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| Acne and keloids | Login/Join |
| New Member |
Hi, I've some bad cystic acne in the past to my back, chest, shoulders....a little to my face. I've actually had a cyst removed from my neck (it popped up as a big boil one time) and one from my forehead. I took accutane for 6 months about 3-4 years ago and that sorted out the breakouts. I get the odd zit pop up now and then if I have sweated a lot or gotten seriously dirty and not washed until late that day. I now have keloids to my chest and shoulders. They don't bother me. The ones on my shoulders itch, but it's nothing. The ones on my chest are a little tender, but I don't see them interfering with anything. Dog tags my irritate them, but that'll be tolerable...even wearing them on the outside of a t-shirt can help that. I think if I was to sleep in the bush without showering for a few days I may experience a breakout....or having to wear the same helmet...the strap every day would cause my chin to breakout...ot the collar of the same shirt day in day out without showering would cause a breakout on my neck.. In otherwords I'm fine if I can wash daily and change clothes daily. Is what I described something that'll DQ me IYO? Or do you know anyone in the army who's had problems like this while on active duty? I wanna go 18x or 11x thanks EDIT: OK here's a stupid question. Will they let you do push ups on your knuckles instead of palms at BCT? Sometimes it hurts my wrists to do them on my palms. Yeah, I do feel like abit of a freak after proof reading this post  | ||
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Bullet Sponge |
The field time in a major training environment like JRTC can regularly exceed 14 days. Units sometimes go to the field for a month at a time. These field exersizes can be done on one or two sets of clothes with personal hygiene consisting of very quick baby wipe pat downs. You may not, in most cercumstances, wear your ID tags on the outside of your t-shirt. I don't know if your problems are a DQ but it may make life in the Infantry very difficult for you. Thats just a quick caveat for you. Also, you may not do pushups on your knuckles. Anyone who allows you to do so is risking allowing you to be injured. | |||
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New Member |
From what they told me at MEPS during my phys you cannot ship with any open sores. That included "server acne." As is always the case see a recruiter they will let you know deal. Good luck God Bless. | |||
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| New Member |
I appreciate the replies fellas. I pretty much figured as much. I think I would probably be OK through MEPS, but there is no way I could wear the same set of clothes, only wiping down with baby wipes, for a month without seriously suffering with my skin. Like I said it's fine if I can shower daily. Even when I was laboring, sweating my ass of every day covered in ****, I was fine; as I could shower at the end of the day. I'm really bummed. I was really keen on infantry, but like I said I kinda figured as much. Oh well, maybe there is another MOS for me. I just want to fight. I don't want to cook or anything. Thanks for the replies, and thanks for your service. | |||
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| Bullet Sponge |
There is really no way you can go through your career as an Infantryman without spending a few weeks in the field every so often. Hell, you need to spend a week in the field to graduate Infantry OSUT. Even cooks go to the field though. Every MOS goes to the field for extended periods of time once in a while. Maybe there is something you can do to manage it. I would talk to a recruiter if I were you. If you aren't DQed they may be able to help you. | |||
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Judge Stump |
OP, How old are you? Once you get all the shots at Reception Station, you should be cured of everything. | |||
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Jumpmaster |
Okay dude. I have something similar goig on with my scalp. Accutane/Septra/Doxycyline/betamathasone will keep it at Bay even on longer field problems. You will have to go without during basic, though. can't bring any medications there. It can be done, but it sounds like you don't want to do it. | |||
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| Experienced Member |
I guy I was stationed with in DC had the same problem. He'd get these things that looked like a volcano waitng to erupt. They tried everything with little/no effect. Then he was told to lay off the coffee, soft drinks, alcohol and stop smoking. It cleared his skin up. | |||
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| New Member |
