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What Causes Recurrent Scalp Infection On Stopping The Medication?
Question: Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX My son stopped taking the minocycline after continuing it for 10 more days. He is using the shampoos you recommended. Within 3 days of stopping the antibiotic, he had new infections on his scalp. He restarted the antibiotic when it worsened over a few more days. Lesions are now crusting/yellow. Do you know why the infection comes back as soon as he stops the antibiotics? Any other treatment recommendations? He has been on antibiotics for 15 months! Doxycycline for 10 months and minocycline for the last 5 months. He was using head and shoulders shampoo with no other topical treatments until he started your recommendations a few weeks ago. (This scalp infection started when he had a 25 lb weight gain in 5 weeks from taking zyprexa - sleeping many hours per day and eating a lot of carbs. He now eats a healthy diet again with low sugar.). Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Recurrent folliculitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
It is called as recurrent folliculitis.
Probably the bacteria causing this is resistant to common antibiotics.
In such cases I advice capsule rifampicin 300 mg daily for 10 days and tablet fluconazole 300 mg once a week for 4 weeks.
This gives prolonged relief and often cure.
You might need to meet a doctor to get this prescribed.
In addition he should continue with the shampoos.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Recurrent folliculitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
It is called as recurrent folliculitis.
Probably the bacteria causing this is resistant to common antibiotics.
In such cases I advice capsule rifampicin 300 mg daily for 10 days and tablet fluconazole 300 mg once a week for 4 weeks.
This gives prolonged relief and often cure.
You might need to meet a doctor to get this prescribed.
In addition he should continue with the shampoos.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. The minocycline does work, but the infection comes back if he stops taking it. Do you still think it is a resistent bacteria if minocycline works? Thanks again!
Brief Answer:
Try rifampicin
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Yes in recurrent folliculitis this happens.
There is a response but the infection again builds up.
Please try the medication advised by me.
This should help.
With rifampicin his urine might turn red due to color present in the capsule.
Don't mistake it for blood.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Try rifampicin
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Yes in recurrent folliculitis this happens.
There is a response but the infection again builds up.
Please try the medication advised by me.
This should help.
With rifampicin his urine might turn red due to color present in the capsule.
Don't mistake it for blood.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Thank you so much!
Brief Answer:
Welcome
Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.
Wishing your son a good health.
Thank you.
Welcome
Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.
Wishing your son a good health.
Thank you.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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