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1593803 tn?1297206446

Do I have steroid induced rosacea??

I am a 20 year old male. A little over a year ago i started to develop a couple of dry itchy red patches on my central face beside my nose and between my eyebrows. I used hyderm on the spots whenever i needed to and it cleared up. Eventually it started to cover a larger portion of my face so i tended to use the steroids more often and on more areas of my face. I went to see a doctor and he told me it was seb derm and prescribed me Ketoderm/Hyderm 1% but it only worked on the central areas beside my nose and between my eyebrows (the original spots) but did not work on the new redness on my temple and right/left sides of my face. I have quit using topical steroids at the start of this new year because I have read up about steroid induced rosacea and thinning of the skin. Ever since I stopped i've been going through the most intense flare yet ( intense redness, flaky, burning) which i read would happen. My face went from pretty clear to almost permanitly completely red in under a year. My skin is also tight and has a certain shine to it.  I would like to hear your opinion if this could be steriod  induced, or really is a form of eczema/ seb derm or other skin condition. Thank you.

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1318109 tn?1292884973
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Dermatology Expert Forum! Thank you for your excellent question.

It seems that you have been using a topical, medium potency corticosteroid (1% hydrocortisone acetate), on your face, more or less continually, for about one year.  In such a case, it is possible to develop rosacea-like or acne-like skin symptoms (iatrogenic skin disorders). First rule of therapy is to discontinue topical corticosteroid treatment, and not to be discouraged by the rebound effect (intensified symptoms and signs) after doing so.

You listed erythema (redness), desquamation (flaking) and pruritus (itching/burning) as your main symptoms. Those resonate with diagnosis established by your dermatologist – Seborrhoic dermatitis. However, several other disorders (differential diagnoses) with similar clinical manifestations have to be taken into consideration. Therefore, it is essential to be seen by a dermatologist again. Your lesions are progressing and that has to be addressed promptly.

Please, keep us posted on your recovery.


Wishing You Optimal Health,
Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic
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A related discussion, Rosacea was started.
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1593803 tn?1297206446
Hello again, just wanted keep you updated. I went to see my derm on the 22nd of Feb he did diagnose me with steroid induced rosacea. He also said there wasn't much to do about it but wait it out for a very long time, he also prescribed me protopic 0.03% but told me not to use it for another month or so because he said my skin didn't look healthy enough for it yet. I'm just scared that what I have done to my skin is perminant and will never go away. My question is will my skin ever heal completely over a long amount of time? It's been over 2 months since i've touched a steroid and I rarely get a bad flare anymore, you can also see a little difference in my face but not much. Will the redness and blood vessels ever subside and return to normal if I continue to give it lots of time? Thank you so much.
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1593803 tn?1297206446
Thank you very much for your answer. I'm going to see a derm Feb.22. I was told it was seborrheic dermatitis before by a doctor in a walk-in clinic. I mentioned the chance of rosacea while forgetting to tell him I was using a steroid that wasn't even prescribed for me. He didn't think it was and prescribed ketoderm for seb derm. I used it for a month and my skin only calmed down a little. After I stopped them completely it seems all the spots I use to put the steroids on are more pronounced, darker red. I`m just also wondering if this is a combination of thinning of skin/steroid induced rosacea from me abusing the cream, and if so will my condition ever get better if i continue to stay off the steroids? I've been applying pure jojoba oil and aquaphor quite often. I don't get really any flaking at all, but still the intense red burning. Thank you.
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