[woodsetton]

My acne is back with a vengeance and has decided to flare up around my mouth so I look like I have cold sores (herpes) around there. What you can't see are about 5 lumps under the skin that will turn into pustules in the next couple of days. Am applying a strong peroxide solution before I go to bed and also when I get up but it doesn't really help. Am off to dermatologist soon so let's see if she can clear this mess up.

[Desensitisation]

Are you under any stress at the moment? Eating more oily foods, chocolate, etc? Re-using a heated wax for waxing in the are and possibly introducing bacteria into the skin that way? When I get the occasional zit, I just gently pop it and then immediately apply chlorhexidine solution. Seems to work for me.

[jesse]

Warm compresses 2 to 3 times a day.

[woodsetton]

Originally Posted by Desensitisation ↗

Are you under any stress at the moment? Eating more oily foods, chocolate, etc? Re-using a heated wax for waxing in the are and possibly introducing bacteria into the skin that way? When I get the occasional zit, I just gently pop it and then immediately apply chlorhexidine solution. Seems to work for me.

Not any more stress than usual and no change in diet. I don't wax, much happier with hair removal cream if I need it. Have tried pretty much everything going and nothing has worked long term. The antibiotic I was on has stopped working too.

[woodsetton]

Originally Posted by Matti ↗

Warm compresses 2 to 3 times a day.

does that reduce the swelling and redness a lot? Never thought to try that. Thanks.

[Desensitisation]

Originally Posted by woodsetton ↗

does that reduce the swelling and redness a lot? Never thought to try that. Thanks.

It helps draw out the infection, brings them to a head quicker so they can rupture and drain the pus. But it will initially make the skin redder. Don't squeeze anything that does not have a head on it, and the ones that do have a head, do so GENTLY; don't want to spread infection under the skin if it's a bacterial acne.

[OhJstFkOffAlrdy]

It's kinda retarded that most people don't know the difference between zits and cold sores. Herpes is usually darker, occurs on the lip itself (as opposed to adjacent thereto), and will often ulcerate.

Just be glad it's acne and not heat rash. I get heat rash on my back and occasionally on my face, and it really sucks because it's like having zits that you can't pop or treat. They both start off the same way (as sore red bumps), so I'm never sure which one I'm dealing with until a day or two later.

[kellyhound]

usally a hormonal thing and / or

The relationship between diet and acne is unclear as there is no good quality evidence.However, a high glycemic load diet is associated with worsening acne.

There is also a positive association between the consumption of milk and a greater rate and severity of acne.

Other associations such as chocolate and salt are not supported by the evidence.
Chocolate does contain a varying amount of sugar that can lead to a high glycemic load and it can be made with or without milk. There may be a relationship between acne and insulin metabolism and one trial found a relationship between acne and obesity.

try to avoid milk and sugar and see how it goes

[LadyCPlum]

It's probably a very cliche question by now, but have you tried proactiv? Or something FAR less expensive that I've found to be pretty effective, witch hazel?

[woodsetton]

Originally Posted by LadyCPlum ↗

It's probably a very cliche question by now, but have you tried proactiv? Or something FAR less expensive that I've found to be pretty effective, witch hazel?

Yes I've tried both of those. Salicylic acid does nothing for me. I'm not able to take Accutane which works for a lot of people as I'm on medication for psychosis and it's contraindicated.