New Here.....this is for my daughter....please help!!

[futurehope 0]

I hope that I am putting this in the right forum. My daughter is 13 years old. Since she was 10 she has always had what I would call on the high end of mild and low end of moderate acne.........until she went and seen a regular MD to get her school physical. He suggested some medicine for her acne. My initial response was that she really did not need it. She would get pimples but they would go away quickly and never get inflamed or red. Anyhow, he gave her topical Clindamycin for the AM and Tazorac 0.05% for the PM. Two months fast forward. Her face turned into a total monster!! I FEEL SO BAD for her. One day she just came home as red as fire and tons of pimples on her face. None cystic, thank GOD. I immediately took her off the medicine and took her back to this regular MD. He then suggested an oral antibiotic Tetracycline (sp?) which we have not started her on yet. I put her back on her old regimin (which is Paula's Choice BHA in the AM and BP in the PM).

Here is my problem, it has been three weeks plus and this ACNE (from that one bad breakout) is NOT CLEARING UP A BIT!!! It is RED and IMFLAMED all of the time. It will not come to a head like it wants to pop, but yet it will not leave the skin either!!! My daughter is also athletic, and playing some intensive basketball right now. Whenever she is done playing basketball, her skin looks ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. It look almost like a lot of the acne is flat and under her skin, almost like bruises that appear to be acne, is she scarred??? AND WHY????? Does sweating irritate???? I FEEL SO BAD FOR HER AS SHE IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL GIRL!! Can anyone help in determining what I should do at this point. I FEEL THIS MEDICINE THAT WAS GIVEN TO HER HAS RUINED HER FOR LIFE!!! Why do those existing pimples just lie there and do not just go away or come to a head?? And what is this apperance of bruising like acne that I am seeing so clearly after she gets done sweating so much?

Sorry for the long post, just do not know how to take care of this problem effectively. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!

[queengodiva 1]

I'm really sorry for you and your daughter-I hate when MD give meds and it just makes it worse. It sounds like the med really irritated her face more then helped. IMO, I would give her skin a rest for a while. It may just need to recover from all the irritation. Have her use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer. Maybe after a week or two she can go back to using her past regimen. If it doesn't get better, I would take her to another MD. A lot of people have times where their skin looks bad but it can go back to normal-she's really young so her skin is very resilient. Take Care-I hope this helps, hopefully some other people will have some other ideas:)

[[email protected]#$% 0]

no sweating shouldn't irritate her skin.. more like it shoudl cleanse it

from the inside out.. as long as she washes her face with warm water

after.. and then with cool water to close the pores..

i really cant be of much help.. sorrie.. but

what has been working for me is drinking lemon water.. because it cleans out the toxins out of the body theirfore helping with acne..

i just mix the juice of a lemon with 2 liters of water and drink it

throughout the day.

heres a few links on lemon water check them out

http://www.quantumbalancing.com/news/lemon%20water.htm

http://www.evegetarian.net/theamazinghealt...glemonwater.htm

http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/lemon.htm

hope this helps.. if u got any questions feel free to pm me.

[Christina ~ 1]

hmmmm. flat pimples? those sound like hives. Is it possible your daughter has a drug allergy? i think i REALLY think you need to see a specaialist.

Also, maybe she has super sensitive skin like mine. I can NEVER use a topical retinoid..it would destroy my skin, make it bright red and peel. I can't even use astringint.

put her on Spectro Gel for problem prone skin (nautural moisture) and maybe some Solugel. thats a good BP without a perscription.

But see the skin specialist ASAP

in the meantime also try some benadryl..see if the flat "bruising" goes away...its an antihistamine and any allergies should eventually respond

[doobie77 0]

I agree, take her to see a specialist as soon as you can. It sounds like the regimen she was on was more irritating than anything. A good specialist should be able to get her on a regimen that is better adapted to her skin. However it evolves, really make sure that she doesn't pick anything. That is really what will cause scarring more than anything else.

