Friday 2 December 2016

Eruptive vellus hair cysts

Sometimes, when a cyst come to a head by itself, I would squeeze all the contents out and realise that there are multiple small hairs embedded within as well. Then, I came across an interesting article.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8746359

I also read somewhere that there are people with SM cysts that has vellus hairs embedded within as well.





Tuesday 27 September 2016

Is isotretinoin a cure? - Personal Journey (Part 2)

I was prescribed with Isotretinoin or more commonly known as Accutane for my acne last December. Actually, another purpose for me getting on the drug is to test its effects on my steatocystoma multiplex (SM) cysts.

I'm currently still on Isotretinoin and am planning to take it till Jan next year. I am on a generic version labeled Acnotin. The dose I'm on is pretty low; 20mg a day, so it's alright to take it for a longer period. The total duration would be a little over a year with a cumulative dosing of 130mg/kg, sufficient to eradicate my acne I hope! Haha!

 Generic version of Accutane, Acnotin 20mg

Back to SM. So far, there has been not much change with the cysts. They do seem to be closer to the surface, but that is probably due to the thinning of the skin caused by Isotretinoin. The cysts seem to be softer. A few (about 2 - 3) cysts has become inflammed but not erupted through the skin, and then they seem to slowly get reabsorbed and fade away. Weird, I know. Inflammations also take a much much quicker time to heal.

Isotretinoin 'works' on that very few cysts, depending on how one sees it. The number of cysts remain much the same and the effect is so limited that I have to say it is not a cure - all solution that one wishes for. However, a full conclusion can only be made till a few months after I finish the course on January.

Thursday 11 August 2016

Is isotretinoin a cure? (Part 1)

My research on the web for isotretinoin as a potential cure / treatment for steatocystoma multiplex didn't seem to be that promising. Most medical articles have shown varied results on the use of isotretinoin for the treatment of SM.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3456886
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3197445

The first article states a possible adverse reaction with isotretinoin use, while the second shows that could be a possible delayed effect on the shrinkage of cysts.

Can isotretinoin or as it's more commonly referred to as accutane be a possible treatment of SM, aiding in the shrinkage and even full eradication of SM cysts? Personally, I have my doubts on that. Even so, I would guess only a small percentage of SM sufferers would see any beneficial effects while on isotretinoin.