561 replies to this topic

[brookebabe]

I just wanted to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread. I have fought for several years what I thought was acne on my chest (including prescription meds). About 6 months ago, the same thing popped up on my forehead and it was driving me crazy. Plus we went on vacation a few weeks ago and my chest broke out like never before. It was horrible; I had to wear a shirt the last 3 days just to cover it up. I think the sunscreen and sweat did it.

A friend casually mentioned that she had went to her Dr and was diagnosed with Pityrosporum folliculitis. She, too, had been fighting "acne". So she got the wheels to rolling and with a couple of google searches, I wound up on this thread. I also checked out online photos of this condition and they looked exactly like what I had!

I went the next day and bought some Nizoral and with the advice of my best friend, who is also a pharmacist, I also got some Lotrimin ointment. I have been using both for about 10 days and there is already an amazing difference. My forehead bumps that I have had for months were completely gone in about 7 days. My chest is about 95% clear, and not just that, but the texture and color of it look so much better. (I had been using benzymyacin on it and it always looked red and sunburned). I am so happy with the results so far and I have gotten so much information from this thread.

FYI: for first 7 days, I put the Nazoral on my forehead and chest and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes, then would rinse. No scrubbing, just gently rubbing in with my fingers. I lightly blotted with a clean towel to dry and then let the rest air dry. Then put the Lotrimin on. I did this morning and night. The past 3 days, however, I have just done this once, when I have my shower.

I am thinking I may p/u some Lamisil to use in place of the Lotrimin and switch it up a bit so that the yeast doesnt become immune to it.

Now, another question... is there one sunscreen that is better than another that I should try on my chest? I know nothing greasy, but I was using a Banana boat spray that said oil free and still broke out.(neutrogena was the absolute worst; I used it when I took a cruise about 6 months ago and my MIL thought I had sun poisoning! I thought it was acne but now know it was yeast. So I would try to avoid using that brand.) I hate to wear a t-shirt over my swimsuit at the pool just to avoid having to use a sunscreen but I am afraid to break out again. Any suggestions?

Thank you!!

[mr.pf]

I just wanted to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread. I have fought for several years what I thought was acne on my chest (including prescription meds). About 6 months ago, the same thing popped up on my forehead and it was driving me crazy. Plus we went on vacation a few weeks ago and my chest broke out like never before. It was horrible; I had to wear a shirt the last 3 days just to cover it up. I think the sunscreen and sweat did it.

A friend casually mentioned that she had went to her Dr and was diagnosed with Pityrosporum folliculitis. She, too, had been fighting "acne". So she got the wheels to rolling and with a couple of google searches, I wound up on this thread. I also checked out online photos of this condition and they looked exactly like what I had!

I went the next day and bought some Nizoral and with the advice of my best friend, who is also a pharmacist, I also got some Lotrimin ointment. I have been using both for about 10 days and there is already an amazing difference. My forehead bumps that I have had for months were completely gone in about 7 days. My chest is about 95% clear, and not just that, but the texture and color of it look so much better. (I had been using benzymyacin on it and it always looked red and sunburned). I am so happy with the results so far and I have gotten so much information from this thread.

FYI: for first 7 days, I put the Nazoral on my forehead and chest and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes, then would rinse. No scrubbing, just gently rubbing in with my fingers. I lightly blotted with a clean towel to dry and then let the rest air dry. Then put the Lotrimin on. I did this morning and night. The past 3 days, however, I have just done this once, when I have my shower.

I am thinking I may p/u some Lamisil to use in place of the Lotrimin and switch it up a bit so that the yeast doesnt become immune to it.

Now, another question... is there one sunscreen that is better than another that I should try on my chest? I know nothing greasy, but I was using a Banana boat spray that said oil free and still broke out.(neutrogena was the absolute worst; I used it when I took a cruise about 6 months ago and my MIL thought I had sun poisoning! I thought it was acne but now know it was yeast. So I would try to avoid using that brand.) I hate to wear a t-shirt over my swimsuit at the pool just to avoid having to use a sunscreen but I am afraid to break out again. Any suggestions?

Thank you!!

Whatever works to get rid of this stuff, do it. But I bet you you're wasting your time with the lamisol and lotrimin. Just see what happens by only using nizoral, maybe every three or four days. It's possible that alone would do the trick.

