99 replies to this topic

[lostinmyface]

Day 15 - January 2, 2007

Ok, so NOW we have a rash! Who knows about RASHES?? Please help! It is contained on his hands and arms. Nothing on trunk. It is red spots and blotches and a bit itchy. I am going to call the derm today but thought you folks probably know about the rashes? Is this the accutane?

He went back to school this morning. Overall face looked pretty good except for one large pimple brewing on the cheek and one on lower face, and a few on jaw line. His lips are dry and he's been using the aquaphor at night and lip balm during the day. Skin itself is not really dry at all. It was much dryer with topicals.

Anxiety continues to be low so hopefully we have solved that issue for the entire course.

Josh8 - yes, he shaves. I had acne that I rate as moderate. No accutane back then so I have minor scarring and also STILL get breakouts (minor) and you don't even want to know how old I am!

Please let me know if you've heard of rashes and accutane?

Thanks everyone!
Sakul

I get the same thing on the top of my hands and it starts to go down my arm if I let it go too long. The first time I got it, it went away after many applications of lotion every day. It got better so I stopped applying... then BAM! It came right back. I just have to apply every day. Always after I wash my hands and then throughout the day as the moisturizer is absorbed.

P.S..... I just read this under accutane posts (not logs) in the pinned section at the top ~ very informative for new accutane users! You should check it out....

"If you get little weird dry patches on the skin (often on the backs of hands) they are probably Accutane-induced ezcema. Use an over the counter hydrocortisone cream on the patches until they seem like normal skin again (this should only take a few days), then use a normal moisturizer to prevent it from happening again. If you moisturize properly from day one you can prevent it all together."

[jbuckets]

if the rashes are bad call the derm. they are caused by overly dry skin. make sure he moisturizes hand, arms, legs, etc. everday, preferably after a shower to lock in moisture.

[Tim1986]

Hey just stopping by to wish you guys luck, I am just starting accutane my self(day 22) so Im praying for us!!

Edit: I too have anxiety(dont have ocd) and although I was really anxious in the start, worrying about the side effects, and once I realized that the accutane wasnt effecting my mood, it all got better. That and I kept thinking about amazing results to come and clear skin, so keep reminding him that, it helps.

[sakul]

DAY 16 - January 3, 2007

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses! I really really appreciate it! I was wondering myself if it was an accutane induced rash. When I called the derm she wanted him to come right in. We got in at the end of the day yesterday.

Long and short of it, she thinks it is an amoxicillin rash and took him off the antibiotic. It is more like hives, she said, than what she sees as the accutane dermatitis, but she wouldn't know over the phone, which is why we had to go in. He's not to take penicillin or any derivitive again - to consider himself now allergic. She had taken him off of solydyn and switch to amoxicillin when he started the accutane so that it might help "cover" him and avoid an IB (I think it has unless an IB can still happen now?). WHEW!! I was scared to death she'd want to take him off the accutane.

Which, by the way, the doctor said to my son, "So hey, I see that stuff is already working! Your skin looks better already!" I know that I thought his skin was better, but nice to have that confirmed by the doctor.

He has dry lips and one large zit on cheek that appears to be reducing already (may have hit its peak yesterday) and another smaller one nearby. Mostly the forehead still has pimples, but smaller and mostly what you see on his face now is the red/purple marks from the past acne. His skin seems really nice too, not too dry at all. His anxiety has been good, no problems at all! Also, he went back to school and is back in his routine so that should be helpful also.

YEAH! Nothing too serious and all is well!! Thanks again for your helpful responses!!

Sakul

[sakul]

Hey just stopping by to wish you guys luck, I am just starting accutane my self(day 22) so Im praying for us!!

Edit: I too have anxiety(dont have ocd) and although I was really anxious in the start, worrying about the side effects, and once I realized that the accutane wasnt effecting my mood, it all got better. That and I kept thinking about amazing results to come and clear skin, so keep reminding him that, it helps.

Dear Tim1986,
Thanks for stopping by! I think you are about 20 years old from your log in name, and my son is 15. It is good to know that others who have anxiety are getting support to take accutane. My son has more the obsessive type of OCD in that he gets intrusive and obsessive thoughts and then urges to speak them. Its a pain for him and it just came out of nowhere one day. I still think it came from adolescent hormones. He's a great, great kid and really nice so these awful thoughts bother him a lot. He also has some mild learning disabilities.

I know it is scarry, but after reading every journal article known to man on anxiety/depression and accutane, I was convinced that there is no certain causal connection. That said, it is good to be watched and to involve others in watching over you a bit. You should tell your dermatologist about the anxiety history too, but I assume that you did. I know some go on some medication just to play it safe, but each case is individualized. My son takes zoloft for the OCD and we upped it a bit last week when he had the anxiety attack and it may have helped. He's on a very low dose.

Good luck Tim and drop by again!

Sakul

[sakul]

DAY 17 - January 4, 2007

Well, the rash is nearly gone so I guess it was the amoxicilin. He had dry lips and not really anything else. A pimple broke out on his lower face sometime over night but the one on the cheek is nearly gone. I am not sure if that happens a lot with the accutane, whereas pimples that typically would last over a week seem to clear up in a few days??

That's all for today!

Sakul

[liveyourlife]

I was just browsing the log forums a week ago and came across your log, and have been following it ever since. I'm not accutane, and I hopefully never will, (my mom would never go for it anyway) but I just need to say that you're a great mother and your son must love you to death for being so supportive!! Keep it up, you are doing great

[sakul]

DAY 19 - January 6, 2007

Hi everyone! Not a lot new to report. My son continues to do well on the 40 mg of Amnesteem. He mentioned his nose was dry yesterday so we put some of the Aquaphor on the nasal tissues with a cotton swab. Lips a bit dry, not awful.

His skin, compared to where he was several months ago, looks much improved already. The thing is that the pimples that come are not all large, angry red, inflamed pustules. The ones that I've noticed lately start smaller, are red, but not as pustule like, and within a day or two are barely pink and pretty flattened. His chin looks BEAUTIFUL and smooth and his forehead continues to be the worst area with small pink bumps.

I did notice a large one however on his upper back/lower neck where he never gets pimples. It was large and cyst like. So, I don't know, maybe this is his IB? He showed me a couple on his chest also, where he never had acne before. I'm guessing this is part of his IB.

Tickertock23, thanks for stopping by. I bet your mom would go for it if all else had failed. It is not an easy decision to make on behalf of someone else, but in my son's case, given he already lives with certain disadvantages and has had to overcome many obstacles, it seemed criminal to me, knowing a possible cure was out there and not at least researching and trying it. I was scared to death, but more scared by how acne could turn this really funny, sweet young man into a recluse. Hang in there!

That's it for now! Have a great weekend!

Sakul

[Tim1986]

Hey thanks for stopping by my log, and yes I wish I knew about accutane when I was 15-16 I would have taken it right away! Your son is really lucky because he is gonna wipe it out this early to avoid years of frustration, like you said with topicals and stuff. Once your son starts to see improvement and when hes clear, he will be happy he took it and probably thank you for years lol.

[sakul]

Day 21 - January 8, 2007

Not much to report. A few zits apparent. Dry lips, getting dryer. It is hard for him to remember to put his balm on so I have to remind him all the time.

Sakul

[shunts]

Hi, just thought I'd drop in and see how you're getting on. I've had one course so far (60mg for 5 months) and now doing a second course but only taking 1 20mg every 3 days now and it keeps everything under control. still like to come on here every now and then for a browse.

Can I give you one tip that was an absolute life saver for me? When his lips start to get really dry and nothing helps and the corners crack no matter what you try, give Bepanthen cream a go. At least, it's called Bepanthen in the UK but I'm sure you have something similar in the US.

It's actually for nappy rash, which is probably daiper rash over there! It is just the absolute best thing for healing your lips. I wish I'd discovered it sooner as the worse it gets the longer it takes to heal obviously but this stuff is just the best thing ever for dry and cracked lips. Hope it helps!

