I searched and found that acne is a big thing with Lyme. My experience is this: I was acne free until I started antibiotics. I used oral starting about a year ago and then the IV and it just kept getting worse. I still have acne (I am almost 30 years old!) I've tried everything (prescription meds and natural) Has anyone had experience with anything that helps? Will this go away once the Lyme is "killed"? Will it always be there? Thanks!
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Since you've been on so many antibiotics, do you think that your acne might actually be caused by yeast? Is the acne near your hairline, on your chest, back, and shoulders too?
You could try using some OTC Nizoral shampoo to see if it is a fungal infection. Shampoo your hair then spread the extra suds all over your face, neck, chest, and back. Let the suds sit for at least 2-3min before rinsing. Do this every other day for a couple weeks. Once clear, repeat only once a week or every other week for maintenance.
This protocol has helped me in the past. Thought it might be worth a try for you too.
There are many causes of acne, hormones, bacterial and fungal imbalances, dry or oily skin, toxins, etc. You just have to find the right treatment for you (which can be frustrating, I know).
I've also found Murad skincare products to be the most helpful for daily use in treating/preventing my acne. You can buy them online or at places like Ulta.
If your acne is severe and you've tried all the OTC stuff available you might want to consider visiting a dermatologist.
Posted by CD57 (Member # 11749) on :
Amazing timing! Mine has gotten worse on tx too and it never occurred to me that it might be yeast. I am going to try the Nizoral.
Mine are more like bumps, hard and red and rough. But not classic acne.
Posted by lightparfait (Member # 22022) on :
My daughters did get worse with treatment.
I believe it is both hormonal and now yeast from the antibiotics.
There are different forms of breakouts now...some like hives, some small clear breakouts all over face arms neck chest back...(trunk area) that looks like turkey skin...I think that is yeast/candida.
along with the traditional looking big acne cysts!
This needs detox..and I too think it's a different formula of treatment for each individual.
No success yet for us.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
My daughter and I have found amazing results with
Coconut Oil. The same oil I eat. I rub it on our
face, let it sit @ 10 mins. and wash off. It is
working great. And you can actually feel it
working.
Posted by mixxster (Member # 22765) on :
Over the summer during my Lyme treatment, I developed many bumps that look just like acne,
and that's what I've been thinking it was. But I just recently found out most of these
spots that wont go away are Molluscum contagiosum, a nasty lingering viral infection of the
skin. Nothing can easily remedy this acne-like condition. I don't know if this infection
correlates with Lyme treatment or not. It started when I went on a ceftin/amoxicillin combo.
I need to see a dermatologist to get some real treatment, because the musculum spreads so easily.
But I just turned 20 and have also had some real experience with acne + Lyme. When I do
have a true acne outbreak, I have actually found raw garlic to work the best. The stuff just
annihilates acne. I cut a clove and rub my problem spots/areas for no more than five minutes with
the exposed fresh garlic. You should keep cutting off the exposed garlic as you use it to keep it
moist(the active compounds are in the juice). Works best if you wait before washing it off. Best
results when I apply this before bedtime and then wash of the areas in the morning. You might want
to google "Garlic acne treatment" Its cheap, easy and HIGHLY effective. Only one side effect with
this method: it smells like garlic.
I do not recommend mincing it or extracting the garlic juice, as these are too harsh and can easily burn
the skin. Acne bacteria can't seem to survive with the sulfur compounds of garlic being applied to them.
This is bay far the fastest working, and most powerful acne treatment I've ever used, and I've tried so
many things!
Garlic is also one of the best treatment for anything yeast related. I take it internally to knock
the Candida way down. Garlic has been proven to cure oral thrush, which is commonly caused by
antibiotics. It truly is the best antifungal/topical antibacterial agent I've ever used. Dr. M
(Lyme researcher) even says that garlic should be used to treat Lyme biofilms.
[ 11-05-2009, 11:42 AM: Message edited by: mixxster ]
Posted by lightparfait (Member # 22022) on :
Wow pinelady...that seems easy to try.
