Hi there!
Since a few months, I spent quite some time on this site to read along with you guys. But today; today I decided I need your help on my personal story.
Oh and english isn't my first language... So I apologize in advance, if you really are going to read this.
To my path of suffering
As a teenager I was totally okay with my skin. At 20 years old I got my hormon spiral; worst idea in my life. Two years after that my skin became really bad: cystic acne. Some even up to the size of a tree nut, not only in the face but also around the 'lady parts'.
Since then I went to various dermatologists, but to this day I made them all at a loss. They tried:
- Countless creams (with and without persepctions)
- Antibiotics
- Medication for Rosacea
- Isotretinoin. So much Isotretinoin*.
*Until this day I have 277mg per kg. Right now I'm on a low-dose, slowely stopping it.
Besides that I put out the spiral and tried it without any hormons for 1 year... But no, my skin forced me to take a birth control pill. So I stick to that since a year.
Todays' situation
Today I am 26 years old and my face is a mess. You can see for yourself, I attached some pictures.
I feel like those things are very deep in my skin. They don't inflame, they're just there. When I try to poke them out, they'll come at the very same spot again.
Beside the low-dose Isotretinoin, I'm currently trying TCM. Two times a day I drink some aweful herbs (they should 'clean me from inside') and once a week I get a nice massage.
I try to eat healthy and balanced, drink at least 2 litres of water a day and I make sure to have enough sleep every night. My only bads are smoking and a glass of wine every once in a while.
I don't wear make up (and this needs a lot courage). Twice a day I wash my face with water and for hydration I use Aloe Vera Gel. When needed I make a mask out of Manuka Honey or Healing Clay.
Now my cry of help to you guys:
What can I do to get a pure skin? Please help me.
I'm thinking to go to a laser specialist. Good idea or nah? Share with me your thoughts.
Sorry for the long post - and my english.
Best wishes,
badbanana
You most likely have fungal "acne" (or possibly "gram negative acne") caused by taking antibiotics and by taking birth control pills. Antibiotics and birth control pills CAUSE fungal acne, and doxycycline and tetracycline antibiotics CAUSE gram negative acne.
You skin does not look like you have rosacea, and the medication for rosacea may also have caused your skin problems.
Do you have dandruff ? Do you have a white tongue ? If you get back to me with answers to these questions I can provide information that will likely clear up your problems.
2 hours ago, Aussie Scientist said:You most likely have fungal "acne" (or possibly "gram negative acne") caused by taking antibiotics and by taking birth control pills. Antibiotics and birth control pills CAUSE fungal acne, and doxycycline and tetracycline antibiotics CAUSE gram negative acne.
You skin does not look like you have rosacea, and the medication for rosacea may also have caused your skin problems.
Do you have dandruff ? Do you have a white tongue ? If you get back to me with answers to these questions I can provide information that will likely clear up your problems.
Thank you very much for the fast answer!
At the beginning of my story I really did take tetracycline antobiotics.
Althought I do not have any dandruff or a white tongue. And my skin is not itching at all - it is not even painful. Oh, and those things are filled with pus, if that makes a matter.
Any more advice?
Have a nice day 🙂
The pus filled things could be caused by Staphylococcus bacteria, and/or by gram negative bacteria, and/or by malasezzia or candida fungus. I suggest you buy some chlorhexadine (Hibiclens - see if you can get it without alcohol or with low alcohol, and dilute it to 2% chlorhexadine, if necessary) and wash your face in that. Chlorhexadine will help control staph, and fungus to some extent, but it won't control gram negative bacterial conditions.
Fungal and gram negative skin conditions ("acne")are caused by talking tetracycline and other antibiotics. Fungal acne is also caused by taking birth control pills.
I would also apply clotrimazole topical antifungal cream, which is available without a prescription. You do not appear to have the other symptoms of a fungal condition, but fungal conditions are odd.
I would also apply an antibiotic cream with neomycin in it (if you can get it without a prescription), along with the antifungal cream. Neomycin has activity against gram negative bacteria and against staph (not against fungus).
Use good hygiene procedures - use a special, clean towel or use disposable paper towel for drying your face. Wash your hands before touching your face.
Staph can be (very) dangerous, so get medical advice if the affected areas get hot and inflamed. I presume the affected areas are not hot now ? They don't look to be highly inflamed ??
Were you bitten by a tick or by a mosquito before the skin condition started ?
I would stop taking birth control pills if that is possible. If you have fungal acne, birth control pills are likely to be causing, or at least, contributing to your condition. Birth control pills and/or antibiotics both CAUSE fungal acne.
See how you go with the chlorhexadine and antifungal cream and antibiotic cream. Please feel free to get back to me for further information.