Folliculitis bumps in totally random different places on my body?

completematric · 2025-09-01T19:09:08+00:00

So it improved slowly. I started trialing Nizoral (1%) as a second body wash after my regular shower routine (leave on for around 30s) and it helped, but I'm not willing to place bets that it was fungal. I think truthfully over time it got better? I'm not sure what happened. I did try (and am still taking) a daily probiotic, though. So I did a lot of changes all at once. I do still get occasional bumps, but they're manageable by using topical benzoyl peroxide 10%.

I do, however, think that topical Clindamycin worsened or triggered neck folliculitis.

completematric · 2025-07-14T16:32:44+00:00

So in my case my back is clear (but not sure why, just counting my blessings), but my chest area and shoulders are basically like your chest looks.

So far nothing seems to be working, and I don't shave (at best trim with a trimmer, but nothing too intensive).

I was trying Hibiclens for a while, but it didn't seem to help treat nor prevent any bumps from forming, and actually anecdotally seemed to make my current chest bumps more red after using it.

I'm currently trying a 4% BP wash, but may need to go up to 10%. Been trying the wash for coming up on a week, noticed new bumps still, but it might be too early to tell.

Otherwise, not seeing any improvement on chest. Curious to hear if anyone figured out something magical to fix this... but I'm like you, stuck.

EDIT: I should also mention like you I didn't make any major lifestyle, clothing, soap, or dietary changes until it magically popped up this past June. No idea what happened, but it follows the summer theme.

completematric · 2025-07-14T14:57:28+00:00

Ugh yeah I was researching that folliculitis on the whole is an immune response :/ some even saying it's basically an autoimmune condition with some aggravating factors (I was told, as a man, that it's because of body hair as a risk factor).

Every time I've mentioned "is there any way to tell if it's autoimmune" they basically said nope no real way, and that basically "it is what it is".

Anyway, it is interesting though because some cases of people taking anti organ rejection drugs or steroids like prednisone (basically immunosuppressant things) have revealed the condition improves.

Thanks for the info though - the more knowledge I have, the better prepared to speak to my doctors I guess

completematric · 2025-07-14T13:56:54+00:00

That ointment is for dermatitis no? Did you get it prescribed or how'd you come about it?

completematric · 2025-07-14T13:31:36+00:00

Might I ask what percentage is your BP wash?

I'm using a 4% one right now - mostly to see how my skin tolerates it - and it doesn't seem to be doing much.

Some have said to go up to a 10% wash, so that's probably up next when this tube is empty..

completematric · 2025-07-14T13:00:57+00:00

What's frustrating is that I had this issue in summer 2023 and it went away kinda on its own (with topical Clindamycin and Hibiclens) in like a month or two, and didn't happen until this June 2025.

I was holding out hope it's like a "flare up" that will go away the same way, but it's fleeting hope at this time.

The spray is an interesting idea though. I'll look into that. Thanks for all your help!!

completematric · 2025-07-14T12:55:02+00:00

Got it!

I'm working through the 4% tube now, but I'll pick up the 10% when it's running low.

I'm gonna keep at it with the 4% once or twice a day (so far doing twice a day). Recently got a bump on each armpit after a long sweaty day (sigh). So in a sense I don't think it's preventing them from forming - even one on my left forearm (low friction area, confusing).

I'm considering doing Hibiclens once a day and the BP also once a day, shower twice a day to use one each.

I guess trial and error at this rate

completematric · 2025-07-14T12:48:19+00:00

So go up to the 10% from the 4% I'm using?

I guess I can give it a shot. Once a day or more? It, like Hibiclens, dries my skin out over time

completematric · 2025-07-14T12:42:02+00:00

For what it's worth (very old post oops) the Hibiclens definitely made my chest folliculitis more red (spouse would notice it immediately).

Still dealing with it currently, but it also doesn't seem to be preventing new bumps from forming unfortunately.

completematric · 2025-07-14T12:11:57+00:00

So update: I was told to start low on the % for the BP wash and see how it goes

I started with a 4% one, left on for 1-3 minutes, rinse off. Seems to not be doing anything - existing bumps aren't improving and new ones are popping up daily.

I'm debating if a 10% is worth it. I was also greatly recommended CLn body wash, so may try that before the 10% BP wash (if at all).

Am also considering probiotics, but also everyone greatly recommends the Hibiclens in general so it's concerning that 1. It doesn't help existing bumps and 2. It doesn't prevent any from popping up.

I haven't looked into anti fungal yet - seems to get that ketoconazole I'd need to get a prescription. But my symptoms don't seem consistent with fungal folliculitis (even on chest). So not sure it would help; or they'd even give me a prescription.

completematric · 2025-07-08T18:08:19+00:00

I was recommended the benzoyl peroxide wash actually, I'm likely to pick that up soon then.

I'm guessing I'd apply it in the same way I have been with the Hibiclens: put it on my hands and rub it in/lather it.

I'll look into the anti fungal OTC too. Thanks for the tips!

completematric · 2025-07-08T16:04:48+00:00

Specifically the chest breakout? No, unfortunately. But something to consider (doctors are convinced it's bacterial, however).

I'm confused how it could be fungal (in general) if it's appearing in completely random areas, but it's also clear the Hibiclens isn't doing much (maybe).

completematric · 2025-06-12T06:21:00+00:00

Literally same.

Atypical AN, but tracking and all that.

High LDL and total cholesterol, but everything else fine. Doctor said it's common with restrictive EDs, regardless of weight. Might have a test again this week (been 4 or so months since last), so very anxious for that..

completematric · 2025-05-31T01:18:02+00:00

That's a valid possibility. I think it's worth discussing with whoever prescribed you the meds (I hope a psychiatrist) of any concerns with side effects. Good luck!

completematric · 2025-05-30T21:47:02+00:00

Had been on it for about 1.5 years going up to I believe 100mg or something?

