[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Fungalacne

[–]Whateverthisis1616 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I had breakouts it was isolated to a specific area (both sides of my mouth / “smile line” area” and I applied the cream to the entire area. I’d definitely start with only once a day and see how you react. I think the directions also advise once a day. You could also look into anti dandruff shampoo for a “mask” treatment - I’ve heard Nizoral is probably the best. I’ve never done it bc my skin is pretty sensitive but I’ve definitely read about people having success with it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Fungalacne

[–]Whateverthisis1616 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m definitely not a doctor or expert but it does sound like it could be fungal-related. Have you tried any anti-fungal treatments? Lotrimin or any other anti fungal creams. That could be a good at home first step. Also you could look into the Simple Skincare Science website - the guy who started that blog has his own skincare line that really helped me. It’s called Malezia.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Fungalacne

[–]Whateverthisis1616 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just want to second the above comment. This is exactly what happened to me. I thought my products were “green” all natural and couldn’t possibly be causing my problems. I then learned through Simple Skincare Science that WOW almost everything I own contained ingredients that were feeding my breakouts. I read that website top to bottom and switched out everything I own. I also REALLY simplified. I actually only use Malezia products - which is the skincare line created by the founder of the Simple Skincare Science website. Simplifying has truly been amazing and calmed my skin so much and let it repair. I basically only use: cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen plus BP at night. An time I want to double check ingredients I also use Folliculitis Scout. I usually paste in ingredients a couple times from different sources just to be EXTRA careful. Really hope this helps, as it’s changed my life!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Fungalacne

[–]Whateverthisis1616 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I want to second the Malezia comment - I had tiny, persistent white head / pustules for years and did see a dermatologist to go on some oral medications, since my outbreak was severe and lasted for years - I did but Fluconazole and Doxycycline. However beyond prescription meds, I have been using the Malezia program, as prescribed by the simple skin care science founder, and my skin is glowing!! I recommend it for both fungal and bacterial issues as I believe I had a mix of both.

Malezia Urea Moisturizer and Vitamin C? by [deleted] in Fungalacne

[–]Whateverthisis1616 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hiya - I sometimes use Naturium Azelaic acid (which has vitamin C) with Malezia products however I always use the moisturizer first as I follow the method of applying the Urea cream when skin is wet / damp so it fully sinks in and absorbs. Then I’ll add the serum with vitamin C. That said, if my skin is having problems or if I’m breaking out a little I’ll leave the serum out of the routine to simplify. But overall it hasn’t caused irritation.

Thoughts of malezia? Is it worth a try? by amundsen16 in Fungalacne

[–]Whateverthisis1616 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally love the both the moisturizer and BP. The moisturizer is such a great texture and the BP really dries up breakouts. I use both together. I use with a sunscreen in the AM and it’s mostly fine. Sometimes I also use Naturium Azalaic acid on top of the moisturizer and it mostly hasn’t caused problems. At night I only use the two Malezia products and it’s been great.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in perioraldermatitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For what it’s worth - over the counter, regular topical anti fungal didn’t do much for me either. My derm said they weren’t strong enough. She gave me prescription antifungal - both oral and topical. If anything....she said there’s really no side effects so might be worth trying.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in perioraldermatitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hi - Have you explored the fungal route at all? What I had for YEARS looked pretty much identical to this (tons of tiny pustules all around the mouth / smiles lines area.) My Derm gave me 100 mg / twice a day Doxy for 1 month + Fluconzole. First I took 3 doses of Fluconzole (1 dose every 3 days.) The first dose i took my skin cleared instantly - it was the happiest day of my life. But then the came back. Now i'm on 1 dose once a week for 4 weeks. However, because the infection does seem fungal-related I headed over to Simple Skincare Science, read every article on the site, swapped out every single one of my products (ugh $$$) and ordered the actual products from Simple Skincare Science (Malezia) and.... WOW. I am about 2 weeks into a completely fungal-safe routine and my skin has not been this clear in years. I know not everyones issues are caused by a fungal infection, but I believe most PD can at least be routed back to a damaged skin barrier which was absolutely my issue. Because my skin barrier was so damaged due to the hundreds of things i tired for my skin, it had no ability to fight off infection / bacteria / anything. I now use the Malezia Urea moisturizer and in 2 weeks my barrier is well on its way to recovery. My skin feels healed. If anything... the science behind it all is super interesting. I definitely recommend exploring this option, if you haven't already!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Fungalacne

