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Embarassing...

CalBoy said:
Absolutely, however our OP has already been to the dermy at least once according to his OP, and I'd bet more than once based on the fact that he's clearly frustrated by this.

Meh not a big deal really. It just takes a few minutes for them to draw some blood and then you're on your merry way.


That's definitely worth mentioning. The dry lips and skin are always there, and you can't spend much time in the sun, even with sun block.

But it's only for a few months; I did my first round during Fall and Winter, so that made it easier to stay indoors. 🙂
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The dry lips really didnt effect me, i always used chapstick, even before accutane. Fall/Winter is the best time to take it though.
 
Pictures would help.

He never said he went to the dermatologist, just "the doctor".

WAIT WAIT WAIT- He/she just gave you doxycycline without an topical medication?

The best way to treat any problem is not with one treatment, but a variety to target the problem in different ways using multiple methods. I would be a little concerned if they gave you just doxycycline without any tropicals. I would think they would start with topicals before ingesting oral antibiotics. I would have expected something as basic as clindamycin as a topical.

I would say the best suggestion is go back to the doctor and get some better medications if they're not being effective. If you have not been to a dermatologist, find one, but do some homework, ask around etc.
 
Nabooly said:
The dry lips really didnt effect me, i always used chapstick, even before accutane. Fall/Winter is the best time to take it though.
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Tehehe...

I never had to use chapstick/balm before accutane, but while I was on it, I was going through it like it was hotcakes. 😛

After going off it though, I still don't need it that often.
ErikCLDR said:
Pictures would help.
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Would they really? I think we all know what acne looks like, and from an online posting, I doubt any of us, even if we happened to be medical professionals, would be able to assess much.
He never said he went to the dermatologist, just "the doctor".
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If the doxycycline was prescribed for the purpose of clearing up skin (which it had to have been for an extended dose), then it must have been a dermatologist. Dermatology requires additional training and expertise that ordinary physicians do not necessarily have, and by law dermatologists are the only doctors capable of prescribing acne medication.
 
Differin and Clean & Clear

When I was your age, I had horrible acne. It was on my face, neck, back... ugh it was awful! I started using Differin and Clean & Clear and in about 4 months, my skin cleared up.

Now, you need to understand, the reason why you have acne is because you're 15 years old and still going through puberty; your hormones are going crazy. Once you are fully developed and your hormones even out, your acne will subside (most likely when you're 17 or 18).

EDIT: Also, you gotta shower every day! Use a loofah on your back; doing so will help strip away the dead skin.

When it comes to skin care, ask a gay guy.😀
 
CalBoy said:
Tehehe...

I never had to use chapstick/balm before accutane, but while I was on it, I was going through it like it was hotcakes. 😛

After going off it though, I still don't need it that often.


Would they really? I think we all know what acne looks like, and from an online posting, I doubt any of us, even if we happened to be medical professionals, would be able to assess much.


If the doxycycline was prescribed for the purpose of clearing up skin (which it had to have been for an extended dose), then it must have been a dermatologist. Dermatology requires additional training and expertise that ordinary physicians do not necessarily have, and by law dermatologists are the only doctors capable of prescribing acne medication.
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No, I just wanted to see how bad it was.

I think I know what a Dermatologist is and you're wrong GP's & Pediatricians can give out medication to treat acne. Just like they can give out antidepressants even though they are not psychiatrists. Doxycycline is a general antibiotic that has a zillion uses.

I really think that doctors should stick to what they do. Many people see general practitioners to treat their hypertension, when in fact it would be wiser for them to go to a cardiologist who has much more knowledge about the cardiac system and drugs to treat it. You should always see the most qualified person when it involves your health.
 
I used to have terrible acne as well. I tried all the stuff at the store. None of it worked. It dried my face out and did me no good. I was just wasting money. So I finally just ordered Proactiv and it worked wonders. It is the only thing that works. I have been using it for a couple years. You said you tried it, how long? You just keep using it, cleanser, toner, and lotion twice a day. They also have other products you can buy such as body wash which also works well. From everything I have read, no certain food really causes you to break out. Just eat a balanced diet and maybe take a multivitamin like Centrum. www.proactiv.com

Just my two cents. Good luck!


John
 
johnryjr said:
I used to have terrible acne as well. I tried all the stuff at the store. None of it worked. It dried my face out and did me no good. I was just wasting money. So I finally just ordered Proactiv and it worked wonders. It is the only thing that works. I have been using it for a couple years. You said you tried it, how long? You just keep using it, cleanser, toner, and lotion twice a day. They also have other products you can buy such as body wash which also works well. From everything I have read, no certain food really causes you to break out. Just eat a balanced diet and maybe take a multivitamin like Centrum. www.proactiv.com

Just my two cents. Good luck!


John
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Vanessa Williams, is that you?
 
ErikCLDR said:
No, I just wanted to see how bad it was.
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Perhaps then it would be best to quell your curiosity so as to maintain a certain level of respect and boundaries. While the OP offered to show us, I think etiquette dictates that we not take him up on his request, especially because we can offer him general advice that needn't be based off of specifics.

More importantly, we shouldn't want to see simply for the sake of wanting to see (if that makes any sense).
I think I know what a Dermatologist is and you're wrong GP's & Pediatricians can give out medication to treat acne.
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They can prescribe medications that can be used in the treatment of acne, but they cannot prescribe medications that are prescribed for the treatment of acne. There is a critical difference.

