B12 injections - acne!!

[Magtee]

Hi everyone, hope you are all doing well during this COVID time. I'm looking for a wee bit of advice please. I started B12 injections last year (3 monthly) and i have horrendous acne on my face and neck as a result of the injections, so bad i'm considering stopping them. Is there an alternative i can take e.g. apple cider vinegar or something else? I dont appear to have neurological symptoms, I was suffering from extreme fatigue and couldnt concentrate. My B12 levels were 157, no idea what they are now as i havent had bloods done since last year. Any advice would be extremely welcome 😊 keep safe everyone x

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear you are suffering from acne.

Have you discussed this with GP?

Link below mentions acne as a possible side effect from hydroxycobalamin injections.

BNF

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

In my case, my life before treatment was unbearable from the pain, the numerous neurological symptoms such as constant twitching, jerking limbs, brainfog, clumsiness, pins and needles in the spine, constant vibrating feeling, tinnitus, strange behaviour eg reading glasses in the fridge, dystonia symptoms, tremors, dementia symptoms etc.

These are only a few of the symptoms I had, after years without treatment.

I knew that acne was a possibility if I started treatment but I was happy to accept the risk.

In my case acne didn't happen.

Please talk to your GP before making any decision over stopping treatment.

They may have ideas that would help you with the acne.

Consequences of stopping treatment can be severe.

Neurological Consequences of B12 Deficiency

PAS news item

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS article about SACD, sub acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, access to PAS members only.

pernicious-anaemia-society.... See page 2 of articles.

Blog post from Martyn Hooper's blog, mentions SACD

martynhooper.com/2010/09/21...

There are other posts that mention acne on the forum. Click on Posts tab at top of screen and put "acne" in the search box.

I hope you find something that helps.

[Magtee in reply to Sleepybunny]

Thank you for your reply, i have asked for a callback from gp re advice on how to proceed, however when i was there the receptionist informed me that they are cancelling the B12 injections for 6 months (apparently the jag lasts for 6 months she said.....hmmmm) so my skin usually clears up a couple of weeks before my nxt jag is due (about 10wks) so i might just see how my skin is (and my health in general) during this forced break anyway. Ive just spoken with the practice nurse and she says she can see from my notes that i have been receiving hydroxocobalamin injections and that i could maybe be changed to cyanocobalamin injections to see if that improves the acne but i will have to discuss this with my gp once normality resumes and i can have a face to face gp apptmnt. I have no idea what the difference in the two injections are anyway so its worth asking about, thanks for your reply x

[Nackapan]

I too got horrible spots on my hairline face and neck mainly

Not as close as acne but very sore big lumps that never go to a head but hang around for a long time. I started Injections in 2018 .

I only get the odd one now on 2 weekly injections.

If you are managing on 3 monthly b12 I jections and are staying well I personally would not change anything.

Obviously a personal choice to trial tablets or go a bit longer.

Most dont last 3 months . Do you get symptoms before Injection due?

A sure sign you need it.

Do you feel the benefit from your injection?

Was it found why you were low?

If an absorbtion problem or PA you will always need them.

If dietry depends if you've changed your diet.

Cider vinegar good for digestion at the end of a meal or on your chips!

Drinking loads of water and keeping the spots dry is all I've done.

Keep safe

[Magtee in reply to Nackapan]

Hi, my B12 was low due to the fact i have had my gall bladder removed and on ranitidine daily for acid reflux so theres an absorption issue and i was initially started on tablets but advised to push for injections as i was so exhausted and couldnt concentrate. I do notice a difference since being on the jags definitely. I do drink lots of water anyway as i dont drink tea or coffee and have always had great skin so i'm not taking the acne well - i cant even wear my hear up as its so bad, but in the grand scheme of things i know i dont have much to moan about 😊 thanks

[Nackapan in reply to Magtee]

I found it the last insult when very very poorly.

I also used to have a clear complexion. Even in my teens!

Hopefully it will improve in the sun .

[Strawberrypie]

I have the same issue, had loading doses over Christmas and had bad skin since early Feb. I asked if there were any side effects and told ‘no, it’s a vitamin’. Made worse for me as I am a facial and skin care therapist.

A friend of mine who has done a lot of research said it is the body detoxing after being deficient for so long, so I’m hoping it will settle down.

I have been using neat tea tree oil like a toner but only over the areas with active breakouts, you could try that. It’s not normally a good idea to use essential oils neat on the skin but tea tree in small amounts for this purpose will be ok.

[Chacha2309 in reply to Strawberrypie]

Hi did you acne calm down after a whole from the injections?

[Magtee in reply to Chacha2309]

Sorry, i thought i had replied to this - yes it did! It calmed down after the loading doses once i was on 3 monthly injections. Hope that helps x

[Chacha2309 in reply to Magtee]

Thank you, what do you do to manage your b12 now and also your skin? X

[Magtee in reply to Chacha2309]

I am still on 3 monthly injections and around the 10 week mark my dizziness gets quite bad again and i know my injection must be due. My skin is great now apart from a wee spot here and there when my injection is due. Hope this helps 😊

[Chacha2309 in reply to Magtee]

Thanks, I'm just so scared to start the injections....

