10 months since first 3 shots of B12 and this has caused cystic acne on my face.

[KrishnaChawda]

Hi all, its been 10 months since I started the B12 shots which were every week. Now I am on 3 monthly shots and since then I am getting really bad cystic acne on my chin. This has left with really bad scaring and pigmentation on my chin. I never had acne in my life, I am aged 34. I went to my GP and they gave me some gel to apply on the acne but its getting worse.

I don't really know what to do. I feel so stressed and frustrated as acne is getting worse. Please help me!!! Thanks

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi KrishnaChawda Where do you live and what type of B12 injections do you have?

A much wiser person than I has written previously about 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

"

Personally I found when I was injected with hydroxocobamalin I came out in an awful rash and so reverted back to cyanocobamalin which I've been on for more than 46 years.

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

[KrishnaChawda in reply to clivealive]

Hi Clivealive, thanks for the reply.

I live in the UK and was diagnosed with B12 deficiency as I am a vegetarian. GP prescribed me Vitamin B12 6 shots for every alternate day and other 3 shots every 3 months. Sorry I am not really sure what B12 were they.

Is there any way I can find that out?

Thanks

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to KrishnaChawda]

As you are in the U.K, the injections will be hydroxocobamalin, your nurse will be able to tell you.

Meanwhile have a word with a pharmacist as they may be able to suggest some treatment to resolve the acne problem.

[KrishnaChawda in reply to clivealive]

Hi Clivealive, you might be right about the injection type...I will just confirm for my reference from my GP.

Regarding the acne, I visited GP and she prescribed me Epiduo gel which however made my skin worse. I don't see any results of applying since 10 days.

I think GP is hid the fact that B12 has caused the acne

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to KrishnaChawda]

If the pharmacist cannot help and it is the hydroxocobamalin causing the allergic reaction you could ask to be tried on cyanocobamalin (which I am on) instead.

The problem with that is that cyano has been withdrawn from being prescribable by the NHS so your doctor will have to "override" the restriction as mine has done or issue you with a private prescription.

[KrishnaChawda in reply to clivealive]

Hi Clivealive, thank you so much for the suggestions. Really appreciate your help.

[GayleD]

Hi KrishnaChawda. I know how you are feeling I used to get really bad acne after my jabs and I didn’t realise then they were linked. Over time mine did get better but even now I occasionally get a flare up with really sore cyst like spots on my chin,

I always work on the basis that acne is a small price to pay for keeping well and I don’t stress about it now, which probably also helps. If the cream from the Drs isn’t working I have tried tea tree oil or clearasil in the past as this dries them up and reduces the redness. And invested in a good cover up for the worst days so I don’t feel as self conscious. Other than that I haven’t found any other miracle remedy. Bear with it, it should get better.

[KrishnaChawda in reply to GayleD]

Hi GayleD, thank u so much for the response.

I am glad and relieved to hear that the acne eventually subsides with time. Thank u for the positivity.

I am planning to start using Tea Tree oil on the painful cysts. My major issue here is the amount of discoloration left behind from the acne. My whole chin is darkened and turned blacking which stresses me out a lot.

I hope acne will get better soon, as I have stopped taking any further shots now.

Thanks a lot for the help

[GayleD in reply to KrishnaChawda]

Anytime I think it really helps to know that you aren’t the only one going through this. The only problem with stopping the shots is that if/when you start again you may be back in the same boat whilst your body gets used to them again?

I found once I got on top of them my chin started to look more normal. I also took vitamin E for as I’d heard that helped maintain healthy skin. I haven’t a clue if it worked or not but my skin is so much clearer now so I never stopped just in case!

Good luck and hope you get on top of it soon x