Hi everyone, I developed severe acne after my third booster shot and 6 weeks on it’s not gotten any better - each day I get 3/4 new spots which are either red and sore or come up as whiteheads straight away. From this website I’m aware it’s a side effect of the B12 shots but despite a load of Googling I’ve yet to find any suggestions to help reduce the acne.
Due to bad acne in my teens I use the contraceptive pill to control my skin and before the shots it was working, my skin was clear apart from the odd spot when I drank alcohol or ate too much junk food. I’m assuming the pill does nothing for these spots because they’re not hormone related.
Has anyone who has experienced the acne found a way to reduce it? I’ve tried light therapy, sudocream and tea tree oil in addition to my usual skin care regime. Make up only does so much to cover them.
After my B12 loading shots my skin which was temperamental beforehand seemed to flare completely up, lots of news red angry spots and new white heads all along jaw area, very depressing!
I went to the Drs after about three months and she prescribed a prescription only cream which was called Duac. I used for about two months and this really helped my spots. I did have couple of injections after which seemed to not cause new flare ups so I am thinking the duac really helped clear the new ones and my body was simply getting rid of toxins that maybe had built up in my system. The duac is Very drying at first but got rid of all the spots and now my skin seems to be pretty much clear.
Nic0le, If your B12 was significantly low for a period of time, your body will begin storing toxins in adipose tissue. As it starts to get a supply of B12, your body will begin to pull those toxins out to dispose of them through the skin. The most common places for it are the scalp and faces, but can include other areas or the whole body. As long as you stay on it consistently, you will see this start to clear up completely. The amount of time it takes is relative to how long your levels were low as well as how low they were. I found that Differin Gel applied 2-3/day, and if possible getting facials with extractions done weekly, made a huge difference for me. I hope this helps! (I am new to this site so most everyone may already know this, but it is also important that you are using methylcobalamin, or AC. Cyanocobalamin can greatly exacerbate this issue as it creates its own toxins in addition to the ones your body is already trying to remove.
ThePATexan, I've not come across toxins in adipose tissue as being the reason for acne type outbreaks - in most cases it does seem to be down to microbes in the skin responding to higher levels of B12 by producing chemicals that the skin reacts to - possibly combined with a tendency for immune system to go into slight overdrive as it gets enough B12 to run processes again. It seems to be temporary for many but for some it is a recurrent feature of B12 shots - though many regard it as a small price to pay not to have all the other symptoms.
Facials and creams would certainly help by removing the microbes that are reacting and hence the toxins.
Is it possible that you misunderstood what your oncologist was say about toxins and adipose tissue? B12 deficiency can affect the way lipids are processed and can result in build up of things like cholesterol and may be this is what the oncologist was talking about - slightly different from toxins building up in adipose tissue - which is something I've not come across.
People respond very differently to different forms of cobalamin as well - I find different ones help me with different symptoms so actually use a mix. Cyanocobalamin is contra-indicated for people with lebers (a rare genetic condition) but that is the only contraindication for its use ... and studies tend to show that methyl is no more effective than cyano/hydroxo ... but that is looking at the average situation. Some people actually find that they respond best to cyano and some find that they don't respond at all to methyl. I've not come across any research showing that any one form of B12 is more associated with spots than any other and spots seem to be a reported side-effect for all forms of B12 with roughly the same incidence.
Gambit62, I appreciate your kind response. You’re right. Everyone does respond differently and different levels of deficiency along with other concurrent conditions can effect all of those things too. The truth is, they are still learning a lot about the severe B-12 deficiencies. I did simplify the way I worded my response because the whole medical etiology could take pages (but it sounds like you already know that, since you sound knowledgeable in the different forms of B-12 as well). My particular case was such severe PA that I had lost the ability to walk, see, and talk. That was a terrifying prospect. My doctors have done a great job, as I am only having occasional issues with dystonia and headaches now! Not many people make it back from how far gone I was. That says enough for me about the ability of my team of doctors. They knew I had a rare, within the rare PA world, condition where my liver could not keep up with the rate of replacement vs the cyanide byproduct. My system did not have enough available methyl groups compared to how much damage and the high dosages I needed ASAP. In my case, in addition to the lipid release, my B-12 was so low it had created other issues like almost unmeasurably low Vitamin D and a lot of other minerals & ions. That is when the issue of a build up of toxins comes in to play. In a “regular” deficiency, where most of your other levels are stable, that isn’t an issue. In my case, I felt as if I had been poisoned and was dying which is roughly what had happened when my PA went undiagnosed for so long. As my levels have started to get higher, the spots on me have almost completely cleared up (I even had large vesicles on me as big as 1/2”!). I hope I do not turn out to be one of the people who have it return periodically! I feel like I have been through enough. I have been through many states and doctors to get to where I am. I hope that awareness of this condition grows much faster than it has. I know quite a bit of information comes from the UK database of rare conditions and diseases, which has one of the largest collections of most complete case studies. Sadly, the majority of the cases were found post mortem in autopsy having found they were misdiagnosed with other conditions. Thanks to those people, hopefully we will be able to live longer, happier, healthier lives!
