP posts:
waffleanddaub · 08/02/2011 23:05

Go to the GP. We've had the full spectrum in our house. DD1 had awful acne, was eventually refered to a Dermatologist and prescribed roaccutane. This was wonderful ( no nasty side effects though she did need to go on the pill ). Her skin is lovely now ( she is almost 18 ). DS tried various things and had moderate acne, he has done really well on antibiotics ( nearly 16 ). DD2 has the mildest spots and is responding well to a lotion ( 13). There are so many options out there, better than when I was their age anyway.

bambiandthumper · 09/02/2011 10:18

A dab of sudocream at night is great on any spot, the anti septic stops it from worsening.

Have you tried the Dermalogica Clean Start range? Its for teenage skin, and they have a starter pack with mini bottles so you can try it out. My niece tried it and said its too harsh for her skin (but she has no spots) but great on all her friends with spots.

When I was still signed to an agency they had a dermatologist they could refer you too (alongside doctors, dentists ect..), so could you call them and see if they can suggest anything? I don't know if a Children's agency would have this though, I was with Storm so lots of girls coming from overseas, but if she's with any reputable agency they should have people they can refer you too. They would probably rather they knew, and so could start to deal with it rather than her loosing jobs over her skin, which would also be horrible for her confidence.

Sorry if this is really rambley, but when I was modelling lots of the girls I worked with had skin that sounds quite similar to your daughters so I can understand how much she hates it.

lospollos · 09/02/2011 11:42

BUMP

saw this as a fellow spotty teenager,

is it actual acne or just bad skin.

if its the latter,
things that imprived my skin.
.lots of water
.dettol soap to wash your face,
.simple face washes
.nivea soft moisturiser, very ligt on skin or vitamin E body shop.
.sleep with hair&&fringe tied up
it may not help just thought I'd share my tips I feel the pain of cursed spots , hugs to your DS

haggis01 · 09/02/2011 14:19

Take her to the GP - they are usually very sympathetic- my DD friend has terrible acne, her mum spent a fortune on homeopathic consultations and remedies, but finally after a few years she went to the GP and now her skin is clearing with antibios.
If not - you need to find out which spot treatment her skin will react to. My Dc used to use clean and clear - it has salicyclic acid as the active ingredient but was useless. We swapped to freederm which has a different active ingredient (sorry,can't remember the name) and it has worked.
good luck

mamas12 · 09/02/2011 18:48

If it isn't acne or if it is, the best and gentlest thing that I have seen work is the
Liz Earle range, they do a teen range too.

Original poster
babybear5 · 10/02/2011 21:11

Thank you everyone for your advice. It is good to hear from teenagers to on this lospollos.
Bambi i will contact the agency..it is a child agency but do teenagers..storm is one i looked at and looked very good.
It does play havoc with her confidence but we off to gp in the morning so hopefully can start to do something..
Thhere are lots of good suggestions to try here though so thank you all Grin

OP posts:
LindsayWakelinPhotography · 15/02/2011 09:34

I know this sounds grim but toothpaste ( the white pasty ones ) have always helped me when I have had spots. If you put it on the spot at nightime before you go to sleep by the morning you will usually find the redness and sweeling has reduced.

SnapFrakkleAndPop · 15/02/2011 09:47

Toothpaste is good, also aspirin face masks - mix either powdered aspirin or a pure aspirin tablet with a little water into a paste and dab it on. It's anti-inflammatory and great for spots which are like inflamed bumps BUT it can make your skin quite red so do a patch test, don't leave it on too long and remember to moisturiser after.

vickyemm · 16/02/2011 15:13

my son had to get meds from the docs i dont think your being nurotic at all but the problem is you cant keep them on meds all the time the meds cleared my sons acne up but it came back months later its a hormone thing and depends on how much oil your skin produces also if youe teen is like mine she probably likes sugary snacks chocolate and fizzy drinks which all contribute to acne hope thats some help

eatyourveg · 16/02/2011 15:18

yes toothpaste on going to bed usually sorts out the really angry ones here too

steamedtreaclesponge · 16/02/2011 15:20

Worth going to the GP even if it's spots rather than acne - I had bad skin as a teenager, v spotty although not proper acne - was put on the pill which sorted it all out.

Most spots are hormonal so putting stuff on your skin won't make much difference.

Original poster
babybear5 · 16/02/2011 22:11

Hello everyone. Thank you again for your advice. I took dd to doctor and he has confirmed acne. she has been given Zynerit?? (i could have spelt that wrong) facewash to use which so far is making it worse but hopefully it will get better soon.
He did say that it is hormonal and we will prob be back in a few months for more for the next outbreak! Possibly the pill may be the answer Smile

OP posts:
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