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Well the derm says i dont have that, but have keratosis pilaris... which frankly, doesnt make sense. I've never had dry skin, until recently taking spiro for my hormones, i had the oiliest skin known to mankind. On my arm i have a few rough bumps, but that usually goes away when i exfoliate a bit and remember to put on lotion. Either wya, its hardly noticeable on my arms. ANd my face, well, there are maybe a few rough ones right in the middle of my forehead, but the rest of my face that has these bumps, they are not rough at all. Again, this condition is supposed to get worse in winter (since skin gets drier) and really... that doesnt happen to me. Before when my skin was beyond super oily, i still had these bumps.
I still have a feeling its the pityrosporum, which as i've read, loves the oily skin - which up until a little while ago, i definitely had.
Ugh... i wish i could find a Toronto derm who could help. My last derm didnt care about my face, just gave me some spiro. The one before that gave me a steroid cream to use for a MONTH! (badddd idea), and my other derm, while so insanely nice and wanting to help, just doesnt seem like she knows enough. And this guy... besides being mean, didnt seem to know what the hell he was talking about. He's more interested in his rich clients wanting to get rid of wrinkles. Damn cosmetic dermatologists.
- END RANT -
Sorry, crappy mood here.
BUT if i do get diagnosed with this, i will DEFINITELY post you a picture!
Well, I think I have this crap as well.
It started as just a few itchy red bumps along my hairline, and I thought they were bug bites .... but now they are spreading across my forehead and cheeks, and down along my jawline and neck.
DAMN IT. I was basically clear until this hit.
So I'm using Nizoral 1% as of today, waiting for my shipment of 2% to arrive; I know that's supposedly the prescription strength, but you can buy it OTC on Amazon.com and on eBay.
I hope it works, I'm really depressed about this.
Oh, and I'm going to pin this thread. Seems to me I've run across "itchy acne" threads many times, and perhaps folliculitis is an explanation for that.
Well the derm says i dont have that, but have keratosis pilaris... which frankly, doesnt make sense. I've never had dry skin, until recently taking spiro for my hormones, i had the oiliest skin known to mankind. On my arm i have a few rough bumps, but that usually goes away when i exfoliate a bit and remember to put on lotion. Either wya, its hardly noticeable on my arms. ANd my face, well, there are maybe a few rough ones right in the middle of my forehead, but the rest of my face that has these bumps, they are not rough at all. Again, this condition is supposed to get worse in winter (since skin gets drier) and really... that doesnt happen to me. Before when my skin was beyond super oily, i still had these bumps.
I've used the Nizoral twice now, last night and this morning. Both times I lathered my face with it and just let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then showered to rinse it thoroughly.
The bumps are definitely less angry-looking this morning; they look dryer, flatter, and paler. A patch on the left side of my forehead is the worst (that's where I've had it the longest).
The itching has stopped, at least for now.
I'm cautiously hopeful that this is progress.
After a week of using Nizoral on my face, the red itchy bumps have entirely dried up and flaked off .... my skin is looking really good now.Now the question is, will the bumps come back?
I am planning to keep using the Nizoral a few times a week as a preventive measure.
I'm confused as what this is suppose to look like? Do they stick-out from the skin?
I have a odd skin problem on my upper cheeks that I've had for years and I'm wondering (hoping...?) that this is it. At first glance it looks like I have large pores, but in fact there are tiny bumps in the skin. These are not blackheads or clogged pores, I can't squeeze them out. You can only really see them if I stretch my skin or push my skin up with my tongue (from inside my mouth..), but they look like pin sized dark spots. It wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't that they make my skin red and look rough/odd. It's kind of hard to explain. It reminds me of dandruff, except its stuck beneath a layer of skin instead of flaking. If I rub my hand on my cheek strongly enough, these little grains of sand come out. But I can never get rid of them, no matter how much I exfoliate, use BHA etc.
Any thoughts?
That sounds like closed comedones to me ... have you tried using a topical retinoid?
The bumps I'm talking about do stick out from the skin. They are small and hard, but they don't have a hard core ... sometimes there's a drop of clear fluid or pus inside. They are red ...... and they itch. Definitely not acne.
