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Thanks, ratherbeskating. I did read through the entire thread & found myself saying "yes" and "that's me" a lot as I read. It seems like we're all living/writing the same story with PF, just with different names. I've been using the Nizoral shampoo for a while, and it seems to do an okay job, but after reading about everyone else's success, I did go out & buy some Head & Shoulders yesterday to switch and see if I get better results from it.
Took a long sea-salt bath last night, plus used the H&S, but haven't noticed much difference today other than I'm slightly less red (still itchy, though). My fingers are crossed that it helps!
After 2 years of expensive OTC meds, the only thing that cured me completely was head and shoulders, A2.50 bottle lol.
Read through this entire thread, it's pretty much completely documented in here what I've tried.
hi everyone , since my pf already cure which is why i am less active in this forum. Just to inform that i been using head and shoulder as recommend by lot of forumers, it works well and cure my pf in a week . sounds bs right? You gotta try it yourself to believe it. At least that works for me.
thanks for the advice everyone. have a nice day.
I'm also showing great results after only 3 days of using the Head & Shoulders. My back is significantly less inflamed, doesn't itch/hurt as much, and the bumps that are left are in various stages of drying up. In addition, my chest & face, which weren't as bad as my back, but still had lots of bumps, are showing significant improvement, too. 
It is truly amazing that me doing a Google search and finding a bulletin board discussing PF may have provided me with the answer to my skin issues that 3 board-certified dermatologists and hundreds of dollars worth of prescriptions coldn't. Wow...
It is truly amazing that me doing a Google search and finding a bulletin board discussing PF may have provided me with the answer to my skin issues that 3 board-certified dermatologists and hundreds of dollars worth of prescriptions coldn't. Wow...
Yep. Pretty amazing huh? 
I won't start ranting about derms... but seriously. Wow.
Putting a 1:1 solution of propylene glycol on my face kinda irritates it. It makes it really itchy too.
I don't exactly know what propylene glycol is, but when you put water in it, it sorta makes the water "jump." At first, it was very intimidating to see because I would be putting it on my face, so I'm assuming it's some type of oil. I've only used it for two nights (left a thin layer during the night) and I've seen very little improvement. Probably not enough time to tell anyways. But I'm still going to continue with it and use 2% Nizoral shampoo as well. I also have some garlic tablets, so hopefully those will help too.
Putting a 1:1 solution of propylene glycol on my face kinda irritates it. It makes it really itchy too.I don't exactly know what propylene glycol is, but when you put water in it, it sorta makes the water "jump." At first, it was very intimidating to see because I would be putting it on my face, so I'm assuming it's some type of oil. I've only used it for two nights (left a thin layer during the night) and I've seen very little improvement. Probably not enough time to tell anyways. But I'm still going to continue with it and use 2% Nizoral shampoo as well. I also have some garlic tablets, so hopefully those will help too.
Sure it's not acne you have? It's not that common with PF on the face.
I am still having good luck keeping PF under control with:
1. 15% mandelic serum (applied nightly)
2. A very low sugar/low yeast diet - this has helped the most I think
3. Salicylic body wash, a.m. and p.m.
If I am starting to get a few spots on my chest, I will also add in Tea Tree Oil for a little while and then discontinue it when the spots are gone.
I also periodically do a round of antifungal suppliments. I take 2 at a time, for a few weeks and then rotate to different ones. I have found that I don't need to take them as regularly as I used to and I still stay clear. The supplements I rotate are coconut oil, oil of oregano, UGN (undecylenic acid, grapefruit seed oil, and neem), ACV/garlic tablets, and Olive leaf.
I really do think that drastically cutting down on sugar, white breads and alcohol has helped tremendously - fungii feed off of sugar and yeasts, so cutting out the sugar basically starves them to death.
Putting a 1:1 solution of propylene glycol on my face kinda irritates it. It makes it really itchy too.I don't exactly know what propylene glycol is, but when you put water in it, it sorta makes the water "jump." At first, it was very intimidating to see because I would be putting it on my face, so I'm assuming it's some type of oil. I've only used it for two nights (left a thin layer during the night) and I've seen very little improvement. Probably not enough time to tell anyways. But I'm still going to continue with it and use 2% Nizoral shampoo as well. I also have some garlic tablets, so hopefully those will help too.
Sure it's not acne you have? It's not that common with PF on the face.
Yes I'm pretty sure. I took doxycycline and it seemed to have flared up. I do have acne mixed in there, but I'm pretty sure it's PF since it's just tiny bumps that aren't inflamed unless I wash it. It seems to be responding to the Nizoral, but too early to tell..
