acne, allergy, yeast, or all?
Posted by
rocknerd1224
After using benzaclin for YEARS, I stopped it briefly because I thought it was not working. I went to a derm to seek help for large pimples and she gave me samples of Atrelin. Unfortunately, after 4 days of use, my forehead (the only place I was putting it to begin) developed sheets of bumps. I know people say "your acne will get worse before it gets better," but this looked quite unusual for "acne." So, I explored the ingredients of the vehicle in atrelin and discovered benzyl alcohol, something I know, from previous experience causes me to have an allergic response. I quickly stopped the Atrelin, and went back to the derm in a panic. Meanwhile, my skin had gotten overly sensitive to EVERYTHING. It seemed that every face wash, shampoo, cosmetic, etc, would exacerbate it, and so I returned looking for a new regimen. However, the derm said that she had never seens anyone allergic to Atrelin and had no real advice to give me other than to start me on oral antibiotics (doxycyline) for a month. I took the meds and also started the Benzaclin again. Gradually, the bumps subsided and my real acne improved, good news, yes, but then another monster reared its head. My skin was VERY dry, red, and peely, but I knew that those were typical side effects, but I continued to use Benzaclin since it was working for the acne. I took a vacation to NY, and seemed to be doing fine until the last two days. I admit, I changed my make up a bit and slept in an apartment full of dust and dog hair (all which may have triggered allergy), but I woke up one morning with my face swollen, expecially my forehead, nose and cheeks (esp the area below my eyes). I took benedryl and it seemed to help, but as soon as I went outside, walked over the gym, and worked out, my face begin to swell again. I had to take MORE antihistamines which helped a bit. The following day, it seemed that the reaction I had had gone away, but then as soon as I went to the gym and started working out, the swelling started up again. My conclusion was that the benzaclin/benzoyl peroxide was reacting with the sweat or that I was simply allergic to benzoyl peroxide. However, I am not SURE it's an allergy since it doesn't necessarily itch or turn to hives, but the swelling and help by benedryl seem suspiciously allergy. It was also extremely cold and windy in NY, so perhaps my face got VERY irriated and now is sensitive to benzoyl peroxide? I am trying to start it again with a lower BP percentage but I kind of feel like I have some light swelling occuring (i feel pressure behnind my eyes and cheeks) But for me, that still does not explain the hlep of benedryl or claritin. I am frustrated because Benzaclin was the one thing that helped my acne. Is there something I should do to reduce my response? I have tried so many things, and don't know where to go anymore!
Posted by rocknerd1224
After using benzaclin for YEARS, I stopped it briefly because I thought it was not working. I went to a derm to seek help for large pimples and she gave me samples of Atrelin. Unfortunately, after 4 days of use, my forehead (the only place I was putting it to begin) developed sheets of bumps. I know people say "your acne will get worse before it gets better," but this looked quite unusual for "acne." So, I explored the ingredients of the vehicle in atrelin and discovered benzyl alcohol, something I know, from previous experience causes me to have an allergic response. I quickly stopped the Atrelin, and went back to the derm in a panic. Meanwhile, my skin had gotten overly sensitive to EVERYTHING. It seemed that every face wash, shampoo, cosmetic, etc, would exacerbate it, and so I returned looking for a new regimen. However, the derm said that she had never seens anyone allergic to Atrelin and had no real advice to give me other than to start me on oral antibiotics (doxycyline) for a month. I took the meds and also started the Benzaclin again. Gradually, the bumps subsided and my real acne improved, good news, yes, but then another monster reared its head. My skin was VERY dry, red, and peely, but I knew that those were typical side effects, but I continued to use Benzaclin since it was working for the acne. I took a vacation to NY, and seemed to be doing fine until the last two days. I admit, I changed my make up a bit and slept in an apartment full of dust and dog hair (all which may have triggered allergy), but I woke up one morning with my face swollen, expecially my forehead, nose and cheeks (esp the area below my eyes). I took benedryl and it seemed to help, but as soon as I went outside, walked over the gym, and worked out, my face begin to swell again. I had to take MORE antihistamines which helped a bit. The following day, it seemed that the reaction I had had gone away, but then as soon as I went to the gym and started working out, the swelling started up again. My conclusion was that the benzaclin/benzoyl peroxide was reacting with the sweat or that I was simply allergic to benzoyl peroxide. However, I am not SURE it's an allergy since it doesn't necessarily itch or turn to hives, but the swelling and help by benedryl seem suspiciously allergy. It was also extremely cold and windy in NY, so perhaps my face got VERY irriated and now is sensitive to benzoyl peroxide? I am trying to start it again with a lower BP percentage but I kind of feel like I have some light swelling occuring (i feel pressure behnind my eyes and cheeks) But for me, that still does not explain the hlep of benedryl or claritin. I am frustrated because Benzaclin was the one thing that helped my acne. Is there something I should do to reduce my response? I have tried so many things, and don't know where to go anymore!