My big outbreak of them is entirely gone, but a couple are still popping up every few days, mostly along my hairline and jawline. I'm still using the Nizoral and it dries them up pretty quickly.
I hope that eventually they will just go away completely.
Still getting the odd itchy bump here and there, but no widespread outbreaks.
Still using the Nizoral 2% shampoo to cleanse .... have learned the hard way not to leave it on my face for too long. (hint: it burns)
Just got some Nizoral 2% cream and will start using that on the problem areas as well.
Well, I think I have this crap as well.It started as just a few itchy red bumps along my hairline, and I thought they were bug bites .... but now they are spreading across my forehead and cheeks, and down along my jawline and neck.
DAMN IT. I was basically clear until this hit.
So I'm using Nizoral 1% as of today, waiting for my shipment of 2% to arrive; I know that's supposedly the prescription strength, but you can buy it OTC on Amazon.com and on eBay.
I hope it works, I'm really depressed about this.
Oh, and I'm going to pin this thread. Seems to me I've run across "itchy acne" threads many times, and perhaps folliculitis is an explanation for that.
After reading this topic I am determined this is what I have. I've had these skin color bumps on my forehead since about June that came up right after my derm put me on antibiotics. I have since stopped going to him due to me not being satisfied. Nothing he prescribed worked and none of the tropicals Ive used have worked either, including Dan's BP which the rest of my face is reacting to really well.
So, I just ordered the 2% of of Amazon (thanx for the tip), how often were you using it when you first got it and how long did you keep it on your skin?
So, I just ordered the 2% of of Amazon (thanx for the tip), how often were you using it when you first got it and how long did you keep it on your skin?
I used it twice a day to start with, and I left it on my skin too long. 🙁
It's quite drying. I think twice a day is okay to start with, but don't leave it on for more than a few minutes, and be sure to rinse very thoroughly.
I am still getting the odd itchy bump here and there, but things have improved quite dramatically since I started using the Nizoral regularly.
just thought I'd update .....
I had to stop using Nizoral on my face; it was far too drying and irritating. I am still shampooing with it 2-3x weekly, but I'm not letting the suds get on my face.
I'm using the ZNP bar to cleanse once or twice a day, and not leaving the suds on very long. I'm also using mandelic acid on the affected area.
So far, results are excellent .... I only have one tiny patch of the folliculitis bumps left, and it's barely noticeable. I wouldn't even know it was there except that it itches a little.
shit. then how are ppl supposed to tell the difference between real acne and the fungus just by looking? i used to have acne, then i used this cream and it got rid of 90% of the acne. but then i stopped using it for months(cuz i was pretty clear) and i started using it again when i bunches of clogged pores.. and it iddn't help. it just made it worse..is it possible that the cream stopped working for me? or do have this fungus?
Wonderful news to everyone!
I think I now somehow understand our acne problem.. Pores get clogged especially for a lot of us who has oily skin type. Then the two plausible causation for the inflammation and reddening, proliferation and worsening of the pore's condition is either BACTERIA or FUNGUS. If it is bacterial, then benzoyl peroxide treatment (a.k.a. Dan's complete regimen) is the ultimate solution. But if it is FUNGAL, then topical treatment of anti fungal solution is the best, or if it is really bad, systemic treatment is the benchmark treatment as in ketoconazole tablet usually for two weeks. And voila, clear skin is revealed..
So my advise to everyone who has chronic acne is this, go to your nearest diagnostic center, extract a sample specimen from your pore (prick it safely) and submit it for culture and sensitivity to determine the main culprit. From there, you could proceed to the treatment that will kill the causative agent..
As for our cleanser, go for something that is both anti fungal and anti microbial so that we can prevent infection even from the start..
Goodluck to everyone! And by the way, changing pillows every three or four days is a very nice habit!
I don't have much acne but I do have many acne scars. I have Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) and very mild facial sweating so my skin is very sensitive and scar really easily. I wanted to try Dan's products to get my skin crystal clear.
But I am in need of help! I think my skin is reacting to Dan's cleanser or BP!