I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row so to speak before hitting up the recruiter's office. I wanna know what I'm talking about, so I don't get BS'd too much. I just turned 28 this month. Hit_it, thanks for that reply! Maybe there is hope for me. Are you infantry? Like I said, I would probably make it through MEPS, as I don't "have" acne right now. The only visible thing on me right now is my keloids and acne scars to my back. I get a zit or two pop up on my back once in a while, usually after sweating like crazy all day and showering 'til late or the next day. I am a nurse, and I wear my stethoscope around my neck day in day out. I wipe it with alcohol daily, but if I skip a day I usually have a zit pop up on my neck...nothing major like I used to get on my back before the accutane. I really have no issues with facial acne. It's my back I'm worried about. I know if I wore the same shirt daily for 14 days to two months without bathing and with rucking all day, I'd be suffering. It may even be a risk for infection having open zits all over my back rucking all day. I'd hate to be a burden on my squad...having to get people to tend to my back all the time (like my wife has to now and then). I will ask a recruiter though. | |||
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| Hot Topics Lead Mod ....Taking Out The Neuro Trash witm.mod@gmail.com  |
Acne and keloids is a disqualifier, all branches, sorry. See AR-401- The Regulations for Medical Fitness: subparagraphs, a. and k. 2–28. Skin and cellular tissues a. Current diseases of sebaceous glands to include severe acne (706.1), if extensive involvement of the neck, shoulders, chest, or back is present or would be aggravated by or interfere with the proper wearing of military e q u i p m e n t , a r e d i s q u a l i f y i n g . A p p l i c a n t s u n d e r t r e a t m e n t w i t h s y s t e m i c r e t i n o i d s , i n c l u d i n g , b u t n o t l i m i t e d t o isotretinoin (Accutane(r)) are disqualified until 8 (eight) weeks after completion of therapy. b. Current or history of atopic dermatitis (691) or eczema (692) after the 9 th birthday is disqualifying. c. Current or history of contact dermatitis (692.4), especially involving materials used in any type of required protective equipment, is disqualifying. d. Cysts. (1) Current cysts (706.2), (other than pilonidal cysts) of such a size or location as to interfere with the proper wearing of military equipment is disqualifying. (2) Current pilonidal cysts (685), if evidenced by the presence of a tumor mass or a discharging sinus is disqualifyi n g . S u r g i c a l l y r e s e c t e d p i l o n i d a l c y s t t h a t i s s y m p t o m a t i c , u n h e a l e d , o r l e s s t h a n 6 m o n t h s p o s t - o p e r a t i v e i s disqualifying. e. Current or history of bullous dermatoses (694), including, but not limited to dermatitis herpetiformis, pemphigus, and epidermolysis bullosa, is disqualifying. f. Current chronic lymphedema (457.1) is disqualifying. g. Current localized types of fungus infections (117), interfering with the proper wearing of military equipment or the performance of military duties, are disqualifying. (For systemic fungal infections, refer to paragraph 2–30.) h. Current or history of furunculosis or carbuncle (680), if extensive, recurrent, or chronic is disqualifying. i. Current or history of severe hyperhidrosis of hands or feet (780.8) is disqualifying. j. Current or history of congenital (757) or acquired (216) anomalies of the skin such as nevi or vascular tumors that interfere with function, or are exposed to constant irritation are disqualifying. History of Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome (232) is disqualifying. k. Current or history of keloid formation (701.4), if the tendency is marked or interferes with the proper wearing of military equipment, is disqualifying. l. Current lichen planus (697.0) is disqualifying. m. Current or history of neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen’s disease) (237.7) is disqualifying. n. History of photosensitivity (692.72), including, but not limited to any primary sun-sensitive condition, such as polymorphous light eruption or solar urticaria; any dermatosis aggravated by sunlight such as lupus erythematosus is disqualifying. o. Current or history of psoriasis (696.1) is disqualifying. p. Current or history of radiodermatitis (692.82) is disqualifying. q. Current scars (709.2), or any other chronic skin disorder of a degree or nature that requires frequent outpatient treatment or hospitalization, which in the opinion of the certifying authority affects thermoregulatory function, or will interfere with the wearing of military clothing or equipment, or which exhibits a tendency to ulcerate, or interferes with the satisfactory performance of duty, are disqualifying. Includes scars at skin graft donor or recipient sites. Scars at skin graft donor or recipient sites will include an evaluation of not only the relative total size of the burn wound, but You can always put your papers in for a medical pre-screen, but keep you expectations realistic. Good Luck! | |||
