Desperately need a diagnosis - been to 6 dermatologists

[odlantern]

I have had this mysterious condition on my face for several years now. It began when I lived in an apartment that had forced hot air heating and I went through a period of significant stress followed by an episode of depression.  It is only really noticeable on one side of my face.  The other side is clear.  The best way I can explain it is my skin is extremely rough and bumpy with pale and red areas of swelling.  Rubbing my fingers over it, it feels scaly, lumpy, and somewhat hard - like I have dried glue on my face.  The skin is very loose and lumpy.  This started on my lower cheek and then over time has actually moved to my upper cheek.  Recently it has gotten worse.  I have been to 6 dermatologists and got the following diagnoses: Seborrhoeic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and uticaria, but they were all unsure of what it was because they never saw this type of thing before.  I've had an eczema type rash on the back of my knee on and off as well which may or may not be related.  Medications I have tried that have done nothing: moisterizers, steriod creams of various strengths (for short periods), atopiclair, and anti-fungal treatments.  It is not acne scaring.  I have only had very mild acne (occasionally a small pimple or two) in the past mostly on my forehead.

Stress seems to make it worse as well as carpets and forced hot air heating.  Hot showers can sometimes make it worse as well.  A few weeks ago, I ripped up an old carpet and the condition got significantly worse right away.  

It feels raw, almost like when your lips are chapped, but on my cheek instead.  It isn't itchy.

I have attached a picture trying to show what I am talking about.  What it doesn't capture because of the lighting is the swelling (raised) that is present in the pale patches.

Please, can anyone help?  I am desperate here.  I would be incredibly grateful for any answers.

~odlantern

[odlantern]

Hi Pantx,

No response to hydrocortisone cream that I can tell.  This is one of the first things the doctors have tried.  I have even tried stronger topical steroids and they don't seem to make any difference.  

[Pantx]

How does an area respond to hydrocortisone cream?

[odlantern]

The last dermatologist I went to at UMASS Memorial in Worcester said they could do a biopsy but that it could cause a scar and the chance of them being able to find out what t was from the biopsy was small.  Due to this information, I decided not to go with the biopsy.

[Pantx]

Hi Odlantern. I'm sorry to hear you are still without answers after 6 derm visits. Did anyone do a biopsy to confirm their various diagnosis?