As you noted yourself, doxycycline is a common antibiotic. However, in most cases, GPs will only prescribe it for a short period of time; for the treatment of acne, one generally receives upwards of 100 or more pills in a single bottle, with several refills. The doctor must give a reason for this, and the only standard medical treatment that uses this magnitude of pills is the treatment of acne.

If a pharmacist fills a prescription that has been improperly written, or written by someone who isn't supposed to write that prescription, then he is legally liable as well.

So in a sense, yes, it is possible for a GP to write acne prescriptions, but it isn't meant to be done that way, and if discovered, there could be grave legal consequences.

However, I inferred from the OP's dissatisfaction with his acne that he has already been to a dermatologist, and that really is the crux of the matter here, not the specific legal minutia of medical practice.
 
I never had a "problem" with acne, but at 27 I still get a few doozies every now and then. 😉

What I think is really interesting here is everyone's responses. I always find it interesting how everyone has their own remedies for problems. Whether from personal or secondhand experience, or simply a family "cure" that has been passed down through generations.

Always intriguing to read. 🙂

My best friend had horrible acne when we were in our mid to late teens. He went to the dermatologist in town more times than I can remember, but nothing ever really helped. The only thing that finally got him over it was age.

So buck up, buddy. Unfortunately it's just a part of growing up. After you're in to your 20's and 30's you'll think back on this and realize your acne problem wasn't nearly as bad as your metabolism coming to a standstill and dealing with the pain of all your joints screaming in defiance every time you drag your sorry backside out of bed.

😀
 
Thanks everybody for your suggestions! I really appreciate it! 🙂

I don't think I can really change my diet since my mom cannot cook for my family and we never have any food to use for cooking at our house anymore, so everyday I always have just two plates of spaghetti with some tuna cut in some red sauce, and eat that with a pop but I will definitely be drinking more water.

I will start trying the sun method also. I am on 2 baseball teams right now and my arms, neck, and face are extremely tan but everything else is pastey white so I will go on a walk tomorrow without a shirt. Won't be very attractive seeing a teenager with pimples all over his back walking around, but whatever! 🙂

I will stop taking doxycycline, and wash my face with just plain water and after that use a moisturizer and see where I am at.

I plan on given an update weekly, and will take a picture of myself tomorrow and give you updates weekly.

By the way, I plan on going to the beach in about a week with some girls from my grade, do you think they will think I am gross cause my back acne? Do you think it would be better to suggest something else like a movie or something?
 
You don't have to walk around with your shirt off. Just go outside and lie in the sun for now. It won't look as weird.

And lots of guys have acne on their back, I think. It's not as bad as back-hair. 😉
 
Be very careful with sun exposure. It doesn't make much sense to trade acne for skin cancer.

Besides, considering your face is exposed to the sun all day, what makes you think exposure to the sun will help your back?


Also, you should always consult your doctor before stopping a course of antibiotics early, as there could be adverse side-effects.
 
I wouldn't stop it just because its not doing anything. You really should consult your doctor before doing that. If the treatment isn't working there are many different options. If you were to stop now it probably will get a little better, but then get worse. Usually for these things to work it takes time.

Here are some must answer questions
- How long have you been taking medication?
- What type of doctor did you go to?
- What topical medications are you taking, if any?

When you go out and go in the sun, you must use sunscreen. Doxycycline and many other antibiotics and skin medications can really affect your photosensitivity.
 
How desperate are you? I've heard from numerous sources (and a friend who swears to it) that urine works really well. Particularly the first one of the day. Something about the acids and whatnot in it. Google it if you must...there is a decent amount of info on it.

Honestly, had I know about it in High School, I probably would have tried it. As it was, I took Accutane (this is back in '88 or so). That drug messed me up big time. But it did clear the Acne. Not sure I'd recommend it, though.
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned sodium (salt).

Young people have trouble with using too much salt, i.e. in fast foods, even pop.
 
Dimwhit said:
I've heard from numerous sources (and a friend who swears to it) that urine works really well. Particularly the first one of the day. Something about the acids and whatnot in it. Google it if you must...there is a decent amount of info on it.
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What if he doesn't understand German?



Just do a search in Google Images, and make sure SafeSearch is "Off".
 
Try Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub (make sure its the scrub, not that wash stuff) for chest/back. Put some on a washcloth, get a good lather going and scrub onto affected areas. Leave on for a few minutes while you are washing your hair. Rinse off cleanly. Should see results in 2-3 weeks of daily use. Use after working out etc.

Stuff is great. Get it at walmart or cvs.

good luck
 
I have the same thing... What I do is lye in the sun for about half hour (with your face pointing at the sun, obviously) and it helps! Do the same on your back, too.

I find although the creams and stuff can help sometimes they are NEVER a "cure" and new big ones will keep coming!

Luckily, I am ending my spot phase and getting better now, although I get a few now and then its wayyyy better than before!
 
Ok, here's a number of things that have helped me when I was in your situation:

  • Black soap (you can find this at any Wal Mart) ~$2
  • Using a bar of soap instead of body washes helped with the acne on my upper back. Zest is my favorite.
  • Going out into the sun - dried my skin and made the acne go away on my upper back and face
  • Going swimming in a pool - the chlorine in the pool dried out my skin and made the acne go away as well
  • Tea tree oil - expensive, but also works pretty well
  • Proactiv - helped at first, but in the end it made my skin have even more oil as it got used to it.
  • Tretinoin Gel - this is prescription only. It is a gel that you put on your acne once it comes out, or you can also put on a bit all over. Works extremely well for acne that is already there IMO.
 
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