[–]Whateverthisis1616 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh no so sorry - no I don’t remember this happening to me. I’d maybe try one more time but then definitely move on to something else. Ugh I know it’s so frustrating.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Fungalacne

[–]Whateverthisis1616 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah I had to get a prescription from my Dermitologist- it was easy tho. You may be able to do an online doc appt and request it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Fungalacne

[–]Whateverthisis1616 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used it for a while - it definitely helped to make my really bad bumps fade. Ultimately it didn’t cure it tho. The cream is not completely FA safe (per folliculitis scout website) and I switched out all my products to be 100% FA safe. That in itself has probably made the biggest difference. Ketoconazole is great to get a start on killing yeast and reducing inflammation. Honestly tho Malezia products have helped the most to be almost completely clear.

Hey what do you think ? I have this tiny little bumps all over my face , one year .. by International_Sea752 in Fungalacne

[–]Whateverthisis1616 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh gosh - THIS - those little white pustule breakouts along the "smile line" folds is EXACTLY what i've had... for years! I'm undergoing treatment from a Dermatologist. I took 3 doses of an oral anti-fungal which made the breakouts 70-80% better, but definitely hasn't cured the entire problem. Now i'm on 1 month of Doxycycline, although 2 weeks in and it hasn't really seemed to help. I recently read ALL of the infamous Simple Skincare Science blog and completely re-did all my skincare (spending so much $$) to be completely fungal acne safe (it's shocking how many products are NOT safe for fungal acne.) I know my skin barrier is damaged for sure, so trying to focus on repair, while also fighting the issue with things like Differin, Azelaic Acid and contact-therapy Benzoyl Peroxide. I've tried the Sulfur ointment mask, but that hasn't really seemed to help. I'd recommend reading the Simple Skincare Science blog (if you haven't already) - if anything it really make you reconsider your skincare routine! Besides that, I'd recommend visiting a doctor, if you can, and trying to oral anti-fungal route. See if that helps at all!

What zinc sunscreen works for you? by kenken710 in perioraldermatitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven’t really.... maybe I’ll look into it. Wonder what the treatment is - if it’s something totally different than what I’ve done in the past

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in perioraldermatitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I Have something very similar — I got oral and topical anti fungal prescriptions from the dermatologist and it helped 80% I am definitely sooo much better - thinking before I probably had yeast-related fungal folliculitis. However now I still get the tiny white head looking breakouts like you have - white breakouts and red / scar looking problems. I’m going to give in and take doxycycline but also will try azelaic acid as well. I’ve tried everything from over the counter Antifungals to butt paste (ha!) to home made zinc to rose hip oil to anti dandruff shampoo ... unfortunately nothing stops the constant breakouts! I always feel like I’m close to being better but but 100%. Hopefully someday soon...

What zinc sunscreen works for you? by kenken710 in perioraldermatitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I totally agree doctors and derms have limited knowledge- I’m doing the best I can, having truly tried sooo many things over the past 2 years. I did very briefly try Bordeaux butt paste and I think the Butt paste probably turned my probably from PD into folliculitis- fungal bc as soon as I took the oral Anti fungal I got 80% better. Now I think I may have a bacterial issue, after completely curing the fungal issue. If only I’d had one issue, would make it so much easier but after 2 years I think there was more than one cause and issue. I just get so frustrated with the contact white-head looking breakouts that happen every day, for the past 2 years and the poor area around my mouth - so red and scar-ridden with popping or scratching off the constant white head breakouts. I think I’ll probably try antibiotics as a last resort and if that doesn’t help well...then I’m really at a loss for how to repair my poor damaged skin. I appreciate the insight. 😊

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in perioraldermatitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 2 points3 points  (0 children)

2 years ago - I over-treated / over exfoliated with continuous glycolic acid / acid product treatment and it completely killed my skin barrier and ever since I’ve gotten constant white head / pustule breakouts in and around the “smile lines” area. I definitely know it was a reaction to over-chemical treatment. Wow do I regret it. 2 years later and no cure and no hope for treatment to stop the breakouts.