[brookebabe]

I just wanted to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread. I have fought for several years what I thought was acne on my chest (including prescription meds). About 6 months ago, the same thing popped up on my forehead and it was driving me crazy. Plus we went on vacation a few weeks ago and my chest broke out like never before. It was horrible; I had to wear a shirt the last 3 days just to cover it up. I think the sunscreen and sweat did it.

A friend casually mentioned that she had went to her Dr and was diagnosed with Pityrosporum folliculitis. She, too, had been fighting "acne". So she got the wheels to rolling and with a couple of google searches, I wound up on this thread. I also checked out online photos of this condition and they looked exactly like what I had!

I went the next day and bought some Nizoral and with the advice of my best friend, who is also a pharmacist, I also got some Lotrimin ointment. I have been using both for about 10 days and there is already an amazing difference. My forehead bumps that I have had for months were completely gone in about 7 days. My chest is about 95% clear, and not just that, but the texture and color of it look so much better. (I had been using benzymyacin on it and it always looked red and sunburned). I am so happy with the results so far and I have gotten so much information from this thread.

FYI: for first 7 days, I put the Nazoral on my forehead and chest and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes, then would rinse. No scrubbing, just gently rubbing in with my fingers. I lightly blotted with a clean towel to dry and then let the rest air dry. Then put the Lotrimin on. I did this morning and night. The past 3 days, however, I have just done this once, when I have my shower.

I am thinking I may p/u some Lamisil to use in place of the Lotrimin and switch it up a bit so that the yeast doesnt become immune to it.

Now, another question... is there one sunscreen that is better than another that I should try on my chest? I know nothing greasy, but I was using a Banana boat spray that said oil free and still broke out.(neutrogena was the absolute worst; I used it when I took a cruise about 6 months ago and my MIL thought I had sun poisoning! I thought it was acne but now know it was yeast. So I would try to avoid using that brand.) I hate to wear a t-shirt over my swimsuit at the pool just to avoid having to use a sunscreen but I am afraid to break out again. Any suggestions?

Thank you!!

Whatever works to get rid of this stuff, do it. But I bet you you're wasting your time with the lamisol and lotrimin. Just see what happens by only using nizoral, maybe every three or four days. It's possible that alone would do the trick.

Thanks for the reply. I am going to try just using the Nizoral every other day for the next week then try cutting down to once every 3 days. So far, I am still clear. Wish me luck!

[Aurora Australis]

Hello all,

I am so thankful to have found this forum and most especially, this really informative and helpful thread!

I have been suffering from moderate but very persistent acne for a very long time - I've been on several long courses of antibiotics (oral and topical) to help with this before embarking on two courses of Accutane. With each course, I was hoping and praying that what SEEMED like really bad acne/comedones on my bum would go away. Much to my dismay, Accutane did not clear it at all.

After reading up on folliculitis, I am starting to believe that this is what I have. Some sources say:

"PF often is mistaken for acne vulgaris; however, no comedones or cysts are associated with PF"


........while others say that PR is often accompanied by acne. I seem to have almost all the symptoms of PR on my bum but I also get really painful 'underground' cysts there as well (sorry for being gross!).

I'm really at my wits end with this really embarassing problem (I'm even too embarassed to show my derm! I feel as though my long-term use of oral antibiotics has played a major role in this because as far as I can remember, I didn't have this problem before antibiotics. I have led myself to believe that another reason it might be PR is because Accutane did not help one bit with it, whereas it has tremendously helped with my bacne. I also find the itchiness, cysts and pimples increase when I exercise (I guess from sweating).

I'm finally in control of my acne (back and face) but this area just doesn't want to clear up. It really brings me to tears; it has been a great obstacle for me...I'm so self conscious, I know that some argue that as opposed to face acne/PR, that area is rarely visible but I find that I don't want to go swimming, be intimate with my SO and this has been a great problem. I feel so embarassed to have such a problem in such an area!

Could be possible that I have PR in that area despite the pimples and cysts? I shouldn't rule out PR just because of the cysts I'm getting?

Any insight or comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

[White Fox]

Hello all,

I am so thankful to have found this forum and most especially, this really informative and helpful thread!

I have been suffering from moderate but very persistent acne for a very long time - I've been on several long courses of antibiotics (oral and topical) to help with this before embarking on two courses of Accutane. With each course, I was hoping and praying that what SEEMED like really bad acne/comedones on my bum would go away. Much to my dismay, Accutane did not clear it at all.

