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Jan
28
Remember me whining about my skin a while back? So I’ve been doing the Oil Cleansing Method off and on for a few weeks and overall I like what it does: deep cleans, leaves most of my face feeling soft and glowy, doesn’t cost a million dollars. (Con: since I wash my face in the bath each night, I have to clean the tub more often to fend off an Oily Ring of Ewwww.)
The rashy whatever-it-is on my chin didn’t go away, though, and it seems like it’s slowly but steadily getting worse ever since it first showed up at the beginning of last summer, with spots showing up on my forehead now. I miss having decent skin, you guys. I don’t think I’m quite to the Oozing Leprous stage yet, but I feel wildly self-conscious all the time now. Unattractive.
I finally went back to the dermatologist, who promptly re-prescribed the original antibiotic that gave me headaches (Minocycline), and I took one last night and went UGH MY HEAD.
Goddamnit.
I keep wondering what it is that’s changed. Diet? Makeup? Skincare products? Nothing comes to mind, I’ve tried all sorts of different things and haven’t noticed any kind of pattern. But then last night while googling around for hormones+aging30-somethings+WTFISWRONGWITHMYFACE it finally occurred to me that maybe it’s my birth control?
Could that even be possible? I’ve had an IUD ever since Dylan was born, which is in fact when it was factory-installed, and it seems weird that I’d start having some random side effect 2.5 years afterwards.
Still, maybe she’s born with it . . . maybe it’s Mirena. Now if only there was some sort of Harry Potter spell for having it removed. (Cervixa Disapparition. Expulso No-Feel-Um. Libera Uterineum Bye-Bye.) You’d think I would have learned a thing or two from the process of pursuing pregnancy, but three years ago I wasn’t really thinking ahead to this thing’s exit strategy, and I’m just saying, IT DOESN’T SOUND PLEASANT.
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You know, I have that stuff occasionally, too and have been prescribed (and am currently taking) antibiotics. They work for me, though, as does Elidel cream. I wish they worked for you… You know what causes a flare up for me with 100% certainty? Stress. Damn you, mind-body connectivity!
So I tried OCM for about 3 weeks and although I had all the similar good results that you had (AND even the bathtub ring, UGH! haha) but it also gave me a giant rash on my forehead and chin. No matter how I adjusted the castor oil content it just never went away. I went back to using my lame drugstore Alba facewash because we were going to visit my boyfriend’s parents and I didn’t want to be the giant rash-faced girlfriend at it actually cleared up a day later. ONE DAY, dude.
I don’t have any birth control advice, but I can say with certainty that I just don’t think OCM works for everyone so it may have been exacerbating something that was already going on. Who knows? This girl shit is complicated! :)
I can’t comment on the cause of the rash or what to be done, but if you do ditch the Mirena, the thing’s “exit strategy” isn’t really a big deal. When I had mine removed (when it was time to get pregnant with my second), the doctor just kind of tugged on those little strings at the bottom and out it came. Really weird feeling, but nothing painful or nasty or anything like that.
I had a copper iud removed 5 years ago, and I must say it hurt worse going in. Maybe its the skill of the doctor? He was very gentle and literally was out before knew he started.
Good luck!
Hurt WAY worse going in. Didn’t feel a thing getting it removed.
Agreed with previous posters that taking the Mirena out was way easier and less painful than getting it in.
Timely! I had an OB appointment this morning and we talked about how my Paragard is “in a good place,” meaning that he can just barely see the string — meaning that he won’t have to “dig it out” when the time comes. He explained that you don’t want to have to use the word “dig” at all when referring to a cervix/uterus situation.
And the whole time I’m cringing, thinking, “It can just stay there! Forever and ever!”
Having it out takes seconds and hardly feels like anything. I feel much improved after its removal.
I don’t want to freak you out, but sometimes when pores get blocked by oily substance you can actually get a yeast infection on your face. It looks like a regular skin break out. Probably your doctor already considered that, though.
Regardless, I recommend replacing your makeup brushes and makeup that you have used during the break outs. You could be just reinfecting your
Echoing what other commenters have said – I ditched my Mirena when we started trying to get pregnant with Baby 2.0. I remember that it hurt going in, so I was REALLY worried about having it removed, and it turned out to be nothing.
As for the skin issues… yeah, no idea. I’m useless on that one, sorry.
So glad to hear from other posters that the IUD removal is easy. I’ve had similar regrets about my IUD. Love the thing, but am scared $sh!tless about it’s removal. So that’s one less thing to have an anxiety attack about.
I swear by Origins Acne & Oil Control line and been using it for about a year now and I love it! I even convinced by hubby to use it for his oily skin and that is a ‘buy a lottery ticket’ event, as this man is a, ‘my body will heal it’s self’. UGH. Here’s the link to the line (I don’t work there, own stock or anything else…just love the product):
http://www.origins.com/products/3863/Skincare/Skin-Concern/Acne-Oil-Control/index.tmpl
I had my Mirena taken out about a year and a half ago and it was NOTHING! Seriously, the littlest little tuggy feel and done. I had some slight spotting afterward but that was probably due more to someone digging around in my nether regions than the actual extraction.
Side note: I got pregnant TWO WEEKS later so there is no safety period. Just sayin’…
I have a Mirena, as did a close friend who recently had hers removed…it hurt like a beatch going in (*swears at OB*), but the report of close friend was that it was a breeze coming out.
I think the typical removal of the Mirena is pretty easy. I have a friend who’s Mirena went farther than it was supposed to – I’m fuzzy on the details. Anyway, her doctor told her she would have to be DILATED in order to remove it. But, I think the standard removal is not big deal. Here’s hoping, because in 4.5 years I do not wanted to be dilating for any reason.
I JUST posted about my skin and how HAPPY I am after a regime change which included the removing of the Mirena. It took three months, but what did it was a regular birth control pill, Acanya in the mornings (OVER a lotion), Differen in the evenings, no more scrubs or toners, Aveeno Positively Radiant and CeraVe lotion. Oh, and TONS of water drinking and no more soda. I do believe, though, that it was the Mirena and its hormones that were making me break out like a teenager. (Plus, the Mirena mood swings and lack of sex drive? NO THANKS.) I will never again use that brand of IUD.
Also, I go to Pacific Dermatology Center in Northgate and see Andrea English. She’s great. A mom to a 2 1/2-year-old boy, too, so we always have great convos. :)
I echo the other’s comments… Mirena didn’t even hurt coming out. I was at my regular doctor discussing my fatigue, etc and I was saying that I suspected that my IUD was the cause. She said she could just remove it if I wanted… now. I was like.. ‘NOW?” “Yeah’ she said.. And here I was imagining that it’d be an entire fucking production of discussing pro and cons, scheduling a separate appointment, etc. I just hopped on the bed with a sheet and she just pulled it out within seconds.
As for acne. I have the same problem, I always seem to get painful acne in the same place – just under my cheekbone. Might be from snuggling with my guy. I use Philosophy. Love em but I might stop because it’s just too expensive.
You might talk to your dermatologist about another antibiotic. I had the same issue with minocycline and doxycycline but there are other choices without the headache side effect. Good luck!
I used to be a big fan of hormonal birth control, until I went off of it. Three really annoying side effects that had developed slowly over the years virtually disappeared. So it’s definitely possible. I never would have guessed my birth control was responsible. And several doctors didn’t realize it either. Never ever again.
Hormonal Birth control of any kind is the devil. Not only dies it dry my skin out to the consistency of freshly dug up mummy but I gain a metric tonne of weight. 25lbs on the pill, 40lbs on depo provera and 20 lbs in under a year on Mirena. I am now pregnant but I have still dropped 1/2 the weight I gained while eating like a teenage boy. I second the fact it doesn’t hurt to get it out. Do it!!!
Oh, and on the removal of the Mirena — it didn’t hurt at all, but I had a really heavy period right after, with spotting for a couple weeks, followed by no period the next month, and then regular periods. I think it takes a month or two for your body to adjust. Just use a backup method …
i use a copper iud. Easy to put in, no hormones to worry about, lasts for 10 YEARS, and doesn’t hurt one bit to take out. I love it.
