Acne is a serious problem ! Help me please !

[Falennixonx]

Hello, My name is Tyson I am 15 years old and I suffered with acne for around 4 years. During the first year or two my acne wasn't a big problem, since It was only a few. But on the third year my acne increases by a whole lot. I realize acne is a common problem for my age and many others are having the same problem as I am. However these acne are covering my whole face. Every time when I feel a little itch on my cheek I'm so tempted to scratch it but I'm scared that it'll hurt. My acne has really caused me to live the everyday hell. I can't smile that much because as I stretch or move my cheeks the acne hurts my skin as if I have a major toothache. I wash my face daily for around 3-4 times a day. I drink a lot of water around 3-4 cups a day. I see all the advertisements and the infomercials along with the celebrities who get paid to pitch them. As a typical teenager I gave it a shot and tried different products such as Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, Proactiv etc. and as promising as these products been told, not only that it didn't help reduce my acne but it made my skin even worse. My skin is incredibly dry now and I'm growing more pimples. I felt angry, hopeless, and gross. I watched in horror as more acne began to accumulate on my face. I use to run everyday and was very active. Everything changes when my acne began to take over. I stayed at home in fear that if I step outside to go play a sport my acne will increase. Despite that I'm staying home my acne still grows. I tried lotions, creams, sea salts, cucumbers, and carrots spreading over my face. I sweated out my looks and I'm very self conscious. I was afraid to go anywhere and was petrified to do anything.  “What was wrong with me?” I asked myself over and over again. “Why me? When will this ever go away?” I'm afraid that I have to carry the badge of this disease for a long time. I stay up late at night with anxiety about my acne. I take prescription drugs and get little or no relief. My skin is always dry, itching, and peeling from the side effects of chemicals and drugs. I look in the mirror and I'm never happy of what I see. When people are around I hide my face. My life is revolving around my acne condition. Please help me!!!!

[deeneezy]

Hi there,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having such a bad time with your acne. What medications have you already tried? have you tried them from your doctor?

I dont know if you have heard about accutane/roaccutane, i have read alot about this, it is supposed to be the best acne treatment around, but you can only get this from a dermatologist which your doctor will have to referr you to. I don't know if you have already tried this?

Get back to us and let us know what you have tried, best wishes x

[Falennixonx]

Hey there,

I have tried Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Complete Acne Therapy System, Clean & Clear, Oxy 10, clearasil etc. Sadly I don't have a doctor nor a dermatologist. However I heard of accutane. I'm not quite sure if this drug works or not but I did hear from two people that they have been using it for over 10 years along as many other products as well such as  glycolic acid peels, micro dermabrasion, retin-a, tetracycline, cortisone injections and it gave little to no relief. But I guess it's really based on the type of skin you have? It might work on mine.. might not but after trying all these products I'm just afraid that my acne will grow even worse then it already is.

[deeneezy]

Over the counter remedies dont often work very well on acne, you do really need to see a doctor or dematologist who can give you a specialised medication.. is there no way you can get to one?

The doctor can either prescribe you a combination of oral antibiotcs and a topical cream or gel. If he referred you to the dermatologist he would probably try accutane which works by damaging (not visible damage) the sebacous glands so that they stop producing so much sebum (oil) which is causing your acne, you do have to have regular checks while you are using this treatment. As you havn't tried these prescription medications it would definitely be worth a try, medications dont have the same effect on everyone, and these may work very well for you!

If you live in the UK, go here to see which doctors are taking new patients in your area, just need to pop in your post code or name of area.

http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx

If your not in the UK, can your family help with you getting to a doctor?

Best Wishes

[BushidoPOW]

xooxxooo
keep praying and stay in school youl'll be alright take a look at me im going through too. i have to set an appointment later.