OT -taking DD to dermatologist soon looking for..

[ampc3]

Was hoping someone who has been there done that can give me some advice on what to ask or try , stay away from etc..

My DD14 will be going to the Dermatoligst next month for the first time to get some help with her acne... It isn't horrible, but compared to her friends she has it the worst.. She will be starting HS in the fall and is starting to feel self conscious

She has tried many OTC things and her aunt got her something from her Dermatoligst.. nothing really did anything.

I have never really had any skin issues so don't use that many products. I feel alittle helpless in trying to help her, which is why I have now decided to take her to the DR..

Is there something specific I should ask the DR for or make sure we stay away from.. my SIL doesn't seem to be a fan of the oral antibiotics that they sometimes prescribe, but don't know why? I also don't want to spend $$$ trying a bunch of different things.
any and all advice would be great!
TIA

 

[albarellic]

I think taking her the doctor is great idea. I had bouts of acne after both of my pregnancies that required trips to a dermatologist instead of over the counter medicine. Both times I was prescribed oral antobiotics plus a topical cream (I don't remember the names of either). Other than the cream REALLY drying my skin out, I don't remember the antibiotics causing any problems.

I will say one of the things my doctor told me to do was keep using the creams even after my face started to clear up and to use them all over not just spot treatment. Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[jennylyn_b]

Things that have worked for me and my sister when we were that age:
Drink lots of water
Clinique - they put together a kit with soap and cleaners and lotions
Proactive- not to be used with Clinique but instead of
PanOxyl bar from the drug store. Dries up acne and breakouts on the body

The oral antibiotics are fine for a one time but its often something you have to repeat and then you run the risk of developing immunity to it. Also it can upset the stomach and you have to be careful with sun exposure as it will cause your skin to be more sensitive and burn more easily.

The Dr is a great idea but be careful with steroid products if suggested. They may be necessary but you may want to make sure first.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would request a referral to a doctor that deals with teen-age acne often. It is a VERY common thing and reality among DS's friends, MOST saw one at some point. They will have all sorts of suggestions and treatment. Go with her and discuss all side effects and options. Check your insurance too as most often the treatment requires a lot of follow up visit and you want to be sure you are not paying a lot of high co-pays.

 

[cvjw]

My DS also had this problem at age 15. He used proactiv for years, and never had any major breakouts, only minor ones. Once he hit a certain point, his face just took a turn for the worse. We went to the dermatologist, who started him on the antibiotics and the prescription face medicines. You need to be careful with insurance approved drugs. Most of the prescription creams they prescribed were not covered, and would have been several hundred dollars a month out of pocket. They did change to generic creams, but we did not have any luck with this course of treatment working for DS.

After a couple of months of the antibiotic and prescription creams, the dermatologist switched him to the accutane treatment. It was a miracle drug. He has the most beautiful skin now, it is amazing. Just FYI, the accutane treatment is very intense. It involves blood work and doctor visits every 30 days. You miss it by a day, and you can't get your prescription for the next month. There is even more involved for girls than boys. Just be prepared if you go this route. It was covered by our insurance co, but would be very, very expensive out of pocket. You also have to pay for the blood work and doctors visits every 30 days. The normal course of treatment is 6 months.

 

[bjscheel]

Just before I took DD14 to the derm I started her on Cerave cleanser and a benzoyl peroxide cream. it started to get better. I took her anyway and they gave her a bottle of Clindamycin. She alternates the benzoyl peroxide and the Clindamycin and she is always clear, so far.

 

[reenie1]

DD 13s pediatrician prescribed Clindomycin and told me to mix it in equal parts with benzoyl peroxide cream. It cleared up her skin very quickly and her complexion is beautiful now!

 

[ampc3]

Thank you all so much! I will inquire about Clindomycin that some of you have mentioned.. I really am not sure what direction the Dr will stir us in, or what to expect.

just wanted to get as much knowledge about what products etc are out there and others experience.

 

[disfan07]

Evoclin foam (its clindomycin). I have severe eczema and when I have breakouts it's what my derm has me use

 

[ampc3]

Just before I took DD14 to the derm I started her on Cerave cleanser and a benzoyl peroxide cream. it started to get better. I took her anyway and they gave her a bottle of Clindamycin. She alternates the benzoyl peroxide and the Clindamycin and she is always clear, so far.

DD 13s pediatrician prescribed Clindomycin and told me to mix it in equal parts with benzoyl peroxide cream. It cleared up her skin very quickly and her complexion is beautiful now!

