Vitamin B12 has worsened my papulopustular rosacea

[Sameholick1]

For some dumb reason, I was in the grocery store and decided to buy a vitamin b12 supplement because I thought I read somewhere that people with rosacea have b12 deficiencies. It was actually vitamin b in general and should've gotten a vitamin b complex supplement instead because it has made my rosacea worse. I've been taking a probiotic, daily multivitamin, and betaine hcl with pepsin to try to cure my rosacea... And it was getting better until I took two vitamin b12 pills I also read that b vitamins are water soluble and not stored by the body, however, b12 is the ONLY exception and can be stored in the liver for YEARS. I feel so helpless now. I wanna know how to get this out of my system!! Can anyone who has knowledge on this or has been through this before help me? I felt like I was finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and of course I had to mess it up lol. Help!

[Mistica]

Sorry to hear about your worsening of symptoms with B12.
I don't know who started the myth that rosaceans lack B vitamins. I see this statement on numerous skincare sites.
Personally, I think it is twaddle.
I too, have had nasty experiences with all B vitamins.
As for B12, I had an excess, (determined by several blood tests) which apparently can happen with SIBO. My levels dropped after I was treated for the latter.
Perhaps abnormal gut flora can over produce other vitamins as well? Who knows!
In addition some bacteria utilise certain vitamins, so providing them with a ton of fuel can lead to unwanted symptoms. Niacin in particular is utilised by everything.
B12 and B6 in particular have been noted in the medical literature as causing a type of rosacea.
Taking any supplement in mega doses can cause side effects.

My experience with a low dose B complex was superficial, but marked flushing, buzzing in my skin and the rapid appearance of numerous fine capillaries. It was like the growing of weeds. After nearly one year, I have not fully recovered from this. I took two tablets.
In my case, I have found that using ZZ cream again (which is a sulphur formula), is very slowly reducing this increased redness and I have only been using it again daily for a few weeks. It can only do so much though.

Years ago, I suffered a negative reaction to oral metronizadole and it affected my nerves. I was given what was considered to be a fairly low dose of B12 and it just about made my face explode. Again, terrible flushing, buzzing and I went purple. Blotchy neck. The rest of my body buzzed too, but did not flush.

For your interest, in case you get the urge to experiment again (much like me, ha ha), I also react very badly to Grapeseed Extract, Milk Thistle, Citrus Bioflavanoids, quercetin and a few other 'goodies' which are supposed to be good for rosacea. My particular reactions to these supplements are very much the same as my reactions to B vitamins. Interesting.
One of the the actions they have in common is the interference with Glucose.
The potential for herbal supplements to be deemed toxic by the body is always possible too and that has happened to me as well.

My medical team which includes a couple of scientists, have told me that in general it is the minerals that people are more likely to lack. That seems to hold truth with me as well. Again, I have been tested.

I don't suppose any of this is applicable to your current situation, ie, reducing your new symptoms, but I hope it might help you make more informed decisions in the further.

What are your usual symptoms and how have they worsened since your experiment?
Do you use any topicals?

[Tom Busby]

Firefox always has good dietary advice: http://www.rosaceagroup.org/The_Rosa...cause-flushing

She advised me to not take vitamin supplements and instead, to increase my intake of micronutrients by eating sardines packed in tomato sauce, because the lightly dissolved fish bones are full of micro-nutrients. Perfect advice. I had completely overlooked sardines, herring, and mackerel, all of which are too low on the predator-pyramid to accumulate mercury, and are usually harvested from the Atlantic so absorption of Fukushima-radiation from the Pacific is unlikely. A meal with sardines would include a sauce with strong flavored vegetables, like beets, tomatoes, kale, orange squash, and salsa.

I'm not so knowledgeable about supplements, but doesn't everyone flush from B-vitamin supplements?

[OilKing]

Niacin induces clinical flushing in most of the population. For rosacea sufferers various vitamin supplements worsen the condition. I for one cannot take b vitamins, multivitamins or omega supplements of any kind. I can tolerate magnesium, zinc, creatine and vitamin d (not in oil form). The reasoning for vitamins worsening ones rosacea is unknown but perhaps is due to the histamine content of the pills or the interaction the pills have with other bodily systems.

[kimber]

I'm sorry about your experience. I don't know how to make it leave the system faster, except possibly drinking 8x 8oz water per day and walking to sweat a bit (total guesses though).

I've recently found that D3 also triggers me; I'm still dealing with that (I'm also P&P). Last year, I found fish oil was a trigger. I'm down to a multi, zinc, and magnesium, which seem to be okay.