[shunts 0]

If you are after a really mild, gentle cleanser then try www.calmin.co.uk They do a cleanser that is very very mild and can be used as a face wash with water or with cotton wool pads as a wip off cleanser. They will also send you some cotton wool pads free that are apparently manufactured for very sensitive skin. I've been using it as I have very sensitive skin and it has an almost instant calming effect (hence the name I guess). it will absolutely not cause a reaction, allergic or otherwise. I've also been using their moisturising EPC cream and this is also excellent. It contains aloe vera and zinc and is also designed for hypersensitive skin.

I really hope this helps and I have every sympathy with your daughter's situation, I know what it's like!! If you're in the US, which I'm guessing you are, still have a look as I'm sure they ship worldwide and they may have an outlet in the US anyway.

[futurehope 0]

Sorry if this is also posted above, I just got done posting a reply, but my reply did not show up on the board for some reason, maybe I hit the wrong button!!

I want to thank all of you gals/guys for your replies!! Everyone is so supportive here.

Just a little update on my daughters face, I believe that it is getting progressively worse. It is going on 4 weeks since we had been off this nasty medication combo that the regular MD gave her and her acne is going WILD.

I feel very bad for her because I went thru the same thing with I was in Jr High. I have the emotional and facial scars to prove it. Friendships, boyfriends, the way people view you, all bad. She is a beautiful girl, very athletic and outgoing, and I do not want this to ruin her. I know how devistating it can be. She has a great friends and a very nice BF. This is so hard for me to say, but I think it is just a matter of time before her BF dumps her. At 13, what else can you really expect. So sad.

To the continuing face problems, we are now coming up on our fourth week after the nasty meds. that the MD gave her and her face just gets progessively worse!!! I am so afriad to take her to a specialist because of what the Dr's already did to her. The regimin I had her on was keeping her acne to high mild/low moderate, and now it is DEFINATELY MODERATE TO HIGH MODERATE!!! I am so afraid to do ANYTHING, if that makes sense. I have laid off of the BP, since it seems to not be killing that bacteria underneath. Exact condition of her face. VERY HUGH PORES AROUND HER NOSE AND INNER CHEEKS, perfectly round RED raised pimples on her inner and outer cheeks. that WILL NOT COME TO A HEAD, BUT WILL NOT GO AWAY EITHER!! They just lie there. And the pores, just make it look so much worse. She probably has a total of 15 pimples on her cheeks and inner cheeks. I do not let her wear makeup.

I need someone to help me get off my ASS (kick me in the ASS!!!) and do something about this, I just am so afraid I will do the WRONG THING!!!!

Again thanks for all of your help!! You are great!!!

[shunts 0]

I don't know if this will help but I've bene trying it and it seems to work for me. I've been trying the B5 method whereby you take 10 grams of Pantothenic Acid (vitramin B5) every day. I take 2.5 grams 4 times a day but make sure you take it with something to eat to avoid stomach cramps. I've only been doing it for a couple of weeks but my skin has cleared up dramatically. I had a severe breakout in the first week but it has calmed down now and I'm seeing big improvements.

I know that you will see other posts on here saying that it doesn't work but there are others who have had success with it. Guess it works for some and not others but in my experience, it's deinitely worth a try. It's also a natural therapy.

[happyfourth 0]

Maybe see an allergist so they can do a RAST panel or something to that effect before you try anything else topically.

[Mascaraguts 0]

She has a great friends and a very nice BF. This is so hard for me to say, but I think it is just a matter of time before her BF dumps her.

Well I guess its just a matter of time before my boyfriend dumps ME, since I'm in the same conditions as your daughter. Except my acne is moderate.

[futurehope 0]

She has a great friends and a very nice BF. This is so hard for me to say, but I think it is just a matter of time before her BF dumps her.

Well I guess its just a matter of time before my boyfriend dumps ME, since I'm in the same conditions as your daughter. Except my acne is moderate.

