I have this rash on my face !

I have this rash on my face it began 6 days ago on my upper lip, I thought it was the begining of a pimple, didn't pay much attention. The next day it had spead into other parts on my face and was quite painful. The worst part of it has happened up around my temple, the patch is red and my hubby says it looks like poison ivy, but I'm not alergic (allergic) to poison ivy, and have never had it. The problem I'm haveing is it has seemed to travel into my lymbnodes, I have big lumbs behind my ear three of them. Rash in now heading down my back and is quit itchy. Not all of the rash looks the same. some of it is in patches, and some of it is just red bumps. It is staring to develop thru my scalp as well. The Doctor looked at it but had no Ideal wat it could be, but did give me some steriod cream,and so far it has helped releive the lumps in the back of my ears,but the rash is still speading. Do you have any ideal what this sounds like?
Thank You,
Brenda

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Spike:

It sounds like you're describing a bacterial infection.  While this isn't usually very serious, it does of course need antibiotics.  I advise you to see a doctor as soon as you can, arrange for bacterial cultures to be taken, and have the doctor consider giving you antibiotics.  That will likely clear you up promptly and completely.  If your husband or anyone else in your family has a similar rash on the face--if you can't see it, he doesn't have it--have him seen as well.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff