Acne

[skippybangkok]

Got a teenage daughter who is starting to get a sunstantial amount of pimples. Having gone thru it as a kid, it would be nice if there is some way she could by pass it with modern medication.

I am not keen on very agressive medications such as (Acutane - which I read on this web ) as its better to have a pimples than a destroyed liver. Also worried about quacks prescribing strange stuff which might make it worse.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

[Sel]

Blackmores anti bacterial face wash (tea tree oil based)

[xyz]

See this

[Sheryl]

Consult a dermatologist. Accutane is reserved for cases that don't respond to more conservative measures. First line treatments include a course of tetracycline or similiar broad-spectrum antibiotic (long course at low dose -- usually about a month) plus avoidance of makeup and any oil-based products, use of a mild hypoallergenic soap (like pure glycerine), and avoidance of fatty foods and chocolate.

Some people believe that zinc supplements help. They won't hurt. May as well make it a balancedvitamin/mineral supplement containing zinc.

If all of this doesn't work, topical retin-A can be used but takes several months to work and requires avoidance of the sun.

If all that fails, then accutane is indicated. Risk of liver toxicity is small if taken under medical supervision with monthly tests of liver function. HOWEVER it does cause birth defects so must be absolutely sure the girl is not and does not become pregnant while taking it.

If after it heals, there is scarring, mild laser treatments and/or microdermabrasion will do the trick.

Good luck!

[skippybangkok]

My thanks to all. Any recommended dermatologists ? I like Suk 55, quite ok to go anywhere in BKK if required, so long as they are good.

Read XYZ's link too, which is healpfull. For those who had pimples as teenagers, they will have an appreciation how things can affect you.

Cheers

[Sheryl]

Closest to you would be Samitivej. Check out the dermatologists on their website and choose one with board certification and/or fellowship in a western country -- will ensure english-speaking, state of the art knowledge and, equally important, familiarity with western skin types.

[Thai-Aust]

My teenage son also has acne. At first we tried everything and anything, with no result but losing money.

Then I happened to remember that there is a powder that miraculously fix this kind of problems. So we tried that and within a few days most of the pimples were dried up. We can see the difference between his face where he applies the powder every night and his back where he's doing nothing about it.

The powder comes in a small orange packet called 'pises power', literally means 'magic powder'. It only costs 10 baht and will last 3-4 nights if applies on a full face. I suggest your girl to try that, if it doesn't work with her, no harm done and will only cost you 10 baht.

[skippybangkok]

might try both.... thanks for your support

[Sheryl]

The powder comes in a small orange packet called 'pises power', literally means 'magic powder'. It only costs 10 baht and will last 3-4 nights if applies on a full face. I suggest your girl to try that, if it doesn't work with her, no harm done and will only cost you 10 baht.

Interesting...

Do you happen to know (or can you find out) what it contains?

And where is it sold?

(maybe if possible, post a pix?)

Thanks

[Thai-Aust]

The powder comes in a small orange packet called 'pises power', literally means 'magic powder'. It only costs 10 baht and will last 3-4 nights if applies on a full face. I suggest your girl to try that, if it doesn't work with her, no harm done and will only cost you 10 baht.

Interesting...

Do you happen to know (or can you find out) what it contains?

And where is it sold?

(maybe if possible, post a pix?)

Thanks

Yep. Each 100 gms contains: Sultanlamide microm 99.30%Tannin 0.41%.

You can buy them from any chemist or chemist dept in supermarket.

It is very popular you shouldn't have any problem to get them from even a small shop. It's been around for half a century, any Thai will know this product. Just ask for 'pises powder parachute brand'. Sorry, no pic.

[FlyingDutchman]

SkippyBangkok, I saw tea tree oil passing by; but consider this. Tea tree oil is very good. Try this natural stuff one time.

[Sheryl]

The powder comes in a small orange packet called 'pises power', literally means 'magic powder'. It only costs 10 baht and will last 3-4 nights if applies on a full face. I suggest your girl to try that, if it doesn't work with her, no harm done and will only cost you 10 baht.

Interesting...

Do you happen to know (or can you find out) what it contains?

And where is it sold?

(maybe if possible, post a pix?)

Thanks

Yep. Each 100 gms contains: Sultanlamide microm 99.30%Tannin 0.41%.

You can buy them from any chemist or chemist dept in supermarket.

It is very popular you shouldn't have any problem to get them from even a small shop. It's been around for half a century, any Thai will know this product. Just ask for 'pises powder parachute brand'. Sorry, no pic.

Thanks, got a link with pix at this url http://grocerythai.com/catalog/product_inf...products_id/177

Actually it's sulfanilamide not sultnlamide, and this is a sulfa drug -- anti-infective in the same general class as Bactrim, but for topical use. Tannin is a plant product (found in tea etc) with astringent propoerties.

So the composition makes scientific sense...and for 10 baht, seems worth trying!

I'm dealing right now with a pimpled kid myself but in Cambodia...if I can find the stuff here I'll try it and let you all know.

[baboon]

I believe Oxytetracyclene is an excellent drug with no harmful effects.Just a thought.Good luck.

[Thai-Aust]

Thanks, got a link with pix at this url http://grocerythai.com/catalog/product_inf...products_id/177

Actually it's sulfanilamide not sultnlamide, and this is a sulfa drug -- anti-infective in the same general class as Bactrim, but for topical use. Tannin is a plant product (found in tea etc) with astringent propoerties.

So the composition makes scientific sense...and for 10 baht, seems worth trying!

I'm dealing right now with a pimpled kid myself but in Cambodia...if I can find the stuff here I'll try it and let you all know.

