Neck Rash - like a sunburn

[DSmith]

I have had a neck rash going on 4 years.  I have seen a Dermatologist and have tried pretty much every prescription lotion and have been on minocyclin for months with no relief. The Dr. thought I might have some for of Rocesea since a biopsy of tissue showed inflammaation but not much else. The warm weather is what really aggrivates this condition.  The rash looks pretty much like a sunburn when I get really warm the redness increases.  It is only localized to my neck area and is not on my chest or face.   I have also tried hydrocortisone creams and those don't provide any relief either.  I am also a long time user of the drug Dipentum which I take for Ulcerative Colitis.  I see there is a side effect of a rash but I have been on this for about 7 years and had no problems in the beginning.  Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Without seeing the rash I cannot be sure, but it sounds as though you are describing the skin changes which come with chronic sun exposure.  It's hard to imagine that your dermatologist can't tell what this is by looking and performing a biopsy.  Rosacea doesn't affect the neck--just the nose and mid-face.  Perhpas you should get another opinion.  It may be that the only treatments available are cosmetic ones like the use of vascular lasers.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff