My face, chest, and back are very red and spotty and I don't know why?

For the past probably 5 years, my face has always been extremely red. My cheeks are read, my forehead is red, and everywhere else is red; except for the area around my eye sockets which looks pretty normal colored. Everyone always told me it was just acne and to wash my face or wear some creams, but nothing ever really worked. I don't think it is acne because my face feels pretty smooth even though it looks extremely bumpy.

So then I figured it was rosacea and went to some doctors, dermatologists, online, anywhere and they all said rosacea is mostly for 30-40 adults, and I am 18. So I have no clue why my face is red, looks really bumpy, and every doctor I go to tells me a completely different thing; and it never works out.

So can anyone give me a possibility of what it is and how to help it?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
What you can be experiencing is prerosacea. In this, individuals generally come to the dermatologist for acne treatment and exhibit flushing and blushing episodes that last longer than normal. The prolonged redness usually appears over the cheeks, chin, nose or forehead.

Once identified, these rosacea-prone individuals can be counseled to avoid aggravating lifestyle and environmental factors known to cause repeated flushing reactions that may lead to full-blown rosacea.

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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care.