Sounds like you had have had a really tough time. Great that you had such good doctors so you have recovered so well!
I guess the adipose tissue is like in cardiovascular disease and diabetes, the tummy fat is the most dangerous kind interupting normal hormone function.
There was a rough patch where none of us were sure I was going to make it. Hopefully I am past that part now. That is how I perceived the issue with the adipose tissue. The good side is the treatment I am going through now is supposed to get my body back to health and get rid of the tummy fat. None of us like that! I was always super fit before this happened so it has been a culture shock. Thank you for your well wishes and all the best to you on your journey too!
I don't know much about the metabolism of cholesterol but the research is related to levels in blood - and in general I think it tends to be associated with the cardio-vascular symptoms of B12 deficiency
Ryaan, I hope you are doing well. I noticed this post again and your comment about your cholesterol. After what I have learned in the last few weeks, I was wondering if your cholesterol was still high and if it happened rather suddenly? I always had very consistent healthy numbers with cholesterol, triglycerides, etc, then suddenly they were very high, which alerted my doctor to check my catecholamine levels. Just a thought. If you have had any changes in blood pressure subsequently, you might consider asking your doctor about it.
No it wasn’t sudden. First year it was on 5.3, 12 months later it was 6.3 and the third year it went to 7.2 or 7.8.
One of the reasons is I didn’t take the Statins my Gp prescribed when it was 5.2 then the next year they upped to 40mg and third year they upped to 80mg and referred me to a specialist who prescribed me even stronger ones.....I still didn’t take them.
I made only 1 change, that is to have Oatmeal every day for breakfast and when I went back to the specialist in a few months it was on 5.3 and he said GREAT !....the tablets worked.....Lol.
I told him I didn’t take any.
Statins have a lot of bad side effects and most of the time you don’t even need them but they’re prescribed.
I watched a documentary called Prescription Thugs, on YouTube (I think), about statins. They tell you it’s just a con to make £££.
Doctors are never taught about diet.....and I don’t trust doctors no more (regarding all the drugs they prescribe unecessarily).
Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it very much.
I would have done what you said if it was a sudden increase, but my doctor doesn’t listen anyway.
Sometimes I feel like thumping him one in the face, like most people on here.
I too, stopped taking statins. They made me so ill, in fact I’m wondering if they contributed to the b12d. I cut out sugar and told the doctor when the levels dropped. He laughed and said it couldn’t be sugar as that had no relation to cholesterol. Bit scary really!
Two weeks ago I found out mine was due to Pheochromocytoma & Paragangliomas. Not exactly what you want to hear, but now I know for sure what is causing it. My doctors have gotten my catecholamine levels relatively controlled and the skin condition have resolved by about 50% already. It has also greatly reduced the amount of B12 I have to take. Great to reduce how much I have to jab! Silver linings....
Since this exchange I found out this was being caused by Pheochromocytoma. Instead of being acne, it was technically xanthomas from the Pheo. Has anyone checked your catecholamine levels? If so, was it via supine/standing blood test with suppression? Other methods are not very reliable for Pheo.
It's not an uncommon side-effect. The bacteria in your skin react to having lots of B12 to feed on.stm.sciencemag.org/content/... As far as I know it's always temporary.
It has nothing at all to do with 'toxins' being squirted onto your face by B12.
I use a medicated face wash only on the spots as dries them out. Also have made an aromatherapy solution of bergamot eucalyptus t tree in vodka. You have to be careful with potency. Also dries the spots. I used to use it for the odd cold sores. Of course once dry you have time moisturise. For some reason my nose peels as well as though I've got sunburnt. That hasn't any spots . I have less appearing now. Only 3 at present but one above lip sore.
