33 replies to this topic

[lena2]

Hi All -
I decided the other day that I was way over-handling my skin and creating problems so I had to, literally, throw away my 2 magnifying mirrors. They weren't really expensive or anything. It's been a huge help and I feel way more in control. I admit, I miss them but it has also made me realize it was something I had to do. CVD - maybe try this - if you are constantly in the magnifying mirror in your bathroom and you can't get rid of it - tape a piece of cardboard or something over it and tape it REALLY WELL with masking or electrical tape. When you rip of the cardboard to examine and pick at your face you will be reminded you are doing something bad to yourself.

[cvd]

Day 17

Good ideas --- I will do my best not to look! Have to look in the morning to pluck hairs but will make a point not to look more...will probably help my mood - yes! The cysts are calming down finally. And I haven't picked except for flaking off dry skin. I admit that I helped along one of the cysts that was already draining but that was just a bit of pressure with a q-tip, nothing else, and to me doesn't qualify as picking really because it was already draining. The more I think about it, I may have set myself up for this flare-up because I've been really stressed lately (mom dying and worry over stopping spiro) and have eaten things I would not normally eat...plus not drinking eneough water which I tend to do when stressed!

I talked with another poster and she recommended doing less...i.e. using less products if I have such sensitive skin...scary to do but I'm willing to try anything. She said not to wash with cleanser or use any lotion. I'm going to try this as my t-zone is an oily mess after an hour or so of applying moisturizer which may mean I don't really need it. Plus I already get moisturizing from the tretinoin cream at night. She was talking about the importance of maintaining a good PH for the skin which it will do naturally on it's own without interference. Interesting concept...when I think of it most men don't do half of what we do and overall more of them have clear skin. So maybe there's something to this. She also recommended altering my diet a bit and avoiding all grains, soy, margarine, etc. This I can understand and I was already getting ready to hear it from the dietician tomorrow. I've been cheating a bit with my diet and eating things not good for me...like wheat bread. It's so hard to have a sensitive system!

[legato]

Just quickly wanted to express my empathy because of your mom dying - my condoleances. And that sure is a reason to break out! If anything..
About interference: even as a male (!), I'm seriously wondering what would happen if I did NOTHING at all to my skin. I've always been on medication of some sorts.
Best.

[cvd]

Days 18-19

Thanks for your support Legato and Lena...it helps a lot to know others are "listening". I'd like to do nothing but I'm too afraid to do that right now. I believe I'll somehow know inside myself if that is possible...if my skin really is ready for doing nothing. Right now I don't think it is. My solution is to be incredibly gentle...just a tiny amount of cleanser, just a little bit of washing, patting dry very gently, and applying the minimum amount of lotion. The lotion feels calming.

When I think back on it, a few weeks ago before I got this most recent flare-up I had had a pre-cancer removed from my upper lip and it was at around that time I aggressively picked at an imbedded blackhead on my chin (...what started this topic on not picking!...). I put polysporin on the surgical spot (as directed) and also put some on the spot I picked at thinking it would help heal it. Then I got the two awful inflamed cysts right next to the healing blackhead. I wonder if the polysporin was too occlusive and added to the problem and degree of inflammation...interesting.

Well anyway, my derm finally heard me and put me on a short course of Oracea to calm things down (...a little late but appreciated...). And I went to an appointment yesterday with my RD (dietitian), something I was supposed to do a year ago after getting officially diagnosed with food allergies but put off because I thought I could figure things out on my own. If there's anything I need to learn in life it's not to be so stubbornly self-reliant. It's okay to ask for help, especially when it's recommended!

In the past year had veered off my allergy diet (...which actually looks very much like those acne-free diets or a modified paleo diet). I had snuck back in versions of the foods I love, if not actually eating them again and making excuses! I was eating spelt bread everyday (lots of it...as a replacement for wheat...but it's a close cousin of wheat and so a no-no unless eaten once in a blue moon) and drinking tons of soy milk daily. I was eating eggs several days a week and chicken at least once a week. All of these things are okay for other people but not for me. So I am back on the diet. FYI --- the swelling on the healing cyst went totally down within twelve hours of stopping soy and spelt. The dietician has me now alternating between rice and almond milk. She also put me on 50+mg of zinc and 2000 grams of fish oil, along with a high-powered probiotic. I am to eat more primitive grains, many of which are actually seeds - buckwheat, millet, quinoa, flax, etc. She firmly believes that my periodic flare-ups are gut related...that healing my gut will help modulate the inflammation response.

