Question: Hello, I have had skin problems since i was 13, I had acne which has cleared up but I have such dreadful skin its making me miserable. My doctor said my skin looked dry. My doctor also said that she thinks my symptoms are stress/anxiety related but I'm not so sure even though I've been through a lot of stress to put it mildly. I've added pictures to show what my skin is like. Any help or advice would be good because it makes me so depressed. Its also worth noting that I have the same skin all over the top of my back as in the pictures then a rash similar but less dry on my legs, arms and chest. One interesting thing that may or may not be of relevance - I was on holiday in the Costa XXXXXXX before this I only suffered from acne on my face. I went for a swim in the sea and the next morning I had the (I'm not exaggerating) worst cystic acne from top to bottom on my back. I thought I could possibly of had a allergic reaction to a pollutant in the sea? maybe It is just coincidence. What I've done to try and treat my skin - I cut out dairy for 1month. I had a gluten sensitivity test which came back negative. I had a TSH test for thyroid which came back negative. (Although maybe I need free T3/T4 test?) I have no iron deficiency I would note my sleep is pretty bad, lately I've had partial insomnia sleeping 2hours at a time. On the other end I would sometimes sleep for 10-14hours but my skin wasn't any better then. I've had M.E/CFS symptoms since my acne started when i was 13. My doctor gave me a topical, which I don't agree with. With the underlying rash over my body it feels like its a problem inside my body. Thanks If you have any additional questions I will answer anything!

Hello thanks for your reply. I was offered accutane (which is isotretinoin?) but i refused because of the side effects, I felt with my CFS symptoms could become a lot worse on the drug. I used to have acne but now I just have very horrible blotchy/red skin which i feel is different to the acne i once had. I used to get a lot of spots, but now It's just red/dry skin. Could it be Rosacea? or a yeast overgrowth? I appreciate your advice but I really don't want to take a drug as strong as isotretinoin thank you