I had the EXACT same issues and the Minocycline would clear it up, but I found a great regimen to reduce the breakouts and rarely have to take the Minoycline anymore. Do you drool at night or re-use your towel more than once? If so, that could be causing an infection.
Anyways, I use Philosophy face wash, then Paula’s choice benz peroxide in the morning and night. It is really simple but honestly has worked wonders. I looked like a fricking teenager with huge zits all around my mouth at 30 years old.
Two things to suggest: ask the dermo for a topical antibiotic. I once had a weird sort of infection/rash that spread across one cheek. I used something called Desowen lotion for a long time. I think I had to take tetracycline for a while too, but eventually I weaned off of it and used the lotion for a while. I think it may have a steriod in it so eventually it becomes a little self-reinforcing and you’ll want to wean off of that too.
The other thing, if you think at all that it’s exzema related, is a Suki product called delicate hydrating oil. It’s a pure rose and apricot nut oil that works wonders for the little spots of exzema I get on my face and neck. It’s expensive but one bottle lasts a long time. If you want to try it, look at PCC for a Suki sampler and check to see if there’s a little vial of it in the sampler. You can order from the Suki site directly too.
Good luck. Can’t speak to the Mirena thing. My bc method is the Absolute Lack of Anyone Available or Appealing to Do It With. God help us women in our 40’s in Seattle. We’re all drying up from disuse. Another topic, however…
I was on minocycline in high school and I am so sorry it causes you headaches (I get migraines so I would be foolish to say just deal with it, since they suck & I wouldn’t deal) but it did make my skin the best it has EVER been after a solid month or more. It treats a bacterial infection (if there is one that is causing you to be red & rashy) I almost went into withdrawal when my doc wanted me to go off because my skin was so awesome but it stayed that way, whew. SO the minocycline may or may not be worth the headaches? I also worked in a women’s clinic a few years back and the awesome NP I worked with gave me the heads up that almost any birth control can give you acne, pills, IUD, etc…if it is a chemical releasing agent at all it can mess with your body and it can take a while to set in (I got acne on a pill I was on for a 1.5 before I had to switch it up)….My dermatologist recently shook his head and smiled when I complained of some chin acne (at 37) and said “acne just isn’t for kids…late 30’s acne is quite common.” but he had no real solution aside from salicylic acid face wash, yadda yadda.
So sorry you are feeling this way woman. It just takes a hit to your confidence, it is not a vain thing or anything like that…just a confidence blow, happens to everyone. I had some bad acne around month four of my pregnancy & it was awful, at the thick belly stage but not a cute basketball belly yet & acne…just wanted to hide in a cave :-) Good luck, you are not the only one dealing with this junk.
I have seborrheic dermatitis that I have become convinced is caused by my mirena. I called to get it taken out and have the copper one put in. I have to wait until the end of Feb for my appointment so I’ll be curious to hear if getting it out helps your skin issue.
I have mirena, and no problems with that, but everyone is different. If you get it removed, there’s always paraguard, which is a nonhormone iud. I think after I have kids, that’s what I’ll go for, but I’ve still got another 3+years with mirena, and I do like it.
Hmmm… you’ve got my wheels spinning. I have a Mirena IUD, for about a year and a half now. And just lately I have been breaking out so, so badly. Worse than I have ever broken out in my life and I am 30! It might be time to have my husband get the snip so I can get this hormonal thing out!
I’am on mino also, the headaches are common in the beginning. They should pass!
For me it was a psychiatric medication. Psoriasis and assorted rashes for ages, then I switched meds and BAM, gone.
Yep, consider all meds you’re currently ingesting. However, note that I’ve read MANY a time that Mirena, touted to last, what… 5 years? has become infamous for starting to lose it’s efficacy around the 2.5 – 3 year mark. BEWARE. A concern in and of itself, but maybe also the culprit for a hormonal-change-induced face freakout?
I used to have bad skin as well, then periodic breakouts after 25. Now I’m almost 35, been using Arbonne for 3 years, and I never have breakouts any more. As for bc, I am on the pill and have been for five years. So I think it’s safe to say that Arbonne is what fixed my skin.
Hey there, I have to comment on this one. From the pics you posted it does look like a fungal infection. One of the biggest things to cause them are hormone fluctuations, maybe your iud is contributing to this. If your doc ruled that out, make sure you do change all of your brushes and make-up, start fresh to not reinfect the area( if that’s what it is)?? Also if it is a fungal infection, the antibiotics normally make them worse!! Hope this might help!
The mirena removal was super easy for me. The insertion was much more painful.
If you were to remove the Mirena would you sub in another birth control? I know many of them help clear up acne but I just can’t handle the way I feel on chemical contraceptives. Is there a reason JB won’t get The Snip?
I was on an oral contraceptive for five years. During the fourth year I started having serious break outs right before my period. I ahev been off of birth control for two months now and the break outs are totally gone.
Not going to lie to you, the Mirena exit strategy is not pleasant … xox
To chime in with the others – the Mirena HURT LIKE HELL going in, and I was SCARED to have it out, but honest to heck, it was a piece of cake. It was out before I even knew she had done anything. BUT be sure you want it out, the other options suck, as you already know I am sure. Being back on the pill with the “if I forget one I might have a THIRD boy” thoughts running in my mind is not peaceful. Good luck with headaches, that’s no fun either!
Sorry I can’t be of any help, but couldn’t help smiling at Katharine (11.39 am) from Seattle’s BC method…! And have to admit that it’s the exact same method I’m using right now in the south of France, so that makes it international, right?!
I was having that awful 30’s female hormonal acne bullshit and an Rx for Aldactone totally killed it. My skin ROCKS. I also use Retin-a topically about 2-3 times a week (and as needed for those emergency zits) and it helps to keep my skin really smooth.
No one has mentioned rosacea? Not even your dermatologist?
Amy, the first commenter, is getting the standard treatment for this “adult acne.” Which is not acne at all, actually. Does your face also get red if you are hot (say, in the shower or outside during the summer)?
My rosacea kicked in during my thirties, which made me so bitter because I’d always had great skin.
I had a round red rash on my chin a few years ago that would not ago away. Eventually I used my husband’s athletes foot cream on it and it cleared up over night. Did the doctor rule out fungal?
Laura: I was convinced it was rosacea (because holy hell, yes with the flushing) but he doesn’t think that’s what it is. No mention of any fungus amongus either. Maybe I need a new doctor.
A lightbulb just clicked on in my little brain! I have had a couple of bouts of perioral dermatitis – it’s really common in women “our” age (I might have a few years on you…). The first time, a dermatologist friend told me that’s what it was, and prescribed doxycycline, which made me feel AWFUL but cleared up the problem. It’s a recurrent skin problem, so the next time the red, peely skin appeared, I tried over-the-counter antibiotic cream (NOT ointment). It cleared up!
I had another case coming on just last week, and twice-a-day antibiotic cream solved the problem in a day or two. I also avoid using really heavy moisturizer around my mouth (where the problem appears), which seems to exacerbate it. It’s a cheap fix, and worth a try. Good luck!
Okay, so I’ll weigh in on the hormonal thing — I use a copper IUD (no hormones) and LOVE it very much. I have none of the crappy mood swings/acne/eating binges that I had on hormonal birth control and it works like a charm. I also love the 10 years without a worry aspect. I’ve always used IUDs for birth control and can assure you that it does not hurt at all to get it removed (4X veteran — yes we chose to have 4 kids. . .) You will have the “re-insertion of new IUD” issue, and there are some cramps associated, but overall, you may find that your body works better with fewer “non-local” hormones coursing through your veins.
Best of luck
Oh dear, how I love Sundry and her readers. I haven’t really know anyone with a Mirena but the one person I did talk with about it looked at me as if I had grown a third head when I said it hurt like hell going in.
OH LORD. Mirena sucks! I had it for awhile and at first, things were just fine… But then I suddenly got a weird pimply rash on my chest, shoulders/upper arms and back. YUCK. My doc didn’t have a clue what was going on. I was on antibiotics a few times, tried Retin-A micro cream, shower gel with acne medication in it etc etc. After a couple of months, I was THIS CLOSE to heading to a dermatologist. I decided to go off the Mirena after having trouble losing weight. Within a month of having it removed, lost 10 pounds AND lost my pimply rash!!!