[Magtee in reply to Chacha2309]

You will be glad you did! I feel sooo much better for having the injections, let me know how u get on 😊

[Daftpunk262 in reply to Magtee]

Hi Magtee, how long did it take for your skin to calm down? Did you use any treatment for the acne?

[Magtee in reply to Daftpunk262]

It took a few weeks after the loading jags before it calmed down and then after each 3 monthly injection i had a flare up for a couple of weeks, now it seems to be about 10 days after my jag i get a few wee white spots for a cupl of days so it has really settled down 😊 i only used a tea tree facewash which helped a bit.

[Daftpunk262 in reply to Magtee]

Thank you for replying and really glad to hear it’s settled down for you Can I ask did you initially have any angry red pimples (like zits) or just whiteheads? For me it’s been 3 months of breaking out so just trying to work out what’s best

[Magtee in reply to Daftpunk262]

Hi, yes i think i did initially, like red lumps without a head, but i havent had any of those for ages 😊

[Brii1110 in reply to Daftpunk262]

Did it clear up?

[Magtee]

Thank you, its awful, i might try the tea tree oil, thanks for the tip 😊

[Showgem]

I had the acne like spots and also a very itchy rash at the beginning of treatment now very rarely have a couple of spots. I took antihistamines for the rash, kept my skin scrupulously clean and also put tea tree Oil in a little water onto the spots.

Don't stop the b12 just because of the spots or give the doctor an excuse to stop them as the problems caused by low b12 are much, much worse and long lasting!

[Magtee]

Hi thanks for replying, i spoke with our practice nurse who suggested changing the B12 jags from hydroxocobalamin to cyanocobalamin and see how i go with that. Someone posted above to try tea tree oil also so i'll give that a try too, Thanks x

[Pawprints1]

I’ve got pernicious anaemia and I used to have my acne flare up worse when I had an injection after a couple of years it doesn’t flare up as severely after I’ve had it don’t know why as I didn’t do anything differently but hopefully the same will happen for you as over time the acne side effect won’t be as severe. Tea tree and products with salicylic acid help in the meantime

[Magtee in reply to Pawprints1]

Hi thanks for replying, i spoke with our practice nurse who suggested changing the B12 jags from hydroxocobalamin to cyanocobalamin and see how i go with that. Someone posted above to try tea tree oil also so i'll give that a try too, Thanks x

[rosiibaby in reply to Magtee]

hey, did changing to the cyanocobalamin work for you? or have you not had injections yet x

[1986sg in reply to Magtee]

Hi mag , did the changing of the cyanocobalamon worked for you ?

[Magtee in reply to 1986sg]

Hi, the doc stopped injections due to covid and prescribed the cyanocobalamin tablets but after a couple of weeks my dizzyness was horrendous so i arranged to have my b12 injection with a nurse where i work (fortunately it is still on repeat prescription so i had a hydroxocobalamin vial (i think thats what its called) and this time the acne hasnt been anywhere as bad as it had been so i'll stick with the injections i think! The tablets didnt give me as bad acne but i had only taken them for a couple of weeks.

Hope this helps 😊

[1986sg in reply to Magtee]

Thank you Magtee for your reply , I am glad it is working for you and I hope your acne gets better soon .

I had low b12 too and I had the injection once every month due to covid-19 , they want to see just limited pt .

When I had my third injection,

I started getting tiny itchy bump acne☹️ started getting on my forehead first and under my chin and sides of my hair line .

It is horrible , I never had acne . Since 2nd of June my acne increased, and now I am using zineryt lotion , which helped a lot to calm my acne down , it is a dr prescribed lotion . It is not even 2 weeks of use but my acne has stopped getting new ones .

I had blood test done yesterday to find out the level of b12 , some people react when there b12 gets high that’s what the nurse said thank god at least she knew the b12 can cause acne as when I asked dr , he has no idea that b12 can cause acne - strange .

It was reassuring when the lovely nurse said may be your body doesn’t need more b12 injection so probably best to check the level and do injection once in every 6 month rather than 3 months .

Any ideas on will it be good idea to get injection once every 6 months .

Yes , it helps a lot magtee , please keep in touch , how you doing and I will update with my stories too .

Thank you ever so much 😘❤️

[Magtee in reply to 1986sg]

Thank you, take care and hope things settle down for you soon 😊

[Chacha2309 in reply to 1986sg]

Hi, how has your skin been since? Did it flare up again after your next injection? X

[Magtee in reply to Chacha2309]

Hi, i had the loading jags and had bad acne, then 3 monthly jags and after each 3 monthly jag for maybe a couple of weeks each time my skin broke out, but it settled down and i dont have much bother with acne now - if anything now i notice a few spots when i am due my jag, not immediately after, but not bad acne as i had at the start so its ok. Hope that helps 😊

[Pawprints1]

That sounds a good plan hope the change in injection helps you ❤️ Yes try tea tree it does help hope it helps you ❤️ X

[Bellabab]

Your extreme fatigue and problems with concentration are found in people with neurological damage caused by B12 deficiency. You need to get advice from a neurologist.

