Road to recovery

[chappa]

Hi All,

I've been low on iron and B12 due to a vegan-ish diet for the past few years - I guess you can say I was somewhat malnourished.

I've been suffering from adult acne for the past 8 years on my scalp and face. When I started to take b12/iron/folate I was improving very well without too many issues. But 2 months in and my acne suddenly became exceptionally bad. I subsequently stopped the treatment for 2 weeks which resulted in a significant improvement across my face and scalp (better than before I started the iron/b12). So it appears my long-term acne has improved by around 20-30% in some areas and worsened in others (my chin).

I took some b12 for two days this passing tuesday (500mcg day 1, and 100mcg day 2) and have broken out badly on my chin and scalp.

Has anyone else had this ? I'm confused as to whether this is some "die-off", or my body is reacting to it in some other way. Has anyone else had acne improvement once completing their b12 and/or iron course ?

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi chappa a wiser person than I wrote:

B12 Side effects

The pimples/acne, is likely to be caused by microbes on your skin reacting to the additional B12 by producing substances that your skin is then reacting to. In theory this could be resolved by use of a good skin wash. You might have better luck talking to your pharmacist and seeing what they can recommend prior to your next maintenance shot.

I am not a medically trained person and I wish you well

[Gambit62 Administrator]

chappa if your deficiencies are dietary then I would suggest that you use a much lower dose - 10-50mcg a day to avoid the possibility that you raise your B12 levels to the point where the micro-organisms on your skin start to react, which is most likely the cause of your acne.

There is no reason why a vegan should become iron deficient - there are plenty of vegetable based sources of iron - green vegetables and pulses. If you have plenty of these in your diet then there is probably something else going on behind the iron - likely an absorption problem

[chappa in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks. I can't seem to find any tablets in the 10-50mcg range. Do you know of any brands ?

I was vegan because my acne was triggered by anything. It is more accurate to say I was malnourished since I was only eating a small variety of foods.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to chappa]

a general multi-vitamin with B12 in should give you the right dosage. Health food shops tend to do B12 supplements of 50mcg.