Cortizone shot

[dogann]

A little over two months ago I went to my dermatologist due to a big pimple or cyst on my chin that I had for only about 12 days, but I was concerned about recent outbreaks and wanted to see what to do... the physician's asst. proceeded to put a shot (now I know it is cortisone) into the pimple/ cyst on my chin. I should have never allowed that to be done b/c as a result the skin atrophied (the PA did not tell me of any risk and I did not think to even ask). I am very very upset and depressed about this. It has been a little over two months since this was done and I am so afraid my right side of my chin will never go back to competely normal. My dermatologist told me that skin regenerates every 2 years and all the people at the derm. office seem to think I am silly for worrying this much (I am depressed over this 'ruining' of my face)....  They said it should take a couple months, but the spot is still a bit discolored and it is still atrophied. How long until the skin is back to normal? Please tell me to stop worrying....

Thank you,

Sarah

[Mi Mi]

Dear Sarah,
     Recently, my daughter had cortisone injections on four areas of her face to clear up some acne bumps that were very slight and easily covered with make up.  This was after six months of using accutane to clear her skin.  Her skin was looking beautiful before this treatment. Now she has four depressions where the medicine was injected. She was not warned of the possible side effect either. Her Phytsician administered the shots.  If she had been told this was a possibility she would not have chosen to have the procedure done. I am angry that she has to walk around with four holes in her face for the next six to twelve months.  What her Doctor did tell her is that the acne bumps could come back when the cortisone wears off.  How is that for a choice; holes or bumps. Don't be too hard on yourself about having the procedure done.  Sometimes we put our faith in people and it just doesn't work out.  One thing I hope you and my daughter have learned from this experience is to ask questions, many, many questions.
     Thank you for asking your question on this site and thanks to Laurie for sharing her story.  This has been helpful to me to know that someone else has experienced the same thing and it will go away.

[brykia]

A related discussion, cortizone shot was started.

[dogann]

Hey Laurie,

Hope you had a great 4th -

I was wondering if I could call you to talk about the cortizone thing.... or if you prefer we could email. This whole thing just distresses me a lot! (and I thought it might be helpful to talk to someone who has been there).

My email is ***@****
phone: [phone]

Thanks,

Sarah :)

[dogann]

Hey Laurie,

One more ? -- did you have wrinkling of the skin away from the actual site of the pimple where the shot was given? I have wrinkling or sagging (not taut and firm) of the skin to the right of the pimple site and I am concerned it won't grow back normally. Dr. Rockoff said it would, but I wondered if you had this experience.... i am going crazy worrying about this! I too am negative about this despite what anyone tells me, and am afraid I have ruined my skin.  -- Thanks, Sarah

[dogann]

Hey Laurie,

Thank you so very much - you do not know how relieved your responses make me. I too am known to be vain at times.... I just have to be patient and wait it out. I know my dermatologist thinks I am totally crazy for worrying so much, but they should tell people this is a possible side effect! BTW, I live in Atlanta but used to live in NYC, so I made it up to Boston once. I really liked your city. Thanks again for your comments on the forum - I owe you! It is so nice to know of someone that had this happen (none of my friends knew what the heck I was talking about when I started talking about the cortizone). I may ask you more ?'s if I start to panic again... My phone is 770.438.9162 (email ***@****) and feel free to give me yours if you want.

Take care,

Sarah

[laurie g]

Hey Sarah-

OK- so let me think back- firstly and admittedly, I am vain- so I totally freaked out and I know that the Derms I saw prob. thought I was crazy -- interestingly, the only dr. who actually made me feel better was Dr. Rockoff ( I live in Boston and he was actually one of the derms I saw).  He said that he knew that I felt like I had done something irreversible, but this was not the case,and he knew I'd be fine.  It really made me feel better.

Anyway, yes, I remember that the skin was actually so thin an almost flaky-- I felt like the cortisone had leaked everywhere in my forehead-- and there was total discoloration, almost like a purplish?  It goes away too ( I think it's a shadow actually).
When it finally goes away- it does completely.  

However, there is still the mark where the needle went in (really small and nothing to really note).  

I was so negative thinking it would never come back, but it will-- and then you'll laugh about it-- I swear.  If you want to call
me, email me back and somehow we'll get in touch--

take care,
laurie

ps. I forgot, I also put vitamin C cream (Philosophy's Hope and a Prayer, but Nicholas Perricone also makes one- Vitamin C Ester-- you can get both at Sephora) on it, and I think that may have helped...?

[dogann]

One more question - did the discoloration go away? I have a slight discoloration where the shot was given.... THANK YOU! I am glad to see your area is back to normal. This gives me hope.

[dogann]

Hey Laurie,

Thank you so so so much. I definitely have been freaking out over this, and my derm. is concerned about my level of concern over this! I feel so silly, but it is my face.

One ? I do have for you... around the side of where the shot was I have some wrinkling, or thinning of the skin that I hate. This was not here before, so I am so very mad. Did you ever notice any wrinkling or thinning of skin? It is almost like the cortizone seeped out from the original place and 'infected' the surrounding skin. I want the skin to be taut and firm like it used to be. Also you can see a little impression or hole kind of where the actual needle went in... just let me know what you think.

Reading your response makes me feel so so so much better. I just have to be patient and know that w/i 2 yrs. (I can't believe that from a pimple that would have been gone w/i a month I have to wait 2 yrs. now) it will be better. Never again will I get a cortizone shot.

[laurie g]

Dear Sarah-
I was just looking through the forum and saw your comment about your recent experience with a cortisone injection.  I just wanted you to know that it happened to me almost three years ago.  First and foremost, you should know that my "depression" is completely gone-- and it was enormous.

I'm writing b/c when it happened, I nearly had a heart attack-- and I didn't know of anyone else it happend to.  I had a pretty big pimple in my forehead (right in the middle I might add), and I had a HUGe indentation in my head that everyone was commenting on, it truly distorted my face.  

I freaked out, went to 2 derms and a plastic surgeon, but everyone said it would go away.  It did, but unf. it took well over a year, but it did get progressively better.  I was so doubtful, but I promise it will.  If you want email me on this board and ask me any questions--do-- I would have felt so much better if I knew someone else that had this happen at the time.
take care,
laurie

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You are right to be concerned, but they are accurate in saying the atrophy is temporary.  Takes about up to 6 months in my experience.  This has happened with my patients too every once in a while, even when the shot is administered properly.

No special care on your part is needed.  Use cover-up if you want.

You'll be fine.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff