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Suggest Treatment For Side Effects Of Ciprofloxacin
Question: 2 months after taking ciprofloxacin HCL for diverticulitis, my face has developed red spots, like a burn, under my eyes and along the perimeter of my face. Other parts of my face are dry and scaly. Went to doctor was put on steroids and steroid salve and it cleared up, but as soon as I stopped the meds it returned. Then took patch test, said allergic to "fragrance". I use only organic products, but went to fragrance free, and stopped using dryer sheets, but it still returns. Don't currently have the bad swelling and redness under my eyes, but perimiter keeps coming back. I had 2 side affects from the cipro, so that maybe risidual affects from it cld still be in there. I'm so frustrated, because I have never had sensitive skin and it's only on my face, nowhere else. It's like the air affects it.
Brief Answer:
A Few Ideas as to your symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
This is very agitating, I understand and am sorry for your frustration. Have you seen a dermatologist and or physician specialized in allergy + immunology? Some of these skin conditions are extremely complex, as every human reacts differently to particular drugs, foods, environmental toxins and products, and everyone shows a different skin presentation. As such there may be more than just a simple allergy to 'fragrance'. Often times when an individual is allergic to something, there are other allergies or in-sensitivities that the individual maintains. Have you ever had any food allergen testing, or official skin testing (the patch - did it test for many environmental toxins or only a few)? The fact that the steroids improved things are certainly good to hear, it may mean that you just might require a slight increased dose or length of treatment. I'd also address what exactly you are using on your face. Even natural products, clothes sold at the store, papertowels in public bathrooms, doorknobs even from previous human contact, all at times have some component of fragrance to their chemical makeup. Have you assessed whether you've completely eliminated it from the list?
I'd start with addressing the questions and advise I've stated here before. It would be good to speak with an allergy specialist about these things, and or a dermatologist, though nonetheless I would be happy to follow you through the course of your improvement. Please any follow up questions you have, feel free to ask.
Warm Regards.
A Few Ideas as to your symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
This is very agitating, I understand and am sorry for your frustration. Have you seen a dermatologist and or physician specialized in allergy + immunology? Some of these skin conditions are extremely complex, as every human reacts differently to particular drugs, foods, environmental toxins and products, and everyone shows a different skin presentation. As such there may be more than just a simple allergy to 'fragrance'. Often times when an individual is allergic to something, there are other allergies or in-sensitivities that the individual maintains. Have you ever had any food allergen testing, or official skin testing (the patch - did it test for many environmental toxins or only a few)? The fact that the steroids improved things are certainly good to hear, it may mean that you just might require a slight increased dose or length of treatment. I'd also address what exactly you are using on your face. Even natural products, clothes sold at the store, papertowels in public bathrooms, doorknobs even from previous human contact, all at times have some component of fragrance to their chemical makeup. Have you assessed whether you've completely eliminated it from the list?
I'd start with addressing the questions and advise I've stated here before. It would be good to speak with an allergy specialist about these things, and or a dermatologist, though nonetheless I would be happy to follow you through the course of your improvement. Please any follow up questions you have, feel free to ask.
Warm Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Thank you for the quick response. But yes, I've been going to a dermatologist. And we did a patch test on my back with 36 common allergens. That's how we found out about "fragrance ", also gold plate and preservatives. And yes, I have went to fragrance free products, washing and rewashing everything. Don't wear gold plate or gold much at all, and almost everything I eat is preservative free, unless I'm out to dinner. My issue is that it's just my face. When they put the allergen on my back, I had a strong reaction. I should have reactions on other parts of my body and I don't. Was good 2 days ago and woke up next day, it looked good, but by afternoon was flaring up. Hadn't showered yet, nor eaten anything, but there it was. And again, only my face. And it's usually the perimeter of my face. Usually starts on my forehead and then then along the sides starting just across from the bottom of my ears, then laugh lines around my chin. When it was the worse, it wld also be undsr my eyes, which wld look a burn on both sides. Wasn't painful. Would only feel it when in shower with water running on itand it would feel prickly.It will itch, but just slightly and that's usually when it calms and starts flaking. What is also strange is I wear Bare Minerals tinted moisturizer, and that's all, and it totally calms it. And I also am still using, intermittently, the steroid salve that was prescribed. It'll help, but as soon as I stop, it will come back. And I am a homebody. I'm not much of a shopper. Only once in awhile and I wash my hands all the time. I wanted a second opinion and I appreciate your help.
Brief Answer:
Further Workup
Detailed Answer:
Interesting, I apologize if it seemed I was jumping to conclusions and assuming you had not done everything in your power to prevent this. I promise you this is not the case at all. I don't mind exploring the possibilities of this case further with you. I will say that in response to certain allergies, the skin will erupt by process of mast cell degranulation. It is when a certain type of cell "Mast cell" senses the chemical in your system, and releases inflammatory chemicals which cause skin eruptions and other symptoms. It may be that your system has a higher accumulation and distribution of mast cells in your face.
If this is the case then there is a medication class that can help "Mast Cell Inhibitors". Antihistamines also work by a similar token. Have you attempted use of these medications?
Warm Regards.
Further Workup
Detailed Answer:
Interesting, I apologize if it seemed I was jumping to conclusions and assuming you had not done everything in your power to prevent this. I promise you this is not the case at all. I don't mind exploring the possibilities of this case further with you. I will say that in response to certain allergies, the skin will erupt by process of mast cell degranulation. It is when a certain type of cell "Mast cell" senses the chemical in your system, and releases inflammatory chemicals which cause skin eruptions and other symptoms. It may be that your system has a higher accumulation and distribution of mast cells in your face.
If this is the case then there is a medication class that can help "Mast Cell Inhibitors". Antihistamines also work by a similar token. Have you attempted use of these medications?
Warm Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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