Oh! And as far as Mirena removal, my doc had me cough when she yanked and I had cramping off and on for about 24 hours. I have never had kids either (having it put in was HELL compared to having it taken out!!!).
It looks like a contact rash to me, not systemic (which would be the case with a hormonal or medicinal reaction). Perhaps you are touching something when you go to crossfit classes? Laying on the floor, pulling something up to your chin? That’d be why your dermatologist prescribed antibiotics.
I’ve had flawless skin my entire life, for which I am very grateful. I am 42. I had the Mirena put in 4 months ago and it’s been wonderful. EXCEPT: in the past month, my chin has broken out into pimple after pimple after pimple and they don’t seem to be going away. They just keep coming, one after another. I *know* it’s the Mirena–I have read on chat boards about this side effect and like you, I’ve had no change in diet, stress, or lifestyle. So yeah, that would be my guess. I find it interesting that we’re having the same side effect (in theory) from the same product while we live in the same city. Hmmmm . . .
Just wanted to let you know that I was just going over Mirena and Paraguard at my OB appt. today and one of the things that was said is that “…some people have no problems when they first have them inserted and then have side effects 2, 3 years down the line…” so it’s a possibility, Linda.
I have atopic dermatitis – for omg like I rememeber being 18 and having it= that was 13 yrs ago.. a rash- usually around my mouth.. that “could be caused from enviromental factors.” This shit has never gone away.. I can “treat” it, but it will never be gone- forever… I was prescribed Elidel, to treat- but it causes premature aging- sounds fab & it’s cancer causing.. Dont use it.. Hope u find sumthing that works for u- Im using products naturally made- with products I can pronouce- seems to help..
Diet could be the culprit. I used to suffer from chronic dermatitis and food was the cause. Even eating semi-clean I’d break out. I started eating 100% clean (no sugar, no grains, no refined foods of any kind) on December 26 and within a couple of weeks all the little red bumps disappeared.
I was so afraid of having my Mirena out and it didn’t even hurt at all. Seriously. It was nothing. Just have it out and see if it helps (if that’s what you feel like doing, of course)…
Here I am, your little wet blanket. I was planning to get my first Mirena out to begin trying to get pregnant for a second bambina. My nurse practitioner first did a pap test which knocked the strings out of a suitable path. They used the ultrasound to find it and fish it out with some tool I put right out of my mind. Not my best day but not my worst either. I’m keeping mine. The advice I’ve gotten about skin yutz and hair loss is something like “welcome to middle age post pregnancy and don’t blame your IUD.” So I’m living with it and focusing on the good things about the IUD that I don’t want to give up: no periods = no PMS = less time spent wanting to get rid of my husband. I wouldn’t go back for anything. Good luck with yours!
If it doesn’t go away get an allergy panel done. My sister had a rash for 13 months that they presribed steroids and various ointments for. After 13 months she insisted on a panel and she is very suddenly allergic to nickel.
As an esthetician I am a supporter of oil cleansing minus the castor oil….in the long run it seems to be too heavy for many. I like cold pressed grapeseed oil. That being said…it can be stress, dirty cell phones, dirty gym mats/equipment, dust mites, gluten or lactose which shows up as little white bumps in many, birth control, etc..eliminate one thing at a time!
Is there a Derm research place near you? I was dx with rosacea about 8 years ago and I have never followed up on it. It doesn’t bother me that much. I just got in touch with a research place locally and they are doing studies. I signed up with them and hope to get in a study. I am interested in their opinion on my skin. Money plus a dr to check out my skin. win – win!
I had nasty face rash that was all red with flaky skin and turned kind of this awful orangish-reddish color in the summer, that sounds similar to yours. Cortizone cream and aquafor(it’s gross to slather on your face but it might help) helped but in the end it never completely went away until I went back on daily allergy medicine (Zyrtec). I went to a dermatologist first but they were super unhelpful, the allergist fixed it for me in the end.
It’s definitely the Mirena causing the skin eruptions. I had the same thing, as well as some other lovely side effects (like wanting to get a divorce or kill someone), and it got better after having it removed. And as everyone else said, no big deal getting it out.