Do you think that is killing the yeast topically?
Posted by lightparfait (Member # 22022) on :
Mixxster...
Give specifics of what to expect with the raw garlic and which types of breakouts you use this on?
Posted by mixxster (Member # 22765) on :
I would apply the treatment to my problem spots every 12 hours or so, usually three treatments a week, so
that would be 3 treatments in 36 hours. After 2 treatments I always see a drastic reduction
in redness, swelling, and size of any acne I have treated. After 3 treatments (day 2 or 3) the acne is
usually under control and can wait a week or so before I would have to treat again with the same highly
effective results.
This works particularly well on the largest, most bothersome pimples, but also on general problem areas.
I don't know how well this works for cystic acne, because it might not be able to penetrate the skin
deep enough.
Initially, for the first 5-10 minutes after application, you might have redness, and slight burning
where you have applied the garlic. Do not over-do it on the application, be very careful, the
garlic should not be touching your skin for much longer than 3-5 minutes.
The spots that I can't seem to get rid of are the Molluscum contagiosum, which is now my only
remaining skin problem. It looks almost exactly like acne, so beware of this viral infection that
spreads quickly, particularly in the immunocompromised.
[ 11-05-2009, 11:42 AM: Message edited by: mixxster ]
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Wow - interesting info above. I also wonder whether the increase in cytokines might be causing some of the "acne".
I too used to have great skin before starting abx..during one abx I swtiched to Head and Shoulders shampoo and it worked for a while.
Then I switched abx - it came back. I agree with the fungus/yeast theory too. But also I think it is upregulating our immune systems causing constant cytokine release.
There's got to be some article out there re: high levels of cytokines and skin problems.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Ears/eyes/skin are all in the top 5 for finding borrelia on autopsy. I am guessing it is both borrelia and other organisms.
Posted by ticksickfamily (Member # 22786) on :
Neat tea tree oil applied with cotton wool can be used to treat Molluscum. Also I know of a couple of people who used homeopaths to clear it successfully.
I also found this on a UK website:
Tea tree oil works about 20% of the time, however when it is combined with small amounts of iodine, the success rate is over 85%! This is reported in US Patent # 7,311,928 for a homeopathic product called ZymaDerm, available at
I cannot vouch for it though, maybe worth a try ?
Posted by mixxster (Member # 22765) on :
I've been using tea tree oil on these areas for almost a week now, with no noticeable
improvement from the Molluscum. I think I need something stronger like Imiquimod, a
prescription immunotherapy cream.
Interesting to note the iodine + tea tree oil combo, I might have to try that. Though it would
probably cause Iodine stains all over my clothes.
[ 11-08-2009, 03:23 PM: Message edited by: mixxster ]
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
I've gotten acne and what I call 'hurty bumps' on my scalp with certain treatments.
The first time I got it was when I was on Cumanda.
The second two times - not so much acne as the 'hurty bumps' on scalp. Bumps that start with an itch, grow to hurt like heck, go away and start over. I got them the second two times from the drops my NP makes special for me.
I think it's toxins coming out - seems like it happens particularly when parasites are being addressed but who knows!
Oh, and I'm 50 years old! When I had the facial acne that was totally unfair - wrinkles, gray hair and ACNE?
Posted by dguy (Member # 8979) on :
I second what mojo said
Posted by dollfinn33 (Member # 19605) on :
Thanks for all of the responses. I'll definitely be trying them and I'll report back if any really work for me. Thanks again!
Posted by mixxster (Member # 22765) on :
ticksickfamily, I thought I'd just pick up some iodine from the drug store and try that in addition to the tea tree oil for my Molluscum: BAD IDEA.
This led me to discover I am at least mildly allergic to iodine, as my legs broke out in hives. Strange, because I was applying the iodine to my neck and shoulders, not my legs.
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Do NOT take Yasmin to control acne...esp. if you are "estrogen dependent"!!!
Persons who have a genetic problem converting B6 to its active form, P5P via liver enzymes maybe in ``trouble''. B6 helps control Na.
