Creatine: Breakouts and Other Questions

[Snatch518]

Are breakouts common for people who use creatine? I just started loading so breaking out is on my mind. If there's a risk of breaking out, what are some remedies to keep it under control besides acne soaps, creams, pads, etc. and trying to get some sun. Are the breakouts from the creatine or the dextrose in the mix or both... would taking creatine w/o the dextrose in it be a good choice?

Also is it true that when you start seeing the results your muscles looks pumped up all the time like they do right after you get done working out?

 

[FitnessFrk]

neither creatine or sugar will cause a break out. check some dermatology sites they will explain the biological reasons.

 

[Greek Freak]

I have never heard of creatine causing any sort of skin problems, but if your getting some acne then go to a dermatologist or something...there are lots of good drugs out there now to choose from.

 

[natural-mike]

Snatch, all I can say is maybe I'm the only human being on earth who breaks out from creatine but I do. every time I start my creatine cycle I start breaking out. Now I know others will post a million reasons why I'm breaking and that its not the creatine tadda yadda yadda...but I'm telling you I've tried 5 different brands and I always break out, regardless of weather or season. I sued to think maybe its a shift in hormones in my body, but I doubted that creatine could shift hormones thats much if at all. Then i had my bloodwork done while I was on creatine and it distorted my thyroid results. My doc says it can effect the results of your blood work but that doesnt mean it has much effect on your thyroid. When I came off creatine for a month we tried my blood and it was fine. I went back on, tried my blood and the thyroid was off again.

Dont get me wrong, i could be the exception to every rule here, but creatine makes me break out and distorts my blood tests.

Just my 2 cents...keep the change.
Peace,
Mike

 

[natural-mike]

I can't tell you why.

What happens to me is more along the lines of red bumps almost like a shaving rash, not really zits or black head pimples (have I ruined anybodys lunch yet?)

What I started doing was with my creatine I was taking mega doses of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) around 6 GRAMS (yes GRAMS) a day. That supposedly helps and for me it does. I have really oily skin, I mean we are talking automobile oil change, oily skin and this really cuts down on that and it has helped me.

Don't ask me about that just do a search on B5 or Pantothenic Acid on this board and you will find tons of stuff.

Later fellas,
Mike