Dermatitis, Acne and Folliculitis

In my last post, what I'd previously self-diagnosed to be a fungal infection on the back of my hands turned out to my Dermatitis. I'd seen the local GP about the condition and asked whether it was in any way related to the Roaccutane I am taking. She was quite sure it wasn't related at all and that a topical steroid cream will heal the problem. So I was prescribed Advantan cream, to be applied twice daily for the first week with the nightly application accompanied by a cool wet press or towelette covering the affected areas on my hands to aid absorption of the Advantan cream.

After the third day of following the directions, the Dermatitis had cleared up so significantly, even almost being fully cleared. This must have been one of the fastest healing conditions I have ever had. Or so I thought.

It wasn't soon after I reduced the Advantan application to once daily as directed by my GP that the condition returned though not as angry-looking at it was originally. My GP had said that the Dermatitis could be caused by any number of reasons that were individual to the patient. I found that the Dermatitis returned after I had used hot water to wash my hands through the day. Perhaps it inflames the fact that I am taking Roaccutane for my folliculitis - dry skin dried further by use of hot water hence triggering Dermatitis? Possible theory.

But I digress. As the cooler weather is setting upon us, I'm using warmer water to wash my face and bathe. I'm noticing that my scalp, face, lips and neck are feeling a lot drier these days, probably caused in combination with the Roaccutane now that I've been taking the twice daily dose for several weeks now. I feel like I don't even need to wash my hair daily anymore whereas before starting Roaccutane, I felt like I needed to wash it once in the morning and once at night.

I'm glad that the folliculitis hasn't flared-up since starting the twice daily dose, and I have a feeling that I'm over that initial phase where flare-ups can occur. Though I do have a spot or two just at the base of back of my scalp that I've noticed in the past few days. I'm not too concerned about these as they don't feel angry.

All in all, the past 3 weeks have been pretty good on Roaccutane, though would like the Dermatitis to clear up.