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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Long term eczema sufferer develops acne
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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Long term eczema sufferer develops acne
by Kate, Sep 17, 1999 12:00AM
Im having a bad time with my skin. I have always suffered from eczema, and get it quite badly on my face. My skin obviously is quite dry. The problem is that I have now developed acne (Im 27)
Products for acne irritate my eczema whilst not really helping much with the spots, so I just end up looking worse. The acne is on my face, but also under my arms, under my breasts and in my pubic hair. The spots are swollen and painful and sit under the skin without developing a head.
My doctor has prescribed me Oxytetracycline and says that I have a skin infection that is also affecting the eczema. I feel very ugly and dirty with this problem, and its really hurting my self esteem as well as hurting my skin. What can I do?
Products for acne irritate my eczema whilst not really helping much with the spots, so I just end up looking worse. The acne is on my face, but also under my arms, under my breasts and in my pubic hair. The spots are swollen and painful and sit under the skin without developing a head.
My doctor has prescribed me Oxytetracycline and says that I have a skin infection that is also affecting the eczema. I feel very ugly and dirty with this problem, and its really hurting my self esteem as well as hurting my skin. What can I do?
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Sep 19, 1999 12:00AM
, Sep 19, 1999 12:00AM
Kate:
Acne can cause pimples and pustules on the face, chest, and back, but pimples under the arms or in the pubic hair are different. While you may have acne as well, it sounds as though the more widespread skin inlammation (and perhaps all of it) may indeed be related to secondary bacterial infection to which eczematous skin is somewhat more prone. The bacteria involved in this is more oikely than not to be staphylococcus ("staph.") If so, an antibiotic other than a tetracycline would be more appropriate. Also, the underlying eczema may need some more aggressive tretament, topical or orla, than you are now using.
I would broach these suggestions with your physician, or with a consultant if you can arrange to see one.
I believe you can attain substantial relief in relatively short order.
Good Luck.
Dr. R
Acne can cause pimples and pustules on the face, chest, and back, but pimples under the arms or in the pubic hair are different. While you may have acne as well, it sounds as though the more widespread skin inlammation (and perhaps all of it) may indeed be related to secondary bacterial infection to which eczematous skin is somewhat more prone. The bacteria involved in this is more oikely than not to be staphylococcus ("staph.") If so, an antibiotic other than a tetracycline would be more appropriate. Also, the underlying eczema may need some more aggressive tretament, topical or orla, than you are now using.
I would broach these suggestions with your physician, or with a consultant if you can arrange to see one.
I believe you can attain substantial relief in relatively short order.
Good Luck.
Dr. R
