Every few months, I have a terrible breakout of backne. Most of them are either white-head like pimples, or liquid-filled (like when you have chicken pox), and very small. I have about 100 or so on my upper back. Usually I use benzoyl peroxide wash a few days a week to keep them at bay.
I have noticed a correlation with midcycle and the beginning of my period.
I have been on BC (ended up with a blood clot), topical and oral antibiotics, tae tree oil, astringents, gentle exfoliating scrubs, clearasil, etc. (not all at once). I use Proactiv for my face. I was wondering what people use on their backs. I don't know if I should use Proactiv on my back bc then I would use it up much faster. Thank God that Proactiv is helping my face (esp those cyst acne).
I don't find a correlation with my daily diet. I have to wear light cotton shirts because sweating (I am such a sweater!) makes it worse. It's so bad that it hurts to move my upper back, because the skin actually hurts (and not from treatments, but the pimples themselves.
Anyone have suggestions on treating these breakouts when they start to get really bad? In the summer, a little bit of sun helps a lot, but I know too much will make me start producing more oil.
With spring coming, I feel like a monster!
__________________ -Dx PCOS April 03
-Tubal ligation July 1999
-Endometrial ablation & D&C March 2004 (heavy flow and polyps) - BEST DECISION I ever made!!
-Symptoms: ovarian cysts, painful irregular periods, male pattern baldness, acne, severe PMS
- Also have Cystic Fibrosis, CF-related diabetes, pancreatitis, asthma, irritable bowel, distal intestinal obstuction syndrome, GERD, ulcers, hiatus hernia, chronic kidney stones, depression, anxiety...
I just used that phrase yesterday... "I feel like a monster"... and then I broke into a good cry.. It was my face mainly, and my chest and upper back have started to get a few here and there... I had chest and bacne for longer than I ever got a pimple on my face... The ONLY thing that cleared it was Accutane... I think I did 3 different cycles of it years apart for a few months each.. I was resistant to EVERY OTHER treatment.
Now since going of bcp in March '06 my face has been flaring up and dying down... but my chest and back have only started recently since TTC w/meds (Dec '06). I am anovulatory and amenhorreic (sp?). One of the meds I took during the follie growing stages was dexamethasone.. it's a steroid but did a wonderful job clearing (very small dose)... but you cannot take it while pregnant.... But, I'm asking my RE when I see him later this week what else I can take...
I used to use a soap with sulfur in it on my back when it was really bad and painful... it REALLY helped to dry them up... Also, I hate to say it, but a sunlamp... They were the only things that helped.... I'm telling you... nothing topical from OTC or my dermatologist helped.
__________________ Me-29, DH-31
Dx PCOS 1996
March 19/07 (BFP) To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EDD = 11/25/07 BOY / GIRL TWINS born Nov 10/07
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I'm glad to hear that Proactiv is working for you! It only mildly worked for me, plus it bleached my towels and sheets!
I have a little bacne too, but don't really do too much for it. I know Neutrogena makes an acne body wash that has salicylic acid in it; maybe you can try that? Sometimes if I have a really bad cyst or something on my back I'll use the same spot treatment that I use on my face, and that works well.
You seem to have longish hair. I don't know if this is really a factor, but I've heard that keeping your hair off your back helps. I'm growing my hair out (because let's face it; I want some part of me to look feminine!) but typically wear my hair up during the day.
__________________ All that is necessary to break the spell of inertia and frustration is this: Act as if it were impossible to fail. That is the talisman, the formula, the command of right about face which turns us from failure to success. -- Anonymous
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I have found a great product. It's Avon and it's called "Bacne". It comes in a spray bottle and you just spray it on your back and chest and let dry. It has helped me tremendously. In fact, just last night my husband was scratching my back and he said that my back is looking so much better. My chest is completely clear and I can wear lower-cut shirts now.
Good Luck
__________________ Angeltears
PCOS
Age 45
No longer TTC--I'm Too Old Now (We gave up the fight)
Still taking Glucophage
One Fur Baby--Bridget--our blind cocker spaniel
I'm so glad I'm not the only one. Especially since I started Met, as I'm always HOT and sweating... EW Anyways I have bad acne on my chest, back, face, and shoulders... I'm interested in the Avon product and more about the Proactiv. I haven't really found much that helps... although a good sunburn always clears it up on me, lol.
__________________
Nichole: 23; Tim: 31
Married since 03/27/04
TTC #1 for 2+ years
Diag. w/ PCOS 01/07
1 Angel - 5.5 weeks -07/28/07
2 CheeWee Furbabies
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i've never had acne on my face really.. but since being pg, i have horrible bacne and sometimes on my chest! this really sucks because i live in texas and it is getting hot! i want to be able to wear cute tank tops and sleeveless shirts! i feel your pain toniv! literally! its awful! i haven't found anything that helps or dries it up, but MIL sells avon so maybe i'll ask about it. where can you buy soap with sulfer in it?
__________________
Angi/30*DH/32
Austin Marie 7*26*07
Trying for #2....
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A few years ago I had horrible bacne. I went to my doctor because it was really bugging me. She prescribed topical erythromycin which is an antibiotic. The brand name is Staticin. It is in a bottle with a roller(or dabber) on the top...I can't remember anymore which one. It actually worked for me and I haven't had to use it since. I don't know if it would work that well for everyone but if you can't clear it up any other way it may be an option.
~Crystal
Some extra info.... GENERIC NAME: ERYTHROMYCIN - TOPICAL SOLUTION, LOTION (eh-rith-row-MY-sin) BRAND NAME(S): A/T/S, Staticin, T-Stat
USES: Erythromycin is an antibiotic. It is used topically to treat acne. SIDE EFFECTS: This medication may cause redness, burning, dry skin, itching, eye irritation and oily skin. Notify your doctor if these symptoms continue or if you develop a skin rash. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor if you have: allergies (especially to antibiotics). This medication should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Small amounts of this medication may be found in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
My daughter has terrible back acne especially in the summer. She sweats too. She's on a RX cream that's about the only thing that's helped. It's called Tazorac. It is related/similar to Accutane but topical so you can not be TTC, pregnant, or nursing etc. My daughter has been using Tazorac for 2-3 yrs now. It's totally cleared her face, her back is much better but she's not as consistant using it on her back. It is pricy even with our insurance a tube is $60 copay which lasts around 2 months.
omg, the best medicine in the world is Acutane. It was horrible at first, I must admit, because it first works by drawing out all pimples and then disinegrating them. which is never fun lol. and they had to draw blood every month to make sure the medicine wasn't shooting ur kidneys. but after like a year of suffering and taking pills every day (insurance usually covers it), I am now acne free and loving it. (I was one of the youngest patients of the drug: age 11 or 12, because it had gotten so bad. ironi cally enough, at the same time i was gaining weight and got facial hair...sound familiar? pcos which i didn't find out about till my jr year in high school lol) Sadly, however, they pulled it from the market because it apparently caused depression. I'm not gonna lie, it kinda did lol.
So though its pulled from the market, it helped alot with all that backacne. another medicine you should definitly try is Differen. You can easily get a perscription from a dermatologist. OMG IT WORKS SO WELL!!! It puts proactive to shame lol. You put a dab of Differn (a light cream), on at night. It may sting slightly, but that means its working. Small pimples are gone over night and larger cists are cleared up in as little as a few days! its amazing no joke, and i'm not endorsing it or anything lol. it really works like a charm!
Before I found out I had PCOS, the only thing htat helped clear me up on my back and shoulders was using a scrubber (I can't remeber what they're called LOL) when I washed with soap. It got down deep and cleaned me up pretty good. Now, the BC pills are helping.
Alethea
__________________ Married in 1993
Had DS #1 - 1994 Had DS #2 - 1995 Had DS #3 - 1996 Had DD - 1999
Had TMJ since I was a teen
Took Depro shots 2000-2001 Was irregular since Dx PCOS, fallen uterus, fibroid 3-2007 Dx "Golfer's Elbow" 4-2007
I have found a great product. It's Avon and it's called "Bacne". It comes in a spray bottle and you just spray it on your back and chest and let dry. It has helped me tremendously. In fact, just last night my husband was scratching my back and he said that my back is looking so much better. My chest is completely clear and I can wear lower-cut shirts now.
And once again I thought it was just me. My back looks like somebody could play connect the dots. I'm African-American with a complexion of Halle Berry and my scars end up extremely dark almost black and take forever to naturally fade.
Thank you Angeltears for suggesting the Bacne by Avon. My neighbor is a rep and I'm going to order some.
Backne :( 
Acutane and Differen 
Acutane. It was horrible at first, I must admit, because it first works by drawing out all pimples and then disinegrating them. which is never fun lol. and they had to draw blood every month to make sure the medicine wasn't shooting ur kidneys. but after like a year of suffering and taking pills every day (insurance usually covers it), I am now acne free and loving it. (I was one of the youngest patients of the drug: age 11 or 12, because it had gotten so bad. ironi cally enough, at the same time i was gaining weight and got facial hair...sound familiar? pcos which i didn't find out about till my jr year in high school lol) Sadly, however, they pulled it from the market because it apparently caused depression. I'm not gonna lie, it kinda did lol.
Differen. You can easily get a perscription from a dermatologist. OMG IT WORKS SO WELL!!! It puts proactive to shame lol. You put a dab of Differn (a light cream), on at night. It may sting slightly, but that means its working. Small pimples are gone over night and larger cists are cleared up in as little as a few days! its amazing no joke, and i'm not endorsing it or anything lol. it really works like a charm!