After reading up on folliculitis, I am starting to believe that this is what I have. Some sources say:

"PF often is mistaken for acne vulgaris; however, no comedones or cysts are associated with PF"


........while others say that PR is often accompanied by acne. I seem to have almost all the symptoms of PR on my bum but I also get really painful 'underground' cysts there as well (sorry for being gross!).

I'm really at my wits end with this really embarassing problem (I'm even too embarassed to show my derm! I feel as though my long-term use of oral antibiotics has played a major role in this because as far as I can remember, I didn't have this problem before antibiotics. I have led myself to believe that another reason it might be PR is because Accutane did not help one bit with it, whereas it has tremendously helped with my bacne. I also find the itchiness, cysts and pimples increase when I exercise (I guess from sweating).

I'm finally in control of my acne (back and face) but this area just doesn't want to clear up. It really brings me to tears; it has been a great obstacle for me...I'm so self conscious, I know that some argue that as opposed to face acne/PR, that area is rarely visible but I find that I don't want to go swimming, be intimate with my SO and this has been a great problem. I feel so embarassed to have such a problem in such an area!

Could be possible that I have PR in that area despite the pimples and cysts? I shouldn't rule out PR just because of the cysts I'm getting?

Any insight or comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

No you shouldn't rule out folliculitis, but I think you should consider that it's probably not Pityrosporum Folliculitis, but some other type of folliculitis. Pityrosporum Folliculitis usually appears on the upper body and not on the buttocks.

[brookebabe]

Okay, I had my PF on my chest all cleared up, but now.... I have some spots on my shoulders and upper arms, and I can't figure out if it is PF or acne papules. They are more like red spots, there is nothing in them, no pus and they don't come to a head. I should add that there are two that have what feels like a little lump, but again, it doesnt come to a head. But the PF on my chest had more tiny, rough feeling spots, and there were more of them...these spots are more scattered.

I am stumped...is it just some minor acne, or PF? I doesn't itch but what was on my chest didn't either.

Also, i now have 3 spots on my chest and I can't figure out if it is acne or not. They felt like acne, looked like acne, but again, nothing comes out of them...

Is there any way to tell a difference between acne and PF short of going to a dermatologist?

I don't have acne on my face except for a few blackheads but really nothing to complain about. I haven't ever had acne on my arms (and these new spots are bigger than what my PF spots were, but not huge...aggghh I cant describe it. They just look like little papules.)

We are leaving for vacation in a few days and I was really hoping to clear them up. I hate my skin! It looked so good a week ago!

[bufas]

Is it ok to put the nizoral on the face (entire face), even if its the one that says nizoral shampoo with conditioner? With an ingredient like parfume oil or something like that. I just want to be completely sure I'm not doing more damage, it is after all shampoo. I've already done severel applications though.

[mr.pf]

Okay, I had my PF on my chest all cleared up, but now.... I have some spots on my shoulders and upper arms, and I can't figure out if it is PF or acne papules. They are more like red spots, there is nothing in them, no pus and they don't come to a head. I should add that there are two that have what feels like a little lump, but again, it doesnt come to a head. But the PF on my chest had more tiny, rough feeling spots, and there were more of them...these spots are more scattered.

I am stumped...is it just some minor acne, or PF? I doesn't itch but what was on my chest didn't either.

Also, i now have 3 spots on my chest and I can't figure out if it is acne or not. They felt like acne, looked like acne, but again, nothing comes out of them...

Is there any way to tell a difference between acne and PF short of going to a dermatologist?

I don't have acne on my face except for a few blackheads but really nothing to complain about. I haven't ever had acne on my arms (and these new spots are bigger than what my PF spots were, but not huge...aggghh I cant describe it. They just look like little papules.)

We are leaving for vacation in a few days and I was really hoping to clear them up. I hate my skin! It looked so good a week ago!

That's fantastic news if your rash cleared up on your chest. That means it probably was pf and the nizoral cleared it up. Continue to use nizoral on your shoulders, upper arms, chest, wherever the acne is. If it goes away then it's probably pf. If it goes away and comes back it's also probably pf. Remember, for most of us there doesn't seem to be a cure. You just arrest it by keeping it in check when it comes back.

