Skin Problems

[genie1122]

Hello!

I started weekly B12 injections 7 months ago. I'm 22 and I've always had good skin, even as a teenager, and it's been really going downhill & getting worse and worse since I started the shots. It's on my chin, my forehead, chest and back. The spots are tender and painful, kind of look like bumps under the skin and occasionally white heads. They also haven't healed and have stayed in the same place for months. I've never scarred from acne, but these spots have started scarring.

It's really demoralizing. I've read some other posts, and know this is relatively normal.. But I was wondering if anyone had some tips on how to deal with this particular type of acne? Or if anyone saw improvements over time? Additionally, I'm taking cyanocobalamin, and was wondering if anyone switched to hydroxycobalamin and saw skin improvements?

thanks for any help

[deniseinmilden]

I'm so sorry for you - I know exactly what you mean. At twice your age the worst factor for me is that they are sore but I wouldn't have wanted them at your age for anything. I used to get the odd pimple then and hated every one!

Now the good news is that if you get enough B12 and supporting supplements you will feel a lot better and they will clear up - they are linked to homocysteine building up in your body when you are short of B12 plus the B9 and other vitamins and minerals required to make it work.

For some, hydroxocobalamin is better tolerated but I'm not sure if this is the whole answer - the most important thing is that you get enough of everything your body needs.

A daily broad spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement is a good starting point and you may need more frequent injections and, depending on what your blood tests suggest, you might need extra folate, potassium, magnesium, iron and vitamin D.

Well done for reading the other posts.

Some people here have found some skin treatments help and hopefully they will contribute to your post soon.

Good luck with it and please ask again for any further information.

[genie1122 in reply to deniseinmilden]

Thank you so much for the kind words and advice. I really appreciate it. 💕

[deniseinmilden in reply to genie1122]

You are very welcome and I thank you for your reply - it helps to know that taking the time to write something here is appreciated!

Thinking about it more, I always use a shampoo that really thoroughly cleans - either Head and Shoulders or the equivalent or John Freida Go Blonder - to wash my face which helps.

You might be able to get your Dr to prescribe Fucidin antibacterial cream and this can help too, to clear the spots quickly and stop them getting secondary infections.

But the main thing is to do everything you can (more B12 and folate especially) to clear the homocystein - which is not good for you - from your body so that they don't occur in the first place.

Good luck. I hope it clears quickly and you feel better soon.

[Purple-y]

Hi genie1122 , when I had my loading doses of B12 before Christmas I like you got spots and painful sores on my face, chest , back and other places which seem to heal very slowly and I had never had previously and found it pretty distressing.

Any nick or sore around my fingernails also quickly became infected.

Seeing it as part of my body healing overall , I have been treating with antiseptic numbing cream plus also a zinc based cream (Sudocrem) together with dead sea salts (which contain zinc, potassium and magnesium) in my bath weekly and mixing salts in with dandruff shampoo. I also started using an anti-bacterial hand wash, plus I have been covering sores with plasters to stop spread.

I also took a vitamin c and zinc supplement.

Good news, over the last week or so the spots have been noticeably been clearing up. Additionally for wellbeing, I have also been wearing cover make up on my face while at home, which I have never done before so I don't notice the redness as much and therefore not stressing me out.

Hope this helps.

[genie1122 in reply to Purple-y]

Thank you for the advice! I hope they continue clearing up! 💕

[Nackapan]

Yes I was used ti very good skin. Akso in my teenage years not a problem. I've had exactly what you have described . Had

In other words the very odd one now

They are ugly and very sore.

The best thing to do us leave them alone.

They do not squeeze

I tried all sorts. Washing gels varies creams.

The best thing I found was to keep them dry and soothed .

I used an essential oil mix I've made before for chicken pox / shingles.

If you chooses to try essential oils

never use them neat. (Apart from lavender)

Look them up.

I uses cheap vodka in the mix and dabbled it on.

Use with care

Plenty of recipes advice on the uses of essential oils online.

Or talk to a pharmacist about other creams ect. The doctor told me to use a hydrocortisone 1% w/w cream I bought over the counter. I tried it but didnt di much. Its keeping them clean and waiting for b12 to settle .

Take the advice given about getting all of your vitamins

They will go .

Take it as a positive sign that the12 is working.

Try and get it into perspective if you are feeling alot better on b12 .

I wish you a clear skin very soon.

Hang in there.

[genie1122 in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you, Nackapan! If you don't mind me asking, what mix of essential oils do you use?

[Nackapan in reply to genie1122]

I personally uses a cocktail of bergamot, eucalyptus and lavenderNever directly onto your skin.

Always uses sparingly

Always dilute with a carrier.

Shake well and uses a cotton bud at first to make sure a tiny amount tried.

All skin reacts differently.

Only uses 2 drops of each in at least 25mls of carrier.

I uses a recipe used for chicken pox .

Google it. Lots of information and warnings.

Lavender is the only one you can put on your skin . Good to help with any scarring.

The actual essential oil bottles have safe methods of use on them.

I an not an aromathrapist.

Just have used oils for years

Mainly burning them in diffusers and in baths.

[Chance15]

Hi genie1122I to have them my face mostly and body they still come and go and I bin having b12 jabs for 1 year now.Let’s hope they do go😂

[genie1122 in reply to Chance15]

Fingers crossed clear skin is in our futures!

[Ryaan]

I had the same problem with hydroxocobalamin. They do tend to get better with time, you get less and less over time but it does take a while.

[Purple-y]

Update re B12 acne

It has been a couple of months since I last posted and as time has gone on I have modified my regime to try and keep on top of the sores - in that I now use rose water (triple strength) to dry out and stop the spread on my face and chest area. I use the rose water applied with cotton wool in the morning and also before bed.

Another trick I use is an old one - talcum powder to keep my skin dry, it seems to really help stopping bacteria spreading. I find this helpful for sores on my torso and upper arms.

I still take zinc and vitamin C gummies and can tell if I miss a dose.

If my skin feels dry on my face, I use a green tea moisturiser again very calming and reduces redness.

I am still using make up to cover sores as I find them embarassing to have then in my 50's.

Hope this helpful.