Turmeric-Free Challenge

It began 3 weeks ago with a dull pain in my lower abdomen. It happened a moment after dinner and it came with servings of diarrhoea as well. I felt sick.

I had an Indian curry for dinner, but it wasn't unusual. I eat curry all the time. But this time it seemed my digestive system didn't want to play nice with the turmeric. I'm not exactly sure it was the turmeric but this incident prompted me to stop taking my daily 3/4 teaspoon dose of turmeric.

As my scalp was pretty much free of irritation and folliculitis, I thought I would also take this opportunity to see how long I could go without the folliculitis starting up again.

Well, 2 weeks in, and I could feel a couple of spots coming up on the back of my scalp. They weren't the overtly infected spots that I used to get, but they were folliculitis nonetheless. I decided to test it further.

A couple days later, more spots would appear, along with certain areas that felt a little tingly and itchy.

I drew the line there, and decided to recommence the 3/4 teaspoon daily dose of turmeric. So there, about 2.5 weeks before I would have to restart the turmeric.

For the few days since recommencing, the follucilitis seems to be back under control.

This has proved once again that this natural remedy, turmeric, is working wonders for my folliculitis condition on my scalp.

But another thing is, perhaps once a week or once a fortnight, skipping a dose to give my digestive system a break so I don't get the abdominal pains.

This turmeric is powerful stuff!

Oh no! Acne and Follulitis Flare-up

Ok so the post heading is a little dramatic, but it's interesting that over the past couple of days, I've all of a sudden got new acne appearing on various spots on my face, and also small spots of folluculitis appearing on the scalp.

The facial acne is not appearing in any particular pattern so I can hardly say it is related to stress. For me stress-related acne occurs around the mouth and in the area just under the nostrils, where the moustache would be. But for these new acne spots, one is appearing on my cheek, another at my jawline, and a couple at either side of the temple.

In addition, the few new spots of folliculitis are mostly appearing at the hairline. I noticed a couple this morning at the forehead hairline, and I've noticed a couple at the side and back hairlines whilst washing my hair the past couple of nights.

This new flare-up, although minor, has surprised me a little, simply because I haven't been eating sugary junk food, and I've also been regularly consuming 3/4 teaspoon of turmeric in water each night straight after dinner.

One new change I've introduced though, is that I've started exercising regularly. Nothing overly exertive, just at least a 30 minute brisk walk on the treadmill to get my cardio and overall fitness into shape. I wonder if that has any link to this flare-up of acne and folliculitis?

Is Turmeric Affecting My Digestive System?

I've now been drinking turmeric 3 times daily for 4 weeks now and it is continuing to control the folliculitis on my scalp and for that I'm very glad. But I'm not sure if the turmeric is now causing a bit of abdominal pains which started after dinner yesterday, or it could just be a small bout of food poisoning. My suspicions point to the turmeric because I've noticed it has softened my stool since I begun taking it, almost like a mild laxative particularly over the past 2 weeks.

So today I will reduce drinking turmeric to 2 times daily to see if that is sufficient to control the folliculitis and to reduce its impact to my digestive system.

Also, thought I might provide an update that my facial skin and scalp have returned to its former greasiness prior to taking Roaccutane.

Turmeric, a Cure for Folliculitis?

I had my doubts, but I was also quietly hopeful, praying that Turmeric would be the thing to control this damned folliculitis that's been ravaging my scalp and self-esteem for far too long.

I have one word: wondrous.

It's only been two weeks since I started taking Turmeric 3 times daily mixed in half a glass of warm water, but the folliculitis on my scalp has not only been controlled, but the majority of the ones I did have have disappeared with a few healing here and there, drying up. What's even more wondrous is I'm hardly getting any new spots!

How could this be? This highly affordable and simple concoction made from a humble spice has worked just as effectively as any other antibiotic, topical treatment and drugs I have consumed in the past. How could dermatologists not know about this? And if they did, how could they not inform their patients?

