Having a reaction to Tretinoin...Help my skin calm down, please 🙁!

[Llamamama2]

So long story short, I was on Ziana gel on and off for years, which IS a combination of Tretinoin and clindamycin. I started using it consistently about 6 months ago and it really worked for me. That used in conjunction with some great skin care products completely cleared up my skin and I had a beautiful complexion. I never even had the dreaded purging effect that people talk about. The problem is the gel I had expired. So after going to my dermatologist, getting a new script, and fighting with the insurance company, the insurance company denied the doctor’s preapproval to get the script. So instead I was given generic Tretinoin. Fast forward to today and I seem to be having a very negative reaction from it. I am almost breaking out in welt-sized pimples (not cysts) that will NOT go away or reduce in size. I have a wedding in less than two weeks and am miserable. I am going to stop the Tretinoin tonight and go back to the expired Ziana, hoping it will help clear this up. I am also calling my dermatologist tomorrow hoping she can appeal the initial request with the insurance company. So in the interim, what can I use to get this awful swelling down, without breaking my face out more? I am also in a lot of pain. I’ve included a pic below. I don’t even want to be seen in public right now! Any suggestions are appreciated. I just want these welts to go away.

[Samiami]

I have crazy sensitive skin and I've reacted very badly to most acne type products. whenever you get a bad reaction use cold wet cloths as much as possible and stop whats given you the reaction. use sensitive cleansers (I use spectro jel) or hemp oil soap (you can get this at any health food store for $3). A honey mask can help as well. I found Brewing green tea and keeping it in the fridge to use as a toner helps the redness as well as acne. for regular treatment for pimples I use neostrata glycolic acid 8% toner every night or alternate with Marie Veronique gentle retinol serum twice a week. following up every night with Olay regenerist night recovery cream. like I said, I have crazy sensitive skin, even aveeno and avene give me rashes or bad acne. I hope this helps you

[itsfi]

Ohhhh @Llamamama2, I'm so sorry to hear about your reaction.  For me, aloe helps whenever my skin has an allergic reaction to something I've used - I'll just apply aloe to my skin (and often reapply) for a few days.  If you have access to an aloe plant that's best, but if not, the closer to 100% aloe, the better.