Again, acne vs. staphylococcus aureus

Hello, I'm 18 years old and, like every teenager, I've had normal acne symptoms from the age of 12 or so. Two years ago, however, I went on a trip out of the city and the few lumps I head ( I need to mention I hadn't had any severe breakouts before that, just an occasional pimple and some blackheads) got very swollen, expanded all over my forehead and got extremely ugly-looking in just one or two days. I went to a see a dermatologist instantly, he prescribed me a huge list of medicines and cosmetics, but at the time, I only decided to get a bottle of thermal water and a special facial wash for acne-prone skin. All the pimples and the inflammation went away in about 2 days, so I thought I had gotten away of it and it had only been a "summer-breakout" or something like that. Anyhow, 5 months later, in November, I started getting more and more acne gradually and, by the end of December, it had expanded all over my cheeks, both lower and upper sides. I visited several more dermatologists and cosmeticians, I was prescribed several acne creams and lotions, nothing worked. Anyhow, I took a bacteriological test in May, which proved I had Staphylococcus. After taking some oral antibiotics prescribed by the dermatologist, which never showed any results, I decided ordering "auto-vaccines" (I don't know if this is the correct term in English, I am not a native speaker) made of tiny "doses" of Staph, which showed results immediately. I think even after the first two vaccines (there were 20 in total), I stopped getting more pimples or whatever those were and only had to focus on fading the marks I had gotten previously. By the end of last summer, my face had cleared up beautifully and I thought I had permanently gotten rid of the bacteria.

Anyhow, again, about a week ago, I went to the SAME place that I had gone to two years ago, when the very first breakout happened (maybe I had gotten that initial breakout from the water or something, now that I see it's repeating; though I have to mention it isn't a place new to me and I visited it before the vaccine treatment and all the "bad" acne, during the treatment and after it and nothing happened meanwhile. And again, in one day, I got bad pimples on one side of my face and now I can see some very very little transparent lumps all over my cheeks, which will become pimples, I'm sure of it (it happened the same way after November 2008, when the "long-term" acne started). The mere thought of taking the bacteriological test again, then wait for the vaccines to get ready and another 2.5 months of getting them done just makes me desperate. I don't even have time for that anymore, because I am supposed to go studying abroad in September and the total process of preparation and undergoing the treatment takes 3.5 months.

I'm aware of the fact there's no 'miracle treament' you can recommend me over the internet, but please, if someone recognizes the symptoms and had these auto-vaccines done as well, and got rid of acne for about a year etc etc, please help me by sharing general facts or personal experiences about it. Whether the staph can come back after such a treatment, whether it would be recommended to have it done again, whether there's a super-good antibiotic that could replace the vaccines, anything. Any piece of information would be greatly appreciated.

I apologize for the size of the comment and I'm looking forward to your replies. Thank you in advance.


This discussion is related to Staphylococcus aureus, or acne??.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Acne is due to an overactivity and plugging of the oil glands and it may get infected with staph bacteria. Just keep you face clean by washing with a mild soap atleast twice a day.Pat it dry and do not rub it.Avoid picking or pressing the acne.You can also use Benzoyl peroxide 5% lotion or gel once at bedtime. An amount of lotion the size of a pea should be enough to cover most of your face. If your skin becomes red or peels, you are using too much of the medicine or applying it too often.

If the symptoms persist then you may need topical antibiotics like Clindamycin or oral antibiotics like Amoxicillin. I suggest you to get it prescribed from a dermatologist then.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.