Google “mirena side effects” if you need more confirmation of what that little devil is doing to you.
I think IUD’s are too good to be true. I have the copper one and while I LOVE that it removes worry of getting pregnant, you pay a price. I put on 7lbs right away, skin/chin issues and have horrid horrid periods. So heavy, so long, and massive headaches once month. I was thinking of changing to Mirena but I’m sure I’ll pay a price with that too…sigh. Agreed, this girl shit is hard.
Please google peri-oral dermatitis. My son had it, and was misdiagnosed twice. The steroid cream they originally prescribed made the redness worse. There were a few different meds they tried. We never has to take any oral meds, just topical creams. This only exacerbated the skin condition. Once this was determined, the right meds were given and this condition on his chin went away. The soap we were instructed to use was cetaphil and the cream was like an antibiotic cream along with a VERY mild steroid cream. This was a 6 month ordeal until they finally figured out how to treat him. After two derms, we finally figured out what to do. Hope this helps.
I used to have a really bad rash on my chin and lower cheek that looked a lot like yours. I started using Arbonne three years ago and have LOVED it ever since. The rashes are gone and my skin is glowing and youthful looking all the time. It’s a little on the pricey side but it’s 100% natural and it last forever. I can’t recommend it enough.
http://www.arbonne.com
Lynda I don’t know if you have tried using coconut oil but you might want to try it and see how you go.
Another thing I have used for dry skin problem skin it’s a cream called NS 21 + Skin Repair Treatment it’s by a brand called Nutri Synergy. I’m based in Australia and I think you can get it online and they ship internationally. Anyway this is the website http://www.nutrisynergy.com.au/index.php/products/skinrepair/ns21 so worth reading the details and see if it might be something that could possibly help you.
Completely not on the topic of your skin or birth control (although both topics are of real interest to me.) But rather, your desire for sunshine. I have to be honest, I’ve been thinking about you and it always seems weird to worry about someone you only “know” through their blog. But ok, I’ve been worrying about you. You seem, as my mom used to call it, blue. And when I read the entry about going tanning I knew I had an idea of a sunshine replacement but couldn’t drag it out of my chaotic frontal cortex. But then I remembered this morning. Have you tried hot yoga? Probably won’t help the skin or keep you from getting pregnant. :-) But the times I’ve done it I’ve come out feeling like a new woman. And be kind to yourself – January in Seattle is never easy.
I think someone else may have already suggested this, but does the timing of the skin flare up coincide with starting Cross Fit? Not that I have any clue what you could be doing there that would cause a skin problem, but maybe it’s a towel you use? A hormone shift from having your ass handed to you on a regular basis? If it remains a mystery, an acupuncturist might be able to treat it. Good luck!
My 38 year-old face began breaking out in the same manner, and my doctor and a dermatologist both tried different strong antibiotics which both resulted in horrendous side effects. A few months later still suffering, I go back to my original doctor. He asks if I had acne when I was younger, to which I answer no, and he says we should try a low dose antibiotic, Erythromycin, and a steroid cream. It worked like a charm! Now I tackle the beginnings of a breakout with the cream for a couple of days and it goes away.
Could it be… stress? I have certainly found that personal angst can manifest itself in unexpected and confounding ways. I’ve be misdiagnosed with having “shingles” on my face. But it was just, I believe, stress. THe meds worked, but the condition kept re-asserting itself. Time and balance, however, did the trick. You’ve got a lot of on your plate. And many, many changes over the past year. I had a year like that too. 2009 kicked my ASS. And that’s when I had all my skin problems. It could be just one of those things that will resolve itself over time.
i havent read all of the comments here through and through, so i hope im not repeating too much.
first, im a pediastric nurse practitioner so (1) my experience with mirena is limited since i mostly prescribe oral birth control and (2) obviously my experience is limited to adolescents. with that being said, some of this is pretty basic medical knowledge.
