Addenbrooke's Hospital

We are extremely lucky to have such a good hospital only a few miles away and have had reason to visit a lot over the last 20 years (though only twice as an emergency).

Today I was there with Sam for an appointment with a specialist dermatologist about his acne.  Much to his relief there is a treatment (isotretinoin) that will probably clear it up and thereby prevent further scarring.  However, they won't prescribe it immediately as it's not without side effects and we've been given literature to read to fully understand the implications.  

Sam is required to have blood tests before and during the treatment to ensure that the liver is not affected and we need to watch out for worrying changes in mood and behaviour. (Far more challenging IMO as that seems to be default teenager).

It's a concern but also a relief.  Acne comes at just the worst time during adolescence when hormones and confidence are all over the place anyway.  None of our children have escaped it.