Sorry, I did not mean to cause anyone here to be upset. You may have a great boyfriend, and if you do I think that is absolutely wonderful!!! I think my daughter also has a great BF. I think it is just hard to look beyond some things when you are so young, some boys are more mature and can see the good in people deeper down. My daughters acne is actually MODERATE right now also, and I myself have been thru this exact same thing, so I do know how everyone feels. I am a 39 year old female, and I have scars and mild acne still.

Please forgive me, and don't take my post to heart, because all situations can be different. I am just afraid for my daughter.

[futurehope 0]

She doesn't pick AT ALL. But since I scarred, I am afraid that she will too. Although, I was a bad girl and picked alot!! I think I will take her to see a derm, like so many of you have suggested, but I do not think I will be easily talked into taking drastic measures. Also, she did start the Tetracycline last night, so far no stomach problems. All I have her doing right now is taking the Tetracycline, washing her face with a gentle cleanser day and night and using SA in the AM. Hoping the SA will help cut down on the pore size and redness in her face. It is a good SA with the right PH, and also one that you leave on. She used SA before (same brand) with sucess and no bad reactions.

Tetracycline 250 mg twice a day

Mild Cleanser Day and Night

2% SA Morning Only

[Takara 0]

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's problem.. I think we all have been through that one time or another. Has she tried the Regimen? It really works for a lot of people.

[Mascaraguts 0]

Sorry, I did not mean to cause anyone here to be upset. You may have a great boyfriend, and if you do I think that is absolutely wonderful!!! I think my daughter also has a great BF. I think it is just hard to look beyond some things when you are so young, some boys are more mature and can see the good in people deeper down. My daughters acne is actually MODERATE right now also, and I myself have been thru this exact same thing, so I do know how everyone feels. I am a 39 year old female, and I have scars and mild acne still.

Please forgive me, and don't take my post to heart, because all situations can be different. I am just afraid for my daughter.

Oh don't feel bad. I was joking around lol. I really don't know if he cares about my face or not. I know I am pretty, I'm not an ugly person. I don't think that he is the type of person that would judge me because of my acne. He seems to really like me.

But like I always say,

If he doesn't like you for who you are, he's not worth it.

[futurehope 0]

Sorry, I did not mean to cause anyone here to be upset. You may have a great boyfriend, and if you do I think that is absolutely wonderful!!! I think my daughter also has a great BF. I think it is just hard to look beyond some things when you are so young, some boys are more mature and can see the good in people deeper down. My daughters acne is actually MODERATE right now also, and I myself have been thru this exact same thing, so I do know how everyone feels. I am a 39 year old female, and I have scars and mild acne still.

Please forgive me, and don't take my post to heart, because all situations can be different. I am just afraid for my daughter.

Oh don't feel bad. I was joking around lol. I really don't know if he cares about my face or not. I know I am pretty, I'm not an ugly person. I don't think that he is the type of person that would judge me because of my acne. He seems to really like me.

But like I always say,

If he doesn't like you for who you are, he's not worth it.

Good for you!!! Glad you were just joking around too. I am so glad you have a GREAT BF!!! My daughters BF seems to really like her too. You are probably a little older, my daughter is only 13, as is her BF. But he is so committed to her. Goes to all of her ball games, tells her he misses her all the time, really supports her, amazing to see that when so young!!! And you are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, if they do like like you for who you are inside, than they are not worth your time!!

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's problem.. I think we all have been through that one time or another. Has she tried the Regimen? It really works for a lot of people.

Yes, we tried the regimen after she had the bad spell when on the Dr's meds. It just made the acne worse. I think her face is just in some kind of shock or something. Soooo confusing!!

[Mascaraguts 0]

You are probably a little older, my daughter is only 13, as is her BF.

Hehe, actually I'm 12. I'm supposed to be in 7th grade, but I'm in 8th. People think I'm really young, but I'm not that immature. I've had my friends tell me I look 16 lol

[Catty 2]

Hehe, actually I'm 12.

No way!

