Really bad skin on shoulders
Really bad skin on shoulders
Author
Discussion

GroundEffect

Original Poster:

13,864 posts

185 months

Friday 29th July 2011
quotequote all
This has been bugging me for years but really never felt it was something worth going to the Doctor for. Basically I have really inflamed skin on my shoulders/upper back with raw/sore spots. I suppose it's acne but not acne like I've ever seen. I've tried vigourous cleaning, a cream with Nicotinamide in it, a cream with Benzoyl Peroxide in it, tried exfoliating and none of it has really done anything for it (the Benzoyl maybe helped a little). It gets worse, a lot worse, when I'm stressed...and I've been under loads of stress for years, and with recent job interviews it has broken out again badly.

What else can I do? I know there are the extreme meds like Accutane but I don't want to go on them as I have an anxiety disorder and I've heard the stuff can mess with your mood...and I don't want to take that chance.


kentmotorcompany

2,471 posts

239 months

Friday 29th July 2011
quotequote all
A friend of mine was describing something almost identical but on his chest to me the other day. He has been advised that it could be an allergic reaction to a certain type of food, so for ages he has been eliminating various foods to see if anything makes a difference.

He was telling me all this because he thinks he has narrowed it down to orange juice. He has stopped drinking it for the last few weeks and its all cleared up.

Might be worth a try?

Carlique

1,645 posts

193 months

Friday 29th July 2011
quotequote all
I had the same, Honestly, the best thing for it is the sun. I used to get the same symptoms as you but whenever I'd go on holiday, after even just one day of chilling by the pool with my top off they'd clear up immensely. Obviously, the only problem being that we don't get too much sun here so whenever you can, get out in the garden, pop open a beer, stick on some tunes and soak up the not so glorious British sunshine.

GroundEffect

Original Poster:

13,864 posts

185 months

Friday 29th July 2011
quotequote all
Carlique said:
I had the same, Honestly, the best thing for it is the sun. I used to get the same symptoms as you but whenever I'd go on holiday, after even just one day of chilling by the pool with my top off they'd clear up immensely. Obviously, the only problem being that we don't get too much sun here so whenever you can, get out in the garden, pop open a beer, stick on some tunes and soak up the not so glorious British sunshine.
I've found the same, actually. Glad someone else has too - I'll be sure to give it a go! Especially since the weather is decent these days.

amir_j

3,579 posts

230 months

Friday 29th July 2011
quotequote all
If you haven't already, see doctor and if no joy insist on referral to a dermatologist

Sounds like some sort of infection so in the meantime try Dermol 500, as a lotion to rub in and leave twice a day . Note im not a medic of any kind, it doesn't require a prescription so shouldn't do any harm, I hope! Also switch laundry powder, shower gel etc to sensitive, non perfumed ones.


mike80

2,420 posts

245 months

Saturday 30th July 2011
quotequote all
I used to get bad shoulders a few years ago. I worked in a kitchen during the week and was a photographer at the weekend. I think the combination of kitchen heat and carry loads of equipment around on my shoulders didn't help! Went to the doctor who gave me a couple of weeks worth of pills that really cleared it up. Can't remember what they were now, sorry, but might be worth asking.

Carlique

1,645 posts

193 months

Saturday 30th July 2011
quotequote all
GroundEffect said:
I've found the same, actually. Glad someone else has too - I'll be sure to give it a go! Especially since the weather is decent these days.
What I tend to use when It's the winter and there's little strong sunshine, is Calcium Pantothenate pills. These are the exact ones I use:http://www.dennisthechemist.com/dennis-the-chemist-calcium-pantothenate-vit-b5-500mg-caps-90-p499959.html
and they honestly work very well, better than any other pills I've taken, however like I mentioned before, sunshine beats all.

pacman1

7,324 posts

222 months

Saturday 30th July 2011
quotequote all
Might be worth changing your washing powder, or putting on an extra rinse cycle after washing.
When my ex used to overload the washing machine, I noticed mild irritation from biological powders
because the clothes were not rinsed properly, and would increase razor rash immensley if wearing a collar.

GroundEffect

Original Poster:

13,864 posts

185 months

Saturday 30th July 2011
quotequote all
pacman1 said:
Might be worth changing your washing powder, or putting on an extra rinse cycle after washing.
When my ex used to overload the washing machine, I noticed mild irritation from biological powders
because the clothes were not rinsed properly, and would increase razor rash immensley if wearing a collar.
Yeah I would have thought that if it wasn't so extreme (it looks like really bad acne on bad days).

On the Calcium tablets - I'll give them a try! Anything to not have to go on to meds that can fk with my mood.