The Student Room Group

Acne :o( please help :o(

I'm not going to go anon as this is not my fault. If you don't want to read this sob story just skip to the end if you ahve any advice- thank you all in advance!!

I've always had spots but on a really bad day maybe a maximum of 10 across my whole face- a bad day was very rare and I had about a year in Upper Sixth when I had none at all- YAY!!

Since moving to London for uni in September they have got worse and I had them back again- varying from little ones to whiteheads to enormous sweelings under the skin up to 2 cm in diameter. There were times when I had 2 or 4 of these big beasts on my chin- so basically one enormous swelling.

Then about 2 months ago it stepped up a level and got a bit worse- more and more frequently, then about 2 weeks ago a real step up- people started asking if I'd had allergic reactions as my face was so swollen and red. Last week was a lump week- about 8 of these 2cm things and now this week I counted 50 tiny whiteheads/red spots yesterday and 7 lumps- ranging from 0.5-1cm. They are mainly my chin and lower cheek and jawline- 2 little ones on my forehead and even a few on my neck now.

I have tried the following:
1. clearasil and everything like that- the pads, the creams- resulting in no imprvement, more redness and dry skin so when I try and cover with makeup just peels off and looks worse.
2. Oxy on the spot- some success but too much dryness and soreness to use again.
3. Sudocrem.
4. The new Clinique range for acne- only made it worse....
I've tried everything, my face is so sore and red and also itchy- is this acne? I think it is- does anyone have any ideas what I can do to stop this? I've booked a dr appointment for next week.

Basically, it's making me really miserable, crying, I don't want to go out, finding it difficult to work- witress so have to look at people all the time and they can see. It's on my mind every walking moment, and I even get up in the night to see if it's any better.

Well done if you read that- please help :frown:

Thank you.

Scroll to see replies

Go to doctors. They'll sort you.:smile:
Reply 2
The lumps sound like blind boils. I get them sometimes; they can be caused by stress (just like everything else). If you smoke, I'd suggest cutting down or quitting, as when I was smoking my skin went really, really bad. Maybe just coincidence, but it can't harm to suggest it anyway.

Also, you may want to try going on the pill. Certain types like Dianette are meant to be effective at preventing spots. Failing that, invest in a tube of Brevoxyl or Panoxyl. My friend had moderate acne and after a few months of using these creams, it cleared up really nicely. Distilled Witch Hazel is also pretty good at generally preventing spots, though it can make your skin dry if you use it too frequently.
Reply 3
I dont understand why people don't see the doctor.
My doc is awesome. I noticed acne'ish kind of rash on my back
a while back, spoke to the doc, and he prescribed me Minocyclin.
Talk to your doc, see what he can give ya, it works. My cousin has
had bad acne, and you should see her now...

Don't be worried about it. I swear to god, ignore all this commercials and *****
they're all useless, my personal stubborness makes me feel that they make it worse,
but hey, i'm clear free because of that stubborness.
So... GO TO YOUR DOC. Then report back, k? =]
Reply 4
Shreerac27
Go to doctors. They'll sort you.:smile:


Is there anything in particular I should ask for?? Thank you for quick response :smile:
Reply 5
I assume you need to use proper medicine so it is a must you see a Doctor and convince them that there is no other way.
Reply 6
Thelfo
The lumps sound like blind boils. I get them sometimes; they can be caused by stress (just like everything else). If you smoke, I'd suggest cutting down or quitting, as when I was smoking my skin went really, really bad. Maybe just coincidence, but it can't harm to suggest it anyway.

Also, you may want to try going on the pill. Certain types like Dianette are meant to be effective at preventing spots. Failing that, invest in a tube of Brevoxyl or Panoxyl. My friend had moderate acne and after a few months of using these creams, it cleared up really nicely. Distilled Witch Hazel is also pretty good at generally preventing spots, though it can make your skin dry if you use it too frequently.


I don't smoke at all and drink very infrequently like once since xmas. :frown: I'm not a fan of the pill but really I will try anything.....do those creams make your skin dry? Everything maked me skin dry even plain water- the only moisturiser that works are night creams which obv. are too heavy and are prob. making the spots worse?
Reply 7
Try changing your diet.

Try drinking aloe vera produced by the Forever Living company -it's meant to be a miracle worker for the skin.
Reply 8
loadmalz
I dont understand why people don't see the doctor.
My doc is awesome. I noticed acne'ish kind of rash on my back
a while back, spoke to the doc, and he prescribed me Minocyclin.
Talk to your doc, see what he can give ya, it works. My cousin has
had bad acne, and you should see her now...

Don't be worried about it. I swear to god, ignore all this commercials and *****
they're all useless, my personal stubborness makes me feel that they make it worse,
but hey, i'm clear free because of that stubborness.
So... GO TO YOUR DOC. Then report back, k? =]


I'm seeing a dr on Wednesday. I'll remember that name- I agree, it's only got worse in the last few weeks but I'm so desperate I'll try anything at the moment. I'll report back- promise!! :wink: :p:
Reply 9
Persephone*
Try changing your diet.