Years ago I would have poo-pooed the concept of leaky gut or foods affecting skin problems but after going through a terrible experience with digestive troubles last year that propelled me to get tested (...my doctor insisted...) and getting definitive results, my mind is more open. Also when I followed the recommendations my digestive problems disappeared. Interestingly, I have lately had some of them again but was ignoring them thinking they were due to worry over my mom. But even more so lately I had been eating foods not on my diet (...picking up a turkey sandwich on wheat bread at the deli...okay for most people but death for me...).

I see the dietician again next week. I am very fortunate that I go to a wholistic MD practice where they have a registered dietician on staff and provide lots of support when trying to figure things out like I am. As opposed to my dermatologist who will only see me once a year...unless it's skin cancer related, then she'll see me. I can't really rely on her for much support because she is so busy and she only looks at things from the typical derm viewpoint. Although I have to say that compared to most derms she has been very diligent in helping me sort out why I have such a resistent case...but she would never talk about diet. It's like there's a gap in disciplines that needs to be bridged...especially when research is showing such a strong link between diet, allergies, and skin conditions in adults!

I looked back at my acne journal and if I am honest I can see that even while on spiro I was still getting cystic flare-ups every 3-4 months or so. An endocronologist I went to last year (...part of the overall testing...) said she did not think my acne was hormone related...unless I had an unusual sensitivity to normal hormone levels. Even so, getting my inflammation response normalized (...which is what this diet and suppliment regime is supposed to do...), along with the treatment I already do for the structure of the pores (tretinoin cream) should lower inflammation to something more reasonable. Everyone gets little things happening on their skin...just not the big things!

Of course then I wonder what did people do in the "old days" before testing and topicals, etc? We're so used to seeing most people around us with clear skin but maybe lots of them are using hormones or are on anti-depressants, or are unrealistic air-brushed photos in magazines, etc. We get an unrealistic view of the world and think we are the wierd ones. I have a feeling that in the old days there were more people with visible skin afflictions and/or diets were more simple and life less hectic to where their skin did not get affected so much.

Phew --- long post. Sorry! I'm just poring out all my thoughts. Maybe it'll help others if I'm brutally honest

Edited by cvd, 18 November 2011 - 12:53 PM.

[cvd]

Day 20

Doing good - no picking. Although a tiny red spot came up...not bad. The other cystic thing is healing...will have a red spot from that for awhile I think. Trying to say good things to myself, especially when my mind starts into a rant about how awful things look or could get worse. I'm saying to myself..."Yes and you're taking good care of yourself. You're healing now and things will look better." Might as well counter those negative rants with positive self-talk...can't hurt and probably helps! Problem is I forget to do it when a flare-up is coming on because I feel so upset. Hard to remember. Will try doing it everyday anyway and maybe making it a habit will help me remember to do it when I'm so upset. Not sure why this is so hard for me because in many ways I have good self-esteem, it's just that when a cyst shows up I usually lose it emotionally. oh well...

[cvd]

Day 21-22

Wow --- this is hard. Just flaking off dry skin as needed. The 2 cystics I had last week that were right next to each other are healed but a big red mark is left...charming. Still looks inflamed because of the red mark. The small papule on the other side of my chin is also healing but it too is a red mark and very visible. There's a whitehead right next to it beckoning to me but I'm ignoring it. I'm 5 days into strictly following my allergy diet and that has helped I hope. I just hate red marks...and of course whenever I go through a flare-up like this I wonder is it ended for now or will I have to endure more? My skin is so pale that when I get any kind of blemish it's so visible and that's really hard for me to cope with at my age. No one should have to suffer with this for as long as I have. I have an appointment with another derm for a 2nd opinion on Dec 14th but that seems like light years from now. I just want the redness to go away! Trying to stay positive...trying...but I get down...and so weary...

Edited by cvd, 21 November 2011 - 10:39 AM.