This was a pic of my skin before I used Dan's products: [Edited image link out]
And now since after using Dan's products for a week, I'm starting to get little red bumps on my skin: [Edited image link out]
Is my skin reacting to his products or what?! Or is this suppose to be the the natural break-out for beginners?! I need definite answers please! I scar really bad/easily so I can't afford assumptions!
It looks like that is just your basic non-inflamed acne. That type of acne really doesn't scar because it's so small. Just DO NOT pick at it! If that BP is giving you that reaction then I'd stop and use something else. When it comes to new products your skin may react in many ways. In general, I don't like BP, it can cause early signs of aging, dries out skin, and is not the best product when dealing with sensitive skin. To get rid of small, irritating bumps, try Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA). That's what I use and it seems to work pretty well and I have sensitive skin too. Well, I hope that answers your question! =3
joonthebaboon said:I don't have much acne but I do have many acne scars. I have Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) and very mild facial sweating so my skin is very sensitive and scar really easily. I wanted to try Dan's products to get my skin crystal clear.But I am in need of help! I think my skin is reacting to Dan's cleanser or BP!
This was a pic of my skin before I used Dan's products: [Edited image link out]
And now since after using Dan's products for a week, I'm starting to get little red bumps on my skin: [Edited image link out]
Is my skin reacting to his products or what?! Or is this suppose to be the the natural break-out for beginners?! I need definite answers please! I scar really bad/easily so I can't afford assumptions!
I used to have small skin-colored bumps on my forehead as well. I have oily skin and the bumps would appear all summer long when it is hot & muggy.
With my derm's recommendation I began using Head & Shoulders on my hair and spread some onto my forehead to soak for several minutes during my shower. I never had noticeable dandruff but apparently it was the cause of the bumps.
Anyway, the treatment worked and my forehead has been perfectly clear for a couple of years now, and I'm particularly happy that it didn't require any expensive medication! Now I just use H&S a couple of times a month for maintenance.
Maybe this will work for others too.
Just be very careful not to let the shampoo drip into your eyes. Make sure you let it soak in for a few minutes, and give it several weeks to work. Good luck! 
Huh. Interesting...You're just one of the lucky ones I guess =) Good for you.
I used to have small skin-colored bumps on my forehead as well. I have oily skin and the bumps would appear all summer long when it is hot & muggy.
With my derm's recommendation I began using Head & Shoulders on my hair and spread some onto my forehead to soak for several minutes during my shower. I never had noticeable dandruff but apparently it was the cause of the bumps.
Anyway, the treatment worked and my forehead has been perfectly clear for a couple of years now, and I'm particularly happy that it didn't require any expensive medication! Now I just use H&S a couple of times a month for maintenance.
Maybe this will work for others too.
Just be very careful not to let the shampoo drip into your eyes. Make sure you let it soak in for a few minutes, and give it several weeks to work. Good luck!
this topic reminds me of the product i bought from vmv last year (Id sweat acne and overall antibacterial monolaurin gel). [Edited link out]
i never really took the possibility of having Pityrosporum Folliculitis on my back and chest that seriously so i used it only a few times as i primarily bought it for my insect bites and other itchy rashes. i'm gonna try using it again on my back for a longer period of time.
thanks for sharing on this topic.
I'm not sure if this thread is still active or not, but while I was suffering from these tiny bumps, this was one of the places I went to seeking information. Now that I finally have tried something that worked, I wanted to share it.
My experience was typical to that described by others here. I had been following Dan's regimen for years and had my skin well under control ... and then these bumps formed last summer on my forehead. I have oily skin; summers were I live are hot and humid; the school where I teach is basically a sauna. Perfect recipe for what is folliculitis, though I didn't know it was folliculitis at the time. Thinking it was a different type of acne, I started playing around with my regimen.
Big mistake. I'll spare you the details, but I tried stronger BP doses, various AHA's and BHA's, new cleansers and moisturizers, and found my skin a complete mess. I started having breakouts in addition to the bumps, the likes of which I hadn't seen since adolesence (I am just shy of 40 now).
