Flare up on Acitretin

[kh924]

I'm freaking out fellow flakers!! After almost a year of clear skin I noticed a few new spots today. Granted they are really small and maybe only six or eight total but I'm at a loss as to why. My stress is at an all time low and I'm eating and drinking the same bad stuff I always do. I want to put a stop to this pronto, without topical steroids. HELP!! And please don't say it's from eating a nightshade or drinking. I have been eating and drinking all of the wrong things for a year with zero flare ups.

[Fred]

Unfortunately Kelly it happens to some of us sometimes for no reason, well I've never managed to find one myself.

Instead of trying the steroid creams, it may be worth trying Dovonex or Silkis to get it back on track.

[kh924]

Thanks Fred. I'll ask my Dr about those. Not sure why he didn't suggest them given he knows I won't use steroids. I was just there last week!!

[Fred]

Thanks Fred. I'll ask my Dr about those. Not sure why he didn't suggest them given he knows I won't use steroids. I was just there last week!!

Dovonex is the stronger of the two, so maybe try Silkis first and see how it goes.

Good luck.

[jiml]

I'm freaking out fellow flakers!!  After almost a year of clear skin I noticed a few new spots today. Granted they are really small and maybe only six or eight total but I'm at a loss as to why. My stress is at an all time low and I'm eating and drinking the same bad stuff I always do.   I want to put a stop to this pronto, without topical steroids.   HELP!!  And please don't say it's from eating a nightshade or drinking. I have been eating and drinking all of the wrong things for a year with zero flare ups.

Oh dear Kelly , try not to freak out, hopefully it's just a little blip and may well go away by itself, freaking out is probably the worst thing you could do, try to stay calm and focus on the good times of the last year.
But meantime have a word with your dermatologist, didn't you say some time ago you were on a reduced dose, maybe upping the dose for a short period may cause the spots to fade again.
Fred is right about maybe trying dovonex which is not a steroid ointment ( which I know you don't want to use again) it is a vitamin D derived cream which may be all you need. I would never advocate diet adjustment , as it's something I couldn't do myself

Firstly though you do need to stay calm it will help

Nobody knows for sure what causes these flares but be aware they may happen... and as soon as it happens talk to your dermatologist and enquire about a short term raising the dose of acetretin

Good luck Kelly

[mataribot]

More than likely, your doctor can give you a higher dose.

[Kat]

Sorry to hear you're having some problems. I think that's the number one thing about this disease, since there is no cure one can only hope for remission and to stay in remission but who knows why the body decides to revert back. Perhaps add a topical or ask if it can be increased to help get you clear again (then maybe decrease it back) but don't freak out, look at is as a set back but you KNOW that you can get clear again since you have already been there and done that.

My mom, NOT a doctor but a wise woman, always told me that taking too much of something over time can make the body build up a resistance to it. My daughter has had (luckily) very little meds over the years and a couple of Tylenol will practically knock her out. I've been the other way and can take some pain killers with very little effect. Sometimes maybe a change in meds is needed, we are all different after all. But no matter if it's just adding a topical, upping your dose or changing meds, I know you'll get it back under control! Stay strong.

[fingers]

Sorry to hear this Kelly!! I was told to use Dovonex at the same time!  hopefully its just a blip and will settle down again soon.

[kh924]

So I think my flare is subsiding after going back to my original dose of 25mg/day instead of 20mg. Funny that the new spots I got were in the exact same places they were before and not just in random areas or new areas.  I had forgotten how much the crack in my ear hurt until it reappeared. It's not much wider than a paper cut yet it feels as wide as the Grand Canyon.

[jiml]

I'm pleased to hear that it's subsiding,
Let's hope the cracks on your ears heal soon for you,
Good luck Kelly