Itchy Rash on Neck

Hi.  I am a 30-something fit male.  About 4 days ago I woke up with redness on the side of my neck, below the ear down to the neck line.  It looked like razor burn.  Skin texture seemed irritated, but not flaky skin, or any pustules.  I simply applied moisturizer and the itch got worse during the day.  I then started using Alcortin A (that I had left over from some folliculitis in my groin six months ago).  After about 1.5 days the itch started to subside a bit.  The area still is red and irritated a bit, but it is a little bit better.  I have noticed some other mild redness on the front of my neck, about at the bottom of the shave line.  The bulk of the irritation is in the area on the side of my neck where I usually don't shave very much.  I also use Atralin for acne.  Which I have been careful not to have it touch this area of irritation the past few days.  Only thing I can think of is that I changed moisturizer about 5 days before this rash popped up.  Other possibility is that I used a face scrub the night before it popped up and then with application of the Atralin, perhaps it was all too much for that area of the neck.  Tomorrow is Monday and I honestly need to shave and wear a dress shirt, however I will not wear a tie to try and reduce friction.  

Should I continue with the Alcortin A?  Things are slowly improving, I think, the itching is not as bad anymore.  Is there something in my routine that could have caused this?  I am under stress at work, but I don't think its related.

thanks

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Welcome to the Dermatology Expert Forum!

Alcortin A has anti-inflammatory (could be responsible for reduction of redness and subjective sensations) and anti-microbial (could prevent secondary infection in area where the skin is damaged) properties.

The question is what caused this lesion on your neck. Accidental application of facial scrub and tretionin on that area could have caused skin irritation, especially if there already was skin micro-injury of some sort. However, insect bite should be considered as a possible cause too. If this condition does not subside in next few days, or new symptoms occur, you should see your physician.

In regards to your topical routine, keep following instructions given by the physician who prescribed you topical tretionin. Overall, skin dryness and irritation are possible side effect of tretinoin use. In such a case, less frequent application of this topical retinoid is adviced (for example, every other day).

Wishing You Optimal Health (including less stress at work),
Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic