Please Help!!!

I am 27 years old and just had my son 2 months ago, since then I have broken out with HORRIBLE cystic acne all over my face and don't know what to do! My doctor put me on Doxycycline (oral) and Cleocin T (topical) and I have been using this for about a month now and have seen NO results other than burning, crazy itching and redness as well as peeling...I have always had bad skin including blackheads, large pores and oily skin....can anyone recommend another way to go? I have used every over the counter product, tried proactive and even tried some stuff that comes from the dead sea....nothing seems to work...PLEASE HELP!!!

[ladybug82]

i am sorry i cant help you but i will let you in on my sisters storie my sister suffered from bad acne after her second child and she tried everything as well i use aveno the oatmeal one bar soup and she happened to use it with out my consent lol and her skin started getting better .. i am so sorry you are going through and i know you are prob in alot of pain ..  cause my sister was ...  much luck  and congrats on your BABY !!!

*:O) erika

[gijoeswife]

Thanks alot for the advice! l used the Aveeno oatmeal bath when l had chicken pox back years ago, and l mean they were baaaaaaaaad....l even had them inside my ears and around my eyes!!! The oatmeal bath worked really really good and l don't have one scar at all from that, so maybe the soap works the same way? l really appriciate your comment and thanks for the congrats!! Have a good day and thanks again!

[loiloi]

Hi, acne is caused by raised levles of androgens (hormones) and often occurs during puberty and other times of hormonal change such as after delivery of a baby.
Stick with your treatments, we would expect to see a clinical improvement after 4-8 weeks and further improvement with continued use.
Female acne patients often benefit from an anti-androgen such as Spironolactone and/or a combined birth control pill such as Diane35. You cannot use these products if you are breast-feeding.
Eloise.

[gijoeswife]

Thanks for your comment loiloi....l have tried birth control along with other forms of acne control, and none of them worked for me, but like you said, changes in hormones can really do a number on your skin! l am sticking to the treatment of Doxycycline and Cleocin T daily, as well as cleansing with mild anti-bacterial soap and toner and it's been a little over 2 weeks now and l am finally starting to see a minor improvement with my skin. When l first started it was REALLYYYYY bad and the cystic acne was big and inflamed and now its still red but they are flat now instead of raised up and sore. l suppose the medicine is finally killing the bacteria inside and getting rid of the pus like substance associated with acne? Do you know if these meds are okay to use on a daily basis if you have clear skin or will it be too harsh? l have heard of Bensaclin and my friend said she uses that on a daily basis....would that be better after the actual acne is cleared up?

[loiloi]

Antibiotics can be used to prevent bacterial infections of the skin as well as treat them. Do not stop using your medications when your skin has cleared, use them for as long as your doctor tells you.
I have not heard of the product your friend uses (I am in the UK) but maybe another medhelp user has experience of this? What is the active ingredient?
I find Diane35 (called Dianette here) helpful, but my skin took a long time to respond to it. That is why its often prescribed in conjunction with either an antibiotic like Oxytetracycline or an anti-androgen like Spironolactone.
I use Differin (adapalene 0.1%) nightly to maintain clear skin. It is less likely to cause side effects like redness and peeling than other retinoids or benzoyl peroxide.
Eloise.