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Semi-OT My son's acne

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/15/2013 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Poor DS (16) has pretty serious acne. The dermatologist has done two different antibiotics, a few creams and washes, and now he wants to try Acutane. Obviously I'm not on board, with my UC.

I've got some castile soap, tea tree spot gel, witch hazel, and Vitamin A for him to take. Has anyone else had any positive natural remedy experiences?
Posted 5/15/2013 11:54 PM (GMT 0)

acne is terrible!! i've never had it bad, but i used to get pimples and blackheads a lot. as i got older, it hasn't been as bad.

i usually use regular soap in the shower and put a mixture of coconut oil/tea tree oil on my face afterwards.

2-3x per week, i use this mask. it is the BEST face mask i've ever used. it's very strong and it makes my skin tingle, especially since i mix the clay with apple cider vinegar. it turns your face bright pink after you use it, but it goes away soon after. i sometimes add in a dash of turmeric for skin brightening. it makes my skin very smooth and helps a lot with pimples.

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=SW-1001&activateTab=reviews#tabs

it's not too expensive- i think i got it in the health food store for $8.

Posted 5/16/2013 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
please please please say NO to any more drugs !

Post Edited (soystud) : 5/15/2013 7:31:02 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/16/2013 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
Supplements are drugs too :)

Check out the side effects of high dose Vitamin A!

I wish I could get him to eat better, but it is almost impossible. He sometimes does not eat at home because of 'all the dang health food'... I know I won't get him to drink Bragg's vinegar, and I know he won't take probiotics.

I switched out his Rx Sodium Sulfacetamide and Sulfur Wash for this Desert Essence
Posted 5/16/2013 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Which antibiotics and topical creams has your son tried?

I would leave it up to your son if he wants to try Accutane. I did it twice (when I was 13 and when I was 17) and don't regret it at all. Even if I had known UC was a risk factor, I would have done it. I also don't believe my UC is related to my Accutane usage. My acne was really quite terrible, and I was beyond miserable.

Before Accutane, nothing worked for longer than a couple of weeks, including doxycycline and Retin-A. Since Accutane, I've had success controlling my acne with hormonal birth control (which obviously your son can't use!) and benzoyl peroxide. If his acne is anything like mine, it's unrelated to how clean his face is.
Posted 5/16/2013 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
He and I are both reactive to benzoyl peroxide. It trades big cystic bumps for an itchy red rash. :(

He's taken cephalexin and doxycycline, and used two different sodium/sulfur cleansers. He is not very proactive with his treatment, so one or two washes is all he's likely to keep up with.

He doesn't want to get the blood work to take Accutane. He isn't worried about side effects. I told him he could come with me for my Imuran safety labs :)
Posted 5/16/2013 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
I have terrible acne but luckily birth control pills have helped me. I have also tried spironolactone with some luck. I actually had some luck in the past with glycolic acid face wash and cream. I am currently using dermadoctor litmus test stuff now and I think it helps. I have been really lucky lately, I am older - it's crazy that I still have to worry so much about acne. I always thought once you hit 30 you were out of the woods, but trust me, even after 30, these things can wreak havoc.

I have tried aczone, retin-a, clyndimycian, differin, ziana + tons of OTC stuff - washes, supplements, creams, benzoil peroxide, salicylic acid (sorry for my terrible spelling)... nothing helps me except the hormonal prescriptions. Can men take spirolactone?

no matter how bad it gets, i don't know if I would risk UC with accutane. I know it seems like the end of the world and I guess if i were having a breakout, i'd do anything because you have to wear it on your face and it's embarrassing and people judge you but UC is forever.

Maybe get him the glycolic acid and see if it helps :)
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