Why don't more people afflicted by this and similar skin conditions know about this? The world must know!

Thank you to earthclinic.com for making me aware of Turmeric as a remedy for folliculitis. Wondrous!

Can Turmeric Cure my Scalp Folliculitis?

Itchy patches have developed on my scalp since last week, the type of itchy patches that precede the appearance of folliculitis. From what I can observe, there are one or two small spots appearing at those itchy patches. They are red, though not as angry red as they used to be before I started the second course of Roaccutane, and some of them have pus.

I don't believe my face or scalp has become any more greasy since last week which is intriguing.

I'm currently still on a pro-biotic capsule, one dose twice daily. Also just yesterday at lunch time, I started my first dose of turmeric. I'm taking 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder (the stuff you get at the supermarket) mixed with room temperature water in a mug, 3 times a day. I happened upon this ayurvedic treatment for folliculitis, boils and cysts as well as other non-skin related conditions as I was searching for natural remedies to alleviate and hopefully cure my chronic scalp folliculitis. It seems like there are many positive testimonials about this turmeric treatment, most sounding too good to be true where their condition would recede in a couple of days of starting the treatment, and not come back at all with a sustaining dose of turmeric each day. The potion looks like orange juice, but it's got a bitter taste, but I've had worse with Chinese herbal concoctions. This is quite mild in comparison and it has a pleasant aroma if you like your curries like I do.

Here's hoping this spice will be the wondrous cure for my scalp folliculitis because quite frankly, antibiotics and Roaccutane are not effective in curing my condition without repeat courses.

2 Weeks After Finishing Roaccutane

It's been just over 2 weeks since I finished my second course of Roaccutane and in general my scalp and skin condition has been stable. There hasn't been any violent flare-ups of folliculitis on my scalp nor has there been an increase in greasiness of my scalp or facial skin.

I did however notice what felt like a spot of folliculitis developing on the top of my scalp as I was washing my hair yesterday as the area was a little sensitive.

The dermatitis on the back of my hands seem to have almost gone with a few rough scales here and there but they're hardly noticeable. This is probably because the warm weather has come about and I've started to use cooler water to wash my hands and to shower.

I also noticed I don't have to put the extra layer of moisturiser on my face each night in order for my skin to not feel and look dry anymore. I do however still need to apply lip balm after meals as my lips do still get quite dry.

My nosebleeds have also ceased over the past week and a half which is fantastic, but I am still being very gentle with my nose, in that I'm not blowing it and trying my best not to sneeze where I can which is a challenge what with the perfect hayfever conditions recently.

What's been particularly interesting though is that I don't feel depressed anymore. I don't feel like normal daily activities or work are a challenge that required a lot of emotional and physical energy to get done like I did towards the end of my Roaccutane course. Could it really have been the Roaccutane causing my depressed feelings?

Roaccutane Course for Folliculitis is Complete

I have just completed my second course of Roaccutane this evening. It's hard to imagine 8 months has passed since I took the first tablet of my second course for the folliculitis occurring on my scalp.

My scalp is free of any fresh spots of folliculitis. There is just one very small spot on the front hairline that's drying up.

The greasiness of my scalp, face, neck and upper body is significantly reduced compared to 8 months ago. In particular, the skin on my face and neck would be immensely dry right now if I didn't follow the strict moisturising regime every morning and night, and through the day for my lips.

My scalp however still got a little greasy towards the end of the day even at completion of the course of Roaccutane. The itchiness in some areas as I'd mentioned in some recent posts have gone.

The dermatitis on the back of my hands are under control by applying Eucerin cream twice a day.

The nosebleeds from the left nostril are still happening, but have in the past week had it cauterised, which in itself has caused more frequent bleeding and general blockage in the nostril due to the healing process after cautery. My doctor said to expect the nosebleeds to happen still up to a month after cautery.

I don't seem to be feeling as depressed as I was when I posted about my self-diagnosis of moderate depression.

