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
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.
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.