steroid induced acne

[mony21]

i m 28 yrs girl suffering from corticosteroids acne in vulva, clitts and i think begining of vagina. i m suffering from them since mid January 2008 till date, but it is improving as i am decreasing the dose of the corticosteroids, but antibiotics dont have any effect on it. is such acne contagious during having sex?

pls advise.

Ur prompt response is highly appreciated.

thanks.

[mony21]

Hi

I dont think it is Scleroderma as i dont get the symptons of it. In addition, my physician is still sticking to SLE.

Anyway, I m very thankful to your immediate reply. I will keep you posted for progress.

Have a nice day.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi.

Nice to hear from you again.

When your physician says that the dryness is not from SLE he/she may be thinking of another related condition that may explain the dryness. Along this line, I suggest that you discuss this with him/her. By this time, after all the tests, your physician may have reconsidered the diagnosis of SLE. Does your physician still stick to the diagnosis of SLE?

An anticentromere pattern of ANA , may point towards other diagnosis.Scleroderma ,sclerodema like disorders or localised scleroderma are differentials . These are just differentials and I do not want to cause further worries or alarm you. That's why it is best that your physician is aware of your concerns and you need to be informed of any development with regards to your case.

I will look forward to your progress with regards to this.

[mony21]

Hi Vanessa,

It is me again. Hope u remember me. Anyway, I m writing you to tell you that I have had a new ANA which showed 1/360 centromere again after it was reduced to 1/160 although I havent stoped medication. I have only reduced the Corticosteroid dose.

However, I dont suffer from Allergy anymore only driness and maybe hair fall (not really positive of that).

My Physician claims that this driness is not from "Systemic Lupus Erythematosus", although I only suffered from it when I got SLE, depending that the Anti-Ro and Anti-Lo tests are resulting "Negative", knowing that since day one I have tested Negative for those two.

Now I m really confused. Whatelse could this driness  be from if not SLE?!

Pls Advise.

Thanks in advance.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

You are welcome.

Keep us posted for anything!

[mony21]

Hi,

I just want to thank you very much this time. You have been really such a great help for me. I will take your advice.

Thanks Alot & Best Regards.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

During any of your consultations has your physician discussed with you possible diagnosis of your condition?

This anticentromere antibodies serve as a "marker" for certain autoimmune and genetic diseases like scleroderma.However, certain antibodies need to be determined to identify the presence of underlying diseases like Sjogrens syndrome . I suggest that you discuss this with your physician so you may be enlightend on why these tests were done and their significance to your condition.

[mony21]

Yes I believe it is anti centromere antibodies.

The symptons are sever allergy (which has stopped now), sometimes inflamation in the lower lip or hands or feet (which has stopped now as well). In addition to dryness in mostly all body secrations; for ex. vaginal juices, salyva, eye tears and nasal mucus. In addition to hair fall.

Now allergy & inflamation have stopped. Hair fall is of normal amount (i guess) but dryness is not totally ok. Sometimes I get it, sometimes I m back to normal. Espcially that normally i m very wet person. Hope you can get what I want to say.  

I am being treated with "Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate BP" with a dose of 400mg per day, plus Corticosteroid.

This Corticosteroid caused me acne as I mentioned earlier.

My next question is what causes this anti centromere antibody or the dilution in its pattern or whatever disturbance I have?

Pls advise.

Thank you.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Do you mean anti centromere antibodies?

Each cell of the body contains a central unit where genetic material is stored.This is the nucleus.Within the nucleus ,one detects strands of genetic material clumped together.These are the chromosomes.The center of these chromosomes much like the center of a bow tie or ribbon is the centromere.

Determining patterns for ANA may involve an anti centomere antibody pattern which suggests a most likely diagnosis. The 1/360  refers to the dilution pattern ( please confirm this with your physician). A value of 1/160 shows that you are responding to the medications.

[mony21]

Hi,

Thank you very much indeed. corticosteroid is prescribed for me due to immunology problems. My ANA test has shown  1/360 Centomere,  then after 6 months of Corticosteroid treatment it shows 1/160, Centomere.

Can u explain what centormere mean, even in brief?

Thanks alot.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

I must have misunderstood your first post.Thanks for the clarification.

What was the indication for your corticosteroid use?

In this case, corticosteroids do have unwanted side effects and one of these is acne formation.This is a medication side effect and this is not something contagious.Your urinalysis did not show anything and you have no associated urinary symptoms.I think this should offer some relief.

[mony21]

Hi,

Thank you v. much for promptly answering me. First I want to say that I m not good at medical terms, so I might not give the right expressions for everything, so pls bare with me. yes  I was examined by dermatologist who gave me the diagnosis to the acne.She said the acne was caused due to Corticosteroid treatement.  

I m now decreasing the amount of the Corticosteorid and I can feel the amount of the acne is decreasing as well. However,  I believe it is decreasing because of decreasing the Corticosteorid dose rather than the antibiotics.

The recent antibiotic I am using is a Doxycycline Hydrochloride and it has been prescribed by my dermatologist.

My urinalysis didnt show positive to anything.

My physician has simplified it for me that some steroid glands are somewhat over activated resulting in this acne. Same acne is found in my face as well. Moreover, my dermatologist says it is not an infectious acne.

But I want to be sure it is not contagious.

Pls advise,

Thank You.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Was it your physician who gave you a diagnosis to acne?

The diagnosis needs to be ascertained at this point.You have noted that the lesions have been responsive to corticosteroids but not to antibiotics.What type of antibiotics did you take?Were these antibiotics prescribed by your physician?

I suggest that you seek consult with your gynecologist or dermatologist to have this assessed.Pimples over the vulva may be noted but its spread into the inner vaginal areas may need reassessment of the acne diagnosis.A urinalysis  and complete pelvic examination may be needed to rule out any underlying infections.

If this is an inflammatory reaction ar an allergic reaction ,then this is not contagious.However, in the genital areas an infection needs to be ruled out first since infections are likely to occur in the area.