Antibiotics and cea

July 17, 1999

I remember when I first started getting that intense burning/flushing

feeling in my face, about three years ago. It was a few months after

starting oral antibiotics for the second time in my life to treat some

mild cystic acne which comes and goes, even though I'm well into my

adult years. I suspected it was due to the antibiotics because the

intensity would lesson if I stopped taking them for a while. But when

a little acne would return I'd start taking them again. As many people

know, it's real easy to get hooked on anything that helps with acne.

So I have continued to take them and the cea redness and burning

continued, until I always looked like Dr. Nase's " Before " photos, with

that red mask. The Metrogel from my derm never really seemed to help

much but I still use it. Having found this group and then tried

Claritin, Zia Wash and Zinc, I'm finally getting some relief but still

battling some redness and slight burning.

Someone here in the group mentioned how antibiotics can destroy some

organisms in your skin that keep cea in check. When I read that I

thought " Yep, that seems to be what happened to me a few years ago " .

I'm starting to decrease my use of antibiotics, to see how things go.

But since the cea has been with me for a few years now, I don't

suppose I'll see a reversal there. Does that seem possible? I think

the antibiotics seemed to jump-start the cea which I was probably

going to get anyway. I've always been a blusher.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has noticed the same connection. This

skin disorder seems so individualized to each person however.

By the way, the antibiotics were rotated between Tetracycline, Duricef

and Minocycline. The cea symptoms seemed to start while on

Duricef, but have continued on Minocycline.

Sorry this message is so long, I know we all get lots of messages each

day. I really enjoy this group though. Lots of good info shared.

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