I sometimes get anxiety and get depressed when pf keeps on coming back even though I completely clear it up. But then I remind myself that if all I have to do is use nizoral once or twice a week on my body to clear up then it's not too serious for me. Just continue to use nizoral and report back here if it clears it up. I wouldn't go to a dermatologist for this if you can keep this arrested by using nizoral. A dermatologist isn't going to do anything more then charge you lots of money and still not cure pf. If you're using nizoral and it's never clearing up then you might want to see a dermatologist. But if you're clearing it up with nizoral and it keeps coming back then I wouldn't see them. Both dermatologists I saw told me that the treatment they were using wouldn't clear it up forever and that it could keep coming back. What made it more frustrating is these dematologists never cleared it up in the first place yet charged me hundreds of dollars on creams that didn't work. And they never once brought up otc shampoos to help clear up pf.

[Jewels1516]

Hello all,

I am so thankful to have found this forum and most especially, this really informative and helpful thread!

I have been suffering from moderate but very persistent acne for a very long time - I've been on several long courses of antibiotics (oral and topical) to help with this before embarking on two courses of Accutane. With each course, I was hoping and praying that what SEEMED like really bad acne/comedones on my bum would go away. Much to my dismay, Accutane did not clear it at all.

After reading up on folliculitis, I am starting to believe that this is what I have. Some sources say:

"PF often is mistaken for acne vulgaris; however, no comedones or cysts are associated with PF"


........while others say that PR is often accompanied by acne. I seem to have almost all the symptoms of PR on my bum but I also get really painful 'underground' cysts there as well (sorry for being gross!).

I'm really at my wits end with this really embarassing problem (I'm even too embarassed to show my derm! I feel as though my long-term use of oral antibiotics has played a major role in this because as far as I can remember, I didn't have this problem before antibiotics. I have led myself to believe that another reason it might be PR is because Accutane did not help one bit with it, whereas it has tremendously helped with my bacne. I also find the itchiness, cysts and pimples increase when I exercise (I guess from sweating).

I'm finally in control of my acne (back and face) but this area just doesn't want to clear up. It really brings me to tears; it has been a great obstacle for me...I'm so self conscious, I know that some argue that as opposed to face acne/PR, that area is rarely visible but I find that I don't want to go swimming, be intimate with my SO and this has been a great problem. I feel so embarassed to have such a problem in such an area!

Could be possible that I have PR in that area despite the pimples and cysts? I shouldn't rule out PR just because of the cysts I'm getting?

Any insight or comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

Hey there Aurora,

I too suffer from the EXTREMELY embarrassing breakouts on my tush, and I completely understand the humiliation, especially with my SO. Though he's understanding, it makes me feel less than desirable. I have diagnosed myself with PF, even though it does not typically occur on the buttocks. I also get the occasional underground cyst-but feel it is just a result of itching or picking at the spots.

There is another type of Folliculitus you may want to look into that occurs on the extremities and the buttocks. It's called " Perforating folliculitis" . Here are descriptions of the varying types you may want to check out as well. Though after seeing pictures myself, I definitely do not have this. I am hoping to try out the ZNP bar soon ( If I can ever find the darn thing in Canadian stores!) and Nizoral. I will update on my progress. Here's hoping it works! Good luck!

Types of Folliculitis

[PikaCane]

I had mild teenage acne, which mostly went away, and from about 22 to 25 I had almost perfect skin. And about a year and a half ago it blew up, to moderate acne on my face and chest, but severe cystic acne on my shoulders and back. Fortunately I don't scar much! Retin-A got my face under control nicely but didn't do a whole lot anywhere else. A largish patch on my chest that never went away matched one of the pics someone here linked to, so I decided what the hey and got a bottle of H&S. For maybe four or five days it didn't seem to do anything, and then just... wow. It had gone down maybe 15% with the Retin, and then it went down almost visibly every day for the next three weeks.

It's not perfect and it's not cured. But I've gone from not being willing to wear a sleeveless shirt to wearing a string bikini in a water park.