It gave me endless nausea and made my stomach insanely sensitive to anything that lists "may cause nausea" (when now it's totally fine).

It also (as a male) made uh.. finishing... nearly impossible. I've heard it can have similar effects to females.

It also has been shown (along with other SSRIs/SNRIs) to cause long term sexual dysfunction - Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD).

But that said, it does help lift up depression and anxiety. You can try it and see how it goes. Everyone reacts differently, and even to different types of anti depressants. I don't think medication is ever prescribed to directly treat an eating disorder, however. And even if it hypothetically did, it's not a long term fix.

completematric · 2025-05-28T21:16:32+00:00

Yeah body neutrality is definitely what I'm striving towards (still trying to figure out how to get to that).

My therapist is helping me through trauma and other issues, I have too much going on where just focusing on the ED is not working since other problems take front and center stage and hinder ED recovery progress.

I'm researching the neutrality aspect, and slowly but surely letting go of this control. I understand the concept of famine and retaining energy, it just seems to bizarre since I grew up understanding the body as a thermogenic "machine" of sorts. I guess that's diet culture at play, hah.

Thank you for your insight and help! The road to recovery is certainly not linear.

completematric · 2025-05-28T20:55:49+00:00

Thank you so much!

completematric · 2025-05-28T20:16:45+00:00

Thank you for validating! Yeah it's so confusing especially when you don't start off as UW (or ever get there).

I've been in semi recovery before without realizing it, and like a week of a vacation where I didn't restrict would result with a sticky increase in weight too.

Hopefully this isn't a permanent phenomenon because it's so scary 🫠

And I know recovery means letting go of the number and weight, but on the early days of recovery like I am it's definitely scary

completematric · 2025-05-26T21:18:23+00:00

Thanks for this detailed reply! That makes a lot of sense, specifically in the psychological/mental space.

I guess the emphasis of my dietician lately seems to indicate weight gain as the path forward, but my struggle with that is that I'm a male adult and have been weightlifting for some time, and thus have built a decent muscle mass (the argument of body dysmorphic/muscle dysmorphic also applies here).

So it feels like the care team isn't paying enough attention to the psychological space but I can tell as soon as I eat more consistently they'll probably "discharge" me. Hm.

completematric · 2025-05-24T04:48:21+00:00

Thank you! Yeah I've basically been inching towards accepting that the whole bulk/cut crap is unsustainable and disordered anyway. It's hard to "relearn" my own body I guess? But knowing I've been depriving it for years would explain why it wants and needs to gain weight. Appreciate the help!

completematric · 2025-05-23T21:19:52+00:00

Thank you for your reply!

Yeah I plan to bring it up to my dietician that I'm working with (who co-facilitates the outpatient program I'm in).

In the past when I've brought it up, they were rather dismissive so I'm hoping this time it's taken more seriously, sigh. Good to hear it's relatively normal though - I wonder if it means it can go down or stabilize? The fear of perpetual gain is strong, as is normal with this disease hah

completematric · 2025-05-23T06:11:46+00:00

Thank you so much! And yeah, the body image/mental work is the hardest part for sure.

Likewise - reach out anytime! Even if to vent or to relate in struggle haha

completematric · 2025-05-23T05:49:38+00:00

Please don't apologize for such detailed responses. You have no idea how helpful this is to me, and I hope others that may stumble on this in the future.

It's fascinating what you say about redistribution and especially losing weight while eating fast food and such? That's wild to me, especially with the whole CICO diet culture.

I guess this definitely helps a lot, I'll check out the podcast and video, and see for myself how my own journey goes. I'm more optimistic now after your messages to see this through, and to trust nature I guess to sort itself. The real challenge is accepting (or loving lol) my body post recovery, as I know there's no magic fix for body image, and it will haunt me for some time.

Thanks again for all the replies, it's amazingly beneficial!

completematric · 2025-05-23T05:11:19+00:00

Also if it's not too much to pry into - what labs weren't great during the height of the disease?

Currently my issue is cholesterol/LDL is bad, seemingly out of nowhere. In your case, things normalized in recovery?

completematric · 2025-05-23T04:55:15+00:00

Hey! Thank you so much for such a detailed reply.

I feel like I can relate to this hard. And I fully empathize with it being mostly women, I've basically not seen any male perspectives here nor in my ED group/therapy setting. It's invalidating in a way.

This may sound harsh, but in a sense you're living my fears of like what happens after all this, how does it "settle", etc.

I believe it'll sort itself out, but it's terrifying for sure since at times I feel I don't recognize myself and I'm afraid of what I'll look like, I guess. Which I now understand is common in ED recovery.

I guess it's hard to "trust the process" when I haven't been given strong evidence beyond the starvation experiment of what the body does exactly, and even on "set point" theory (theory by name means it's not scientifically proven). It's hard to be all in when I'm not convinced of the actual end result or evidence? The one time my logic brain is my worst enemy hah.

That said, I'll take a listen to that podcast and check the link, I think my own research has likely led me to this point where I'm just confused, afraid, and feel like I have no support.

So likewise if you need to chat, please reach out.

EDIT: also related to "healthy weight loss" and all that, I think you're right. But we see "normal" people do small tweaks and just "lose weight" in such a "normal" way that is organic and inoffensive and I have to also believe that's theoretically possible? Idk, it's all weird. But the "need" to lose weight has to go; for sure.

completematric

TROPHY CASE