Wow, just read through a lot of my old posts in here, can't beleive how far I've come. Ran out of head and shoulders for the moment, and I'm very tempted to just leave it for now and see how it goes - after all, if it comes back, nothing stopping me from going down to the supermarket and getting some more. I really have no problem having to use it for the rest of my life as long as it works so damn good 
Wow, just read through a lot of my old posts in here, can't beleive how far I've come. Ran out of head and shoulders for the moment, and I'm very tempted to just leave it for now and see how it goes - after all, if it comes back, nothing stopping me from going down to the supermarket and getting some more. I really have no problem having to use it for the rest of my life as long as it works so damn good
Hey I was reading through your posts and I had a few questions. Did you ever put the shampoo on your face? And when you say put a thin layer on, do you dilute it first with water?
The reason why I'm asking is because i was diagnosed with Pf and i tried your method and till now it seems like it is working great but i don't want to get happy too soon. Although i am peeling like crazy and it burned a lot. But after the skin has almost all peeled, my skin hasn't been this clear in ages. Anyways i'm doing the maintainable thing right now, once a day in shower. It's been a week and I've only gotten a couple of new spots. Fingers are crossed, and i want to thank you for posting your story because it helped me a lot.
Wow, just read through a lot of my old posts in here, can't beleive how far I've come. Ran out of head and shoulders for the moment, and I'm very tempted to just leave it for now and see how it goes - after all, if it comes back, nothing stopping me from going down to the supermarket and getting some more. I really have no problem having to use it for the rest of my life as long as it works so damn good
Hey I was reading through your posts and I had a few questions. Did you ever put the shampoo on your face? And when you say put a thin layer on, do you dilute it first with water?
The reason why I'm asking is because i was diagnosed with Pf and i tried your method and till now it seems like it is working great but i don't want to get happy too soon. Although i am peeling like crazy and it burned a lot. But after the skin has almost all peeled, my skin hasn't been this clear in ages. Anyways i'm doing the maintainable thing right now, once a day in shower. It's been a week and I've only gotten a couple of new spots. Fingers are crossed, and i want to thank you for posting your story because it helped me a lot.
Hey, I'm REALLY glad this has worked for you, it makes me really happy knowing that I might have helped even one person.
I never had PF on my face, so never needed to put it there, and I would always applying it un-diluted. If it starts to come back pretty bad, you might want to leave it on over night for another night, and then continue maintanance. I've run out of head and shoulders, so I'm going cold turkey, and it's been o.k so far, couple new spots, nothing more. But I am on tane (started tane AFTER I cleared myself with this method) so I think the tane is doing the maintenance now.
Keep me updated please, I'm interested in knowing how this goes, hope it could work for all of us! 2 years ago when I started searching for an answer, there was no quick fix like this.
have read the very helpful messages re: bacne/pityrosporum folliculitis. Can anyone advise on what topical acne treatment would go well with the use of the antifungals such as Nizoral or ZNP bar, so that I can attack both possible causes of my problem? Right now am using only retin-a, but suspect fungal cause as well. However, not sure that they are compatible. I realize antibiotics are not the route to go.
many thanks.
Hi all...Let me make this a short story...ALWAYS HAS FLAWLESS SKIN---then I got pregnant! WHat happened? All my hormones gave me cystic acne all over my entire face. Left some scarring then it all went away. I was however left with these bumps (now I have proof it was PF) as of may 2008. I was using tazorac then retin-a. Nothing helped. Antibiotics made no difference. It really started getting bothersome looking to me in august. I saw this derm that only wanted my money and told me I had sebaceous gland hyperplaysia...NOT!!! She wanted me to do a 500 dollar laser treatment but I passed. I just kept researching and typed in my exact problem. COLORLESS BUMPS ON FACE and came up with PF. I saw a derm 2 weeks ago today and was given doxy and gly/sal face pads. All he would tell me was that "IT'S ALL ACNE"..i mentioned PF and he wouldnt even hear me out. I found this posting here 2 days before the appt and read on the nizoral shampoo. So I used it for 2 weeks on my forehead--leave it on for 10-15 minutes and guess what??? ALL THE BUMPS VANISHED!!! I can't thank this website more and everyone who posts on it.. I don't know if that's safe or not to use for 2 weeks...the bottle says to use 4 times a week for 2 weeks. My bumps are gone 
