I need help =( ... anyone? - Acne Message Board

tomorrows_dream · 12-28-2002, 04:53 PM

Hi! Please can anyone help me?

I started getting a spotty back two years ago, and it's been getting worse ever since. My skin scars really easily and even though my back isn't completely covered in spots, it looks like it just because of all the scars. I've found some info. on acne, and it all says not to pick spots and to get special products from the chemists to put on the skin to help it go away. My trouble is that even though I hate having such a horibble back, I can't stop myself from picking

=/ . I'm 15 and I hate not having a choice of tops to wear, just because I don't want anyone to see my shoulders or back. I feel like my back will never get better, and it's ruining my confidence. If a boy asked me out I could never be serious about a relationship because I'd just be worrying about what he'd say if he ever saw my back.

The problem with having a spots on my back is that I have been able to hide them - no one knows. If it were on my face, people would know my problem and it wouldn't be so hard to ask for help.

It's probably a good idea to go and see a doctor about it. I don't know who my doctor is though. And if I did get the courage to tell them, I think they'd make me feel really bad about leaving it for so long and letting it get this bad. Plus they'd have to see my back and there's no one who sees my body apart from me... that's just the way I am, I don't like my body, and I only ever let me see it (no short sleeves, no shorts, no 3/4 length trousers, no low neck/back tops).. so letting a doctor see my body is just something I can't really imagine. I guess I'm a private person.

It's got so bad I can't remember when I had a clear back.. and it's something that, now I'm 15 and getting more aware of how I look, is really really affecting me... in a bad way. Now I think I'll never have a nice back again, just because it'll be scarred. I've tried the scar reduction plasters for some other scars I have, but they are very expensive and wouldn't be practicle on such a large area as my back.

I don't know what to do... please help.

*hugs* thanku

emma x

drowningjuliet · 12-28-2002, 06:08 PM

awww i feel for you

to be honest i have to say id much prefer to have acne on my back!! u have the choice to hide it but i cant hide my face

but i can understand how it must be hell trying to hide it all the time. im just 16 so i know how hard it is for you at this time. i know it feels like the worst thing in the world ever and feeling this bad about yourself can lead to really serious problems within ur mind. but the best thing you can do is seek help from your doctor. from my experience with acne they really do just dish out perscriptions lol without much look at the spots. but they did ask me if i had any back spots or anywhere else. so i know there will be antibiotics out there that could help you. you must concentrate on your existing acne not your scars at the moment (and please stop picking - the spot will last twice as long and ur left with another scar)cos once u have persevered and found something that works and cleared the formation of spots then you can concentrate on the scars. if they are just red marks they will fade in time but you can get refered to a dermatolgist who can give you stronger medication.
for now if you know of a shop called lush then buy yourself a face cleaner called angels on bare skin. use it anywhere u wish but it makes skin so soft and smooth and its helped scrub my face scars a bit which has faded them. and also buy a shower gel from lush called happy for s.a.d. its soooo nice smelling and it has made my body nice n soft plus cleared the few spots i had on my back. im sure you can find other lovely products there too. they are a real boost and make you feel lovely n clean n smelling gorgeous.
i hope ive been of some help! i know how bad you must feel but dont be ashamed or embarrssed because its a very very very common problem. take the next boy that asks u up on a date because theres a big chance he will be too worried bout his own back or face!

wish you lots of luck and love for whatever you decide to do....

julz xx

misty719 · 12-28-2002, 07:03 PM

Hi there! I know this is a very crucial time in your life and looking good means everything to you right now but things are'nt as bad as they may seem trust me. I had the lowest self-esteem probally on earth and my acne was never cystic but I still have it on my face and back. I never wanted anyone to ever see me changing clothes and I always let my hair hang down in my face to try and cover up the acne. I took everything anyone ever said personally even if they were just trying to help. Very distressful times. But for the past year or so I've taken a lighter approach and started to accept myself the way I am and by not constantly worrying so much guess what? The acne got better, still not gone but I'll take an improvement anyday! Try not to let it get you down and look on the bright side at least you're only breaking out on your back alot of people here have much more serious acne and they wish to be in your shoes. My sister got really bad cystic acne on her back at about the age of 15 so my dad took her to a derm in Jordan, where we were living at the time, he said it was related to jealousy and asked my dad if he treated me better than her. My Dad did give me more attention cause I was always the goody-two shoes that never failed to please my parents. I somewhat doubt that doctor's claim though it just sounds so illogical that jealousy can produce acne breakouts but you might want to give it a thought. Another doctor gave her some Zineryt (zinc and erythromycin solution) which really helped her so much. Now she's 18 and she only has a very minimal amount of acne on her back and she's still using the Zineryt. If you get the courage to go to the doctor you might want to ask him about Zineryt. Well I wish you all the best. Keep your head high and good luck!

tomorrows_dream · 01-12-2003, 03:49 PM

thanks for the advice guys, =)

i'm gonna see what i can find at the chemists for my acne, and maybe i can get it cleared up soon.. then its the scars i have to get rid of, lol.

ive got loads of school work to do at the mo. anyway, and its taking my mind off my back a bit, which i guess is good.

so thanku =) u guys are a big help.

Chris M · 01-12-2003, 04:22 PM

Hey

This could be related the kind've clothes you wear, possibly you are allergic to the fabric softener/material or whatever. I know when my acne was bad on my face i'd much rather've had it on my back! i only ever wear t-shirts or jumpers anyways so I woulda been happy in the knowledge no-one knew but me.

Only problem is that back acne is so hard to heal compared to facial due to the kind've skin I suppose, a course of antibiotics should help you or accutane if you think it's serious enough. I had to show my back/chest to the dermatologist when I visited it's no biggy, after all you're not exactly gonna see them every day or anything. A medicated body wash is a good idea and the topical zineryt solution seems top notch as well, you wil only suffer more if you leave it to scar worse.

likelihood is that this back acne won't heal itself quickly, what kind've scars do you have?? are they pitted deep ones or just red marks?

Chris.