Papules on chest

[Kirsten7]

I have suffered a similar adult acne story as Sean who posted 7th Sept 1999. I am 25 years old Female. I had typical acne from an early age (11 years old) and received Roacutane (same as Accutane I think) when I was 15 years old. It worked a treat but 9months after I had finished treatment the acne returned. Over the years I have been on 3 treatments of Roacutane for about 18months each with the same result about 9 months later. At the age of 23 I went to a new dermatologist who suggested trialing a 4th treatment of Roacutane, I refused not knowing the permanent damage it might have on my body especially considered I'd like to have children one day and Roacutane causes birth deformities. So he suggested I get a blood test to check for hormone imbalance. Turns out I my androgen levels are outside the normal female range. Not much I can do about that I guess.

Before my blood test results were known he prescribed two tubes of stuff to apply to my acne that have work reasonably well. Eryacne to apply in the morning which I think is a topical antibiotic and Differin at night. Since finding out that my androgen levels are high, my GP has put me on a contraceptive pill that contains anti-androgens. This has worked wonders! But I suspected that the pill causing some nasty mood swings and PMS so I switch to another contraceptive pill that contains a similar level of estrogene but surprise surprise, I acne has returned.

The one thing that no treatment has made a difference to is multiple lumps on my chest. Which I think are called papule cysts. They're not inflamed and no pressure. Squeezing them sometimes releases the contents which is not pus, but fat perhaps? Its sometimes yellow, sometimes white, sometimes like an oversize blackhead. Some are big and some are small. Some look dark like they contain an ingrown hair. They cover my chest, breasts, and lately I've noticed them below my chest, on my sides and a few on my lower back. In the past I've had them on my elbows and one very big but deep one on my neck.

All the three dermatologists and two GPs I have present these papules problem to have all said they're nothing to worry about and there isn't a solution. But to me they are hideous, embarrassing, unsightly, and most importantly a sexual turn-off. I have turned to squeezing them regularly to get rid of them. Unfortunately this causes bruising, red marks and eventually pit scars. I'm not sure what is worse, lumps or pits.

Does anyone have a solution? What causes them? Are they blocked pores? Are their vitamins or treatments that I could take to prevent them from occuring?


This discussion is related to Anything after ACCUTANE???.

[aidy208]

I never wanted to really speak openly about my acne but after reading Sean and your story i want to warn all future accutane users to realize this is not a 100% quick fix also to realize the side affects of Roacutane (accutane). i have had acne since i was 12 I was put on this medication when i was 14 and am now 23 still with acne yes accutane will problably make your skin look the best it ever has, if you are lucky for a long time. i had servere acne and during the course it got worse basically imagine all the acne under the skin lying dormant waiting to come out all at once i would sleep with a t-shirt because the acne would pop during my sleep causing my sheets to be covered in blood yes disgusting! Because of this my back, chest, and neck are covered in scars (hypertrophic scarring) basically scars that look like lumps and are hard  the papule cysts are painful to touch and deep under the skin also had them on my chest if you squeeze you might be like me and get the scarring Im talking about i also think the puss is sebum oil i received those 2 years after treatment. i try to keep hopeful maybe something will hit the market to repalce accutane also if you have the scarring i got steroid injections straight into the scars helps make them completely flat.
                    

[bothered908]

I have something similar, and also on my neck. My dermatologist said it is an infection that just looks like acne, and put me on a steriod cream and antibiotics, which have done wonders.  I dont think it is acne...

[grey42]

I have these too!  I have been searching for answers too.  I have also been told that they are no big deal and that they should clear themselves up.  I actually had one doctor tell me to not go to the gym for a week or if I did go not to wear a sports bra.  It has crippled my dating life.  So, I am also very interested if anyone has a solution.