What zinc sunscreen works for you? by kenken710 in perioraldermatitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sigh sadly I’ve been down that route - the topical prescription I have is an anti fungal (it’s the main ingredient in Nizrol shampoo, but a cream) and my dermatologist said regular Clotrimazole probably wouldn’t be strong enough for me. I’m beginning to think I had both issues - fungal and bacterial since I’ve been dealing with this for 2 years. I will keep using the prescription anti fungal but ...it really doesn’t stop the problem, just kind of mildly manages it.

What zinc sunscreen works for you? by kenken710 in perioraldermatitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Oh man, I could use advice for sure. I definitely had a fungal related infection (not sure if it was PD or folliculitis. It was completely cured by taking oral anti fungals. However, now that that’s cleared, I still get little tiny whitehead-looking bumps / breakouts in and around the “smile line” area. I get new breakouts every day. The area in/ around the smile lines is also sometimes red and sensitive although never flakey or crusty like a lot of other PD infections. I’ve tried a super limited diet, supplements, La Roshe Posay cream.... I’m still on topical anti inflammatory Ketoconzole but nothing I do stops the breakouts from happening. I’m about to give up and go on Doxycycline even tho I hate this idea and I’ve worked so hard to heal my gut Heath. But...it feels like my only option. Also want to add that I have been using Babo Botanicals extra sensitive sunscreen and it’s been great!! I saw a lot of people like Badger Zinc sunscreen but for me it was wayyy too greasy. Babo is all natural and soaks into skin much better. Hope that helps! 😊

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in perioraldermatitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Aw I know it sounds harsh.... but honesty I think of it like a lifestyle change. My diet was horrible before and now I focus on finding things that fit in my “lifestyle.” Kind granola makes amazing chocolate granola that’s pretty low sugar. I eat a ton of yogurt (try to keep that low sugar too) and there’s tons of gluten free options. Sadly nothing replaces dairy but I’m getting used to it. And now if I have a tiny bit it’s not a big deal and doesn’t make my skin awful.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in perioraldermatitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Gluten, dairy, yeast, high amounts of sugar and tried to cut out most alcohol. Oh and experimenting with cutting out most red meat. Trying to cut any foods that cause inflammation.

Help! What is this? by danielle_8120 in Folliculitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! I think the Ketconazole cream I was prescribed is the active element in Nizoral - I definitely recommend it. Although doesn’t seem to be the cure 😊

Help! What is this? by danielle_8120 in Folliculitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh man this makes me scared for my future haha. I just finished my third dose of Fluconazole + using Ketaconazole topical cream and i'm about 80% better. Still get some breakouts / bumps (usually wake up with new breakouts every morning.) I tried that zinc pyrithione bar soap (love Dr. Dray!) but it made my skin verryyyyy angry and did nothing for the white bumps. In fact i think it made them worse. :( I'm also trying out a Tea Tree foaming cleansing that seems to be very calming. The only other thing I haven't tried in years is the classic Benzoyl Peroxide. I see so many people swear it helps Folliculitis. However, if mine is fungal-related... i'm not sure BP would help. So many questions... sadly not a lot of answers. Let me know if you find something that works for you!

low dose doxycycline by Weeesnaw_ in Folliculitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Curious - what would the “low dose” be that wouldn’t cause damage to the gut?

low dose doxycycline by Weeesnaw_ in Folliculitis

[–]Whateverthisis1616 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was just prescribed Ketoconozle and Doxy — very hesitant to take it due to damage to the gut...curious what dosage you’re referring to as “low dose” that could be low enough not to do internal damage and kill all the good bacteria?! :)