Whilst I have now completed my second course of Roaccutane, I think it will be valuable to continue writing about my condition to track the lasting effects of Roaccutane. My general feeling is that the folliculitis could return within a short period of time.

I recently did some brief research on the Internet about the potential causes of acne, and there were links drawn to candida overgrowth in the digestive system. This is very interesting, and will be seeking to start myself as soon as possible on either supplements of "good bacteria" for the digestive system or on what many have proclaimed in cyberspace as a superfood called Kefir.

Is Roaccutane Causing my Depression?

Ok so I've been feeling rather depressed particularly over the past couple of months or so. I'm of course self-diagnosing myself as experiencing depression based on a depression-related website beyondblue.com.au which assesses that I'm suffering from moderate-level depression. It's hard to say when exactly this feeling all started or whether it is in fact caused by Roaccutane, but I currently have a persisting moody undercurrent where I don't really have interest in anything and feel that many things require a lot of effort where previously they didn't such as making a phone call.

This feeling is also making me feel very uninspired and uninterested at work. The way I've been feeling about work and at work, has probably been the greatest trigger that prompted me to explore whether I am suffering from depression. It's now just so hard to concentrate on my work and everything at work just seems such an effort, constantly watching the clock to hit 5pm and thinking of resigning. It's like I've stopped caring about work. But then again, doesn't a lot of wage-slaves feel like this too? So is this really depression I'm feeling?

With only about two and a half weeks left of my Roaccutane course, I can't see the depression getting much worse. It'll be interesting to see whether this feeling alleviates itself after I finish the course. Sure hope it does.

On the topic of how my folliculitis is going, I recently got a small spot appear on the top of my scalp. The top of the scalp is also feeling itchy again. The spot is healing itself and no others have appeared, so I hope it is just a one off thing. It makes me nervous that with only a short time until the course finishes I've got an itchy scalp and a spot, so here's hoping everything goes well the next two and a half weeks or so.

Some Spots of Folliculitis Appearing?

Oh dear. It seems there are a few spots of folliculitis appearing here and there on my scalp even though I'm on the 7th month of Roaccutane. This is what I dreaded. It all seemed to be going well and now as the course of Roaccutane is about to wrap up in about a month and a half, the folliculitis seems to be trying to make a comeback. I don't feel my skin has become greasier over the past month, nor has it become dryer either. One thing's for sure is my scalp has become itchier in some places, in much the same way that would see spots of folliculitis appear like before I started this second treatment of Roaccutane. I don't know what to make of this, but it seems similar in pattern to my first treatment of Roaccutane years back where the folliculitis flared up at the end of the course. How odd. Perhaps my body is getting used to the Roaccutane, such that as soon as when I do complete the second treatment, my skin and scalp will become immediately greasier than before I'd started the treatment. I hope to hell not.

Minor side effects over the past 1 to 2 months: An increase in frequency of nosebleeds from my left nostril (which has always been the nostril more susceptible to bleeding). Damn I hate it when my nose bleeds at work. Productivity goes down the drain.

Folliculitis - One Spot or Two?

Just in the past couple of weeks, I noticed two small spots of folliculitis appearing on my scalp. The first that appeared was near my front hairline and the second, which I noticed just yesterday is near my back hairline. Luckily, they seem to be just once-off appearances rather than a dreaded outbreak. How do I know this? Well I can't feel the general itchiness at the areas of the spots that normally precedes a flare-up.

The spot that appeared near my front hairline has since healed itself and the one at the back I'm still keeping a watchful eye on.

On a different note, it seems the area around my lips is undergoing a dryspell once again. The skin is peeling in the area just above the chin and its an annoyance more than anything else. This must be directly related to why the dermatitis on the back of my hands flared up again. That and also the skin on my neck and earlobes are drying out too. I can definitely point blame on the luxury of using warm water during these chilly winter months when washing the face or showering. On the bright side, at least my lips are fine which I'm very glad about.