[cvd]

Day 23

Yeah --- finally feeling like I'm getting past the flare-up. And did no picking today. The whitehead is subsiding and the red marks are too. Saw my dietician again today and she reiterated how important it is to have good gut health to combat skin problems. I'll start another thread with the information she's given me and the regime she has me on. I actually started to feel a difference about 4 days into it and now 6 days into it can see a difference...my skin is less oily! I feels so good to have a professional trying to help me who isn't pushing drugs but instead looking at a natural and more longterm approach of healing.

[cvd]

Day 24-26

My mom died yesterday...very sad but also relieved because she had suffered for so long. Family is in town and I had everyone over for Thanksgiving dinner last night --- felt like a good way to comfort ourselves. I stuck with my allergy diet (yeah) and consequently did not have any of the usual tummy upset I get during holiday meals...interesting. I have also been extremely gentle with my skin and it is looking really good. I feel back to normal. Everything has cleared up. I have not picked at anything except some dry skin flaking off already. What a journey...had no idea this post would take me through so much!

[melissa6980]

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. Great job on trying to talk yourself through this and not pick. I lose it emotionally too whenever I get a pimple that isn't tiny, heck I lose it over imaginary pimples (tiny spots I think might become a pimple because my mind plays tricks on me). That's great that you are meeting with a dietician. I would love to hear more about that. I changed to like this crazy restrictive diet over a year ago, I almost don't know what to eat though, I end up eating some fish and a lot of beans and almonds (soaked overnight) to get calories in, since I'm already a little underweight. I can totally understand how you get down and weary. Wish I could hug you. You're a great person. I always like to tell myself that we won't have to deal with this adult acne anymore in heaven, plus it says in the Bible (Zechariah 9) that God promises to repay two blessings for each trouble, so you must have a lot of blessings coming at you.

[cvd]

Day 27

Skin continues to do better. No picking today --- yeah! I think I may have instituted a new habit.

Thanks Melissa for the sympathy and the blessings --- both wonderful. I totally agree with everything you say. I am going to start next week a new thread about recommendations and diet from my dietician in case they may help others. My diet is very restrictive but I'm compelled to follow it since it is based on actual test results versus just theories. What's your diet?

[cvd]

Day 29

I think I'm making real progress. I now look in the mirror at little things (blackheads, whiteheads, etc) and don't immediately think of picking. Instead I think about how I used to think that. Now I say to myself..."have patience --- nothing needs to be done --- it'll go away on it's own"...that kind of thing. I give myself encouragement instead of worrying about them as much. My skin is really calming down again and I think that is because I am finally following my allergy diet correctly, etc. Will do a topic on that soon here and outline what my dietician recommends.

[melissa6980]

Great job on the progress not picking.

Each day, I eat a green apple, a cup of almonds soaked overnight, a bean salad I make with a cup and a half of kidney beans soaked overnight with spinach and a little bit of celery and tomato, two small salmon fillets and maybe some tuna. I drink water, no milk, no soda, no coffee. I actually need to gain back a little weight. That's wise that your diet is based on test results and not internet theories ;0). Reading too much on the internet can make you afraid to eat foods that either don't affect or might even help acne.

I try to tell myself that no one cares about my skin as much as I do and that I have a lot to offer and people will like me and want to be around me for me, but I struggle with all the mirror checking and losing it emotionally sometimes.

[cvd]

Day 30

All done now with this challenge! Yeah! I have learned alot about myself and believe I have successfully broken a bad habit. I also am a strong advocate of listening to inspiring people like Eckhart Tolle and reading books like "The Joy of Living" by a tibetan monk who overcame his own struggles.

I can relate to your struggles, Melissa! Your diet sounds really good. I was eating like that too and thought I was doing everything right but then the test results showed I was really sensitive to normally healthy foods like tomato, celery, carrot, corn, etc. I was shocked. All these years of eating whole grain breads, fresh tomatoes, basil, etc. etc. and actually I was causing inflammation. If you can afford it I urge you to get testing. I am pretty convinced now that resistant adult acne has an allergy component to it...it's not the whole issue but anything that adds to the degree of overall body inflammation is going to make acne worse.

[legato]

I found it's often not easy to get tested for allergies in relationship to acne. Doctors generally say "acne is not an allergy". I agree it's not; however I think that a diet must have an influence. It has an influence on pretty much anything, so why not on the largest organ of the body?
I can relate to getting paranoid over food. You can google any food out there "+ acne" and you'll get tons of results. This is just a sign that nobody really has a clue.