Thread: My dermatologist said...

Let's stop the name calling, alright?
I'd like to believe that our esteemed members are above that sort of thing.

Originally Posted by Kees

Please clarify. Are you the dermatologist?

I know nothing about dermatology, however I HAVE studied microbiology and mixing a fungicide and an antibiotic does not dilute them... in essence you are making 100 parts of a solution, right? So 90 parts buffer and 10 parts antibacterial is the same effective concentration as 80 parts buffer, 10 parts fungicide, 10 parts antibacterial.

Of course normally mixing two substances dilutes them, but since this is a prescription drug the parts are mixed into a base solution (probably petroleum jelly, pH buffers) that maintains a specific concentration.

This is useful as well because often eliminating all of the bacteria without all the fungi leads to a secondary infection... so by treating both you maintain a sort of ecological balance in the skin microbiota.

Also, someone mentioned earlier the antibiotic being for anaerobic bacteria... this is because the pores, when blocked and inflamed, house anaerobic conditions. (Typically Staph aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa)




CAVEAT:
I wouldn't give up my good lather either, long run. Until the infection clears, though, it will prevent reinfection by a infected brush, puck, etc... to use a canned or tubed brushless mixture.

I'm not going to try and second guess the doctor, she's a skin specialist and knows more than I ever will about rashes, sores, oozing pustules and the like. Next time you see her (presumably for a follow-up on your back), ask her why exactly she said to stop wet-shaving - she may well have a good reason for it, other than a misguided dislike for straight shaving. Use the cream, it won't hurt you and may help clear up whatever she spotted. Skip the ATG, and just go for a C- shave, one that takes off the worst of the growth in as little effort as possible - something like a single XTG pass would probably do the trick fairly nicely here - rather than the A+ grail that is BBS.

Also, make sure you sterilise and clean your razor and wash your brush out really well with some kind of anti-microbial soap or disinfectant to kill any nasties that might be lurking in there and causing the rash.

However, if it could be that your soap's causing some of the irritation, I'd definitely recommend you try Kell's shaving soap - it's specifically formulated for sensitive skin, and comes in (in order for least sensitive skin to most) aloe, hemp/aloe, or hemp based formulas in 6 scents. Lathers easily, good slick, and smells pretty good too.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Of course normally mixing two substances dilutes them, but since this is a prescription drug the parts are mixed into a base solution (probably petroleum jelly, pH buffers) that maintains a specific concentration.

If you mix 2 lotions as the quote underneath suggests you will inevitably dilute the active ingredients.

Originally Posted by winterkid

THe Rx is for a mixture of Loprox and Cleocin lotions. From what I found on a basic search this is antibiotic mixture. I guess she thinks my burn is minor skin infections on my neck.

I happen to know a thing or 2 about skin conditions and I do not know any facial condition that is caused by both bacteria and fungi at the same time. But I stand to be corrected here.

I started having psoriasis problems on my face and chest about a year ago. Through a lot of searching on psoriasis, I started using a Mineral Body Lotion on the red spots and no longer have a problem. When I started wet shaving, I used it (after rinsing with cold water and drying) on my face as an aftershave. It is very soothing and healing. The lotion is called Adovia, Mineral Body Lotion. Found it on Cleopatras Choice.

Hey I am no doctor but is it possible that infection is living in your brush?
Maybe the soap too?
I like to use a couple of different brushes. Surprisingly I love a cheap boar bristle brush that I got in a package with brush bowl & soap for $7.50 or so at Walmart.
When you apply your soap paint it on like using a paint brush instead of scrubbing it in like using a pot scrubber.
Post shave I use cheap witch hazel with a good shot of aloe added and add a couple of lemon zest that I have sliced off thin and soaked for 2 weeks then strained.

I do know that if you get strep it can live in your tooth brush.

Maybe wipe your razor blade off with alcohol.
I don't know how you could sanatize your brush with out doing some damage to it.

Good luck and best wishes.

Silver2

well I used to have some major razor burn using her recomendations. (minus the perscribed meds) And my razor burn when away, when I switched to a straight.

Some great posts regarding this issue. I remember seeing a report on TV about putting down the toilet seat before flushing because of the bacteria that is airborn with each flush. I have shelving above my toilet where I keep all my shaving items. Also my toothbrush. I looked at the soap in my Col. Conk Cup and remember an earlier post in this thread regarding moisture and bacteria on soap and brush. I do not want to appear paranoid but this thread has brought up some good points.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

I know nothing about dermatology, however I HAVE studied microbiology and mixing a fungicide and an antibiotic does not dilute them... in essence you are making 100 parts of a solution, right? So 90 parts buffer and 10 parts antibacterial is the same effective concentration as 80 parts buffer, 10 parts fungicide, 10 parts antibacterial.

Of course normally mixing two substances dilutes them, but since this is a prescription drug the parts are mixed into a base solution (probably petroleum jelly, pH buffers) that maintains a specific concentration.

This is useful as well because often eliminating all of the bacteria without all the fungi leads to a secondary infection... so by treating both you maintain a sort of ecological balance in the skin microbiota.

Also, someone mentioned earlier the antibiotic being for anaerobic bacteria... this is because the pores, when blocked and inflamed, house anaerobic conditions. (Typically Staph aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa)




CAVEAT:
I wouldn't give up my good lather either, long run. Until the infection clears, though, it will prevent reinfection by a infected brush, puck, etc... to use a canned or tubed brushless mixture.

It all depends on how it is made. From the OP it is a mixture of two lotions in this case the active ingredients would be diluted. As an example using your 10 parts active 90 parts inert analogy and assuming a 50/50 mixture you get

compoud A = 10A+90I
compund B = 10B+90I

A 50/50 mixture of these two is:

(10A+90I)*0.5+(10B+90I)*0.5 = 5A+45I+5B+45I = 5A+5B+90I.

Each of the active ingredients have been diluted by 50%.

For it to be otherwise, the lotion would have to be forumulated to specification from pure components. Maybe this is what is being done, but that is not what the OP said.

This still does not answer the question as to why the mix of antifungal and antibacterial compounds. Perhaps the doctor is uncertain as to the cause of the supposed infection, perhaps she thinks there are two infections; you can only know by asking which is what I suggested.

There are good reasons not to use antibiotics unecessarily so it is always appropriate to ask why a particular treatment is being prescribed. Any doctor that is not comfortable with this type of question should be avoided and in my opinion should not be prescribing medicine at all.

I use gentle soaps and creams with natural ingrediants such as glycerin and/or essential oils and any aftershaves must be Alcohol and dye free. I know if I told my determatologist, what about this and that, he would say OK, just stay away from products that have X, Y, and Z in it and also say, he knows the one he is recommending will do the job as well.

After the first pass, you have exfoliated a lot of organic matter and those pores are wide open and sensitive.

Its your face and you have been advised. As always, you have the final decision.

Good Luck,

Pabster