I know I'm being unreasonable but I need help please!

[Snowwhite22]

I am 32 and I've had spots since I was 13. Some times it's better than others but at the moment I'm going through a really bad flare up.

We took the dc to their school fete this morning and we all got soaked. We went into the toilets to sort our selves out and I made the mistake of looking in the mirror. My skin looked awful and so did all the make up I've put on to try to hide the spots. My dh said to go home and get changed and then go back to the fete again(it's only a 10minute walk). Once we got home, I said I didn't want to go back and that anyone could stay with me if they also didn't want to go. Everyone wanted to go so I've just waved them off and quickly gone into the bathroom to wash my face and put my spot cream on.

I really wanted to be with my family but I just can't go back talking to all the other parents when I'm so embarrassed about my skin.
I double cleanse twice a day and put Duac cream on that I get from the doctors. I'm always asking for a referral to see a skin specialist but I'm told the spots are not bad enough.
I only drink water and don't eat chocolate. What else can I do? Can any one give me some ideas? I know it's wrong to hide away so please don't be hard on me, just really need help.

[Chippednailvarnish]

It's more than likely hormonal, you could go on the pill. Duac did nothing for me, your gp can give you stronger medications.

I've had acne for years and it's so frustrating.

[Chippednailvarnish]

And YANBU.

[Ibizatime]

Do you use a face wash? Toner?

[SecretWitch]

Snowwhite, so sad that a fun day ended like this for you. I second what Chipped said, the birth control pill absolutely helped calm my adult acne down. It may be worth speaking to your GP. Also, please don't ever blame yourself for nature's handiwork. Some of us just have a predisposition to acne. [ flowers]

[SecretWitch]

That should have been YANBU and

[Snowwhite22]

So busy moaning I forgot to say I can't use any hormonal birth control. I've got the copper coil. Really wish I could be on the pill. Sorry for leaving that bit out.

[MrsGeorgeMichael]

can you go and see another doctor?

[mwahmumx]

Search Dermablend

[CoffeeTea103]

Yanbu, this was me a few years back. I looked as if I had a bad case of chicken pox on my face! It was awful, the only thing that worked for me was going on roaccutane. It worked a miracle. I've had maybe 3 tiny spots in the last few years.

[Snowwhite22]

I use a face wash from the simple range but no toner.

[Nancy66]

what you eat and drink will have very little impact on your skin. As Chipped says it's all about the hormones.

Ask your GP to test your hormone levels and then at least you know what you're working with. You could have an imbalance.

Also if it really gets you down then it's going to be worth paying for an appointment with a really good dermatologist.

[Pumpkinpositive]

. Could you afford a private referral? Have you had an honest chat with friends/family to see if their perception of your skin problems matches your own?

I do sympathise. I've had hair loss since I was a teenager and wear a masking spray on the bald patches. Unfortunately it has a habit of running in the rain or if I'm sweaty. I can actually wind up looking like I've been down a coal mine.

I had friends who took ruacatane for what was, frankly, quite severe acne in their late teens/20s and it really got the job done. If it's really bothering you and you can afford it, I would perhaps pursue a private referral.

[SecretWitch]

I think when I was younger, I was prescribed RetinA. It did seem to help but can cause lots of dryness and you must be careful in the sun. I was also prescribed an antibiotic to take daily.

[Chippednailvarnish]

I've done the antibiotics too, with little result. I've had a friend who had treatment at hospital under a type of sun lamp to great success (after years of her GP dismissing her, she changed GP and got a referral almost immediately).
I was also going to have blue light lazer treatment at one point but it wasn't considered bad enough, ironically.
I'd also consider RetinA or a new GP...

[Snowwhite22]

Lots of good advice, thank you all so much. Will look into a private appointment, I haven't ever thought of doing that. The Dermablend looks great also.Thank you every one. Maybe roacutane is the only answer.

[WooWooOwl]

I'd go to the doctor and get another opinion.

I used to be on long term anti biotics for my skin, and it worked really well. My skin isn't as bad as it used to be so I'm not on them anymore, but I am still prone to spots. There are treatments the GP can give, so fight harder for them. I'm lucky that my GP was understanding, she even let me have some flucloxacillin to take just before my wedding so I wouldn't have a breakout.

Sun exposure helps dramatically, but due to the lack of that in this country I sometimes use sunbeds, which still work but not as well as natural sunlight. Yes, I know they're dangerous blah blah.

The dermalogica range of anti acne stuff is supposed to be really good, but I do think you can over cleanse which only makes things worse. I haven't tried it, but a friend had huge success with it.

[biscuitsandbandages]

The next thing to try after an antibiotic cream is usually a daily antibiotic, especially if horminal contraception isnt suitable. Go back to talk to gp. If yiut have tried duac daily for 3months and it isnt working it isnt going to.

Common options include erythromycin and lymecycline. GPs are trained in treating acne and should be perfectly capable to help you with different combinations in a stepwise basis (based on safety not cost, duac is more expensive than some oral antibiotics used) the only time a dermatologist would usually be needed is if nothing was working and the next step was roaccutane. Roaccutane works well for some people but can also have serious side effects and is not a drug GPs can prescribe unless they are also dermatology specialists.

[vicmackie]

If you have the money to go private, do it. Roaccutane is a miracle drug.

[Mrsjayy]

Dd uses duac it helpe but adult acne is different you need to go back ask to be referred to a dermatologist I think, it doesnt matter youdont eat chocolate etc junk food doesnt cause it and not eating it wont cure it. I hadacne up untill I was 28 it sucks I was on antibiotics it did help, sorry this is making you so unhappy that you can't face people

[thornyhousewife]

UANBU.

I found that the contraceptive pill gave me acne, so don't feel too disheartened that you can't try it.

I find that a deep cleansing facial at a salon really helps. I think combined with an anti biotic it may help?

[Snowwhite22]

I've tried all different creams and antibiotics and doc said the next step is roacutane but doesn't think it's bad enough to go down that route yet. I never know if I should use moisturizer after the Duac because my skin is so dry but then I think too much moisture isn't good for my skin. I dont know what to do for the best!

[BalloonSlayer]

for you.

I don't have much to add but just to say that although I do not have particularly sensitive skin I find "sensitive skin" products like Simple actually aggravate my skin.

[CoffeeTea103]

Just to add, I went on roaccutane after trying so many products, topical treatments, facials etc. It was just a waste of money, the problem kept returning. A good dermatologist will be able to give you the correct treatment. I went on the roaccutane and wish I did sooner.

[CoffeeTea103]

In the meant time use the cetaphil range of products. It's non comedogenic and gentle for problem skin, the dermatologist will probably recommend this to you.

[lowcarbforthewin]

A lot of people who follow the paleo diet find their skin clears totally. It's tough, initially you cut out all diary, grains and sugar, but you can try adding those in back into your diet and find the one that worsens things, so you don't have to cut back for life.
It's not for everyone, I've just so many positive stories about doing it, it's helped me massively in other areas so always recommend it.