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Hi,
New member here.
Came today as I'm embarrassed with the acne that has formed on the back of my head. It's disgusting and really bad, maybe not as extreme as some cases on Google Images but to me it's bad.
I first went to the doctors aged 14 about this problem. I was told it was Acne Keloidalis. May not be the same problem as today. Back then I was prescribed Betnovate Cream. This helped to reduce the acne and even cleared it. Re-appeared at some point and then I returned for more cream. This helped again.
Doctor appointments then became scarce as it was becoming increasingly difficult to get an appointment so when it formed again I let it ride for a month or so before I had to give the receptionist a ring as the lumps/bumps started to hurt. This then led to an appointment and more cream to ease the pain. It went on like this for a good few years. Never seemed to fix the problem but the acne reduced in size to a point that I could barely feel it. I was never given enough cream to treat the issue or continue use once the acne started to form again or increase in size.
I have been suffering from hairloss for a good few years this is why I must cut my hair short and that is why the acne is clearly visible. I do not have a choice really as the hair on top simply won't grow hardly anymore. So not only do I have acne to deal with but hairloss as well. Which is a real confidence boost. It was easy to cover a few years ago no matter how bad it became inbetween getting another prescription from the doctors.
This year I decided to return for more creams. I was given Betnovate again but it wasn't working as well as it previously did. So I returned a few days ago and was prescribed Flucloxaccilin and the doctor said that should take it down. 4 days in and no difference. My mother has even said it doesn't seem to be making a difference and to her it looks worse. So that's not good to know.
I do not know what the actual affected area is. Is it acne keloidalis or acne folliculitus or what? It's really troubling and frustrating to have this. I went for creams when I could yet it's still here. Even with scarring and the lumps/bumps remain.
Is there anything I can do? I don't believe shampoos and exercising are doing me any favours as the sweat and the shampoos that are bought might be irritating my skin with the sweat and the chemicals in the shampoo. I can't say that for sure yet it's a possibility. Might not be using the right shampoo's as I just use any.
Help would be fantastic.
Do you stand in the shower for long periods with the water running on that spot? Or do you scratch at it?
I do not scratch at it no. I do rub it occasionally though. It's not actually that itchy. As I'm going through aggressive hairloss the rest of my head is itchy but that's largely down to my flaky scalp. Also no, I do not stand in the shower with hot water running on the affected area.
It really doesn't look much like acne, mostly like an infection, irritation. I'm sorry but I have no clue what could help you, never seen something like this. Have you been to a normal doctor or an dermatologist ?
I have been going to see the GP for years. As I'm in the UK some prescriptions are available on the NHS. Not all but some.
I have tried asking to be referred to a dermatologist not only for the acne but the hairloss in the past and was just told that I didn't need one and the creams/tablets will work, and if they don't they will just give me something stronger.
Trying to phone them privately without the doctors referral you just end up on one hell of a long waiting list and I would guess going private would be expensive.
The doctor has dealt with the problem in the past by giving me creams that reduced the affected area in size. What he did though was only give like one tube at any given time and the waiting times to book an appointment can be ridiculous so I sometimes went months without any cream and the affected area just went worse. Now in 2013 it's just a pain. Creams don't seem to be having the desired effect and the tablet form, well what he has given doesn't seem to be clearing it up. If it might not be acne I don't have a clue what the affected area actually is. I was always led to believe it was some form of acne.
It might be an eczema, I used to have something similar, not that bad but similar on my forehead. I used Avene Trixera.
I don't know if this might help you, just my opinion.
I don't believe that it's eczema, I could be wrong. I had eczema as a child and it only ever appeared around my eyes or on the arms. The affected area on my scalp is not itchy but as I know it's there I do tend to touch it or rub it. Hoping it's reduced. The tablets seem to have taken the pain out of it. The redness and the lumps/bumps and the obvious scarring remain possibly worse so.
I must have been using the wrong shampoo's for years which wouldn't have helped. I used Nizoral for the flaky scalp and that irritated the area as well as the hair. This was also advised by the doctor. I have had nothing but problems with the scalp for years. Hairloss, this affected area, spots etc.
What shampoos have you used? I think I have the same problem but mine are scattered all around my scalp and more smaller. Plus am a female. My hair has also fallen out a lot. I can see my scalp through my hair and don't know what to do. So fed up. I have found that alternating between a few shampoos specifically for psoriasis, sebbhoraic dermatitis has helped but it doesn't cure it.
What shampoos have you used? I think I have the same problem but mine are scattered all around my scalp and more smaller. Plus am a female. My hair has also fallen out a lot. I can see my scalp through my hair and don't know what to do. So fed up. I have found that alternating between a few shampoos specifically for psoriasis, sebbhoraic dermatitis has helped but it doesn't cure it.
That is what mine began like. I had small spots but only in the one area. That then formed as one right in the middle of my head. If I take a look at Acne Keloidalis Nuchae in Google Images that is what mine started out like with the number of spots appearing in one tiny area. That as obviously spread since then. Scarring left and the bumps/lumps are now spread out in a wider area on the back of my head.
Well the Shampoo's I just used any until I was advised by the doctor to use Nizoral not just for the affected area but for the flaky scalp that has been a problem since I was young. I then used Zinc shampoo, Head & Shoulders and another that I have forgotten the name of. All increased the irritation on the entirety of my scalp. Now I just use Head & Shoulders when I need too.
What shampoos have you used? I think I have the same problem but mine are scattered all around my scalp and more smaller. Plus am a female. My hair has also fallen out a lot. I can see my scalp through my hair and don't know what to do. So fed up. I have found that alternating between a few shampoos specifically for psoriasis, sebbhoraic dermatitis has helped but it doesn't cure it.
That is what mine began like. I had small spots but only in the one area. That then formed as one right in the middle of my head. If I take a look at Acne Keloidalis Nuchae in Google Images that is what mine started out like with the number of spots appearing in one tiny area. That as obviously spread since then. Scarring left and the bumps/lumps are now spread out in a wider area on the back of my head.
Well the Shampoo's I just used any until I was advised by the doctor to use Nizoral not just for the affected area but for the flaky scalp that has been a problem since I was young. I then used Zinc shampoo, Head & Shoulders and another that I have forgotten the name of. All increased the irritation on the entirety of my scalp. Now I just use Head & Shoulders when I need too.
What percentage nizoral do you use? I once used 2% and it irritated my scalp like nothing. I think the 1% is better. But to be honest nizoral is stupid it doesn't really do anything. I have found success in selsun gold and neutrogena t gel. Have you tried those?
Not used the other shampoo's no. Nizoral was the 1 % I think that's the only one you can get over the counter in the supermarkets.
I may give them a try. I have nearly finished this course of antiobiotics without making much of a difference. I will ring the GP and try and book another appointment as soon as possible and see what else he can do for me. I will also ask him what he thinks the whole thing actually is.
Does everybody believe this is not acne then? As I do seem to have scarring as well. This was from untreated spots or lack of cream or tablets in the past to cure it.
Not used the other shampoo's no. Nizoral was the 1 % I think that's the only one you can get over the counter in the supermarkets.
I may give them a try. I have nearly finished this course of antiobiotics without making much of a difference. I will ring the GP and try and book another appointment as soon as possible and see what else he can do for me. I will also ask him what he thinks the whole thing actually is.
Does everybody believe this is not acne then? As I do seem to have scarring as well. This was from untreated spots or lack of cream or tablets in the past to cure it.
It does not look like Acne to me, no.