Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Folliculitis on chest.
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Folliculitis on chest.
by AlexUK, Oct 22, 2006 12:00AM
Hey,
For more than a year I have been battling acne like lesions on my chest.
Originally I visited a Doctor about a few annoying spots on my face. He prescribed long term antibiotics which, rather than resolving the problem, seem to bring on the acne on my chest and upper legs.
I visited a dermatologist who put me on low dose accutane. This worked and the problem went away, although I did experience odd visual side effects from the drug and would be reluctant to use it again.
The spots on my chest are just now progressively returning. My derm. performed a culture and found the causal bacteria to be p.acnes, rather than a staph infection or similar. She still termed the condition Folliculitis though as it's always the follicles inflamed. They are tender to the touch, filled with pus and quite large (some half pea sized).
Since my own derm is not particularly helpful and seems to always wish to rush me from her office I'm asking you for advice as I'm getting rather down as a result.
Should I try stronger antibiotics (even though past experience seems to have had a negative effect) or is there anything else which will work? I have tried Fucidic Acid which worked amazingly well until I developed resistance.
Thanks,
Alex.
For more than a year I have been battling acne like lesions on my chest.
Originally I visited a Doctor about a few annoying spots on my face. He prescribed long term antibiotics which, rather than resolving the problem, seem to bring on the acne on my chest and upper legs.
I visited a dermatologist who put me on low dose accutane. This worked and the problem went away, although I did experience odd visual side effects from the drug and would be reluctant to use it again.
The spots on my chest are just now progressively returning. My derm. performed a culture and found the causal bacteria to be p.acnes, rather than a staph infection or similar. She still termed the condition Folliculitis though as it's always the follicles inflamed. They are tender to the touch, filled with pus and quite large (some half pea sized).
Since my own derm is not particularly helpful and seems to always wish to rush me from her office I'm asking you for advice as I'm getting rather down as a result.
Should I try stronger antibiotics (even though past experience seems to have had a negative effect) or is there anything else which will work? I have tried Fucidic Acid which worked amazingly well until I developed resistance.
Thanks,
Alex.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Oct 23, 2006 12:00AM
, Oct 23, 2006 12:00AM
Chest acne is difficult to treat. I tend to doubt that antibiotics made you worse--I think what may have happened is that the acne got worse while you were on them, but not because of them.
In any case, the options include other oral antibiotics and a repeat course of Accutane at a regular dose. Another suggestion might be a culture for Pityrosporum yeast or a biopsy to look for Grover's Disease. These are acne-like conditions which need different kinds of treatment. You might ask you dermatologist (or a different one) about these.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
In any case, the options include other oral antibiotics and a repeat course of Accutane at a regular dose. Another suggestion might be a culture for Pityrosporum yeast or a biopsy to look for Grover's Disease. These are acne-like conditions which need different kinds of treatment. You might ask you dermatologist (or a different one) about these.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
