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Suggest Treatment For Severe Acne

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Posted on Tue, 23 May 2017
Question: Dermatology enquiry

Preferably I'd welcome the help of Dr S Kakka but if not I'd like to consult a dermatologist please

About me
I am 40 year old female
chronically severely unwell with ME/CFS so am unable to attend dermatologist appointment in person
I am bedridden and generally don't get any exercise or sunlight
I struggle to manage proper personal care e.g., regular hair washing, moisturising after each face wash etc.

Acne history
I've suffered with acne since puberty.
Since bringing it under control at twenty with zineryt, i was mainly only troubled with the odd nasty hormonal acne cyst.
Unfortunately a couple of years ago with decking health and stress things flared up , but daily use of adifferin was able to suppress it all again, along with zindaclin gel as necessary, fairly successfully until about three months ago, since then I've had monthly and weekly big red spots.
I'm prone to scarring (and am scarred). and heal very slowly.
Spots often can re-emerge.
.

Problem with Treatment options
My GPs have refused all oral medicine saying I'm too generally unwell to risk oral anti biotics for not many spots, despite being big or prone to scarring
I can not take hormones as oral contraception, as I'm too immobile I'm a thrombosis risk
In uk Drs don't generally use spironolactone and they say I'm too sick to justify possible side effects
I seem to have become resistant to zindaclin gel after long term use, so I've had to ask my new dr to look at new treatments


The current problem
Recently I've been having bad skin, weekly large spots pustule type and what I think was more a deep nodule beside my nose which got quite large. I heal badly so they accumulate quickly. I have very recently a painful spot come up on my lip line too.

Treatment
My new GP put me on fucidin for the large nodule type thing beside my nose,
zineryt for my other acne around my mouth and chin.

Outcome
The zineryt works quite Well around my mouth on reducing the severity /longevity of pustules etc but it is drying and I'm still getting spots coming up a month into treatment, especially around my mouth and on my left side only, which I don't know if it has neurological cause.

I also I do not feel so satisfied with nodule resolution.

(Please see the several pictures I've included Of spots,pores/blackheads around mouth & area around nose which is redness and possible lump, but there was a permanent lump in the skin before the nodule). The worst spot at the moment is on the lip line.

Questions

1. My dr says to just keep on with the zineryt and use funcidin if lesion is big and angry, and to not use differin anymore alongside at all. But it seems quite simple and one dimensional Treatment. Is what my dr recommends a good way to proceed? I've always thought an anti comedogenic agent was necessary in acne treatment? should I be using differin alongside zineryt? How would I use term together, can they be applied at the same time?
2. For the nodule I used fucidin for about 2 weeks, along with differin. Now I have moved to purely zineryt . It's subsided but it still feels there in the skin and some days it seems like it's going to come up again, so I go back briefly to differin but only for a day or so. Has this been the right approach? I feel like it's still there simmering at 5-10% (although it's hard to say as I have a previous permanent lump in the skin at that site) - is there more I should be doing topically? Should I be using fucidin long term until it resolves?
3. Is zineryt really working if I'm still getting spots? (although I'm not sure if my difficulty applying with the roll on is causing some failure
4. My dr has prescribed cetraben lotion to combat the drying effect of the alcohol in zineryt. It's parrifin wax based - is this really appropriate for usually greasy, congested acne prone skin?
5. Do I need anything other than topical medicine for the painful spot on my lip?

Thanks for your time
XXXXXXX XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Regarding treatment for acne

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX Thank you for writing to me.

In inflammatory acne i.e either pustular or nodular acne, beside topical antiacne antibiotic e.g either clindamycin (zindaclin), erythromycin (zineryt), benzoyl peroxide, nadifloxacin etc patient may also be started on oral antibiotics e.g doxycycline, minocycline, cephalexin azithromycin, roxithromycin etc. All these are commonly prescribed oral antibiotics for inflammatory acne. Since you repeatedly get new inflammatory acne I dont see any harm at all in starting either doxycycline or roxithromycin for a few weeks (max upto 3 months) bearing in mind other comorbidity. Topical treatment alone is inadequate.
Moreover resistance to topical erythromycin and clindamycin is quite prevalent and they dont work quite well, if used alone. If you are going to use either of these you must also use topical benzoyl peroxide as well which would decrease the chances of resistance.
Fucidin is fine for bigger, painful, pustular acne. You may use it once or twice daily.
My advice for you would be to not use anything oily or greasy on face as it can lead to a flare. Just wash your face twice daily with a mild cleanser (cetaphil gentle cleanser) which is not too drying and you may use an astringent for central oily T Zone before applying medications.
Instead of zineryt you may rather use benzoyl peroxide gel 2.5% over active acne at night. It is comedolytic and antiinflammatory. If its too irritating use it every alternate night.
Use fucidin cream during the day. I would also suggest a few weeks of oral antibiotic e.g low dose doxycycline 40mg once daily. Together with topicals this would lead to better control and let the treatment work faster.
Though differin is fine for acne but some patients may notice that there skin gets more oily with differin (this is because it opens up blockages and oily flows out). Take a break from it.


Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (17 hours later)
Dear Dr Kakka,

Thanks for your reply and help

Regarding using BP Along with topical antibiotics, in this case zineryt, can they be applied at the same time?