and i am going to stop now, but can anyone suggest what I can do for maintenance? Should I use nizoral once a week now or that ZNP (or whatever it's called) bar? PLEEEEEASE someone respond. I have literally come a long way....I just want my skin back..Thanks guys
Hi all...Let me make this a short story...ALWAYS HAS FLAWLESS SKIN---then I got pregnant! WHat happened? All my hormones gave me cystic acne all over my entire face. Left some scarring then it all went away. I was however left with these bumps (now I have proof it was PF) as of may 2008. I was using tazorac then retin-a. Nothing helped. Antibiotics made no difference. It really started getting bothersome looking to me in august. I saw this derm that only wanted my money and told me I had sebaceous gland hyperplaysia...NOT!!! She wanted me to do a 500 dollar laser treatment but I passed. I just kept researching and typed in my exact problem. COLORLESS BUMPS ON FACE and came up with PF. I saw a derm 2 weeks ago today and was given doxy and gly/sal face pads. All he would tell me was that "IT'S ALL ACNE"..i mentioned PF and he wouldnt even hear me out. I found this posting here 2 days before the appt and read on the nizoral shampoo. So I used it for 2 weeks on my forehead--leave it on for 10-15 minutes and guess what??? ALL THE BUMPS VANISHED!!! I can't thank this website more and everyone who posts on it.. I don't know if that's safe or not to use for 2 weeks...the bottle says to use 4 times a week for 2 weeks. My bumps are gone
I have very stubborn folliculitis and have made Nizoral my regular face cleanser. I don't know if you have it as bad as me, but I would continue with Nizoral once or twice a week. If it comes back, go back to using it every day. I was worried about using Nizoral so much, but upon research for long term use of Nizoral I couldn't find anything worrisome about it- in fact, it said that in the long run Nizoral could have an anti-androgen property that could reduce acne and scalp hair-loss in men. If the Nizoral ever starts to lose it's effectiveness I switch it up with Head and Shoulders.
In response to the person who was worrying that Nizoral would make acne worse, my dermatologist said it wasn't the case. While anti-biotics make folliculitis worse, anti-fungals don't seem to make acne any worse. I also read that folliculitis can occur alongside acne and make it worse.
Hi all...Let me make this a short story...ALWAYS HAS FLAWLESS SKIN---then I got pregnant! WHat happened? All my hormones gave me cystic acne all over my entire face. Left some scarring then it all went away. I was however left with these bumps (now I have proof it was PF) as of may 2008. I was using tazorac then retin-a. Nothing helped. Antibiotics made no difference. It really started getting bothersome looking to me in august. I saw this derm that only wanted my money and told me I had sebaceous gland hyperplaysia...NOT!!! She wanted me to do a 500 dollar laser treatment but I passed. I just kept researching and typed in my exact problem. COLORLESS BUMPS ON FACE and came up with PF. I saw a derm 2 weeks ago today and was given doxy and gly/sal face pads. All he would tell me was that "IT'S ALL ACNE"..i mentioned PF and he wouldnt even hear me out. I found this posting here 2 days before the appt and read on the nizoral shampoo. So I used it for 2 weeks on my forehead--leave it on for 10-15 minutes and guess what??? ALL THE BUMPS VANISHED!!! I can't thank this website more and everyone who posts on it.. I don't know if that's safe or not to use for 2 weeks...the bottle says to use 4 times a week for 2 weeks. My bumps are gone
I have very stubborn folliculitis and have made Nizoral my regular face cleanser. I don't know if you have it as bad as me, but I would continue with Nizoral once or twice a week. If it comes back, go back to using it every day. I was worried about using Nizoral so much, but upon research for long term use of Nizoral I couldn't find anything worrisome about it- in fact, it said that in the long run Nizoral could have an anti-androgen property that could reduce acne and scalp hair-loss in men. If the Nizoral ever starts to lose it's effectiveness I switch it up with Head and Shoulders.
In response to the person who was worrying that Nizoral would make acne worse, my dermatologist said it wasn't the case. While anti-biotics make folliculitis worse, anti-fungals don't seem to make acne any worse. I also read that folliculitis can occur alongside acne and make it worse.
THANK YOU THANK YOOOOOU 
for responding to my post. I think I will continue to use it a little longer. There still are a few bumps but I WANT ALL OF IT GONE! Selfish??? I just don't look like I use to in my opinion and it depresses me. I have MELASMA on my upper lip too. It was off for a few months then I got back on th pill after a year and a half and 2 weeks in to it, I am charlie chaplin again! Nothing hydroquinone wont remove cause it's so light, but it is still butt ugly! Anyway, I will keep you posted on progress...thanks again akko
Hi everyone, I just chanced upon this website and am hoping some of you will be able to help me.
