6 replies to this topic

[MissLarry12304]

Hello, Im Lorraine a 31 year old desperate acne sufferer. Ive always had mild acne and Im a wonder with makeup so no-one ever really notices however, for the past 6 months it's been really bad. I invested in some really expensive products, Dermalogica MediBAC designed for adult acne, WHAT A MISTAKE! I am now covered in spots on my face, it is red raw and feels like I've been burnt. On Friday it got so bad I went to hospital and was prescribed Flucloxacillian 500mg tablets (4 times per day) to fight the infection and Fucidin H cream. I have since learnt by going to my doctor in FLOODS of tears yesterday that my eczema cream which is a strong steroid had caused Perioral Dermatitis on my face alongside the acne, therefore I had a major infection which has made my face swell and be bright red. I have been signed off work for 2 weeks pending a private appointment with a dermatologist within the next week. I have also been prescribed Tetracycline and two different Bactroban creams which I have to use 5 times a day that fight the bacteria. I have been told not to use Fucidin H cream as it is a steroid and will make things worse. I have been house bound for 5 days now, no confidence to leave the house, depressed, crying alot and refuse to show my painfully red face to the world. After reading reviews on here I think I am going to ask for a course of Roaccutane. I want an end to this for good. At the moment, I'm living in constant fear that this will never go and I am going to look this way forever. A bit dramatic I know but I just don't know what else to do. If anyone has any similar experiences with anything I have mention, PLEASE PLEASE REPLY! I need help!

[cvd]

Hi --- hang in there. I too went through a time in my late 40's when my skin was flaming red, oozing, covered in bumps and cysts and I thought for sure I would never see clear skin again. I have always had acne and also very sensitive skin so most acne products are too harsh. I took accutane twice (was clear during but broke out again when stopped) and through the years antibiotics when it got bad, BP, etc etc.

How they treated the major infection-outbreak was with oral antibiotics and products made for rosacea. These are very gentle and yet can treat acne too. Once my skin calmed down (...still breaking out tho in cysts, etc.) they switched to tretinoin cream, antibiotic soap and spironolactone, along with Bactrim antibiotic. This worked well until the Bactrim and Spironolactone were stopped and then I broke out again with cysts.

I am now on the treatment below and am basically clear except for an occasional teeny tiny pimple. I think the monthly microdermabrasion + BP cleanser + topical Cleocin-T antibiotic are what is keeping me clear. Finally getting me clear to where my skin is creamy and there is no acne, after that major outbreak in my late 40's has taken many years (10). During this time I did have times of relatively clear skin here and there so I didn't lose hope.

I really am sorry you are going through this but I guess I am sharing the above to give you hope. It takes a lot of patience to keep up with the complicated regimes that are needed to treat sensitive acne prone skin that is also very resistant. I too spent countless hours crying and agonizing over my skin. I got very tired of people saying it's not that bad as they stared at my poor face in sympathy. I missed work, changed jobs to one with less stress and became rather reclusive. I just could not trust my skin to behave...as it always seemed to get so infected. I think that is what I hated most...the infections. So unsightly and wierd for an adult woman to have. I kept thinking people must wonder if I'm doing meth or something (...remember those ads about what happens when people take meth and how their skin gets so red, bumpy and infected?)

But that is hopefully in the past...and it will be for you too. You are not being dramatic...it is very traumatizing to have one's most visible part of their body be so negatively affected...and especially so for a woman. Do everything you can to take care of yourself while you are healing. And this is what it is...healing...just like any other disease! I think people forget that.

Be kind to yourself. Trust your derms...it will take awhile to heal your condition and to find a regime that both treats the acne but also the eczema and sensitive skin. Try also eating as good as you can. Avoid wheat, dairy, alcohol, and sugars as these inflame the body. Take a good refridgerated probiotic to help your inner body fight the inflammation. See an allergist to help with everything you can do to treat the eczema naturally through avoiding certain foods.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to message me. I'd like to hear how you are doing!

[MissLarry12304]

Hi, thankyou so much for you're reply. It's been 8 days now since my face flared into what I can only describe as pure pain. It is now 60% healed and I'm very much looking forward to my private derm app on Friday next week. It's costing me £160 just for the consultation but I cant wait 8 weeks on the NHS. I started tetracycline today, I have to take these tablets twice a day. I'm still only washing my face with water but i'd love to wash it with a mild soap or face wash due to the dry skin. I have'nt worn makeup for 10 days now and that is the longest time ever for me. Im feeling less desperate then I was and just trying to be positive although I am quite concerned about the reddening around my mouth and on my chin. This is from the perioral dermatitis. I will update again after my derm app. Larry x

[Stephanie31]

I suffered with cystic acne for 10 years and even tried accuane!
When you have hormonal acne none of these things work!
I am now on my 4th month of Sprionolactone (100mg a day) and my skin is looking amazing!!
No side effects, skin and hair has less oil which is nice!
It targets the hormones which create the acne unlike accutane which only temporarily blocks the sebacious glands.
I have also been using dermaquest and skin ceutical products which feel lovely, not harsh, irritating or drying.

Defintely worth giving it a go and you have nothing to lose! In Australia it's only $34 for over 3 months worth

Good luck xx

[Sasch83]

I suffered with cystic acne for 10 years and even tried accuane!
When you have hormonal acne none of these things work!
I am now on my 4th month of Sprionolactone (100mg a day) and my skin is looking amazing!!
No side effects, skin and hair has less oil which is nice!
It targets the hormones which create the acne unlike accutane which only temporarily blocks the sebacious glands.
I have also been using dermaquest and skin ceutical products which feel lovely, not harsh, irritating or drying.

Defintely worth giving it a go and you have nothing to lose! In Australia it's only $34 for over 3 months worth

Good luck xx

How can you tell your acne is hormonal? Are your periods irregular? Does your acne get worse with your cycle? My acne doesn't seem to have a pattern so i am having a hard time finding my route cause.

[Stephanie31]

When you have acne for that long and even accutane can't even get rid of it for good it has to be hormonal. I never had a pattern either and periods were always spot on. You can test your hormones with a blood test I did mine through my gynecologist. Also a lot of women have PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) and dont even know it. The side effects are acne, weight gain, excessive hair growth and a few others. You can test this with a blood test too. I can't believe a gynecologist gave me my cure to acne. I guess they know how women's bodies work better than anyone! Doctors and dermatologists just gave me whatever was going at the time without doing tests.

[Green Gables]

Same as above, only thing that stopped my acne was an anti-androgen for excessive hormonal activity. I'm on spironolactone probably for the rest of my life, but I've got clear skin.

Antibiotics and topicals did very little as my problem was not excess bacteria or excess oil, but excess hormones growing things on my face.