[sakul]

Day 23 - January 10, 2007

Things are going well. He continues to get zits here and there. I noticed one on his neck today, but things are "contained" mostly. What I am pleased with is that the continuous battles daily to deal with tons of new breakouts has halted and we can deal with one pimple at a time. This is wonderful. We want to see him totally clear, but hey, even this would have been better than the acne warzone.

A new high school friend of his came over the other day because they had to work on a school project. This kid had not one blemish. Not one. Why do some kids get such a curse and others nary anything. Well hopefully my boy will one day look clear like that.

We see the derm next week for the monthly appt.

Side effects: just dry lips right now. Nothing else noted.

Thanks for stopping by Shunts and for the cream tip!

have a good day!
Sakul

[sakul]

Day 25 - January 12, 2007

My son asked yesterday how long until the red marks go away from the old acne. I told him over months not weeks, but am not sure how long it does take? Anyone?

His face, aside from forehead is free from pimples. Forehead still has a couple that are slowing going away, but no new ones. New several on neck, white heads. But actually for the first time in a long time everything on face below the forehead is pimple free and I don't feel any "brewing" currently under the surface. I noticed yesterday at dinner his face has a red tint now, I am assuming this is from the accutane and not just a "flush".

Have a great weekend!

Sakul

[sakul]

Day 28 - January 15, 2007

All continues to go well. More people are noticing my son's face has improved, and that is a real boost for him. I see a couple bumps under the surface and am wondering what will come of them. His forehead continues to clear up and the rest of the face is looking good.

Sakul

[june bug]

Your son is lucky to have such a caring mom. I am also the mother of a special needs child (Asperger syndrome). I definitely know the challenges! They can be such blessings, too. Kudos to you for being a great mom. I hope your son's skin gets crystal clear.

[sakul]

Dear Junebug,

thanks for stopping by our log. Yes, I agree 100% about our special kids. My son is the most wonderful young man I could ever hope to have as my son. He truly is and he is already experiencing more confidence since his skin is getting clearer. I can see it makes him happy. He just left to go get tutoring and we did notice one pimple popped out on the face. But, it was only one and he said, "hey before it was so many I couldn't count." So, we are having an easier time dealing with these one by one. Not the war it used to be!

Good luck with your course! When did you start?

Sakul

[june bug]

I actually have never taken accutane (I can't because I've got a baby girl whose nursing). My acne was definitely bad enough to qualify for a while there, but I actually managed to get it under control using Apple Cider Vinegar and Tea tree oil. I'm definitely not cured, but it's under control, for the most part! I like reading people's accutane posts though, just in case I ever do go on it I'll have a lot of info. Thanks!

[Matt007]

Nothing personal or anything but if my mom documented progress of my acne on the internet id disown myself from her
different strokes for different folks.at least you care.we dont have enough caring people around anymore.
my mom buys my tane for me every month.im on month 5 now and am 100% clear.she comments on my skin id say once a month... and that im happy with.

good luck to you and your son

[sakul]

Dear Matty,

Have you have noticed that I do not ever name my son? My location... or my real name? Etc. I'm not sure why it would make a difference to you if no one ever knew it was your mom? She might be on here, who knows!!! Anyway, I am doing this because it is hard for parents to make the decision, especially when their child may be more expected than the typical teenager to have quite serious negative side effects. I did not see anything like it in the logs I read trying to make my decision to let my son take accutane.

Wow, five months! You are probably going to be done soon! Good luck!!

Sakul

[sakul]

DAY 35 - January 22, 2007

Hi everyone!

All continues to go well! I have, however, noticed what could be an IB... not sure if it happens this late after starting. He has 3 pustules that are somewhat deep and not at the surface but bulging and ugly! UGH. what is this!? I hope it clears up! He was doing so darn well! Only side effects are dry lips and now he has accutane dermatitis on his hands and has a prescription cream for this.

He saw the derm last week and wow, was she pleased! She said that his response to accutane she classifies as "excellent". She said given his response she thinks that this will totally clear him. I begged her not to up the dose and that we'd rather see him go longer than have a doseage increase. She agreed and so he will stay at 40 MG and will be on it at least 30 weeks.


Have a great week!

Sakul