Now, I think I do have both acne and PF. I still use the Retin in the evenings. I typically shower in the morning, and every other day I've been using the H&S. I also use PanOxyl 10% BP wash-I use the BP first, let it sit for a minute, then wash my hair and clip it back up, and then use the H&S and let it sit for several minutes. And I use Gold Bond powder when I remember. I did try using the ZNP bar, which I found locally in an independent, non-chain pharmacy, and it stung less; but I had a nasty set of massive pustules and a couple of cysts pop up about ten days later just above mid-back. I think I had trouble reaching there with the bar/washcloth combo where the shampoo runs down for me. oh well, back to H&S, maybe I'll alternate.

[Abryzt]

This is such a wonderful site and I have learned so much just reading everyone's tales.

I never considered fungus to be a possible source of folliculitis. I"ve been diagnosed with keratosis pilaris, but the problem is that the bumps I have (red, small and raised) have no "core" or what should be "grain" (hard and sandy), because my youngest son has that condition all over his arms and legs. In his case, Glytone and Betamethasone have helped.

It isn't the case with me. Short of excoriations due to self-multilation I've applied everything from Benzoil Peroxide, Salycilic Acid, Glycolic Acid and yes -- Antibiotic ointments with very, very little help.

My dermatologist have sprayed my problem areas with nitrogen aerosol, and after flattening out the problem areas, they would flare up still from time to time. Yes, Betamethasone has helped, but even that is a hit-and-miss. I also was instructed to lay off it from time to time because overuse can potentially damage the liver.

Well after reading this site last (I'm not done reading yet by the way), I decided to rub the big problem areas on my arms with Clotrimazole and followed it up with my Betamethasone.

The result was fantastic! So fantastic I emailed my dermatologist. I'm waiting to hear back from her, but if I have found a pathway here, she may prescribe Lotrisone for me.

I also have been reviewing Feet Accompli made by Dermadoctor because it also addresses the kind of problem I seem to have. It is encouraging and will try it out.

I've used Dermadoctor's KP Duty because of the KP diagnosis I was first given, but that did little for me, too, although it did wonders for the softness I got from it for my arms.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my little discovery because I have been encouraged by this topic so much. At some point, I also want to give Mandelic Acid a try, but with some research, it has more anti-bacterial properties than it has anti-fungal. It wouldn't hurt though because our skin does have a normal flora of both bacteria and fungus.

I just believe now that I've addressed the bacterial part more than the fungal one that I have more of the latter now. I've just never considered it before.

Thanks everyone for all that you've written. This forum is wonderful!

[Abryzt]

This is such a wonderful site and I have learned so much just reading everyone's tales.

I never considered fungus to be a possible source of folliculitis. I"ve been diagnosed with keratosis pilaris, but the problem is that the bumps I have (red, small and raised) have no "core" or what should be "grain" (hard and sandy), because my youngest son has that condition all over his arms and legs. In his case, Glytone and Betamethasone have helped.

It isn't the case with me. Short of excoriations due to self-multilation I've applied everything from Benzoil Peroxide, Salycilic Acid, Glycolic Acid and yes -- Antibiotic ointments with very, very little help.

My dermatologist have sprayed my problem areas with nitrogen aerosol, and after flattening out the problem areas, they would flare up still from time to time. Yes, Betamethasone has helped, but even that is a hit-and-miss. I also was instructed to lay off it from time to time because overuse can potentially damage the liver.

Well after reading this site last (I'm not done reading yet by the way), I decided to rub the big problem areas on my arms with Clotrimazole and followed it up with my Betamethasone.

The result was fantastic! So fantastic I emailed my dermatologist. I'm waiting to hear back from her, but if I have found a pathway here, she may prescribe Lotrisone for me.

I also have been reviewing Feet Accompli made by Dermadoctor because it also addresses the kind of problem I seem to have. It is encouraging and will try it out.

I've used Dermadoctor's KP Duty because of the KP diagnosis I was first given, but that did little for me, too, although it did wonders for the softness I got from it for my arms.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my little discovery because I have been encouraged by this topic so much. At some point, I also want to give Mandelic Acid a try, but with some research, it has more anti-bacterial properties than it has anti-fungal. It wouldn't hurt though because our skin does have a normal flora of both bacteria and fungus.

I just believe now that I've addressed the bacterial part more than the fungal one that I have more of the latter now. I've just never considered it before.

Thanks everyone for all that you've written. This forum is wonderful!

Just an update: My dermatologist wrote back to say:

"If the clotrimazole/betamethasone combo is working, keep using it.
It is safe (as long as you are not pregnant/breast feeding)."