Is it ok to put fucidin right near the lip?

On the big spot on the lip should I apply fucidin 1 x day and BP 1 x night only, or try to fit a 2nd fucidin in there?

Is fucidin/BP or zineryt/BPt or BP alone best to clear the nodule remnant?

I'm applying a warm compress to the big spot on lip with head on to try to draw it out, is that a good idea?

Finally, I've tried again to upload upload the pictures, as they didn't upload in my initial post

Thanks for your help
XXXXXXX XXXX
.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Regarding treatment for acne

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes, Zineryt and Benzoyl peroxide can be applied at the same time (mix and apply).
Fucidin is safe to be used near lip. You can use it once during the day and then BP+Zineryt once every night or alternate night
You may use BP+Zineryt on the nodule that is remaining, once at night.
Warm compress would relieve pain and swelling and if that helps, its ok to do.
You may try once again to upload the images here. Try to contact customer care for assistance. If this does'nt solve the issue then I would request you to kindly let me know you email ID. i will get back to you via mail and then you can send Images.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 days later)
Hello again doctor

Thanks for your help

It was interesting to know zineryt and BP needed to be used together

I just mainly have a few questions left now to be confident about drug use and combinations
To stop antibiotic resistance do they have to be applied together at the same time of day, or for maintenance, could BP be applied in the morning and zineryt in the evening?
(Related) If acne flared again and I applied zineryt twice/day, would I need to apply BP each time with it?
Is zineryt used in combination with BP, more advisable/effective than using just 2.5% BP alone ?
In large, red, & sore pustules is fucidin always the better topical drug to use rather than topical BP or antibiotics like zineryt
Is antibiotic resistance a problem of fucidin and does BP be applied at the same time?
In large, red, & sore pustules is fucidin in day /topical BP & zineryt at night better to use rather than fucidin alone 2-3 times /day?
If I get another deep nodule start to come up, is it better to put fucidin on from the start or only switch to fucidin if it becomes really big and angry?
Before applying acne meds is it ok to apply a watery hyaluronic serum ? I usually apply moisturiser if I'm using afterwards but a serum feels better before but will it block penetration?
I have contacted the customer care service but not heard back yet
My email contact -is

YYYY@YYYY
if you could send me an email address I can send to, just to be sure on the type of pustule treatment best suited I'd be grateful, thanks for offering to do this.

Thanks for your time XXXXXXX XXXX,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Regarding treatment of acne

Detailed Answer:
Hi

You may apply Zineryt and BP once daily at seperate times of the day i.e morning and evening. This way they can be used together during a flare. Used simultaneously after mixing the two formulations they may cause more irritation unless it comes in a pre-mixed topical formulation with a reduced irritation potential e.g Clindamycin and BP is available as pre mixed gel (Clindoxyl gel).
You may use BP solely as well, twice daily and completely do away with zineryt.
Yes, BP and zineryt used together would be more effective than either alone.
Adding BP as part of treatment plan reduces chances of resistance. BP should preferably be a part of treatment plan as is also recommended by XXXXXXX Academy of Dermatology treatment guidelines for acne.
Fucidin is actually not a first line treatment for acne but can be used for pustular acne. You may use it twice daily if you find that it works for bigger acne. Later on you may switch to BP and zineryt.
For a new acne lesion It would be better to start BP and zineryt application. Fucidin only if it gets bigger and painful.
It is fine if you are using a non oily, non comedogenic cleanser.
I have noted your email ID. I ll drop in a mail later in the day.

Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Acne

Brief Answer: Regarding treatment for acne Detailed Answer: Dear XXXXXXX Thank you for writing to me. In inflammatory acne i.e either pustular or nodular acne, beside topical antiacne antibiotic e.g either clindamycin (zindaclin), erythromycin (zineryt), benzoyl peroxide, nadifloxacin etc patient may also be started on oral antibiotics e.g doxycycline, minocycline, cephalexin azithromycin, roxithromycin etc. All these are commonly prescribed oral antibiotics for inflammatory acne. Since you repeatedly get new inflammatory acne I dont see any harm at all in starting either doxycycline or roxithromycin for a few weeks (max upto 3 months) bearing in mind other comorbidity. Topical treatment alone is inadequate. Moreover resistance to topical erythromycin and clindamycin is quite prevalent and they dont work quite well, if used alone. If you are going to use either of these you must also use topical benzoyl peroxide as well which would decrease the chances of resistance. Fucidin is fine for bigger, painful, pustular acne. You may use it once or twice daily. My advice for you would be to not use anything oily or greasy on face as it can lead to a flare. Just wash your face twice daily with a mild cleanser (cetaphil gentle cleanser) which is not too drying and you may use an astringent for central oily T Zone before applying medications. Instead of zineryt you may rather use benzoyl peroxide gel 2.5% over active acne at night. It is comedolytic and antiinflammatory. If its too irritating use it every alternate night. Use fucidin cream during the day. I would also suggest a few weeks of oral antibiotic e.g low dose doxycycline 40mg once daily. Together with topicals this would lead to better control and let the treatment work faster. Though differin is fine for acne but some patients may notice that there skin gets more oily with differin (this is because it opens up blockages and oily flows out). Take a break from it. Regards