Acne on a course of steroids: how to fight and how to treat

September 11, 2018
Health
Denis Dmitriev

Steroid acne is considered a type of acne that occurs as a result of the influence of external and internal factors on the body. The most logical and commonplace reason for the appearance of acne during a course of steroids is the use of hormonal drugs. Acne is a common side effect of certain medications.

Causes of acne

The list of medications that can cause acne includes the following groups:

progestins or gestagens;
androgens or testosterone;
local and systemic corticosteroids;
anabolic steroid.

The development of steroid acne and the deterioration of the quality of the skin when taking hormonal substances is caused by hypertrophy of the sebaceous glands, a decrease in the level of immunity and a counter-insular effect. Also, acne from steroids often appears in those patients who use hormonal drugs for bronchial asthma, leukemia, glomerulonephritis, or in the presence of one of the skin pathologies.

Causes of acne[edit | edit code]

Increased concentration of androgens in the blood;
The use of anabolic steroids - androgens increase the activity of the sebaceous glands, thereby exacerbating the pathological process;
Hereditary factors;
Consumption of large amounts of carbohydrates (especially simple ones) and other dietary irregularities;
Insulin - also helps increase skin oiliness;
Infection and contamination of the skin - the main cause of acne is the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes
, which cause inflammation and suppuration;
Milk consumption [3];
Excess vitamin B12.[4];
The presence of the microscopic skin mite Demodex canis, which lives on the skin of the face in the sebaceous glands of the hair follicles. It is worth considering that the detection of a mite does not mean that the parasite is 100% to blame for the occurrence of rashes, since it is normally present in the skin of healthy people.[5]

Mechanisms of acne

Steroid hormones are metabolized in the liver, which does not have time to process the increasing amount of the substance during exogenous consumption. One of the visible consequences is a negative effect on the skin in the form of acne (on a course of steroids). In addition, male sex hormones are capable of being converted into more active compounds under the influence of enzymes such as 5-alpha reductase.

Seboregulation is disrupted due to an increase in the amount of fatty secretion secreted by the glands. The problem is aggravated by improper and poor skin care, as well as the presence of hyperkeratosis. In this case, acne occurs much faster during the course, because the ducts become clogged with sebum accumulated in them.

A reduced level of immune response, in turn, negatively affects the body’s susceptibility to the formation of ulcers and the rate of their resorption. Due to the counter-insular effect of steroids on the body, the level of glucose in the blood increases significantly, which gives the green light to the proliferation of a wide variety of bacteria. For this reason, all athletes with diabetes are at increased risk.

Vitamin B5 for acne[edit | edit code]

Translation from English and adaptation of the text: Andrey Zavyalov

Scientists at the Manhattan Center for Medical Research published an article in the journal Dermatology and Therapeutics. provided scientists with the Pantothen supplement, which was taken for 12 weeks by ten subjects, all of whom suffered from facial acne.

Four tablets contain:

1.5 milligrams of vitamin B1,
1.7 milligrams of vitamin B2,
20 milligrams of vitamin B3,
2 milligrams vitamin B6,
400 micrograms of folic acid,
6 mcg vitamin B12,
300 mcg biotin,
733.3 milligrams L-carnitine,
2.2 grams of vitamin B5 (22,000% daily medical value).

Each of the subjects took 4 Pantothen tablets daily with meals. The control group, which also included acne sufferers, received a placebo.

results

During the experiment, the number of blackheads, red spots and other signs of acne decreased in both groups. But the reduction was greater in the experimental group than in the placebo group. A powerful dose of vitamin B5 reduces acne by two-thirds.

The researchers also noted the absence of side effects. Researchers at Columbia University found that skin lesions and related problems began to disappear only after 8 weeks of using the drug. The subjects also noted an emotional uplift after they regained clear skin. In another study from the same university involving 48 patients over 12 weeks, the acne recovery rate in the group taking Pantothen was 68% higher than in the group receiving traditional treatment.

Diagnosis of acne from steroids

Doctors find out the cause of acne by collecting anamnesis and determining the clinical picture. The main signs and points that are paid attention to in the hospital are the following:

fact of taking hormonal drugs;
absence of comedones;
monomorphic nature of the rash;
disappearance of the rash when the medication is stopped.

Identifying steroid acne is not very difficult. It is much more difficult to choose the necessary treatment and figure out what to do with acne while on steroids. Depending on the success of the diagnosis and the degree of damage to the epithelium by acne and other formations, doctors prescribe medication or preventive treatment.

Why do bodybuilders get acne?

But let's get back to bodybuilding first. Why do I think that it tends to aggravate existing skin problems, and sometimes even give acne to those who have never had problems with them? Anyone who has at least some knowledge of bodybuilding knows what place nutrition has in it. Nutrition is the foundation of bodybuilding. A bodybuilder's diet consists of a large amount of high-calorie foods, a large amount of carbohydrates, as well as foods high in animal protein. Although the main problem lies not even in this, the main problem is in what quantities this very food is consumed. Athletes, in order to provide the body with the amount of energy necessary for muscle growth, consume a lot of food, and do it much more often than ordinary people are used to doing. As a result, there is an excess of nutrients, to which the body responds by increasing the productivity of the sebaceous glands, which leads to seborrhea and, as a consequence, an increased risk of acne. [sam_pro id=”0_7″ codes=”true”][sam_pro id=”1_19″ codes=”true”] Also, as you know, one of the main factors that provoke acne is the hormonal level of the body, and when doing bodybuilding, it significantly increases the amount of androgens produced by the body. Moreover, increasing testosterone levels is one of the main goals of bodybuilders; for this, athletes often resort to the use of anabolic steroids. In this case, the risk of acne is maximum.