[Magtee in reply to Bellabab]

My GP was quite dismissive of me and in fact when i was explaining to him how exhausted i was and could barely get out my bed in the morning (prior to me starting any treatment) he rolled his eyes and said "oh, if only i had a pound for every person who tells me they are tired!". Needless to say i didnt go back to see him again. I still suffer from dizzyness and balance problems when walking so i will mention this to GP when asking about changing B12 injections for acne problems, thank you 😊

[Cinders70]

Hi Magtee,

I’m currently on my 8th loading dose ( I fought for more than 6 as neuro symptoms, and boy it was a fight!!).

I’ve noticed I’ve also got some acne around my hairline on my face and neck, also on my nose and chin. I’ve always had a very good complexion (except for eczema), so will be interested how you get in if you change to cyanocobalamin. Mine isn’t too bad and I can live with it, but sympathise with you!

[Magtee in reply to Cinders70]

Hi, i'll let you know how i get on once this crazy world returns to some sort of normality and i can get a GP appmnt. Thanks 😊

[Linmareth]

Hi I had 6 loading injections (methylcobalmin ) in Jan. After the third I got some whiteheads on my chin. After the sixth it was terrible acne. I had no idea it was a side effect of b12. Before this my skin was clear. I even had painful spots on my earlobes and in my hairline. I started googling and found p.acnes bacteria was responsible so i ordered a blue light mask from amazon £29. It has made a great difference. I use it every day for 10 mins and although not completely clear it is much better. Apparently blue light kills p.acnes. I have PA so got to keep having the jabs. Just had another and an beginning to break out again. You can use the mask as much as you want.

I self administered the injection as my surgery has cancelled my appointment. They were not helpful at all and suggested tablets. I cannot absorb b12 so no good at all.

Hope this helps.

[Bibbys in reply to Linmareth]

You could try sublinguals. They melt under tongue and go into blood stream so no need to absorb in gut. Cytoplan methyl cobalamin and adenosylcobalamin are effective. The tablets prescribed by the GP can be passively absorbed without intrinsic factor as in Pernicious Aneamia but the PA society suggests a larger dose (1mg) than GP usually prescribes. You can see this information on their website along with advice for people with PA during Covid. My daughter used sublinguals with little or no acne ... injections caused bad acne. Good luck

[Linmareth]

Thank you I will look into this

[Bibbys in reply to Linmareth]

Update. 4 months after the last of 3 B12 injections and my daughters acne has pretty much gone. So 15th July to 15th November maybe a week more. She will return instead to the Cytoplan methyl cobalamin sublinguals daily 1000ug. I think when her levels get above 450 even on sublinguals she gets a few spots ... I have learned this just through experience. As long as she has no B12 deficiency symptoms she feels fine taking the sublinguals. When she did have the spots after the injections .,, (bad over her face back chest and upper arms !) she used Dalacin and then Zineryt antibiotic lotion just on the bad spots to avoid scarring... not all over. After about 7 weeks on the antibiotic lotion the spots were subsiding and so she stopped the antibiotic lotion and the spots did not return ... I think a Berry quick increase in B12 from the injections and elevated levels from supplements caused her acne. Hope that helps. Also Gladskin Acne gel twice a day (or three times if you can manage ) is useful.

[Magtee in reply to Bibbys]

Thank you, i have also noticed a huge difference in the acne caused by the b12 injections over the last 6 months, hopefully that continues, thanks again 😊

[Chacha2309 in reply to Magtee]

Hi Magtee, did you change injections if so did that make a difference? Did your acne calm down I am due to start injections and am terrified of getting acne as it is a huge mental trigger for that usually puts me into severe depression...

[Magtee in reply to Chacha2309]

Hi, the acne only flared up after the first couple of injections (after the loading jags) then it calmed down and i continued with the injections. I considered stopping them due to the acne but decided the benefits outweighed the negatives (only one negative which was the acne) and now my skin is great. Hope this helps you 😊

[Chacha2309 in reply to Bibbys]

Hi Bibbys, I am due to start injections and am terrified of getting acne as it is a huge mental trigger for that usually puts me into severe depression... They have said they can do tablets at 150mcg but if I have neurological symptoms I run the risk of them becoming permanent by not getting my levels up sooner. I really don't know what to do. I saw you mention about sublinguals is that something worth mentioning to my doctor? I have a meeting with them tomorrow/today. One of my eymtokms, I can't sleep and feel so tired. Thanks x

[Bibbys]

That’s good news 😊

[heyitisme]

Hey Magtee have you had your thyroid levels checked? I was suffering from extreme fatigue, brain fog, brittle nails and crazy weight gain - turns out it was hypothyroidism! It’s rare and you need to push your dr to check your levels otherwise they likely won’t bother.

The b12 helped my energy levels but WOW my skin has broken out like mad after 10+ years of clear healthy skin. Back to

- warm water + lemon

- zinc drops

- good sleep

- collagen and vit C powders in the am

- fish oil and magnesium at night

- exercise

AND my thyroid meds.

Good luck!

[Brii1110]

Hi

Did this ever clear up and how long did it take?