Roaccutane and Dermatitis

I saw my Dermatologist today for a check-up on how things are progressing with the course of Roaccutane. He was very adamant that the dermatitis on the back of my hands are directly related to the Roaccutane and suggested that I was able to continue using the topical cortisol cream Advantan twice a day for up to 10 days (contrary to the initial directions from my local GPs). In addition, he suggested that I use a much greasier moisturiser for the affected areas on my hands rather than the water-based Sorbolene cream.

Apart from that, he was incredibly positive about the state of the folliculitis (or lack thereof) on my scalp and advised that unless there was anything untoward as I complete my full course of Roaccutane, that I did not require to return for another check-up. However, he warned that whilst things are positive, there may be a 30% chance that I may need to eventually go on another course after completing this full course. I hope that this second course of Roaccutane will build upon my initial full course by further significantly reducing the sebum production by my skin.

Roaccutane Doing its Job on my Scalp Acne and Folliculitis

It's been a while since I last called in, but thought worthwhile to provide an update on how my second course of the acne drug Roaccutane is going in treating my scalp acne / folliculitis.

The condition of my scalp has been stable since my last post. I haven't had any flare-ups of acne or folliculitis and the oiliness of my scalp seems to be even less now. My hair seems rather dry which is particularly evident when it's long as it can get rather frizzy in places.

I'm finding also the dryness of the skin around my lips is now spreading to my cheeks. I am even being conscious not to wipe my mouth or blow my nose with facial tissues too often during the day as it has a drying effect on those areas giving my skin the flaking parched look. I even find myself having to reapply lip balm after I finish my lunch to prevent my lips cracking through the afternoon in the drying effect of the office air-conditioning and regular sipping of water. Also when I comb my hair in the mornings, I continue getting dandruff-like white flakes of skin on my comb.

So it seems the Roaccutane is definitely doing its job in reducing the sebum production of my scalp and facial skin so there's certainly much to be glad about! Until next time.

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.

Roaccutane Dosage Increased to Twice Daily

Had a follow-up visit to my skin specialist last Wednesday and he was pleased with the current state of my facial and scalp skin. He had noted that there is still traces of acne activity on my scalp, but it should be fine to increase my daily of Roaccutane to twice daily.

I had informed him that currently, my scalp has areas that feels a little itchy as though new spots of acne or folliculitis are about to pop-up but don't eventuate. I expressed concern that by increasing the dosage, the folliculitis may re-appear. He reassured that it will be normal within the first couple of weeks of increasing the Roaccutane dosage to see some acne and folliculitis appearing here and there. He also mentioned Roaccutane is most effective in reducing the recurrence of acne and folliculitis after the 8-month course is completed when taken twice daily.

So that Wednesday night I begun the twice daily dosage and it's been a few days since with no signs of new acne or folliculitis appearing so far. Here's hoping none will appear ever!

One Week After Stopping Erythromycin - Any Signs of Scalp Acne or Folliculitis?

So it's been a week since I completed the course of Erythromycin which I was taking to clear up the acne and folliculitis that flared-up on my face and all over my scalp. I am pleased to say that my skin hasn't broken out into acne and folliculitis, although I am starting to get some itchy areas here and there on my scalp. Normally where an area gets itchy, it is a precursor to a spot of folliculitis appearing, although it hasn't happened (fingers crossed!). The only thing is I've noticed just one very tiny spot appear on the top of my scalp, but it seems under control.

On a more general level, I feel that the level of greasiness of my scalp and forehead have very marginally increased, although that could be because of the warm weather. My lips and facial skin particular around the mouth can still get dry, so I am continuing to apply moisturiser and lip balm to soften the areas twice a day.

I am due next weekend for a fasting blood test to see how my body is coping with the Roaccutane. Following that will be a follow-up with my skin specialist to see whether an increase in dosage of Roaccutane to twice daily is a possibility.

Until next time, I hope the daily dose of Roaccutane continues to do its job by keeping the scalp acne and folliculitis away!

