DAY 50:

My derm just called me with the lab results from the biopsy I did last week. The results show the presence of yeast (fungus) in the hair follicles, and that could be causing the inflammation, resulting in Folliculitis. But, she said that yeast is normally found in everyone's skin, so it's hard to tell if that's really the cause of my breakout.

She told me to stop with the Differin, but keep taking the Minocycline. And she wants me to apply Naftin 1% (antifungal) gel 2x a day until my followup appointment in 6 weeks.

If I'm lucky, what I have is caused by yeast... otherwise the Naftin gel will likely worsen my condition. The label says it has 50% alcohol in it... and that's not good for acne prone skin. I'll have to keep my fingers crossed.

P.S.: I'm still going to my other derm appointment next Tuesday just to be safe. Maybe she'll have a different opinion.

Karen, how is the progress going? Good I hope?

Hello Karen,

I read your story and I really hope you find a way to clear up your skin. I've been battling with acne for a few years and I also was prescribed minocycline and differin and I thought I'd share a little about my experience.

I noticed that you are starting differin. I was prescribed differin also but after reading the reviews on acne.org I realized that most people had bad things to say about it. Also the study included with the drug facts for differin say that in the clinical trial people only noticed a 30% reduction (or so I remember) in the amount of acne, which makes the drug seem kind of useless considering that it can cause a lot of irritation.

I was also prescribed minocycline but I got scared of the potential for it to stain skin blue and cause coloring of teeth. So I stopped taking minocycline after about two weeks. This caused a pretty big breakout going off the antibiotics, but I'm glad I did. I've been using clindamycin phosphate topical and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% every morning and night and it has really worked well.

Of course I'm not a doctor, but I think its probably a good thing your doctor didn't give you accutane as that can do some really bad stuff to your body, like cause joint pains and permanently dry skin. I know you're going through a tough time and I'm sure it will get better. Its important to understand that your acne really shouldn't be permanent. You should be able to get your face back to the way it was.

I'd suggest trying to get your doctor to prescribe clindamycin phosphate lotion and to use this in combination with over the counter bp. I think studies have shown that the combination of benzoyl and clindamycin is one of the most effective ways of fighting acne (probably more effective than just oral minocycline alone). If you use minocycline, benzoyl, and clindamycin all at the same time these should make your acne a lot better and possible get you clear.

Best of luck and I hope things get better soon.
John

What ended up happening? I am very curious to see how you are doing?