[Mascaraguts 0]

yep I am, believe it or not

[cruella22 0]

I cant believe that the doctor gave her prescription meds before trying something OTC like Salicylic Acid or BP. Doctors are always tring to get money and they don't care who they hurt sometimes. I think its great that she is using a gentle skin cleanser right now. The best ones are Purpose, Cetaphil Gentle Skin cleanser, and SpectroJel , IMO. If she wears makeup she should remove it with a alcohol-free fragrance-free baby wipe before she washes. Then ONCE a day she should be using either 2-5% (no higher!) BP or .5-2% Salicylic Acid. Alot of people are sensitive and allergic to BP and this may be the case, therefore safer to go with SA. Make sure that the SA she uses is alcohol-free, and preferably a moisturizer 2-in 1 because SA can be drying. Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer is good. Keep it simple! A gentle cleanser and SA should be good.

[Wolfy 1]

And the pores, just make it look so much worse. She probably has a total of 15 pimples on her cheeks and inner cheeks. I do not let her wear makeup.

That's probably a mistake, makeup rarely if ever causes acne. Coverup makeup to hide the spots may be a good idea. Not so good for gym class though, she'll probably blush through it.

I need someone to help me get off my ASS (kick me in the ASS!!!) and do something about this, I just am so afraid I will do the WRONG THING!!!!

IMO just stick her on Dan's Regimen. It will help get rid of the acne, and you can do it with oral Tetracycline no problem.

I think the reason she broke out was probably the Tazorac. I've never been on it, but it's a not an uncommon reaction to retinoids.

Of course, it may not have been that, it may just have been that her acne was getting worse.

The thing about BP is that it's pretty effective. But you really do need to follow Dan's regimen precisely for it to work- it's not an easy medication.

[spottydotty 0]

I am currently 18 with mild acne wich used to moderate and at times high moderate. I've been on tetracyclene with little to no success, retin-a(worse) benzaclin (helped little) proactiv (worked for 1 year then quit working) and everything in between including drugstore and high end brands....i would like to say that TAZORAC IS THE DEVIL it took me from moderate acne (maybe a few bads spots) to raised and inflamed sores!!!!! and my face peeled........i quit it and used neosporin and vitamin e as well as some emu oil to soothe my skin and help prevent scarring. Luckily, i have NO scarring from it, and trust me these were large raised magenta sores! Okay, with that out of the way, I would suggest trying VERY gentle natural products (be sure she has no allergies to the ingredients first!) I really am liking fresh farmacy face wash from Lush (has soothing calamine in it) and there imperialis moisturizer (balancing and soothing lavender oil) also, if her reaction is allergy based i would try benadryl or..........go to the doctor. I had a 2nd degree burn on my face this summer and my skin had water blisters!(luckily, once again, no scarring) what helped though was aloe vera (not bottled-buy the plant and cute the leaves open and rub the juice into your skin!) as well as getting a steroid shot........i hate to say it but this may really help the irritated skin................sorry for such a long post but I really empathize with your story. Please let us know how things work out & i wish u the best!!!!

[tobins 0]

You sound like my mom. She went everywhere in search of a cure for me. We never found it. I tried so many things, we spent so much money and nothing really worked. I got to the point where I wished she would just stop. I knew she meant well but I wanted to focus on something other than my skin. It seemed to bother her more than me at times. I eventually outgrew it but now in my late 30's its reappearing as adult acne.

During my "ordeal" with teenage acne --starting at age 13--I had a boyfriend. He never dumped me because of my acne ...in fact we will be celebrating our 17th wedding anniversay this month...

[[email protected]#$% 0]

You sound like my mom. She went everywhere in search of a cure for me. We never found it. I tried so many things, we spent so much money and nothing really worked. I got to the point where I wished she would just stop. I knew she meant well but I wanted to focus on something other than my skin. It seemed to bother her more than me at times. I eventually outgrew it but now in my late 30's its reappearing as adult acne.

During my "ordeal" with teenage acne --starting at age 13--I had a boyfriend. He never dumped me because of my acne ...in fact we will be celebrating our 17th wedding anniversay this month...

oh congrads! thats cute.. toughter since u were 13