the levonorgestrol in mirena, more or less synthetic progesterone, can indeed cause some skin issues. did you have similar issues with your skin when you were pregnant? progesterone is increased in pregnancy (thus the reason why this form of birth control works!) so youre right in thinking that the mirena MIGHT be causing your skin issues. is your dermatologist aware that you are using the mirena? have you talked with your GYN about the skin issues? are you a candidate for the paragard, a non-hormonal IUD that works in a similar way but without the hormones? there are a multitude of other birth control options that dont involve progesterone. it might be worth discussing with your GYN and seeing which options might be best for you.
sadly, i have terribly sensitive skin and thus have no real suggestions for cleansing methods. however, it might be a good idea to mention to your doctor that you have headaches with minocycline (common!) and maybe he/she can prescribe you doxycycline or tetrcycline (headache much less common and same medical effects) instead.
Thank you ladies for helping me make up my mind NOT to have the Mirena placed!! I had my tubes tied at the birth of my 3rd son. I have since had crime sceen monthly periods:( I had an appt to speak w/my OB about having the Mirena placed to help with that, but after all of the info here I am NOT going to do it, I honestly was on the fence about it anyway.
Linda I hope your skin clears up, and I would go to another Derm for a second opinion (can’t hurt right?)
I am surprised the doc didn’t try something topical and a different antibiotic. I mean I know different ones target different things but I had extreme issues with a similar rash…the derm always said it was perioral dermatitis and I kid you not I was on antibiotic for years (tetracycline, minocycline, topical clyndomycine, and some topical sulfur compound…um please excuse the spelling on all those) but the thing that finally cleared it up? TOOTHPASTE. I changed toothpaste to something that didn’t have Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in it (specifically I use Melaluca) and vloila! No icky rash/breakout cycle.
I had the same issue with stuff that just wouldn’t go away on my face. My derm recommended using medicated Selsun Blue – on my hair a couple days a week and then also rubbing the lather on my face. VOILA! problem solved! Good Luck! Looks like you have a lot of advice!
So as I’m reading what idea’s your readers have I came across the one that mentioned possible yeast infection. Well, I’m thinking that could be true. Gag, I know. Anyway, when my son was born he had beautiful skin and then within weeks it was all rashy and it just wouldn’t clear up. Then a friend of mine stopped over to see us and as soon as she saw his poor face she’s like, that is yeast! She told me to buy the over the counter cream and start applying it on the rash. Worked like a charm. So send JB to the drug store for that monistat, stat!! Okay, you might have to buy your own.
I’m going to go dig through the pictures and see if I have a good one of the rash and I’ll email to you.
I know you were doing the honey-cleansing a while back, might see how that works this time for its naturally antibacterial and moisturizing properties ?
I got a skin freakout when I was in the second trimester with my son. I started using aubrey organics vegecol (sensitive skin) facewash and moisturizing cream, and overnight I saw dramatic results and I haven’t looked back. The only time I couldn’t use it was when I developed an intolerance to Vitamin E for about a year (don’t ask). But I’m back to using it again and I love it! Amazing smooth results. I’d get a second opinion on the face breakouts. Any doctor who continues to prescribe you something that gives you headaches isn’t exploring all the options!
My friend got a weird rash/break out around her mouth–turned out it was caused by teeth bleaching. She had used one of those bleaching trays from a dentist. The rash lasted way past her using the bleaching solution. The dermatologist she saw said he had seen something similar on several others. Antibiotics cleared it up.
I keep meaning to let you know that thanks to you I’ve been using the oil method and my skin is starting to look like regular people’s skin as opposed to the crap fest it looked like in months past. It’s no longer dry and flaky and painful in some spots yet oil slick in others. So thank you for the suggestion!
I had some sort of funk pop up on my chin last summer – my family doc told me that it could be a bacteria infection that i picked up anywhere ie. the grocery cart at the store – off of my cell phone ect.(touching those things- then touching my face) Anyway she prescribed topical a medicine that worked pretty fast. It is “BETHAMETHASONE DIPROPINATE CREAM” You may want to see if your doc will hook you up with a script, i highly recommend it.
sorry that should have said “topical medicine” instead of topical a medicine. LOL
Here’s 2 cents that may bring you hope. My skin was a mess in my 30’s; I’d say 31-37 or so…..never had skin issues before that and haven’t had them since (I’m now 42). It’s definitely hormone related and aging. Yon-ka was my saviour — you’d may have to order online and I only ever used a cleanser and moisturizer even though there’s a bajillion treatments, serums etc. It’s for hormone inflamed skin and worked wonders. When I used anything else, the flare-ups would begin. So I gave in and swallowed the price tags whole……Now my skin is back to normal and I use Pears soap. Good Luck!