Just FYI ... I got the Clotrimazole over-the-counter. Only the Betamethasone is prescription, although I'm apt to believe hydrocortisone cream should work, too, in place of betamethasone. I still plan to add Feet Accompli from DermaDoctor (they have a website and can also be purchased from Sephora stores and online). Or I could alternate between Clotrimazole and Feet Accompli.

As for the scars and hyperpigmentation, my doc has said to use a cream that contains salicylic acid followed by hydroquinone as the last two steps. Realistically speaking, I should expect the scars to improve within 6 months.

Yes, I do hope so.

[DaveNeedsHelp]

Symtoms similar to pf have just began appearing on my skin, i've never had this before in my life and its only been on my skin a couple of days, at first i thought i could have just been reacting to a new product i bought as a face wash, i stopped using this but the condition only got worse, i'm not sure what to do, ive stopped using products on my face for now. It looks similar to acne but it itches like mad and doesnt quite feel the same. If this is pf and if ive caught it at a very early stage is it possible to permanantly get rid of this?

ive also noticed that im getting it on the left side of more face more then i am on the right, i also sleep on the left side of my face, a week ago i did change my bedding, including pillow cases. I have considered that this was the problem however, im only getting these "rashes" on my neck and jaw and chin. Ive also considered that it could have been caused by shaving not so long ago, but again, im not outbreaking in rashes around my sideburns where i also shave.

after reading through this topic i'm not sure if i want to go get this diagnosed.. after hearing so many people are wrongly diagnosed which makes the matter worse. Im going to keep an eye on this rash closely, but for now just leave it. If in a couple of days or so the rash is only getting worse, what should i do?

oh and also, ive continued using the same moisturizer ive been using for years, but knowing that pf thrives on oily skin im not sure if i should keep using it or stop and see what happens, i wash my face twice a day, and my skin can become very dry

should i continue using the moisturizer, stop using it all together or just use less?

[carrie54]

mr.pf - Thanks for taking the time to respond. Your advice is really helpful. I will go into my appointment tomorrow armed with my questions.

White Fox - I can't promise photos because my camera is crap, but I will try.

How did your appointment go?

Thanks for asking. It went OK. He told me it's not fungal. When I asked how he knew he said because it didn't look fungal to him and he said something about 30 years of experience telling him as well. He told me again he believes it's from being on the Solodyn. He said the Ampicillin should help and that I needed to give it more time. Two months. When I asked what kind of folliculitis it was he didn't say, just that it was a folliculitis. I forgot to ask if it was pityrosporum folliculitis, but I know he would have said no. He said to use benadryl cream for the itching (which thankfully has subsided). When I expressed concern about it spreading he didn't seem to think it looked any worse than last time. When I expressed concern that the antibiotics could be making it worse he didn't think so. He just seemed firm in what he was saying was correct. I really hope he's right. I am putting a lot of faith and trust in his professional expertise. We'll see. Thanks for checking in though. I appreciate it.

.

Edited by carrie54, 04 June 2011 - 09:59 AM.

[kelly12]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this website, and I've got to say that it's a godsend. I've suffered from "acne" on my chest, neck, back and face for about 7 years, and have been treating it like acne! I've gone to a few dermitologists and family physicians whose kneejerk reaction is to pump me full of antibiotics. Of course, this never helped. Finally, about a year ago, I took my skin's fate into my own hands and started researching and determining whether I have allergies through process of elimination. I had it narrowed down to folliculitis, but thought that there was only one type: bacterial. Reading thiese postings last week opened my eyes to what I probably, most definitely have: PF. I have the Nizoral, the Lamasil and am waiting for the bar soap (previously mentioned) to arrive via mail. I'm so excited!
I'd say I have a few hundred whiteheads with red blotches all over. I'm 30, no kids (yet), and prettyish, were I to not have this problem. I tend to be a pincher, sometimes out of grossed-out compulsion and sometimes to lessen the severity of the white-dot PF appearance.
I'll update everyone on my progress. I'm just really glad to have a community that understands what I've gone through for so long. I want to feel pretty in front of my partner! I want to wear a tanktop! I want to see healthy skin in the mirror, not red and blotchy skin with zillions of whiteheads all over. I want to feel smooth skin, not bumps.
Any suggestions, questions or comments are encouraged! Nizoral, here I come!

