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I recently finished 6 months of Accutane in November. 40 mg the first month and 80 mg the rest of the months. I mainly had moderate cystic back acne and mild acne to the chest, neck and scalp.
Accutane worked wonders clearing the cystic acne. I was completely clear.
I'm a male in mid-30s.
It's been over 2 months since I completed the course and have begun getting small red papules on my chest this week. (My skin is considerably oilier now than while on Accutane, of course.) Within the week it's gone from 2 marks to now 15-17 small red marks across my chest, more severe than pre-Accutane. None appear to be cystic.
Most of these marks are small, reddish, a hair and follicle usually at the center. Some grow large enough to have a head. Mostly upper to mid-chest. I've always had these smaller marks to my chest but rarely anything cystic pre-Accutane. My back appeared to be cystic acne.
I also have a few small red blemishes on my upper back, but these disappear in a few days.
Could this be folliculitis or persistent acne returning? Anyone have any experience with taking Accutane for body acne, then having acne or folliculitis return?
I have a derm appointment soon. Anything I should tell him?
Thanks.
Thanks, Tom! I actually have some 2% Nizoral shampoo I'll start using.
In reading some of these posts about folliculitis, if that should be the culprit, it sounds like some dermatologists are reluctant to believe it's folliculitis and will start the acne treating cycle again. I have a dermatologist's appointment soon, if you've experienced this, can I expect that? More topicals, antibiotics, etc?
@Tom Busby: Derms, doctors, and other investigators covering that topic have to study fungal problems. How do think treatments for athlete's foot came about in the first place?
The problem with fungus infections is that it can masquerade as several other diseases. Biopsies can be expensive, and are used only when necessary.
@HeroicMousse: It could very well be milder acne, as well as ingrown hairs and keratosis pilaris.
Hey, Michelle. I have a good derm, and he diagnosed it as PF immediately. He apparently has it too, he said.
I was given ketaclonazole tablets for 3 weeks and Nizoral 2% shampoo as a topical. The tablets helped clear it up, but it's still there. I'm using Lotrimin Ultra under Tom's advisement, and have noticed improvement with it. I have a followup next month, so we may try something new. I would say it's manageable at this point.
Thankfully, it's not acne, but now I gotta deal with this. One thing at a time, I guess. So it goes...
I appreciate your response.