Try drinking aloe vera produced by the Forever Living company -it's meant to be a miracle worker for the skin.


I've got a really good diet :frown: I've cut right back on the only bad thing (coke, dr pepper etc) and now drink tonnes of water......I eat really healthily and go jogging, swimming, horse riding etc. etc. I *think* aloe vera makes me feel sick- but I'll give it a go!!
Reply 10
loser88
I'm seeing a dr on Wednesday. I'll remember that name- I agree, it's only got worse in the last few weeks but I'm so desperate I'll try anything at the moment. I'll report back- promise!! :wink: :p:


Haha, ya should, as a matter of fact it was my checkup today, and he told me the reason its started to "flare" a bit on my back is because after a year of use, its started to gain a bit of resistance, so he gave me other stuff called lymecycline haha =]
Reply 11
loser88
I don't smoke at all and drink very infrequently like once since xmas. :frown: I'm not a fan of the pill but really I will try anything.....do those creams make your skin dry? Everything maked me skin dry even plain water- the only moisturiser that works are night creams which obv. are too heavy and are prob. making the spots worse?


They can make your skin dry, but I've seen them work wonders without this side-effect. If you invested in some light moisturiser, maybe one that contains lavender or calamine, it'd counteract the dryness. Chances are if you go to the doctors', they're just going to prescribe you some 5% benzoyl peroxide cream anyway, which is just the two creams I've mentioned above. Though they may put you on antibiotics, especially since you don't drink much. See your doctor anyway, they'll advise you better than I can.
Reply 12
loadmalz
Haha, ya should, as a matter of fact it was my checkup today, and he told me the reason its started to "flare" a bit on my back is because after a year of use, its started to gain a bit of resistance, so he gave me other stuff called lymecycline haha =]


I'll bear that in mind then...joys!!

((How do you quote more than one reply at a time??))
Reply 13
Thelfo
They can make your skin dry, but I've seen them work wonders without this side-effect. If you invested in some light moisturiser, maybe one that contains lavender or calamine, it'd counteract the dryness. Chances are if you go to the doctors', they're just going to prescribe you some 5% benzoyl peroxide cream anyway, which is just the two creams I've mentioned above. Though they may put you on antibiotics, especially since you don't drink much. See your doctor anyway, they'll advise you better than I can.


I asked the doc and he said he avoids things like creams, etc. - I don't know if that's just him, but yah haha.
He told me if it was really bad he'd put me on some antibiotic beginning with a V, and that the hospital would have to
give it me, because it can lead to some bad side effects, but the antibiotics he's gave me have truly "worked wonders".
A pill a day keeps the worries away :-P (errm... yah?)
Reply 14
Thelfo
They can make your skin dry, but I've seen them work wonders without this side-effect. If you invested in some light moisturiser, maybe one that contains lavender or calamine, it'd counteract the dryness. Chances are if you go to the doctors', they're just going to prescribe you some 5% benzoyl peroxide cream anyway, which is just the two creams I've mentioned above. Though they may put you on antibiotics, especially since you don't drink much. See your doctor anyway, they'll advise you better than I can.


I've got the worst skin EVER incredibly oily and as soon as anything goes on so dry ti all just flakes off- I'll see about lavendar/calamine though....the clinique moisturiser did nothing....:frown:
Reply 15
loser88
I'll bear that in mind then...joys!!

((How do you quote more than one reply at a time??))


Use the code


[ q u o t e ] [ / q u o t e ]


Of course with no spaces.
Reply 16
Try Quinoderm (10% Benzoyl Peroxide concentration). Of the topical applications, it is most effective.

Failing that, roaccutane would seem to be your only recourse.
Reply 17
loadmalz
Use the code



Of course with no spaces.


Thank you:smile: - hope this works:

Try Quinoderm (10% Benzoyl Peroxide concentration). Of the topical applications, it is most effective.

Failing that, roaccutane would seem to be your only recourse.


It the Quinoderm very drying? Roaccutance- whassat?! Thanks for the advice :smile:
OK, I've been going through similar skin issues and have done a ton of research online. What most websites seemed to suggest was that there are specific skin nourishing foods; blueberries, green tea, salmon, kiwi fruit, mangoes, flaxseed oil, nuts, seeds, vitamin B complex, wheatgerm, manuka honey...meaning that you even if you have a healthy diet, a lack of these particular ingredients could cause the skin to suffer. Then again, other research insists the link between food and acne is a myth, and you might already be eating these foods. Just a thought! xxx
Reply 19
YAY! worked- thank you.

Profesh- that cream is drying according to the reviews :frown: but ta anyway!