treatment

[Mary]

I have tried the antibiotic and gel treatment numerous times it
is not working.  I have just sent for proactiv...Have you heard of this?  Is it a good acne treatment?
Thanks

[shelly]

I have read thru the archives and found situations similiar to mine, but yet different.  About 6 months ago suddenly I started to develop mild acne, or so it seemed.  (I'm 39).  My dermatologist said I had adult acne and told me to use Neutrogena acne wash.  (Which only seems to aggravate the problem) However, I don't think it is acne because it not only itches and burns but never seems to come to "erupt".  It almost resembles poison ivy/oak.  The bumps are small and pretty much UNDER my skin.  They will almost clear up but then for no apparent reason they appear again.  

Is this acne or does it sound like an allergic reaction??  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Mary:

ProActiv is ordinary benzoyl peroxide, brillinatly marketed.  It's fine, but no better than what you buy in the drugstore.

I'm not sure how many gels and so forth you've exhausted, but you may want to press your dermatologist to give it another try.

best.

Dr. R