I dont know if this will help anyone, for me squeezing a bit of juice from ginger and mixing it with manuka honey then applying to my face seems to help. It stings a lot at first. Also don't leave it on too long only a couple of hours max.
I found that I had developed acne to my lower jaw prior to diagnosis and loading shots. I have not noticed any worsening of the problem since loading three months ago, nor any improvement for that matter. Certainly for me, the issue arose as part of the deficiency rather than as a side effect of the treatment.
My GP was unaware of any known connection between the spots and the PA but the timing of their appearance leaves me in no doubt. Sadly I can’t offer any advice, just a little empathy.
Prior to bengage b12 defient I was fortunate to have very clear skin and also didn't suffer as a teenager. For me i had my first big crop on the day of my 6th injection (end of loading dose) very distinctive as looks like a big sore white head but isn't as hard and very sore. They do not squeeze or pop as they look like they should. As Time has gone on I have alot fewer. The ones on my neck do take the longest to go. But as has been stated a small price to pay for the work b12 display in repair. Just doesn't help mood on a bad day Ashen with bbig spots. I'm trying to turn everything into a positive impact the process of getting as well as possible.
Hi I’m experiencing the same thing but also have loads of black heads come and face is red, like a butterfly from my cheeks up to the side of my face. Been ordering all sorts to try to help this condition on my face as it look awful. Will let you know if I find something that works
Thanks everyone for your comments. Ill try the creams a couple of people have suggested, although I do know how drying they can be as the doctor gave me a similar cream for acne in my teens.
Some days I think the spots are clearing and then others they seem to flare up again. They seem to come up quicker than normal spots and take longer to go away.
I know this side effect is better than the symptoms of b12 deficiency and I do feel so much better following the shots. However having finally got to the point where I was confident with my skin to experience such a knock back (my skin was never this bad even in my teens) is upsetting and really affecting my anxiety levels, self esteem and confidence.
Good luck to everyone else who has said they’re experiencing the same thing!
Hi Nicole. How are you getting? Did the acne clear up? My daughter has had the same reaction and it is getting worse after 6 weeks since last injection. I’m very concerned for her and wondering about treatment. I do hope yours has resolved. If you have any advice about treatment or resolution I would be grateful to hear your comments.
Gets better over time. I had it for about 6 months. In the meantime I think Duac is as good as it can get.
Avoid picking them as this will leave marks.
I used to get the sterilised diabetic fingerpick needles and just push into the spot once and gently squeeze and dab with a tissue and they used to kind of flatten.
Use Duac at night and clearasil ultra cream in a tube in the day after washing your face as it’s nice and moisturising and helps with the redness of spots at the same time.
Don’t worry too much, it will go away with time as you’ve recently started B12.
The doctor can prescribe you tetracycline tablets for spots, I remember taking oxytetracycline as a teen for a good few months, but talk to your doctor who can advise you on taking tablets for spots.
Hi Ryaan, did you use any treatment for the spots and what did the acne look like? I was taking B12 supplements for just under a month before I broke out with cystic acne across my cheeks and chin (having previously had clear skin). It’s been 3 months and I’m still getting more pimples, started Epiduo last week. I’m really hoping it clears up after a few more months but terrified that my skin has changed for the worse as some people say they’ve had reactions for years.
I got the spots with B12 injections. I would describe it as cystic. It was bumpy and painful to touch. Personally I used the sterile needles to pierce the spot and gently squeeze and then not mess with it.
I only used Clearasil Ultra cream which helped to a certain extent but haven’t used any other medication.
There is something called Duac cream which might be same as Epiduo but I’m not too sure.
The spots do get less over time, for me it was probably about 6 months or slightly longer before they got better.
I think it affects every individual differently.
I chose to live with the spots at the time as I really needed the B12 injections so didn’t have a choice.
You can talk to your GP about prescription creams or tablets but do check up the side effects fully before you decide to use anything prescribed as sometimes the side effects can be quite harmful.
Thank you for your detailed reply, really appreciate it - going to have bloods done at the GP just to check it isn’t because of something else because I’ve heard it’s less common to get breakouts with the supplements? But definitely sticking to just the topical treatment for now, thank you again
I’ve just discovered that a weak wash of teatree rinse after shampooing/conditioning is helping better than anything. I out two or three drops into about 100ml of warm water and pour it over my scalp. Dries them up a treat without drying the hair 😉
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