I've been suffering from PF for a few yrs as well, but it worsened over the past 2 yrs. I went to see a derm, and he gave me a anti-fungal shampoo and cream to apply on my back and forehead. the cream helped for my forehead, but my back remained the same. He then gave me some oral tablets to take but my family were pretty concerned over the side effects of it so they made me stop. Apparently it could cause liver failure by extensive use. Recently it got really bad and acne kept appearing, they're red bumps so i'm not sure if they're acne or PF. I've read several pages of this thread and from what I gather, Mandelic acid and Head & shoulders shampoo works.Just wondering how do you guys apply them and how often do you use them? Also, what kind of Head and Shoulders shampoo is that? The normal kind? Would appreciate other recommendations I could try out too. Also, how long did it take to cure? It's beginning to really bother me...I hate it that I can't wear whatever I want and instead having to cover up.
Thanks so much.
Use Head and Shoulders Classic Clean. I use Nizoral or Head and shoulders twice a day on my face, and once to twice a day on my body. It keeps it down nicely. But another thing I've noticed is it seems to flare up when I eat more sugar- so I'm TRYING to cut it down.
It's also possible you have both acne and folliculitis on your back. Try the shampoo for a couple of weeks (make sure you leave it on for 3-5 minutes) and if it doesn't clear it completely, throw some benzoyle peroxide or mandelic acid into the mix.
Good luck!
Use Head and Shoulders Classic Clean. I use Nizoral or Head and shoulders twice a day on my face, and once to twice a day on my body. It keeps it down nicely. But another thing I've noticed is it seems to flare up when I eat more sugar- so I'm TRYING to cut it down.
It's also possible you have both acne and folliculitis on your back. Try the shampoo for a couple of weeks (make sure you leave it on for 3-5 minutes) and if it doesn't clear it completely, throw some benzoyle peroxide or mandelic acid into the mix.
Good luck!
Thank you.. Will PF be immuned to Head and Shoulders shampoo? And where do I get mandelic acid? Can I just get from a normal pharmacy? I'm not from the States so usually we go see a doctor for medication rather than the chemist. Also, what does it mean by controlling PF? Does that mean no red bumps appear anymore or having a clear back? I have many brown spots left on my back and it's so stubborn, I can't seem to get them off by anti-fungal cream. One more question I have is, if you use topical products, does that really mean your PF is controlled? Because it seems to me the best way is to get rid of the fungal in your body so you don't have PF appearing time and again..but the oral medicine has dangerous side effects. Have you used oral medicine though?
I've got something that might be PF although I'm not sure. I got off accutane about eight years ago ( i had ance on my chest, arms, shoulders, and back). Since then my skin has more or less stayed acne free.
about a month ago I got three red acne like bumps on the back of my left arm (just above my elbow). They do not itch, so I used some BP cream on them, and it seems to have no effect. I'm just confuesed as to why they would only be in one spot. I made a derm appointment but it's not for 3 months, would using znp soap or dandruff shampoo be worth a try?
Ok about 2 years ago I had some pretty painful boils on my butt. They were filled with nasty pus. I had them for awhile before seeing my doctor. When I went to the doctor I was put on an antibiotic and was told to see a dermatologist. I think I was on the antibiotic for about 2 weeks, after I got off the antibiotic the problem with my butt was done. Then I got smaller pimple like whiteheads all over my face and some on my back. I remember my face itchy as crap. When this happened I contacted my dermatologist and saw him. They took a culture of one of the marks on my face to see if it was MRSA. It came back negative. They also cultered my nose. Once again I was put on antibiotics and used bactroban and clindamycin pads. Bactroban was to be put on the lesions and in the nose cause that is where most bacteria's make their home. Clindamycin was put on at night time face and back. I remember this working for sometime. I had a reoccurence sometime and went back to the dermatologist and was told and given the same stuff. I think I may have been put on bactrim (antibiotic) 3 or 4 times over a 2 year period. Short-term 1-2weeks for antibiotics and I kept using topical stuff for control. Things went pretty well for awhile until I got a big red mark on my chest with a lump without a head. I didn't know what it was. I went to my doctor for this. I was tired of going to the dermatologist, because he kept giving me the same crap. He prescribed me keflex for 2 weeks and after I was done with that put me on minocycline for 3 months. I also use clindamycin gel 1%. Now that I've been off of minocycline I have had a pretty bad breakout on my back. It's pretty red and some white-head like. I also have a few spots on my face, but not too bad. It has improved on my face, but not so much on my back. It seems that everytime I get off an antibiotic this stuff comes back with a vengence. I go to the doctors tomorrow and hopefully ill get to the bottom of this. Does this sound bacterial of fungal?
random stuff that might help
-i do work-out (have been for about 3 or 4 years) sweat, rubbing of the clothing
-been on antibiotics not sure if it comes back worse but nonetheless it comes back
-never tried any antifungal stuff
-pretty oily skin
-tends to get redder after working-out
-after antibiotics usually comes back in colonies
-no more butt marks
-gets better while on antibiotics
-accutane?
-eat healthy
-drink tons of water
-great health overall