Hi all.
Been reading these forums on and off for about a week now and thought I should post to you all in the hope of someone out there having some valuable imput. I'll share my problem and attempt to keep it brief.
Problem 1.
I've had a bacterial folliculitis on my chest for about 6 months now. Been on numerous antibiotics over that period of time and for the last 6 weeks have been taking minocycline 50mg twice a day. Currently, the only treatment is the oral minocycline- nothing topical.
My fustration is that whilst it is better than it was 6 months ago (less pustules), it still is there! My chest is noticibily red, sore, occasionaly I get a lone puscule. My last lot of swabs on the chest and nose (taken 3 weeks ago) revealed no bacteria, previous to that some 6 months ago I had staph found.
I just don't get why it's not healing. For the last 2 months it hasn't changed. It's not getting any better or worse. Just is.
It's unsightly and I hate it. I have no self confidence when I am without a shirt in the bedroom or even just at the beach and summer is fast approaching.
I am just SO fustrated and feel so helpless. It really gets me down!
Why won't it heal? Why won't it go away? How long should it take to heal? Is there something I should be using to help, can anyone suggest anything useful? My dermatologist is useless, they just don't seem to care and there answer is just to keep giving me antibiotics- is this the solution!?
Problem 2.
Though it doesn't bother me as much, most likely because I can't see it as easily I have bilaterial keratosis pilaris on the outer aspects of my arms. It starts around the elbow and countinues up to my sholder and into my back where it fades away.
I hate this as welll.
My current treatment is a balance of clestone cream (to take out the redness), 10% urea cream- to help soften it and some good luffering in the shower.
Once again this doesn't seem to be getting any better or worse, it just is. I don't want it either and I'm fed up with it!
Any suggestions for this?
Many thanks!
Arka,
I have what sounds about the same on my upper chest. It has been biopsied twice and has come back as folliculitis and has been treated with antibiotics, both oral and topical, prednisone, nothing seems to work. The last biopsy taken by my derm did show a lot of white blood cells at the base of the hair follicle which could mean something auto immune. Going to explore that route next.
I know how you feel, and I'm sick of dealing with it too. Hopefully between the two of us we can find an answer.
All my best,
Jeff
