Acne - son not me!

[LaydeeC]

My 14yo has terrible acne across his forehead. It is all purple'y and I can't imagine that it will ever clear up. His hair was long until a month ago and when it was cut it exposed the acne.
He has been using wipes (of the clearasil type) and cream but it they really don't seem to have improved although I have told him that it has to ensure he carries on cleansing.
Is there something 'stronger' we could use or will nature take it's course and all will come right eventually.

See GP, they treat worst cases with oral antiBs nowadays, there are topical antiBs, too, it's worth getting GP or at least advice of a chemist.

Second advice above. My 14 yo suffered with acne for about 2 months, on the advice of a friend with older boys, I took him to the GP. He has been on oral antibiotics for about a year, his skin is not completely clear, but he knows we could up the dose if necessary.
Children do not need to suffer these days, loads can be done. Take him to your GP!

Yes, please get him to GP.

In the meantime take a look at www.acne.org there is a very good regime on there with products that can be bought over the counter. Benzoyl peroxide is the main product needed, Clearasil etc just won't cut it I'm afraid.

Please take him to the doctor. I suffered terribly as a teenager and it ruined my confidence . In the meantime, try acne gel which contains benzoyl peroxide as the pp suggested. You can get it over the counter the chemist.

i'd second going to the gp. My daughter (13) was prescribed a cream which has done the trick. She has gone from being really spotty, red massive spots and yellow ones to being almost acne free. She started using it in August and there was an improvement after a few weeks, but now she has lovely skin again.

Go to the GP. AS all the above !

Oral antibiotics are generally great and easy to use. Creams if the acne is just on the face migh twork, but once it's on the back/neck etc it's a battle to cream everything twice a day.

My 15yr old DS had awful acne that we treated with antibiotics from about age 12. He's just had 6/12 roaccutane that seems to have finally sorted it (fingers very crossed!) but wasn't an easy drug to decide to have (he chose to) or an easy one to take (he did have side effects).

THe antibiotics though were a doddle- no problems and I know they do work for many, just not for him!

Maryz it's a transforming drug isn't it. Ds has had 2 spots since stopping and went all "it's all coming back again..." but it hasn't

Interestingly everyone he saw asked about whether he was depressed (as it's a known side effect) but he was really amazed in a "how could I be depressed I'm achy, tired and burn in the sun in winter, but my spots are gone" sort of way that someone who's been there would understand.

Yep. Definately go to GP. Mine was cross I'd left my son for so long due to possible scarring. Was on low dose anitb's for about 2-3 years. He's 18 now and at uni and has stopped taking them. He has occassional flare-ups but I guess his hormones have calmed down, as he doesn't seem to need them anymore. Miracle cure - started working almost immediately!

DS1 has acne on his face and back and I took him to GP. We have had reasonable success with topical antibiotics and I have resisted oral meds for DS because of horror stories about side effects. !5 year olds are already prone to black moods and gloominess I would not risk drug induced depression as well.

secretsantasquirells maryz and I are taking about roaccutane, there is no depression risk with oral antibiotics (and to be honest pretty much zero side effects). Antibotics are enough treatment for all but the worst acne that my lad and maryz had.

If topical treatment has not worked well (especially if he's getting scarring) ask your GP about antibiotics. It is worth preventing scarring happening because sorting it out long term is not at all easy.

Wow at the cost maryz! I'm sure we don't appreciate enough what the NHS does for us. It would have been worth it though.

My dd has topical antibiotics and they've made a bit of a difference. She still has a flare up every month, but it's nowhere near as bad as it was

Hi - I googled acne and found a great website that I shared with my son which I now cant find for you! (sorry) - but it recommended a type of cream...went to the pharmacy explained teenage son had acne - was given cream - bobs your uncle! After a few weeks cleared up - he is now 16 and it comes and goes (poss relating to hormones) so occasionally get some more depending if bad. Good luck.

My dd has had acne since she was 7 and was fobbed off with lotions and potions from chemist which did nothing but burn her face. Doctor wouldn't give out anything as she was too young but old enough for teenage spots! Eventually got a prescription for lotion called Zineryt which worked almost immediately. The bottle has to be changed after 5 weeks as it goes off or does not work. Dd is now 12 and still is using it but i think it may be something she will have to stay on for life (so chemist told me). Spots hardly noticable now.