Off the Erythromycin for Controlling the Acne Flare-up

Last night was the final dose of my second course of Erythromycin that was used to control the acne and folliculitis flare-up on my face and scalp. I'd expressed concern to my skin specialist about taking Erythromycin long term, and asked whether I would still need to continue taking another course of the antibiotic given that my acne and folliculitis flare-ups have healed. His suggestion was to stop taking Eythromycin after the completion of this second course, and monitor how my skin will cope without the antibiotic. He mentioned that the reduction of the Roaccutane to a once daily dosage for several weeks now shouldn't cause any more flare-ups of acne and folliculitis on my face and scalp.

So here's hoping that things go to plan.

Roaccutane Update

It's been just over a week since I last posted. That's because all seems to be going well slowly and there hasn't been day-to-day significant changes to report. Over the week or so, the existing scabs on the scalp have continued to dry up and come off naturally either through combing out or through shampooing which is fantastic. My face is clear of acne and have noticed only 1 acne appear just at the hairline on my forehead but that has also cleared up over the week.

There is still a small number of scabs left to fully dry up and fall off on the sides and top of my scalp. The back of my scalp is mostly clear of any scabs.

I do find that when the scabs fall off, it takes along with it a couple of hairs which I expected based on past experiences.

I am finding that my forehead is very slowly becoming more greasy again, perhaps because my body is becoming used to the 1 Roaccutane tablet a day dosage.

My eyes however still gets sore occassionally from dryness, however my facial skin and lips have generally maintained moisture from the moisturisers I've been regularly applying twice a day. My nostrils have also stopped being dry so I haven't had to apply any nasal moisturisers the past couple of weeks.

Here's to continuing improvement of my scalp acne condition!

Scalp Acne Healing Plateau

For the past couple of days, it seems like the healing of the scalp acne has plateaued. I still seem to have some new acne on the sides of my scalp in addition to the remaining old scabs, which are still healing, though not as fast as expected from the previous pattern of healing from the days prior. Perhaps I should just be patient as healing takes time.

On the other hand, the facial acne continues to clear up. In fact, I think there are few or no new acne on the face any more, so that's a relief.

Check-up With My Skin Specialist

Day 27: Visited my skin specialist today for a check-up, 2 weeks after reducing the Roaccutane to once daily, and starting the Erythromycin. I informed him of exactly what has happened to date whilst he was on leave and concurred with the other skin specialist at the clinic that the dosage and use of Erythromycin is correct.

He performed a visual examination of my scalp under a bright lamp and noted there is still quite a bit of acne on the scalp, though he clarified with me whether the current state of my scalp was indeed better than 2 weeks ago, to which I replied it is immensely better.

He suggested that I continue the treatment as per current, and see him again for a check-up in 6 weeks time when another fasting blood test will be performed. Should the scalp acne flare-up subside well by then, he suggested the Roaccutane dosage could be increased to twice daily, and the dosage of Erythromycin could be reduced.

Here's hoping things go as planned!

Sleeping Soundly As Scalp Acne Heals

Day 25: I'd phoned my skin specialist again last Thursday to inform her of the good news that the lesions on my scalp were in fact noticeably drying up. This plus the fact that none to very few new acne/folliculitis were appearing on the scalp or the face.

I can sleep soundly again these days as it no longer hurts to put my head on the pillow, and the proper rest has probably helped my body heal itself better. Of course, the Erythromycin, the last dose of this course due tomorrow evening, has clearly played a key part in healing the flare-up.

My facial skin and scalp are also significantly less greasy at the end of the day. In fact, I don't even need to rinse my face mid-way through the day. I can also use less of a milder shampoo (an oatmeal shampoo) to wash my hair each night and still leave my scalp and hair feeling cleansed. All this on just 1 dose of Roaccutane a day.

My skin specialist wants me to continue on a second course of Erythromycin after I finish this one to make sure the flare-up doesn't happen again.