Symptoms of acne from steroids

The locations of acne in this case may include not only the face, but also the neck, back and upper chest. A distinctive feature is also considered to be the same stage of development of all elements of the rash. With normal acne, pimples are most often unevenly developed. Inflammatory acne sometimes degenerates into cystic and pustular formations.

To determine if a patient has a hormonal imbalance, other symptoms should be monitored, including:

decreased libido;
high blood pressure;
hirsutism (excessive hair growth throughout the body);
fluid retention in tissues;
alopecia.

Gynecomastia and erectile dysfunction are often characteristic signs of hormonal imbalance in men. Women are susceptible to virilization and menstrual irregularities with this disease.

Combined treatment

After diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe discontinuation of the steroid course and begin treatment of acne on the body. Preventive methods involve several areas of treatment at once. First of all, already dead skin tissue is removed, bacteria are eliminated and inflammatory symptoms are relieved.

Afterwards, the hormonal levels are adjusted, and various cosmetic and preventive products are used. This combined approach to getting rid of acne on a course of steroids is considered the most effective.

Drug treatment

First, gels, ointments and solutions are used. Prescribing systemic drugs for oral administration makes sense only if external drugs are ineffective. Antibiotics are prescribed in courses, and in the interval between taking them, external treatment is prescribed. Complex methods involve the use of angioprotectors, vitamins B and C, as well as immunomodulators.

If the acne on the course is in an advanced stage, then the doctor may prescribe antistaphylococcal gamma globulin, Diethylstilbestrol, Folliculin and other estrogens. A good addition would be to take nutraceuticals. Among systemic drugs, preference is usually given to Spironolactin and Isotretinoin. To increase the effectiveness and speed of treatment, Tetracycline and Doxycycline are also prescribed along with others.

Notes[edit | edit code]

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List of drugs for treatment

Experts have compiled a list of the most effective external use products, which includes the following items:

Salicylic acid solution. The skin is wiped twice a day with a swab.
Antibacterial ointments. Apply a thin layer twice a day to acne.
Retinoids. They have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. The best representatives are gels “Klenzit” based on adapalene, “Effezel”, “Isotrexin” based on erythromycin and isotretinoin.
Zinc preparations. The best representative is “Zinerit” with zinc and erythromycin.
"Benzoyl peroxide" with 10% content of the active component. Apply a thin layer once a day to the acne area.
"Baziron". Apply similarly to the previous one. Reduces the secretion of sebaceous substances and has an antibacterial effect.
Products containing azelaic acid. The best representative is Skinoren cream.
Drugs with complex effects. The best representatives are “Accutane” based on roaccutane, isotretinoin and sotret. It is acceptable to use Roaccutane during a course of steroids. It reduces the secretion of sebaceous glands.

Traditional methods

Alternative medicine includes several remedies that are sometimes no less effective than classical methods. However, the use of such treatment is possible only at your own peril and risk. First of all, it is recommended to consult with your doctor about acne during the course, and only then self-medicate. The list of traditional medicine includes:

Cottage cheese. Two tablespoons of cottage cheese are mixed with one spoon of oat broth. The resulting mask is applied for 20-30 minutes. After washing off the mask, the area of skin is rinsed with acidified water.
Green tea without flavoring ingredients. Used as a compress.
Celandine. The herb steamed in boiling water is applied to the rash in the form of a compress.
Cranberry juice. The tampon is applied to the area as a compress; It is possible to wipe damaged skin with a soaked swab.
Tea tree oil. Combines with lotions and creams to soften the skin. Plays the role of an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent.
Calendula. Pimples are wiped with a tampon. An alcoholic infusion of flowers relieves skin inflammation.
Cosmetic clay. Together with rosemary and tea tree oil, it is diluted in water to a paste-like state. Apply to the affected area as a mask.

Preventive measures

Stopping taking steroids is not the most desirable way to get rid of acne in most cases. Experts give several tips for preventing acne both after a course of steroids and during it:

Do not use excessively high dosages.
Do not use courses with androgens for too long.
You should choose courses that have the least impact on the natural production of testosterone.
Liver-friendly steroids are better than others.

Of course, you should limit the amount of alcoholic beverages, spicy foods and seasonings, confectionery and sweet fruits in your diet. It is better to plan to visit the shower at least twice a day. Baths with the addition of sea salt, as well as applying clay masks to acne once a week, will be very useful.

My recommendations

For bodybuilding athletes who are prone to acne, I can recommend the following:

Review your diet. Yes, eating food is necessary for your purposes, but it is worth making allowances for the relationship between skin condition and diet, if, of course, this matters to you. First of all, changes should affect carbohydrates. There is no escape from a large amount of carbohydrates in your diet, but try to completely eliminate fast carbohydrates from your diet, I hope you don’t need to explain what they are. Replace them with more complex carbohydrates, this will significantly affect the level of insulin that the body receives from food and, as a result, will help reduce skin oiliness.
Try to minimize the amount of fatty meat you eat and fried foods. Eat more high-fiber foods.
Pay more attention to facial hygiene, get good care products.
In case of serious problems, contact a dermatologist, he will prescribe the necessary course of treatment.

In general, as we know, it is almost impossible to talk about acne with one hundred percent certainty, however, from my experience, I can conclude that for a person prone to acne, bodybuilding can only aggravate existing skin problems.

And we will talk about how running helps improve skin condition and eliminate acne in the next article. [sam_pro id=”1_20″ codes=”true”]

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