My breakouts started in late June, 1.5-2 weeks after I drank several bottles of a product containing milk. (Normally, I avoid dairy like the plague but got bold.) I developed several cysts/nodules in the same spot on my chin. My physician's asst. pushed things by giving me two Cortisone injections in that area. She couldn't figure out how/why the first injection didn't heal things; I suspect there was much more inflammation waiting to push to the surface of my skin, so even two Cortisone injections didn't fully heal things.

Also in late June/early July, I tried almond milk for the first time, figuring it would be safe for me. But it was after drinking the almond milk--which was not very long after I drank dairy milk--that I began breaking out. So I don't know if one or both things are affecting my skin.

It's been several weeks since I've touched almond or dairy milk, but I'm still breaking out with cysts/nodules; so I'm wondering if the prebiotics--ACV tablets and sauerkraut--also could be causing me problems. Either that, or my body's still overreacting to the dairy (and/or almond) milk.

PI

Oh my goodness don't say that! I just started religiously taking probiotics... Everything I have read and researched has said that probiotics are supposed to be extremely helpful!

I'm wondering if prebiotics--e.g., apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, etc.--may make some people break out?

I'm 37 and have had moderate acne since age eleven. When I was 22-23, I developed cystic/nodular acne--which felt like insult to injury. At that time, I began taking birth-control pills, which I continue taking to this day (though a fairly low dosage).

About 6 months ago, I started getting a few cysts/nodules a few weeks after I began taking a potent probiotic. For as much as I'd like to balance my gut flora, I stopped taking that probiotic, fearing it the cause of my breakout. My skin settled down after that.

Recently, I've developed 5 cysts/nodules on my chin and jawline area, and now I feel another one forming. I'd be surprised if a hormonal imbalance is the issue--or the sole issue, anyway.

For maybe 2 months, I've been taking apple cider vinegar (ACV) tablets, as I've read that ACV is a prebiotic. (I figured that giving existing probiotics in my gut a food source, like ACV, would be more gentle than trying another probiotic.) A few weeks ago, I also started eating sauerkraut, as I know it to be prebiotic.

Now I'm wondering if the ACV and sauerkraut may be the cause of these breakouts.... I'm adding a bit more detail in another post following this one.

Thank you,

PI

o you think that your breakouts could be attributed to your body adjusting to the new birth control? I believe it takes 3-9 months for you body to regulate hormones on BC... I honestly do not believe probiotics could hurt because all they do is aid in digestion and give your immune system a small boost. Both very positive things. When your digestive system is working, your whole body functions better. This is because you are regularly flushing toxins out and keeping your metabolism moving. I'm not really educated on prebiotics, but I have used apple cider vinegar to fight Candida in my body and did not notice a difference in my skin. Hope this helps!

I've been taking BC for 15 years and have been on the same brand for at least 6 years now; the BC isn't the issue. Alas.

PI

o you think that your breakouts could be attributed to your body adjusting to the new birth control? I believe it takes 3-9 months for you body to regulate hormones on BC... I honestly do not believe probiotics could hurt because all they do is aid in digestion and give your immune system a small boost. Both very positive things. When your digestive system is working, your whole body functions better. This is because you are regularly flushing toxins out and keeping your metabolism moving. I'm not really educated on prebiotics, but I have used apple cider vinegar to fight Candida in my body and did not notice a difference in my skin. Hope this helps!

I've been taking BC for 15 years and have been on the same brand for at least 6 years now; the BC isn't the issue. Alas.

PI

Oy... I don't know then. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help!