The dreaded Acne

[Frances55]

Is there anything I can do about this acne problem due to the injections 😔... I don't think my wee face can accommodate much more... It's ony scalp and all down my back as well..and I've only just had my 14th jab.. With many man more to go... Any advice would be much appreciated... All the best ☺

[Gambit62 Administrator]

the acne may be due to microbes on the skin reacting to the higher levels of B12 and producing toxins that the skin is then reacting to. Sometimes during loading shots the reaction is worse because the immune system may have been affected by B12 deficiency and it starts off in overdrive and then adjusts back down.

suggest that you talk to a pharmacist as they may be able to suggest a wash that helps. If it carries on you might need referral to a dermatologist.

Some people find after loading that it comes back when they have a maintenance shot

[MaggieMaeJohnsm]

Frances55 unfortunately I don't have any advice let me know if you find some. I've been taking regular injections (about monthly) for a year now and I get acne around my temples and sides of my face after each injects it sucks! Anyways I feel you! It is no fun. BUT a lot of people say it gets much better after the loading dose finishes! Hopefully you're feeling better other than the acne?

[Leigh33]

I went to the GP as I had never had acne before the loading injections, he gave me some medication and a cream, which really helped. Having a mild flare up again now that I had an injection a couple days ago, luckily still have some cream so hope it doesn't come back so bad. I initially went to pharmacy to ask what I could buy for it and she suggested I see GP and get something, so maybe go ask them first, there are things that can help, don't suffer as it will make you feel more rubbish.

Best wishes

[Frances55 in reply to Leigh33]

Thanks for your reply ☺.. My problem is I'm injecting every other day indefinitely and have been for over a month now.. So I'm not giving my skin any time to heal.. It's ongoing 😔... But I agree I'll have to see my doctor... All the best for the future ☺

[Leigh33 in reply to Frances55]

Hi, my dr has upped me to monthly injections after how bad I was from my loading doses, (also seeing a neurologist Monday as a lot of my neuro symptoms haven't improved so he may decide on more loading doses) I do have repeat prescriptions for both the medication and cream so when they run out I imagine I will have to get more as may be a long term issue with the injections, my skin did improve after a week or so once started the tablets, I've been taking them ever since as instructed but have had a flare up again, so will be using the cream too, just an extra thing to make us feel rubbish, hope ur feeling better soon and you get your skin under control.

all the best

[Frances55 in reply to Leigh33]

Aww thanks ☺... Yeah I'm going to see a neurologist.. Haven't had the appointment through yet.. But good idea to hold onto the prescription... My acne has just got worse and worse... So really need to get something done about it soon... Hope you're feeling better very soon ☺... All the best ☺

[KimberinUS]

Im 46 and started getting acne after 6th injection. I haven't had acne for over a decade. At first I was like alright this is a good sign the B12 is getting into my body. Then the acne got red and started to hurt and I was not so cool with it. I did some research on the internet and started taking zinc and my acne went away. I haven't had any acne, even though I'm getting weekly injections, for the last three or four weeks. Fingers crossed. I hope this helps you

[Frances55 in reply to KimberinUS]

Thanks for your reply ☺.. That's very interesting ☺...do you take a zink supplement???... Or via food???... Any thing's worth a try... All the best ☺......

[Frances55 in reply to Frances55]

Ment zinc..... ☺

[KimberinUS in reply to Frances55]

I suppliment with 30 mg pills. Somedays i take one pill but other days i take 2. The dosage is not the elemental amount, here in the U S, so it equates to much less of the elemental form.

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One size does not fit all.For a general overall approach see Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride MD, etc. I only regret not reading it years ago.

[Jo5454]

Hi, sorry to hear you are suffering with this...have you noticed the sun or UV rays aggravating your acne?

I started b12 injections last year and had very sore skin, spots and hard large lumps which would be under the skin around the spots, so can understand how you're feeling. What I did notice was this improved greatly during the November/ December/January. I'd read it can be an initial reaction so thought maybe the monthly injections were building up by this stage and this was improving, even though I felt they were running out after a fortnight and I was still feeling unwell. Middle of Feb I started to feel my face burn after being outside a few minutes and within hours had spots and red face again, it wasn't even a sunny day but am presuming the UV rays were strong enough to cause a reaction?

I tried to wear a hat, but its not that easy swopping your woolly hat for a wide-brimmed straw one in February in Britain, but gave it my best shot! Ive noticed my skin in general is much sore in the heat and I live under a hat, but seems it only to takes a very small amount of exposure to start aggravate it.f. I've noticed a few rashes on arms, but thankfully legs seem to escape! I haven't actually tried sunblock which I should, have avoided the stuff because I need the vit d and its all chemicals, and have been prone to spots in the past (thought I'd finally grown out of them :)) but really should give it a try.

I do also notice prior to the next injection they can worsen. It's all a challenge trying to find patterns isn't it! I was also very poorly with infections during the winter and took 4 courses of antibiotics (altho 3 of those I found out afterwards shouldn't have been given to b12 deficient patients and were attributing to my feeling ill) so not sure if they helped may have been a reason why the spots also improved? Will have to await another Winter to test that theory!

I hope you soon see an improvement and I hope a hat can help relieve them...x

[Frances55 in reply to Jo5454]

Hi Jo... I don't have a problem with the sun.. Sorry to hear you are 😔... But I think you should try a sun block and take a vitamin Down supplement for a while to see if it'll make the difference...I've read most of the UK suffer vitamin D deficiency anyway .. Because we don't have enough sunshine.. I live in Glasgow so I was definitely deficient and take a supplement every day.. Like I said give it a try ☺... I really hope it works for you.. All the best for the future ☺....

[Frances55 in reply to Frances55]

Vitamin D not Down ☺...