When I finally found reference to folliculitis, I tried some of the things mentioned on this site--particularly the ZNP bar and Nizoral. Both seemed to help with the bumps, unfortunately, both seemed to break me out as well. Badly. Especially after a couple of days.
I went to the doctor, and of course was prescribed an antibiotic that did nothing for it (because it was a fungus, not a bacteria). Finally, in desperation I looked up alternative treatments, and this one has been working for me. At the end of 4 weeks I am almost entirely bump (and acne) free.
A site I found said to use tea tree oil and to take Golden Seal Root capsules, and cautioned that it could take up to 6 weeks to clear up completely. I am not very new-agey, and not particularly "all natural," but when I found out that Tea Tree Oil had been given to soldiers in WWII as part of their first aid kits, I figured I would give it a try. Being a veteran, I have respect for a lot of the standard issue stuff. Anyway, I found out that Tea Tree Oil kills not only bacteria (and so has been used against acne), but also fungi and viruses. Apparently, BP only kills bacteria.
There weren't any instructions on the site, so I sort of came up with my own strategy. First of all, I went back to my standard DK regimen and products: Purpose Soap, 2.5 BP, etc. This, for the acne.
But now, I integrate into this a bit of Tea Tree Oil for the bumps. I got some cotton rounds and a 2 oz. bottle of tea tree oil at Target. After washing my face, I wet the cotton round, squeeze out any excess water, and then add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil. I wipe it over the area where the bumps were forming, along my forehead. Then, I let it dry and follow my normal regimen, putting the BP on after about 15 minutes.
For what it is worth, I took 5 capsules of Golden Seal Root a day for 10 days as well, since the site said to take it. The oral stuff doesn't entirely convince me, but the Tea Tree Oil does. (I am just letting you know what I did so you can decide on your own.)
That said, I cannot say enough about Tea Tree Oil. It won't be replacing my regimen, but as a part of it, I find it amazing. Not only are the bumps going away, but my skin is far less oily and much smoother.
It does have a rather pungent smell, almost like cedar. Also, it feels a little like menthol does on your skin at first, then it passes. I know Paula Begoun says that any cool burning sensation is bad, but as someone with extremely sensitive skin, I can only say I have had no problems with it. I wouldn't put it directly on my skin, but diluted on a moist cotton round it seems to work well. My skin feels great after using it. You may have to play around with the amount you put on the cotton round at first. I read on-line about people burning themselves because they just put it directly on large patches of skin without diluting it. That is probably an exaggeration, but I do think you have to be mature about it, and test a small area. Start with just a little bit, then figure out how much you should put on your cotton round to get the job done.
Since there may be a relationship between dandruff and folliculitis, I just ordered a Tea Tree Oil shampoo as well. That, I am hoping, may be a way to prevent the folliculitis from coming back.
One last word: that site I found said it could take 6 weeks. The Tea Tree Oil did not work overnight. It felt good and I noticed my skin looked a little bit better after using it, and I was committed to sticking with it for 6 weeks. Only now, after 4 weeks, do I feel like this is finally going completely away, that my skin has returned to 99% normal, with both the acne and the bumps under control, and that I should let others know about it.
I hope this is helpful. This past year was horrible for me: experimenting with different products that just made my skin break out; taking antibiotics that did nothing; trying meds for the folliculitis that irritated my skin. Hopefully, this will save you all some of the grief. If your regimen works, stick with it. Just incorporate a little Tea Tree Oil in it.
Cheers,
BlueState.
Thank for sharing your experience bluestate!
I believe i've got the case of folliculitis as well..
after taking doxycycline as a part of my regimen, I started to develops odd very itchy patches of bumps on my chin and jawline area!!
I was browsing through this section to read up on what to do with my blackheads and thank god I stumbled on this thread!!
I purchased a 1% Nizoral shampoo at Kroger about a week back and have been using it everyday and night and letting the suds stay on my face. The folliculitis bumps are disappearing and now I seem to have only a couple whiteheads leftover from irritation and where I touched.
I also have a bottle of Tea Tree Oil, but I stopped using it because it broke me out! Little did I know that you were supposed to dilute it!
I'll try the Tea Tree Oil one more time on my forehead area and see how the bumps react.