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Hey! I was curious about something. A year ago, I went on a month-long trip to Mexico (Mexico City, Tulum and Cancun). When I was in Cancun and Tulum, I broke out in a gazillion little bumps all over my forehead and they were flesh-colored, so they weren't red or painful at all, they were just really bothersome and kinda itchy. I never get this type of acne on my forehead back at home. So, I used Salicylic toner and benzoyle peroxyde morning and night as I usually do and they went away quite fast, like 5 days later, they were all gone! And they didn't leave any scars, as if I never had them!
Has anyone every experienced something similar while travelling abroad? I dunno if it's because of the food or the water. It must have been one of those two. I stayed in a cheap but relatively "clean" backpacker's type of hostel. But, the water from the shower and sink stank bad, like rotten eggs. When I washed my face, I did not feel clean at all! Maybe it was that.
As for the food, I didn't eat out as much. I mostly bought my own groceries and cooked at the hostel. I would usually eat ham/cheese/lettuce/tomato sandwhich for lunch, sometimes an egg omelette, cereal, toast+jam, fresh fruits, oatmeal for breakfast. So, those foods aren't unusual as I ate those too back home. But, when I did go out in an authentic mexican restaurant, I ate corn tortillas mostly with chicken, cheese and they served it with guacamole and some spicy sauce that I used very sparingly. If it's not in a mexican restaurant, it would be like a Subway or other types of westernized place (like a pizza place).
from what i've learnt here plus my own skin..itching can mean something fungal(inside or out).
do ur face usually itch?at all?
flesh coloured bumps are clogged pores or can also be bumps which are fungal.
My usual acne never itches! maybe because I had so many bumps, I applied the benzoyle peroxide all over my forehead and that can cause the itchiness....and yes, it also reminds me of clogged pores...but to get sooo many at once in a few days, it's kinda weird for my case.
Hmm, fungal, how is it possible? can it grow in the faucet or showerhead??
luckily they went away pretty fast.
itching is a sign of fungal folliculitis.
i always had a few or more bumps which would nt bulge..or they'd go away in time on their own.
i was told here to try anti-fungal(anti-dandruff) shampoo..i did for a while(days) and yes,bumps did go away(few not all).
i stopped there after because i feared dermatitis(which i'm told happens).
all this after i was sure i dnt have gut fungus.i had done my saliva test.
Honestly your skin doesn't look bad at all. My guess would be that your trip to Cancun and the bumps on your forehead was the result of an insulin spike. Google " highly glycemic foods and acne" and you will find a wealth of information. Several reliable studies have came out in recent months that show a connection between foods that spike insulin and acne (dairy as well but that's another topic).
The basic theory is that foods that rate high on the glycemic index (especially when digested in large amounts) will cause your insulin levels to spike, ultimately leading to acne breakouts. Unfortunately, most Mexican food is extremely high on the glycemic index. Proteins and healthy fats digest slowly in the body which keeps your insulin levels in a steady state. However, sugars, beans (except black-beans), potatoes, white breads (even whole-grain bread to a lesser degree) , rice etc, break down incredibly fast in the body. Sugars and potatoes literally start breaking down in the mouth to give you an idea of how quickly they do digest. Lyle Mcdonald has some pretty interesting information on refined carbs and its effects on our hormones.
http://www.eatright.org/Media/content.aspx?id=6442474903#.UZhVsrXVCSo
I know it sounds a bit silly that diet can cause acne right? My skin remains clear as I keep away from all foods that rank high on the glycemic charts. But, if I go to the local Indian Buffet (which is nearly all refined carbs) I will literally break out with tiny bumps on my head within a few hours which can last a day or two, depending on how clean my diet is from that point on forward. Give it a shot.
Good luck!
Edit: Btw , certain fruits and vegetables can spike insulin as well. Look up the glycemic index of bananas and watermelon to name a few. Beer and orange juice definitely spike insulin levels.Instant-oatmeal is another bad one. If you do enjoy your oatmeal, like I do, you need go with the steel-cut oatmeal. The only downside is they take like 20 minutes to cook. If you MUST eat high GI foods, you can curve the effects to some extent by digesting low GI foods along with it. Almonds, all-natural peanut butter, protein shakes can help. Those who have skin that are sensitive to insulin spikes almost have to eat like a diabetic to keep their skin in check.
Hey! I was curious about something. A year ago, I went on a month-long trip to Mexico (Mexico City, Tulum and Cancun). When I was in Cancun and Tulum, I broke out in a gazillion little bumps all over my forehead and they were flesh-colored, so they weren't red or painful at all, they were just really bothersome and kinda itchy. I never get this type of acne on my forehead back at home. So, I used Salicylic toner and benzoyle peroxyde morning and night as I usually do and they went away quite fast, like 5 days later, they were all gone! And they didn't leave any scars, as if I never had them!
Has anyone every experienced something similar while travelling abroad? I dunno if it's because of the food or the water. It must have been one of those two. I stayed in a cheap but relatively "clean" backpacker's type of hostel. But, the water from the shower and sink stank bad, like rotten eggs. When I washed my face, I did not feel clean at all! Maybe it was that.
As for the food, I didn't eat out as much. I mostly bought my own groceries and cooked at the hostel. I would usually eat ham/cheese/lettuce/tomato sandwhich for lunch, sometimes an egg omelette, cereal, toast+jam, fresh fruits, oatmeal for breakfast. So, those foods aren't unusual as I ate those too back home. But, when I did go out in an authentic mexican restaurant, I ate corn tortillas mostly with chicken, cheese and they served it with guacamole and some spicy sauce that I used very sparingly. If it's not in a mexican restaurant, it would be like a Subway or other types of westernized place (like a pizza place).
In the OP's case it definitely sounds like a fungal infection, but I also agree with collegeboy84's post. When I travel, I tend to eat more and lots of unhealthy foods and usually come home with more clogged pores and oiliness, sometimes a few pimples. I'm fairly sure it's caused by blood sugar spikes and higher insulin, since I've also got this when I've been able to follow my normal skin care routine and slept well (which were the other factors I suspected).