Localized skin reaction

Hi...can someone please advise on a skin problem I have had for a little over 6 months?
It all started when I had a bit of OCD in washing my face for a couple of months, I noticed my skin was extremely dry so the doctor put me on daktacort cream for a couple off weeks....a week after finishing the course I went out one night in car and noticed a red mark in the middle of my frontal forehead boss (was not there an hour before) over the next couple of days the mark got bigger and spread all around the frontal boss (no redness just looks like a shadow under skin approx 5x3cm) I can still see the original mark in the middle.
For the first week or so the pain was immense stinging and burning, this subsided after I was prescribed steriod cream but it left an intense aching feeling all around the frontal boss.....over time the pain has subsided but not the mark or shadow they remain the same size....now it feels really sensitive, I get hives only in that area, it puffs up when rubbed the aches before subsiding, if you press all around the area it goes red before subsiding yet if you press just outside where the shadow (rash) appears it stays a normal colour (wierd).

It took me 4 months to get to a dermatologist, so far I have seen 3 and had 4 appointments...the first doctor had now idea but ruled out seb derm and rosacea, the 2nd doc thought I might have rosacea because when he pressed it turned red so put me on accutane 10mg for 2 months...went to another doc got told same as 1st but mentioned sensitization of the skin...went back to a follow up appointment with the 1st doc who has now decided to agree with the 2nd doc even though on my appointment I asked if she could see any signs on rosacea and she said no...now I am on another course of accutane grrrr.

I have looked up the symptoms of rosacea and I have none I have never suffered from flushing, dandruff etc till I went on accutane.

I am at a loss as to what it is and after 6 months how the problem hasn't started healing????

Any advice would be appreciated..

Ted

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
One possibility to be ruled out is of atopic dermatitis. There are certain other non-pharmacological measures which are equally important in treating atopic dermatitis. These are Lubricating the skin frequently, avoiding harsh soaps and cleansers, preventing scratching or rubbing whenever possible, protecting skin from excessive moisture, irritants, and rough clothing, maintaining a cool, stable temperature and consistent humidity levels, limiting exposure to dust, cigarette smoke, pollens, and animal dander & Recognizing and limiting emotional stress.

Although steroids, are commonly used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, there are certain other agents also which are used like immune modulator drugs e.g. tacrolimus. These are available in the form of ointments and tend to prevent the recurrence. You can discuss with your dermatologist regarding this possibility.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[tedstriker]

Hi I don't think it is dermatitis as it has never been itchy or weeping.
I have come across something called "STEROID ROSACEA" which kind of resembles what I have; apart from the odd spot I never suffered so much as a blemish even when my skin was dry from overwashing it wasn't even red.
I used the Daktacort cream (with hydro 1%) quite heavely on my T-zone for 2 weeks then left it for a few days then started using it again, that is when all these problems started to appear, I stopped using the cream but was then placed on a normal steroid cream for a week to try and counter the problem on my forehead.
the only places affected are where the cream has been used.
Does this sound possible and is there a cream I can use to try and reverse the damage?


Thanks Rob