Did you DD's have any side effects from taking the Clindomycin? I read that there can be some serious side effects with the stomach, but not sure if that would also apply to the liquid or if that would only be for pill form?

How long did she use the product?? TIA

 

[ampc3]

Evoclin foam (its clindomycin). I have severe eczema and when I have breakouts it's what my derm has me use

Did you have any side effects? Do you only use as needed?

 

[CanuckTraveller]

I went to a dermatologist for years as a teen for acne and I think I used every treatment under the sun . A pp mentioned accutane, it is a very powerful drug with some very serious side effects, including increased risk of suicide. I was a candidate for it, but opted against it, mainly because of the side effect risks.
Do ask lots of questions about all treatments, some of the topical ones are very safe, but some need regular bloodwork (eg antibiotics at higher doses) and monitoring.
Good luck!

 

[disfan07]

Did you have any side effects? Do you only use as needed?

The only side effect has been occasionally some dry skin but nothing too bad. I only use it as needed. But how long I use it for depends on severity of breakout.

I'm using it right now because I'm sick and I get really bad skin breakouts when I'm sick. I've been using it since Friday and will probably use it for another three weeks or so.

Any other side effects would probably be with the oral form. Not topical.

The only other thing is that it can make you more sun sensitive while using it so sunscreen is very important.

I've been using it for about 2 1/2 years now and it always works.

 

[tammilynne]

My DS (13) has been dealing with this since last summer and we have tried several options...Started with proactiv and did not notice a difference.. Went to our regular dr who put him on an oral med -- i think minocycline?? and also told us to use neutrogena cleanser and oxyclinical...

Went to a dermotologist a few weeks ago who switched oral meds to doryx and prescribed 2 creams.. epiduo for night and something that starts with an a for morning?? I am at work and cant remember name.. He also told us to use cetephil cleanser morn/night. We have noticed a huge diffference for the better and hopeful it will continue to improve.. we go back in april and he said if there was no improvement we would look at acutane but i really dont want to go that route..

 

[4fordisneyworld]

I used Accutane, as an adult though, for about 6-7 months. Unless her acne cannot be cured with anything else, and even at that, I would avoid this drug. IT IS NASTY. Of course it will not effect everyone the same way and since I was 32 when I was on it, 35 now, it could be totally different. However, I know the basic side effects would probably still be there. The requirements for a girl are definitely more intense as another post mentioned.
I still have joint pain from that darn medicine. It did completely clear my acne, as nothing else would, but my goodness it was a very tough time when I was on it.
Hope they can find something simple that will work for her! I know that is tough to deal with a teen.

 

[littlezar]

We spent probably 18 months trying to treat DS with over the counter products. Then another 18 months using prescribed topical products. What finally worked was using Accutane. He started on it 2 months before his 17th birthday and within 6 months the change was amazing. He definitely had severe acne, but his skin is absolutely beautiful now. I would recommend it only as a last resort because it's such a serious drug.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I hear birth control clears skin

 

[sweetbambi]

It's not like any good dermatologist is going to try Accutane as a first choice drug--he/she will try several drugs to see what works best because they know, too, that Accutane is serious. One of my kids didn't need it until he was 17 and that was after trying 6 other medications. My daughter's acne didn't need accutane, but lasted longer in its mild form. Just remember that the fact that you take them to a dermatologist is a plus in that your child will know that you're doing your best, too, and are willing to work with her.

 

[trewin]

I went to see a dermatologist last year. She prescribed doxycycline (oral) and tazorac (topical). Insurance wouldn't cover either. But I had a coupon card to get the pills for $10! And the cream lasts forever! I thought the Tazorac cream helped more than anything. I don't remember any side effects so it must not have been that bad. The dermatologist actually used the same treatment herself.
I also have a history of eczema and dry skin- I have used Cetaphil cream (in the round container) for years. I would recommend using it if she has any dry skin.

 

[4fordisneyworld]

I used Accutane, as an adult though, for about 6-7 months. Unless her acne cannot be cured with anything else, and even at that, I would avoid this drug. IT IS NASTY. Of course it will not effect everyone the same way and since I was 32 when I was on it, 35 now, it could be totally different. However, I know the basic side effects would probably still be there. The requirements for a girl are definitely more intense as another post mentioned.
I still have joint pain from that darn medicine. It did completely clear my acne, as nothing else would, but my goodness it was a very tough time when I was on it.
Hope they can find something simple that will work for her! I know that is tough to deal with a teen.

****Last line meant to say....I know that is tough for a teen to deal with. It did not sound right. Sorry!****