Posted by Derm M.D. ASR on July 17, 1999 at 22:01:21Elizabeth:
While it's hard for me to comment without seeing you, I offer the following:
1. The "V" near your neck probably represents chronic changes in the skin brogh on by sun exposure over a period of years. (You don't say whether you're fair-skinned or have a history of sunburns.) These chages aren't precancerous in themselves, but if you had many sunburns, you may want to get your skin checked out.
2. The "leathery skin" noticed by the nurse may also be secondary to sun exposure, or else may represent eczema or some other skin problem. That too should be evaluated by a physician.
3. Facial seborrhea is soemthing else again. Your use if over-the-counter hydrocortisone is appropriate, but the condition will always return when it wants to (at which point you should use the hydrocortisone again.)
There are many moisturizers available for dry skin, but it sounds as though yours may be more than just dry. I doubt any relationship with connective tissue disorder, however.
Oh yes -- don't forget sunscreen!
Dr. Rockoff
keywords: sun damage, sunscreens, eczema, seborrhea
