I have been on numerous antibiotics for over 4 years for varying severities of not severe to cystic acne with little effect. During a trip to Spain I visited a homeopath and took thuya, rhodendron, silica and sulfur which lessened the severity but did not cure it upon completion of the treatment. After more bad luck with conventional treatments I now have moderate cystic acne on my upper back which is worsening. No medicine that I am now on (Erythromycin, cleocin topical, retin A) is having any effect. Can anyone suggest a follow up to what I was taking, keeping in mind that all treatment was completed more that 3 years ago? Pertinent data as follows?

Age: 19
Physical State: Heavy excerciser (runner), in excellent shape

I'm a college student, biology major, pre-med, so I am under considerable stress. No real recent emotional losses. Problem has become so constant that I don't really remember when I didn't have acne, but now I am getting considerable scarring and don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

In order to help, you must post relevant info here, this is not enough to find a remedy.
And if you where given those remedies in Spain, on only the above info, you have never experienced homeopathy, only allopatic quackery.

Hello, I read your case on Acne, in order to treat acne you have to tell the color of acne, is itchy, red, pale, yellow, is it more on face or on the body (skin) does hot or cold makes it worse, could it be due to use of a soap, is worse out side or inside, are there any other symptoms or any family medical history, also mental symptoms of persons –likes-- diss- like of the person any other information, like appetite, thirst,give much information you can.

Acne

Is it moist:
extremely sensitive to dry or cold air, touch
or dry, itchy skin, worse from heat, bathing.
or pimples at edge of hair, bleed when scratched.or
inflamed eruptions with reddish

Ok, here goes.

Cystic acne nodules, range from large cysts deep under the skin that are painful and come to the surface in 10-12 days forming large white head with red ring. Sizes range from size of a pencil head to much smaller. No white crusts, and scarring has been worsening. Cysts themselves are not itchy, although glycolic and salicylic acid treatments have dried the skin and made it itchy. Definitely not from soap, I have used many different ones in the past, and my face and back are quite oily, face definitely worse. Equally worse all year round, although summer heat and sun does alleviate symptoms a bit, probably simply from UV rays killing bacteria. No differences outside or inside. Location is limited to face, upper neck below ears, and upper back. Mother had severe acne beginning age 20, alleviated in 5 years. Mental symptoms: under quite a deal of stress due to classes, emotional life is fine, no complaints. Appetite good, healthy eater, drinks at least 2 qts of water daily as required by medication (antibiotic).

Ok just few questions
are you indoor or out door person, do get chilled easily, how do you feel in -worse in warm room and in stuff room -better in fresh air. Do you sweat at night, do you desire sweets or spicy food? Do have a preference for warm drinks? Also put your fingers or your hands over acne, does it feel hot? Any pus?
--------------------------
Answer yes or No to questions? A-c.
A. The pimples are very sensitive to touch and slow to come to a head?
B. Infected spots are slow to come to a head, does bathing and washing make it worse.? cold or warm water?
C is worse from eating rich or fatty foods?
d. do you eat salty food or do you eat extra salt? ------------------------------
And how is your complexion? Any constipation?

These are good remedies thuya, rhodendron, silica and sulfur , but I don’t know why he changed remedies, do you remember for how long did you took these remedies and the potency? I have narrow it down to few remedies, answer these question as soon as you can.
at this point,I am thinking of Nat-mur and calc.


[This message has been edited by GARY (edited 30 April 2000).]

Hepar sulphuris calcareum 30c, try one dose and post back.
Hepar sulphuris calcareum: This remedy may be indicated when the skin is easily infected, slow to heal, and painful eruptions like boils appear. The pimples are very sensitive to touch and slow to come to a head; eventually, offensive-smelling pus may form. Skin unhealthy, easily infected. Slow to heal acne. Teen acne.

I am more of an outdoor person, but being at school makes me into an indoor person for most of the year. I am not chilled easily at all, I come from a pretty cold area of the country so I am pretty used to cool temperatures. I haven't really noticed any sweating at night, ever. No real craving for warm drinks, although I am a coffee drinker around exam times to stay awake. Acne is not hot to the touch, but definitely has pus, although the cycle usually goes that it must come to the surface with time in order to be obvious.

a.) yes on both accounts
b.) large infected spots come to a head very slowly, although smaller whiteheads come to a head faster. The time to heal completely once a head has formed is always greater than the time it takes to form a head, however. I have never really not bathed infected areas due to amount of oil that has to be washed off, but I would not say that acne worsens due to washing. Water temperature makes no difference.
c.) I was eating fattier food than normal in Spain and condition improved. Does not seem to be diet dependent.
d.)I don't eat much salt, although some cafeteria foods are saltier than I would normally like. Complexion is oily but otherwise good.

Treatment lasted 4 months. I do not have the potency, but can find out when I next return home. I do however remember that silica and sulfur were at a higher potency than the rhodendron and thuya. I also took arsenicum for a while, same potency as thuya and rhodendron.

Male or female? menses is improtant to know the behaviour of, and if using birtcontroll pills.
Any cravings for chocolate?
If female, any temper, headache or other sympt before menses? Any excess hairgrowt? Or loss?

Sorry, maybe I didn't make it clear enough but definitely male. No chocolate cravings. No weird hair growth or loss.