Flat, Red Rash on Face and Neck

[jargon80]

Dr.,

For over the past two weeks, I have had a flat, red rash that appears like a sunburn on my face and particulary the neck. When I am in the sun or heat, it increases in itchiness and burning. A few days before the rash started, I had finished my second five-day course of 750mg Amoxicillin for dental work. Also, a few days (3 or 4) before the rash started, I had a very brief (3 seconds or so) unprotected oral sex exposure of which I was the recipient (I am male, received from female). I also slept in two different houses (a friend's and my sister's) a week after this exposure. The rash started on my face, mostly my forehead and cheeks and appeared as a slight sunburn. I had spent a day in the sun while finishing the Amoxicillin, so I didn't think much of it. However, it began to move down to my neck which was very uncomfortable with itching and burning, like a bad sunburn. The strange thing is that it only seems to be on places above my upper chest that are potentially exposed to the sun. Last week, I visited my general practicioner. He prescribed me  .1 triamcinolone acetonide cream twice a day on the affected area. I've used it appropriately for six days now. It did seem to relieve the burning sensation as well as the slight itching. However, it remains red and a bit irritated-feeling.

At this point, I feel comfortable ruling out any STD or HIV, since I've had no lesions, fever or other symptoms. Just this flat red sunburn-like rash. But maybe I'm wrong.  What do you think? What could possibly have caused this to occur? Do you have any ideas? Also, if I am even sparingly in the sun, it seems to cause more redness and irritate it more. I was wondering if I am able to use sunscreen while using this cream.

Thanks

[caitmin]

Use  a little bit of hydrocortisone cream. exederm flare control is thebest one because its parabens-free and has no color or perfume. www.exederm.com

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Nothing in your description sounds like an STD, much less HIV.  Quite possibly your anxiety is causing you to notice slight changes in redness that don't mean anything at all.  I would skip the triamcinolone, which may well perpetuate redness and sensitivity.  Instead, i would suggest you ignore these symptoms and signs, but show them to a skin doctor if they persist for a month, which I predict they won't.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[jargon80]

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I was under a great deal of stress and anxiety when the rash broke out and spread, but this has since been greatly lessened. Don't know if this matters.