Help – my 17 1/2 y.o. daughter is having acne and other skin problems!
Thank you! I’m very glad you wrote because you bring up an important point and while your daughter’s problem is way too complicated to presume to do a good job in a blog, I have some advice for you I’m hoping will be helpful. We know there is sometimes a connection between the gut and the skin, but science on this is still developing.
First, remember that the diagnosis of a problem is the most important first step. If the diagnosis is correct, treatment is often much more effective. It sounds to me as if it’s still not clear exactly what the problems are. And, are her doctor’s coordinating with each other – also very important! For example, for someone with a GI problem, oral antibiotics could make that work. Does your daughter truly have celiac disease (there is a blood test for this now), or just the more vague gluten intolerance. Does she have ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s or just irritable bowel? It is a giarrdia infection from a camping trip? Do you see where I’m going?
Also, she has allergies – have those been tested for with both the tests allergists do (tiny injections in the skin), and with at least the True Test which is usually done by a dermatologist ( tests for common allergies to skin products). Sometimes “breakouts” are actually allergic reactions that can be subtle.
As a mother, it’s really hard to watch your beautiful daughter struggle with this but sometimes the long term outcome is faster and better by going back to her Gyn, her Derm, her GI doc and her allergist and getting them to coordinate with each other. Sometimes a great family practice doctor is very helpful in coordinating all this. Make sure that all labs drawn and notes for visits are sent to all the doctors so they all have the same information. Hope this helps! Dr. I