Terrible skin 😭: Only recently... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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Terrible skin 😭

Joleen1983 profile image
Joleen1983
•9 Replies

Only recently diagnosed and had my loading injections back end of March, with another due tomorrow however since then my skin has gone wild with spots 😭

I’m 35 and haven’t had brilliant skin really for the last 5 years, but never ti the extent it is now, it really is the worst it has ever been.

Has anyone had this problem?

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Joleen1983 profile image
Joleen1983
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9 Replies
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clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support

Hi Joleen1983 are you on Hydroxocobamalin?

A wiser person than I has written previously on here:

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 - though there is always a chance that it was something that won't recur.

I am not a medically trained person.

Joleen1983 profile image
Joleen1983• in reply toclivealive

Thank you, I will have a word with the nurse also tomorrow about it. It is hydroxocobamlon I am being objected with yes

So depressing to have more spots than my teenage daughter 😞

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support• in reply toJoleen1983

I had a very bad reaction to hydroxo when "tried on it" in the mid 1980s so have continued with the cyanocobamalin injections for 46 years.

Cardigan167 profile image
Cardigan167

I have a very similar reaction, my loading doses finished on 6th June and I’ve been prescribed further B12 every 8 weeks. I now have horrible spots! Just like being 14 again. I’ve read it’s temporary, and have been cleansing and exfoliating and using TCP. I’m also supplementing orally but going to try sublingual supplements (methylcobalamin) instead of the oral cyanocobalamin as I think my skin has been worse with that one. I’m hoping everything settles down soon!

Joleen1983 profile image
Joleen1983• in reply toCardigan167

I’m hoping the nurse will be helpful today when I go. Iv woke up this morning to a few more fresh red nasties 🙄 I have literally stopped all my face care, I usually use crem de le mar however after being diagnosed and having the loading injections I felt it was making my skin worse so stopped everything and just using their facial wash. I am going to see how the next two weeks play out after this injection today and hope my skin does start to settle. I had very rough sandpapery skin after the first lot of injections so I wonder if I will get this reaction again 🤔

Cardigan167 profile image
Cardigan167

Yes me too, daren’t put any of my usual anti-aging cream on! Borrowing my son’s antibacterial face wash and have ordered some salicylic cream for acne. Hope you get some advice from the nurse, please let us know if you do!

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi,

Sorry to read about your skin reaction.

Next link lists side effects of hydroxycobalamin.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

I am not medically trained.

Sofiihorrell profile image
Sofiihorrell

Hi. I started my loading doses in October 2017 and immediately broke out in severe cystic acne. Originally I thought this was due to being put on Amitriptyline to treat headaches a month previous (actually ended up being a symptom of my low B12)! I tried everything to get rid of it, OTC acne creams, gels, home remedies and nothing helped. They were so bad it hurt to lay down! I tried witch hazel solution and these helped to dry them out so they actually had a head on the spot compared to just being a cyst! I went to the doctors and she put me on Lymecycline 408mg capsules, a strong antibiotic used to treat infections in the skin and severe acne as well as putting me on Epiduo, a cream that’s a mix of adapalene 1mg and benzoyl peroxide 25mg. I found the cream dried out my skin terribly so I stopped using that but I’m continuing on with the antibiotics! It takes around a month to see results but they definitely work! The only problem is I’m now left with red marks on my face from where the acne was, but the skin is completely smooth and flat after 2 months of use! I recommend going to the doctor and asking for Lymecycline (generic) or Tetralysal (branded) to help with your acne. Mine was bad from October 2017 until April 2018, and is called drug-induced acne. Until you stop taking the B12 there is no chance of it clearing up on it’s own! I’m 19 so put it down to other medications as well as my age so left it longer than I should and I’m now slightly scarred. Please go and see a GP who will be able to help you. I wish you all the best. Let us know how you get on.

Joleen1983 profile image
Joleen1983• in reply toSofiihorrell

I spoke to the nurse today and she wasn’t very helpful just said if I have concerns to see the dr. Mine are tiny filled whitehead type bumps all over my jaw and now spreading onto my cheeks. Also they are coming on my neck and have quite a few which are deep and infected and just aren’t budging. One on neck has been there for four weeks now, I think he’s hanging in there for a postcode to be issued! Has your acne improved over time? Got an appointment with dr for in two weeks time, by which point if I go by last injections my skin would be even worse x

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