The Chronic Consumer

For the past few years, I’ve been fighting what I thought was extremely stubborn acne across my forehead. These were not full-blown nodules or cysts or anything like that. These were small (yet clearly visible) flesh-colored bumps all over my forehead (particularly concentrated near my temples) that never seemed to go away. I tried every OTC acne treatment known to man, but nothing ever worked. I even spent more than $800 on dermatologist visits and prescriptions for Clindamycin, Differin, and others, but again, nothing cleared up my “acne”. It was a very frustrating and embarrassing situation.

I used to torture myself by reading acne horror stories over at acne.org, and imagining that my skin could actually deteriorate to the point where I would no longer want to leave the house — like some of the folks that posted over there. But I also started reading some product reviews and other threads, and learned that my “acne” might not even be acne at all. It might be a fungal infection that mimics acne — which would explain why NONE of the OTC/prescription treatments even made a dent. The people who had this fungal infection used prescription Nizoral cream with 2% ketoconazole. I’d spent so much money at that point and was so desperate to try anything that I figured I’d part with another $14 for a tube of Nizoral.

When the product arrived, I was a bit scared about using it, particularly since I bought it from one of those online pharmacies and did NOT actually get diagnosed by a doctor or anything. So I just tried it in one corner of my forehead, a part that is easily hidden by hair or a hat in case of a massive breakout. After a few days, I didn’t notice any adverse effects, so I started putting Nizoral all over my forehead. 10 days later, I was COMPLETELY CLEAR!!!!!

I am not exaggerating when I say my forehead has not looked this smooth and clear in five years! I cannot believe that my problem wasn’t even acne!!!! I cannot tell you how wonderful it feels to be all cleared up like this and not have to worry about what I look like or what other people are thinking when they see my “acne” covered forehead. Wow!!!!

I stopped using Nizoral on a daily basis once I cleared up, and now just put it on once or twice a week for a “maintenance dose”. The last thing I want is for my skin to build up a tolerance for Nizoral and then not respond to it anymore!! I have gotten one or two legitimate pimples in that time, but those dried up after a couple applications of benzoyl peroxide — which is exactly what should happen.

The bottom line here: for those of you with bumps or bumpies or whatever you want to call them on your forehead, you might not be dealing with acne at all. See your dermatologist and bring up the idea of a fungal infection. Nizoral with 2% ketoconazole has changed my life!!!