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| New Member |
The only thing on that DQ list that worried me is the part related to acne that states, "if extensive involvement of the neck, shoulders, chest, or back is present or would be aggravated by....wearing of military equipment," and even then it's not so much the wearing of equipment, but the not bathing for weeks on end that would aggravate it. That's why I posted here, as I figured surely there are other people with acne in the infantry; and I just wanted to clarify the conditions in the field. I don't have any acne at present. I haven't taken accutane for 3-4 years. I don't have any "pilonidal cysts," "tumor masses," or "a discharging sinus," nor do I have a "S u r g i c a l l y r e s e c t e d p i l o n i d a l c y s t t h a t i s s y m p t o m a t i c , u n h e a l e d , o r l e s s t h a n 6 m o n t h s p o s t - o p e r a t i v e." | |||
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| Hot Topics Lead Mod ....Taking Out The Neuro Trash witm.mod@gmail.com |
k. Current or history of keloid formation (701.4), if the tendency is marked or interferes with the proper wearing of military equipment, is disqualifying. ************************************ No, simple acne is not a DQ. Only cystic acne, or ance that erupts continously in places that make it impossible to wear equipment or uniforms properly... If soldiers develop an acne problem again in the military, they go to a military clinic or hospital to hopefully see a dermatologist and be treated appropriatley. This may or may not include accutance. If the physician feels it is indicated, However it may interfere with deployment, since lab testing is required every so often while on Acutane- and labs are on easily availabe while you are in the hinderlands of the sandbox. Given the condition you will be placed under, you cannot guarantee that your keloidosis won't be a problem... Speak to a recruiter, ask for a medical pre-screen. Your condition may or may not be waivered.. Good Luck | |||
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"A Marine on duty has no friends." |
I did that for fun...oops. | |||
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| Bullet Sponge |
Bad marine! | |||
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| Jumpmaster |
Pipe, I know you're taking that out of the regulation. I will tell you this, though: Each service has waiverable diqualifications that are covered in an additional booklet provided to the MEPS and recruiters involved. ACNE, PSORIASIS AND KELOIDS are in fact waiverable. So don't tell the guy he's not going to get in. I got in. While I was recruiting I put people in. It's up to the seperate services the severity of the conditions that they will accept or not. None of us (trust me) know for sure. | |||
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Highly Experienced Member |
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| Hot Topics Lead Mod ....Taking Out The Neuro Trash witm.mod@gmail.com |
Hit_it. Fair enough. Stand by my earlier statements to the OP that his condition is a disqualifier, and he may or may not receive a waiver. | |||
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| Hot Topics Lead Mod ....Taking Out The Neuro Trash witm.mod@gmail.com |
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| New Member |
Babywipes and stridex. If you're like me and you get really oily skin it's going to get worse, especially when you start doing BRM and going to the ranges. When you get a chance to go to the PX, pick up some babywipes and stridex. What I would do is put the stridex in the little ammo pouch on the front of my ruck, and just pull it out and put it in my cargo pocket when we get to the range. Just wipe your face down when you go to eat chow or when you get a break(like when you're waiting to fire). If it's really that bad that you have open sores on your back, you may want to square it away before even trying. In basic, after you zero your rifle you wear your IBA and LBE almost every single day. It does rub your shoulders a lot, and on ruck marches too. You sometimes don't ruck with your IBA, which your shoulder straps and your backplate on your back. I would try changing your diet - no soda, coffee, etc. Anything that will make your skin oily, don't eat it. Try taking some antibiotics for it, too, like doxicycline. That's what helped me. If you do get it cleared up and get in, and it flairs up, just get some from the sick call rangers - one of them will eventually get a bottle. | |||
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| New Member |
Well a lot has happend since posting here. Anyway, been doing some research and found this article som may find interesting. "Iraqne, acne in the modern soldier" Hotlink deleted-IronErik Again please comment if you have experienced this or know anyone who has...This message has been edited. Last edited by: IronErik, | |||
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