gram negative folliculitis, please read! - Skin Problems Message Board

realsad · 06-10-2005, 06:22 PM

has anyone heard of this?? it is suposedly very rare. well i have it and have researched that the only effective way to cure it is Isotretinoin, which is accutane. my doctor hasn't been all that much help. and it's been going on for months i look like a freak and don't leave the house. I am tired of living like this, i have an appoitment with a derm. but its not until July 18th, I know i have already waited this long but it is killing me. seriously it's ruining my life, if they would just provide me with the correct treatment at the family doctor i wouldn't have to wait and be miserable for so long. i just don't know what to do. I think that accutane is a high dose of vitamin A, I am considering just taking the vitamin A, cuz i think you can buy that at walmart in the vitamin isle. it is worth a try, desperate isn't a strong enough word to describe the way i am feeling. has anyone else had or heard of this condition? i guess i really need to talk about it.

shivers2106 · 07-10-2005, 04:49 PM

I have the same problem. I was on tetrocycline for several months and then i got it. I went to a derm, but he was absolutely no help, and actually made it worse by adding more anti-biotics. There are two ways to cure this disease. First is Ampicillin or trimethoprim, both antibiotics that target the gram negative bacteria. You may have to take these for a long period of time before the problem can be corrected. The other is Accutane, which works 100%. I took Ampicillin, and it worked, but then i continued using a topical antibiotic which brought my problem back. So, you should stop using any topical or oral antibiotics for acne, and get the gram negative folliculitis cured first. {removed} Don't give up, you can get through this. And once its cleared up, ask a doctor about microdermabrasion for scars. Its an effective treatment to cover up what the gram negative has done. Good luck.

ScruffyGuy · 07-10-2005, 05:54 PM

Can't help you with this rare form of folliculitis -- July 18 isn't far away, PLEASE just wait the week-plus and let the doc take care of you!

I just wanted to STRONGLY caution you against dosing yourself with vitamin A. Mega-doses of vitamin A can be TOXIC -- big time toxic.

The amount in each pill that is sold over the counter is safe for use, but there WILL be a warning on the bottle, too, telling you NOT to exceed that dose. Vitamin A toxicity usually happens after a long time of taking mega-doses on a daily basis, but... this is not something you want to mess around with, OK? Most folks who take it do so with a doc's instruction to use it in a SET amount and for a LIMITED period of time.

You don't want liver damage.

Just see the doc, SKIP the vitamin A for right now, and see what he's got to say.

Good luck.