Help! My skin is a mess!

[Sonya41]

I have had a red itchy rash on both sides of my face and then some regular looking bumps too. Above my chin and on the sides of my mouth I have some big blister like bumps that are filled with water and hurt bad. I have treated them with all sorts of things and now my skin feals like sand paper and is so dry. It is very red and irritated and I am so depressed and angry. I don't want to be seen by anyone. I have never had anything like this. Couls you give me a clue as to what it might be or how to treat it?


This discussion is related to Facial bumps.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be due to acne vulgaris. Just keep you face clean by washing with a mild soap atleast twice a day. Pat it dry and do not rub it. Avoid picking or pressing the acne. You can also use Benzoyl peroxide 5% lotion or gel once at bedtime. An amount of lotion the size of a pea should be enough to cover most of your face. If your skin becomes red or peels, you are using too much of the medicine or applying it too often.

If the symptoms persist then topical and oral antibiotics may be needed. My advice would be to consult a dermatologist.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.

[Sonya41]

My skin is very red and dry due to what you just said. I have put everything under the sun on it trying to get rid of it. An aesthetician looked at it today at Ulta and she said not to put anymore acne meds on it because it needs moisture back in it. She reccomended dermalogica products for me right now. I am going to make an appt with a dermatologist but I know it will take a long time because they are always booked. I do not have alot of patience and I don't know what has caused this but it is getting worse. Thank you for your info.

[Sonya41]

Could I ask u too if I need oral and topical antiiotics, which ones do u reccomended?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
We cannot prescribe antibiotics as such without prescription but the various antibiotics used are tetracycline, doxycycline, erythromycin and topical antibiotic like Clindamycin. Please consult your dermatologist and discuss these treatment options with him.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[Sonya41]

I have another question. My aesthetician thinks it looks like contact dermatitis because of the blisters. I will make an appt with a dermatologist but I wanted to know would I still need antibiotics for that? Also, I have little red bumps on one of my arms and starting to itch on my back.

[Sonya41]

Hi. I went to the dermatologist and he said it was Perioral Dermatitis. I mentioned to him I also had a rash on my hand and some itching on my legs but he didin't say anything about that. He prescribed Solodyn and the Duac gel. I took the Solodyn for a week and had extreme itching so I called the office and was told to stop that med. The duac gel seems to be working well. Now, my problem is that I still have extreme itching on my neck and legs. My neck is awful! It is so red, itchy, and bumpy and my right hand is the same way. Could this be a reaction to the Solodyn or what? I am getting very upset!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms, these itchy rashes sound like hives or an allergic reaction. Stop taking the drug after informing your doctor and apply some calamine lotion on the bumps. Also take some antihistaminic like Benadryl or Claritin. If the symptoms are severe then it would be best to consult a dermatologist.

I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[Sonya41]

ok. well I will have to call my doctor on monday. What about the duac gel? Do you think I shouls still keep using that? I don't have any more of the prob I had on my face just the prob on my neck and hand.