It is logical, the body will (and does) ``work-around'' a genetic problem.
Up goes aldosterone which increases sodium reabsorption.
Primary aldosteronism achieves the Na balance and this is called ``sodium escape''.
Look very very closely at the list of things a doctor is supposed to consider before Rx-ing Yasmin.
Asthma is one.
Yasmin was prescribed for my asthmatic daughter -> ocular rosacea (severe dry eyes).
Yea, it did clear her acne and she lost a lot of weight...down to a size 0-2, but her eyes were very very painful.
She pleaded for DHEA eye drops, but the eye doctors would NOT order them from a compounding pharmacy in Calif. NOR would any of them call the pharmacist so he could explain to them why they might be helpful!
Okay...you all know Bb needs Na, right?
Look closely at the things that impact Na:
1. Drospirenone, (in Yasmin) impacts the body's normal mechanism of regulating a balance between salt and water... Yasmin can cause hyperkalemia (high blood level of potassium). This disrupts the Na-K balance.
2. Prednisone, a steroid, helps control metabolism, inflammation, immune function, salt and water balance... as an anti-infammatory, it is five times more effective than cortisone.
Prednisone *decreases* ACTH and the synthesis of DHEA and DHEA metabolites (= testosterone and estrogen)!
In a jam...under a lot of stress our body will convert DHEA to cortisol. It is called "cortisol steal".
When that happens, the body's levels of ***DHEA, aldosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone will all decrease.***
So...lots of stress + prednisone = down goes DHEA. Not good if you are "estrogen dependent" (or guys if you are testosterone dependent).
3.Aldosterone increases sodium reabsorption. Primary aldosteronism achieves the Na balance and this is called ``sodium escape''. Aldosterone comes FROM HDL...our "good cholesterol".
4. P5P (active form of vitamin B6) helps maintain the balance of sodium and potassium.
"Maternal plasma DHEA-S concentrations were significantly *higher* in women with preterm labor who delivered preterm than in those who delivered at term."
My daughter went into premature labor. Bedrest and IV Mg as well as toxic drugs held off labor until 8 mos gestation.
She NEEDS DHEA(S). This puts her at great risk for premature L + D.
Stress and prednisone = lower DHEA = diaster for her.
Now...she has all the signs of an adverse event to prednisone, including EBV re-emerging = EXTREME fatigue.
In lupus:
"Studies of DHEA replacement in patients taking prednisone for lupus demonstrate amelioration of some of these adverse effects."
7 + doctors...(3) internists, several opthamalogists (including the dry eye expert in NY), allergist, urologist (she even had urethral stenosis and had to be dilated)as well as urinary freq., gastro-enterologist (abd. pains), EENT (for vertigo), dermatologist, (I'm forgetting another "specialist") and now they want her to see a rheumatologist!
Where is Dr. House?
Yasmin is a VERY dangerous way to control acne in SOME women.
Posted by ladyjenie (Member # 21098) on :
I have had a form of acne since being ill 10 years. Tried ProActive, Murad, Retin-A, doxycycline, oracea, and about everything else on the market.
My face is affected the most, then shoulders and rest of body.
I've used the best dermos in Dallas and they all call it adult acne. I'm 57 and get so tired of having to plaster a ton of makeup to cover the lesions. It's very embarrasing and the lesions are quite painful. Doesn't help that I scratch them, either.
I have just now started ABX so my problem is not caused by them. The LLMD said the acne would clear with treatment (AMOX & BIAXIN) but after 2 weeks it is just as bad as before.
I just bought some garlic and plan on trying it. Hmm, garlic bubble bath.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
pinelady,
What does eating coconut oil help with?
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
"Conclusion: VCO and monolaurin's O-SSI reduction and in vitro broad-spectrum activity against SA (given clinical validity here), fungi, and viruses may be useful in the proactive treatment of AD colonization."
VCO = virgin coconut oil
SA = Staphylococcus aureus
AD = Atopic dermatitis (AD) = dry skin = easily infected with SA.