[Baycon]

Has anyone used Virgin Coconut Oil topically for treating PF? I have this crap on my face from taking anti-biotics (minocycline, mainly) for a couple years. I've really been able to help it by cutting out all yeast-feeding food like sugar, bigtime carbs, gluten. I know many sites say coconut oil is not good for it, however I have read that coconut oil has many natural anti-fungals, and I have used it internally successfully for candida treatment. I am wondering if the sites against coconut oil for PF are just referring to sun screen with PF in it?

[luck12]

There is so much info here- so let me just ask this- I was on doxycycline for a skin infection from a bug bite back in June for ONLY 15 days. Then I got a rash on my chest and the doc said that the doxy caused it (bacterial rash) and I can use erythomyacin gel to clear it up or it will go away on its own. I was weary of using another antibiotic after the stupid doxy. Anyway I still have the rash on my chest and I want to know what I can use on it to get rid of it. Salts? Alcohol? BP? I am not using anything at the moment because I am just scared it will spread or get worse. Please help!

[Ianm1225]

I am new to these boards, and think there is a lot of great info here. I have had what both my general physician and the local dermatologist believe is folliculitis for almost 2 months now. I cannot pinpoint exactly what caused it, but the doctors believed it was from either my hot tub or the swimming pool. It started on my thighs and genitals (sorry) and over the 2 months it has spread to every part of my body. Most people on here seem to have it just in certain places, so I'm not sure why mine has been so wide spread. It was horrible before, and now it is to the point of beginning to show up on my face. I'm at the end of my rope with this! I have thus far been prescribed a steroid cream, prednisone and a prescription strength version of benydril, and nothing has worked. The prednisone took some of the redness away, and it seemed to slow the spread a little, but now that I'm off it, it's as though the folliculitis has taken a giant leap to places that it wasn't before. The dermatologist told me to put vinegar on it, that was his sage advice. I go back tomorrow and have no clue what to try next. I also have terrible insomnia which was made so much worse by the prednisone that my doctor took me out of work for a week. Is there any cure for this because I can't imagine having this for the rest of my life. I'm a 33 year old male who works with the public, and if I'm doomed to have this forever, it pretty much means I will be celebate, alone and possibly jobless. I am thankful for any advice that you have to offer - at this point I will do ANYTHING to get rid of it. I'm about to have myself doused in holy water!!

[kerrylee]

Hi everyone. I have read 22 pages about everyones folliculitis, looking for someone who would mention having the same symptoms as my 16 year old son. He has PF. The derm sent a culture out and had it confirmed. The majority of it is in his scalp! No one has this. Little pustuals all over his head! Now there have been some moving to his forehead lately. Is this uncommon?
He was on accutane for 8 months about a year ago.Been completely clear. NOW THIS.He is so upset. Im very upset and not sleeping over worry. Everything I read said it will never go away for good. Then I got scared on websites that said his hair could fall out!!! Is this for real???

Please help us.
Kerry

[willow569]

Hi everyone. I have read 22 pages about everyones folliculitis, looking for someone who would mention having the same symptoms as my 16 year old son. He has PF. The derm sent a culture out and had it confirmed. The majority of it is in his scalp! No one has this. Little pustuals all over his head! Now there have been some moving to his forehead lately. Is this uncommon?
He was on accutane for 8 months about a year ago.Been completely clear. NOW THIS.He is so upset. Im very upset and not sleeping over worry. Everything I read said it will never go away for good. Then I got scared on websites that said his hair could fall out!!! Is this for real???

Please help us.
Kerry

Yes, from what I understand, PF can occur on the scalp as welll. Did his derm recommend any particular treatment? You might have him try shampooing with Nizoral Shampoo - the 1% should be available in drugstores and I think you can order the stronger 2% off the nizoral website.

Another option that might work is a mandelic shampoo. Mandelic is antifungal and antibacterial and it has worked better for my body folliculitis than any other treatments. Vivant is the only company I know that makes a mandelic shampoo - its actually really nice, cleans well, doesn't stink or smell medicated.

With either shampoo - I'd have him use it either every day or every other day (maybe start with every day, and see if it clears - if it does, he could reduce it to just a few times a week). Lather, and leave the shampoo on the scalp for 5 min or so, then rinse.