Mirena is evil (for me anyways). Switch to the regular IUD– no beastly hormones, but you’ll get periods again.
Hey, late in the game here, but since I went through the entire battery of acne meds in my teens (from Cleocin and antibiotics all the way up through Accutane), I will toss out there that some skin that doesn’t respond well to other stuff does really well with topical creams containing sulfur. Turns out in my 30s I acquired acne rosacea, and now I use Clenia at night, which contains just enough sulfur to keep breakouts at bay. I’m not a person who can tolerate salycic (sp?) acid or benzoyle peroxide on my skin, but the sulfur topicals totally work for me. There’s an over the counter one called Acnomel, and for me, Clenia rocks.
Here’s a dose from the earthy crunchy camp on skin ish or otherwise. Whenever it appears I’ve got something toxic going on, I literally swallow a bottle of activated charcoal over the course of a week or two and something improves. Even if it’s my bowels. Worth a shot?
I had something that sounds quite similar. I tried numerous Rx creams and a loooong round of antibiotics, none of which helped in a meaningful way. Everyone is right, it has to do with age and hormones (especially from birth control). Mine was concentrated around my mouth and chin (although it did radiate out after a while) and what really worked for me is switching to a toothpaste that is fluoride free. Not in a hippie-campaign way, but in a the-fluoride-interacts-somehow-with-30-something-skin way. SpectroJel face wash helps with this–and many other–skin conditions too!
The first thing that comes to my mind is food allergy. Dairy and sugar are both highly inflammatory and affect my skin obviously and immediately. (If I eat something cheesy today I will wake up tomorrow with acne around my mouth. Guaranteed.) Right now I’m reading a book called “Feed Your Face,” which, if you can get past the Hollywood, star-f*ckerish way it’s written, has some good info.
I had a Mirena put in 5 years ago and in a few weeks I have an appointment to have it removed. I have been absolutely panicking about this because I was convinced it was going to hurt like hell too.
Thank you to your readers for posting their “it’s nothing” experiences. They’ve settled my mind immensely.
Mirena definitely mucked my skin up and I ended up taking Roaccutaine (sp?)to clear it up. That stuff is meant to be the devil itself but it made such a difference and allowed me to show my face in public again so I was happy with it.
The Mirena on the other hand has caused to me gain weight that I just can’t lose, develop intense cravings pre period and also wild hormonal mood swings which I never had. I never considered myself premenstrual but the Mirena has me in totally unreasonable mind sets once a month.
There is evidence of hormone changes after 30 and I take a supplement called 30 plus which has helped but I think the Mirena coming out will be my best ‘fix it’.
Oh and having it out will help me have the baby I want. Small detail I missed ;)
I started breaking out and having really bad skin about a year ago.
I started experiencing really bad skin about a year ago, thought it was hormones, stress, turning 40, etc. It had been getting worse lately, with lots of small red spots, some being tiny whiteheads and some just being red bumps, on my forehead and cheekbones. I was starting to panic and became very self conscious about it; I have always had really good skin and I didn’t know what to do about it. In speaking with a friend of mine who is studying Holistic Nutrition, she suggested that I might be severely deficient in EFA’s – which made sense as my diet has been pretty bad this past couple of years. She suggested 1 Tablespoon of Flax Oil daily, along with eating more foods rich in EFA’s (salmon, walnuts) daily, a good multivitamin, 8 glasses of water per day, cutting back on fats, processed foods and sugar. I started 15 days ago – and today I can’t believe the change, but my face is almost entirely cleared up. Other amazing side effects are increased energy, fewer mood swings, generally feeling great. If you google “EFA deficiency symptoms” and “EFA rich foods” you can see more info as well.
Im going to save this to my mobile phone right now.