Sorry for my spelling. It's very fine line, hard to see if you're not an expert. Just a warning though, after applying powder on the face, pillow case or collar will get yellowish marks if it comes to contact with the powder. So avoid that.

Have a look at the link above, it seems Thai products in the US are cheaper than those in Aust. Here we buy it AUD$1.50 which is around USD$1.10 per pack. In US you can get them for less than a dollar.

[skippybangkok]

Thanks....... These web forums are becoming a Knowledge Management Engine. She is flying up next month, and and will try it out on her then. I am not a Dr, but just worried as the powders might help on the outside ( once they come ), but solves nothing about the root cause ?

[Sheryl]

Thanks....... These web forums are becoming a Knowledge Management Engine. She is flying up next month, and and will try it out on her then. I am not a Dr, but just worried as the powders might help on the outside ( once they come ), but solves nothing about the root cause ?

The root cause is ia blocakge of sebaceous glands leading to inflamation followed often by infection with bacetria commonly found on the skin. In simpler language, the pores get clogged up with oil/dirt, this makes them inflammed and then infected. Hormones play a role which is why it is typically worse in teenagers.

The powder (or, if that fails, a course of oral tetracycline) work by clearing up the infection. But yes, the problem can recur. Preventive measures include:

- keeping the skin clean but using mild, hypo-allergenic soap (like Pears brand or other pure glycerine) and a sponge or washcloth that is not used by any one else nor anywhere else on the body, and kept very clean;

- minimizing intake of fatty foods (& many people think, chocolate)

- a good multivit/mineral supplement that contains the RDA of zinc (actually a good idea anyhow for teenage girls)

-avoiding facial make-up (foundation, powder -- lipstick and eye makeup no problem)) and other skin washes/foams, moisturizers etc unless specifically adviced by a dermatologist (they can plug up the sebaceous gland, which in turn starts the inflammatory process).

Even with all this, some kids still have recurrent acne. Long term courses of tetracyline often work, as does topical retin-A (although it gets worse looking befiore it gets better, and have to stay out of sun) and finally accutane. For some reason, which is not well understood, accutane often leds to a permanent cure without reoccurences. But needs to be done under medical supervision, and is a last resort if it turns out that all the aforementioned either do not work or work but are followed by a recurrence.

Some girls and women find that acne improves if they go on birth control pills, probably because it controls the hormone flunctuations. This is most likely to work in girls whose acne seems related to their menstruyal cycle.

[pantsninja]

check out website for more helpful tips

http://www.acne.org/

[lung]

Thanks....... These web forums are becoming a Knowledge Management Engine. She is flying up next month, and and will try it out on her then. I am not a Dr, but just worried as the powders might help on the outside ( once they come ), but solves nothing about the root cause ?

SULFA > sulfanilamide > sulfa-drug

no.1 antibiotica in 2.worldwar (i-g farben)

i got an accident (motobike ) last year

and after put some cream and wait i got a big infection.

verry ugly (same in freshmarket )

i put this powder on this and after 10 days full skin 2x(20x10cm).!

and some aethanol for cleaning ...

... but on gf- face i't helps only "short" ...

she use now DERMASOL - cream. it helps.

(i think she put to much )

good luck !

[yoselin]

* Wash your face twice a day in warm salty water. This should leave your face oil free without aggravating the acne.

* Make a paste of neem leaves with turmeric powder. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water. This is a good cure of acne.

* Apply equal amount of lemon juice and rose water with a cotton ball, leave for half an hour and wash. Repeat for 15-20 days.

* Rub the acne with garlic cloves several times a day. Pimples will disappear without a mark with regular applications.

* Grind nutmeg (Jaiphal) with unboiled milk and apply on acne for 1-2 hours. This works as a magic. Pimples should disappear without leaving a mark.

* Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. At least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables should be included in your diet. All acne home remedies should include a healthy diet.

[mommysboy]

I have had acne, thankfully now light, for more years than I care to remember. When my acne was bad I was amazed at the relief provided by some antibiotics while others did nothing.

For me the older tetracyclines worked well, but I haven't bothered with them for years.

There are some more modern antibiotics although you need to be monitored, again I really don't want to go on them myself as my acne is mild and for life, however a teenager might benefit from a 3 month course. They really do work and side effects are not so usual providing you work with a doctor.

My brother took the heavy stuff without problems. It's all about monitoring really.

Topical clindamycin is reckoned to be useful.

It's about seeing a proper doctor really and developing a useful regime, and hoping you strike lucky with the right drug sooner rather than later.

I'm pretty sure nothing else will help that much save avoiding make up.

I'd go with medicine because the risks are small,controllable, and the benefit quite noticeable.

[juliashong]

I have great answers for you. These three are the basic treatments:

1. Birth control pills

2. Benzoyl Peroxide

3. Antibiotics

I would first have her try Benzoyl Peroxide gel/cream. I had acne problems myself so I studied a lot on treatments. Finally this was the answer for me.

You can get a good size tube of BP 2.5% from any pharmacy for about 300 baht. Have her wash her face twice daily and completely dry her face or infected area (never use scrub or dry her face harsh with towel) and apply a small amount of BP gel/cream. This will dry out quickly. BP may bleach hair/clothes, so be careful! (it's safe when it's dry) and DO NOT apply around EYES!!! When it's completely dry, apply enough moisturizer (water based, not oil) - again, be careful with the eyes.

Acne will start disappearing in 2-3 days. I have tried all three basic methods, and this was the best for me.

(and unfortunately, acne is not curable....)