Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is Acne On Face Common While Suffering From Scalp Folliculitis?
Question: Hi Doctor,
I have scalp folliculitis from Staph A. Currently on Erythromycin. I noticed after a few days it exacerbated my tinnitus so was lowered to 250mg from 400mg ( tinnitus caused two years ago from doxycycline). Been on them for three weeks. I also was told to use benzoyl peroxide twice a day which I am doing. From my reading a lot of people with this condition have stated it comes back after finishing the antibiotics. Is this common? does a course of antibiotics prevent outbreaks for life. I also have it quite bad on my face. It comes up as large cysts like spots than can be very painful. Is this related? hair doesn't grow on these areas.
Are there any other antibiotics that I can use, that don't effect my tinnitus? My scalp has cleared from antibiotics but face is worse that ever
I have scalp folliculitis from Staph A. Currently on Erythromycin. I noticed after a few days it exacerbated my tinnitus so was lowered to 250mg from 400mg ( tinnitus caused two years ago from doxycycline). Been on them for three weeks. I also was told to use benzoyl peroxide twice a day which I am doing. From my reading a lot of people with this condition have stated it comes back after finishing the antibiotics. Is this common? does a course of antibiotics prevent outbreaks for life. I also have it quite bad on my face. It comes up as large cysts like spots than can be very painful. Is this related? hair doesn't grow on these areas.
Are there any other antibiotics that I can use, that don't effect my tinnitus? My scalp has cleared from antibiotics but face is worse that ever
Brief Answer:
Acne can affect face & sites like scalp, chest etc; oral Isotretinoin
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query and I have noted down your concern.
You seem to have severe grade of inflammatory acne on face as well as it seems to be affecting your scalp. Of course these are related.
While it is quite common to have acne on face, some of the affected individuals may also have inflammatory lesions on scalp, chest, back and shoulders.
Oral antibiotics are the mainstay for inflammatory acne on scalp as well as face and elsewhere.
Topical antiacne antibacterials like benzoyl peroxide Or nadifloxacin gel can be used on affected areas in addition to Oral antibiotics, though not on scalp.
I would suggest you to keep your scalp clean. Wash it daily with an antifungal shampoo i.e ketoconazole shampoo e.g Nizral shampoo. Avoid hair oil.
Acne is a chronic condition and therefore, if your scalp and/or face acne are not effectively controlled by oral and topical antibiotics Or relapse quickly after discontinuing oral antibiotics, your doctor can consider starting you on 'Oral isotretinoin' which is the most effective oral drug for severe grade of inflammatory acne Or acne that is not effectively controlled with traditional oral antiacne antibiotics Or acne that relapses quickly as soon as antibiotics are stopped.
Isotretinoin is not an antibiotic.
Regards
Acne can affect face & sites like scalp, chest etc; oral Isotretinoin
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query and I have noted down your concern.
You seem to have severe grade of inflammatory acne on face as well as it seems to be affecting your scalp. Of course these are related.
While it is quite common to have acne on face, some of the affected individuals may also have inflammatory lesions on scalp, chest, back and shoulders.
Oral antibiotics are the mainstay for inflammatory acne on scalp as well as face and elsewhere.
Topical antiacne antibacterials like benzoyl peroxide Or nadifloxacin gel can be used on affected areas in addition to Oral antibiotics, though not on scalp.
I would suggest you to keep your scalp clean. Wash it daily with an antifungal shampoo i.e ketoconazole shampoo e.g Nizral shampoo. Avoid hair oil.
Acne is a chronic condition and therefore, if your scalp and/or face acne are not effectively controlled by oral and topical antibiotics Or relapse quickly after discontinuing oral antibiotics, your doctor can consider starting you on 'Oral isotretinoin' which is the most effective oral drug for severe grade of inflammatory acne Or acne that is not effectively controlled with traditional oral antiacne antibiotics Or acne that relapses quickly as soon as antibiotics are stopped.
Isotretinoin is not an antibiotic.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi DR Kaka,
It started four years ago after returning from Thailand. Dermatologist here thinks I've picked up the infection here. Is staph A bacterial infection causing the scalp follicularitis related to acne. I was under the impression they were two different things? The best shampoo I have used contains Selenium Sulphide 0.025.
The antifungal didn't work as it is a bacterial staph a infection.
I might ask for isotretinion as ears don't seem to agree with antibiotics.
It started four years ago after returning from Thailand. Dermatologist here thinks I've picked up the infection here. Is staph A bacterial infection causing the scalp follicularitis related to acne. I was under the impression they were two different things? The best shampoo I have used contains Selenium Sulphide 0.025.
The antifungal didn't work as it is a bacterial staph a infection.
I might ask for isotretinion as ears don't seem to agree with antibiotics.
Brief Answer:
Cephalexin can be considered if not Isotretinoin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Staph. is commonly isolated from inflammatory acne lesions in addition to the usual propionibacterium acnes.
Though doxycycline, erythromycin, minocycline have been traditionally used for inflammatory acne on both scalp and face, few individuals can have side effects like photosensitivity, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, headache, tinnitus with these long term oral antibiotics.
Therefore, isotretinoin is an option for recurrent and frequently relapsing acne on face and scalp as it also helps to take patient off from oral antibiotics.
Besides considering isotretinoin, cephalexin is another oral antibiotic that can be tried in place of doxycycline or erythromycin for acne on scalp and face. It does'nt have tinnitus as a side effect.
Regards
Cephalexin can be considered if not Isotretinoin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Staph. is commonly isolated from inflammatory acne lesions in addition to the usual propionibacterium acnes.
Though doxycycline, erythromycin, minocycline have been traditionally used for inflammatory acne on both scalp and face, few individuals can have side effects like photosensitivity, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, headache, tinnitus with these long term oral antibiotics.
Therefore, isotretinoin is an option for recurrent and frequently relapsing acne on face and scalp as it also helps to take patient off from oral antibiotics.
Besides considering isotretinoin, cephalexin is another oral antibiotic that can be tried in place of doxycycline or erythromycin for acne on scalp and face. It does'nt have tinnitus as a side effect.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Doctor, very helpful :)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing to us
Regards
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing to us
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
