posted
I have not been diagnosed with lyme but seeing Dr. W in DAL at end of July.
I became ill in 1999 after an anterior neck fusion and sent home from hospital with undetected strep throat. A nightmare!
A year later DX'd with sero-negative RA which treatments of Remicade and Enbrel have not helped.
Also in 1999 I started having severe facial acne and body acne as well.
The dermo's I've used (I've seen plenty) call it adult acne and/or Obsessive Compulsive Behavior.
Nothing prescribed has helped and I'm wondering if it could be toxins from lyme?
It's a daily fight to keep from scratching the lesions as they itch so bad.
I'm post-menopausal and accustomed to having my symptoms directed to menopause but I think something else is going on with my body.
Posts: 245 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
| IP: Logged |
If you search "acne" you will find lots of information here. Many people have had the same question.
From what I have read, it seems that there isn't really a clear answer.
It could be caused directly by Lyme (more likely a co-infection actually), or it could be a result of swollen Lymph nodes.
And some people get it as a reaction to antibiotics.
But we all agree- it sucks! You're not supposed to have acne when you're an adult!
Posts: 503 | From Alberta, Canada | Registered: Jun 2009
| IP: Logged |
Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
I got really bad acne when I first got sick. Never had many pimples, then BAM! I was 18, but technically should have had the pimples if they were related to hormones years earlier. It was bad for about 2 years and then was manageble as I started feeling better.
I have scars now, and for some reason since last Nov, I don't get any zits anymore, not even before a period. I turned 30 in Nov, maybe my body was giving me a b-day present??
Any idea what co's cause this? I had severe depression too and anxiety and weight gain at the time when it was at it's worst.
posted
There are many healthy people that have acne.
Some say hormones Some say toxins Some say infections Some say oily skin The list can go on and on...
Does everyone with acne have lyme? Heck no, but lyme can mess up the body which can then cause acne...
Posts: 458 | From Miss | Registered: Mar 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
My doctor believes it's yeast/fungus related. You might want to google candida and acne or something like that.
-------------------- Never doubt in darkness what the daylight proves to you. Posts: 418 | From Utah | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
I have had "acne" for about 30 years. So many dermatologists have told me that, but none have been able to help me.
When I went to my first LLMD visit he told me it was Bartonella, not acne.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I will google Bartonella and see its' symptoms.
I was biopsied a couple times and only thing evident was the skin was indicative of 'a scratcher'. I do not have scars for some reason.
It seems the same places stay active and I usually have 15+ places at a time. So much that it takes an hour to cover them with makeup.
My husband scolds me for scratching but I have bionic hands that haven't responded to wearing gloves at night or holding a ball while on the PC or watching TV.
I'm praying the LLMD will help me.
I've been afraid of using chemical peels because I don't heal well and/or I didn't want to make the problem worse.
Posts: 245 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
| IP: Logged |
Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
quote:Originally posted by ladyjenie: I've been afraid of using chemical peels because I don't heal well and/or I didn't want to make the problem worse.
I did those every other month for a couple of years and they didn't help. I think if I had really had acne, though, they would have.
But since mine was Bartonella (and the dermatologists did not realize that) the peels had no positive effect on me. Unfortunately it cost tons of money for those peels. I also had microdermabrasion treatments and laser pulsing.
Nothing worked and then when I found out I really did not have acne, but Bartonella instead, the pieces fit together.
My LLMD said that eventually my skin will clear up. I can not wait for the day!
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
| IP: Logged |
lymeparfait
Unregistered
posted
I believe the acne is from hormonal dysregulation, only increased by lyme. NOt everyone gets acne with lyme. But those predisosed to it, get it much worse, along with hive forms.
After starting the AI therapy, my daughter has had much success with her acne and her hormone regulation related to sleep and regular periods finally.
Regular lyme treatment did not healp the acne jor hormonal regulation...but getting lyme in remission helped to allow her own system to begin regulating things. The AI therapy has been fantasatic for this.
IP: Logged |
posted
Just curious. ... but usually one does 't have a scratch desire with acne. Makes me wonder if its not the creepy crawly thing that people talk about with lyme along with acne like lesions?
Maybe an odd thought but I just think its intresitng you feel a need to scratch at it. I am 44 and my acne is getting worse. It is worse prior to my peroid which is getting shorter and shorter. I am also getting acne on my neck which I have never had. I have related this to hormones and possibly detox....since skin is the largest elimination organ it had to be some player.
I would look at the yeast connection if you have been doing ABX. It may not be the only thing but it could help. Saunas and salt baths help too. I also do essential oils which help a great deal. Tea tree oil has been good to me.
Posts: 161 | From sonoma county | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Are you on antibiotics? Are you treating for lyme?
I don't know the answer but I can say I have had issues as well and I can feel the acne coming. Like my skin crawls.
Anyway, I started treating in June. My acne is gone. It's a big difference. Not sure why this is but I'm happy about it.
I'm on Doxy, which I think has been used to treat acne in the past so that could be it. Dr is stopping Doxy in Aug and starting Something else, so who knows what will happen then.
-------------------- Sofi Posts: 150 | From Northern California | Registered: Jun 2009
| IP: Logged |
disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
I think for me, something like lyme or Bartonella must have caused it. I developed really bad acne when I was VERY young. I was the only person in the 4th grade that had acne!!! It was quite awful. Nothing helped. The only thing that semi-helped was antibiotic treatment for the acne.
I had acne up until I was first diagnosed and started treatment for lyme disease and co-infections, and that was when I was around 23. So I had acne from Elementary school all the way until AFTER college. There had to be SOMETHING to it. It was not due to oily skin or not taking care of my skin/face, etc.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ladyjenie - I think "AI" is short for autoimmune. Some people with tick borne diseases get this. An example would be rheumatoid arthritis. That often is the hint that tips a doctor to look for Lyme disease. (It is a late tip, but a tip none-the-less.)
Hope Lymparfait sees this thread and confirms if this is correct.
Best Wishes,
Lymepool
Posts: 170 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
The topical body washes for acne help.
Acne is a staph infection.
A very different pathogen entirely.
Staph aureus thrives in a Th2 pathway whereas Bb looks to trigger the Th1 pathway.
posted
The AI treatment I beileve is refering to Allergie Immune treatment from Germany.
Check out the thread for more info. Could possibly clear it....worth taking a look at
Posts: 161 | From sonoma county | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I see an LLMD for the first time on Monday, 7/20/09 so I have not been on ABX.
I had mycoplasmic pneumonia many years ago but the acne didn't begin until I became systemically ill after the strep infection post-surgery.
My arthritis and sjogren's are auto-immune. I am positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and c-reactive protein which I take biologics for.
This acne is not pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads but is more like a little white thingy that itches and I ultimately start a scratching binge until my entire face is irritated. Then my husband gets on the war-path with me. The glove theory doesn't work, either.
I will post next week what the LLMD thinks will clear it. I am sure it will take some time to see improvement.
Posts: 245 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic