View Single Post
Old 11-12-2007, 12:10 AM
Monica de Lara Monica de Lara is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 146
15 yr Member
Monica de Lara Monica de Lara is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 146
15 yr Member
Default Why does prednisone cause acne?

I have always suffered from acne. Before i started the treatment with prednisone, i had mild acne on my face and back. After around 7 months of taking high doses of prednisone my face ended up looking horrible, and not only my face, i also got acne on my chest, soulders, arms and neck. So i really feel sad about this, what worries me mainly is of course the pain, but i do feel ashamed about my arms, people look at them all surprised because of the terrible acne i have on them. It is still a bit hot where i live, but i decide to stop wearing sleeveless tops because of this.

I went to see a dermatologist and she recommended i take one out of two treatments:

1. Racoutane, a retinoid, which apparently is very effective. but i have heard that it is potentially dangerous for the liver and for so many things. Some people even beleive it can be related to some autoimmune disease. I really don't want to find out and have my health problems worsen. So i discartted this.
2. The second option she gave me was hormonal treatment. I have always been irregular with my menstrual period and i suffer from polycystic ovary. A gynechologist once told me this could be solved by taking hormones. The dermatologist said it would not only help the polycystic ovary, but also my skin. So this option sounded better.

After that i went to the GNC and i asked the guy there if they carried anything for acne, i meant topycal, but he started telling me i should take selenium and folic acid supplements, according to him acne is caused by the lack of these vitamins... So then i come to the forum and Mrs D tells me prednisone depletes some vitamins (among which are Bs and Selenium), so i made a connection there, and i kind of made a relation between vitamin deplation and prednisone. I came to the web and started looking for articles that explained why prednisone caused acne, but didn't find any. Today my period started and i am supposed to start with the hormone treatment today, but i am wondering if this is unecessary and i could be benefited from the vitamins. I am a little reluctant to taking the hormonal treatment because i beleive i am already giving my body a lot. Do you think i could possibly have my acne improved my taking supplements or you beleive i should give the hormonal treatment a try?

Thank you!!

By the way, i forgot to say this, sorry for posting this that is off topic, but i think you can help me here.

Last edited by Monica de Lara; 11-12-2007 at 12:12 AM. Reason: I forgot to add this
Monica de Lara is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote