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Avatar universal

Not able to describe what it is in a few words..

Hello forum,

I have had this skin problem for almost 8  years. It is on my forehead a small spot where it will get a little red or 'lifted and it would itch. i would scratch it, but using clean knuckles or a tissue, but it just feels like 'scratching an itch over a shirt" sort of feeling as it seems to be way underneath the skin layer.

It is cyclical, and when it comes sometimes people can notice it and ask if i had accidentally hit my forehead against something.

I have tried all sorts of cream, washes, acne medication to no avail. I have gone to a dermatologist who couldnt himself figure it out and was afraid to do a biopsy because he claims it will leave a mark on my forehead. He prescribed desonide cream, which does help in alleviating itch and redness, but if i stop using it, the problem comes back again. I have used desonide cream for a few months straight one time, and I thought it had gone away. But after not using desonide, after 1 week, it reappeared. Leaving me to believe desonide cream is not a cure but a temporary treatment.

This started back in 2003 when I was at work and using their gym a lot and had a small open acne/pimple in that same exact area and I (without care) just started touching it and scratching it with bare fingers that were dirty from the work out facility. Back then I think I have infected it, the skin grew over it, then now it is 'living' underneat that skin area for 8 years.

Is this a fungus? Just a few weeks ago, i was fed up and bought a scrubber and used it to try to 'exfoliate' that area and really get underneath. I scrubbed that part of my forehead raw literally. a few days later it scabbed over. But today now that the scab fell off, I can feel the itch once again deep underneath the skin.

I am helpless right now to find out how to eradicate this. Please any help would be appreciated. Sorry for the long post.
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563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
If there is a visible rash then eczema is one possibility. But if there is no visible rash and the itch is deep seated, then it can be due to neurological causes like parasthesia skin or neurodermatitis. Chronic paresthesia indicates a problem with the functioning of neurons.

Are you a diabetic or do you take alcohol? Parasthesias are common in alcoholics and metabolic disorders like diabetes, hypothyroidism, and hypoparathyroidism. They can also be due to, vitamin B12 deficiency or malnutrition.

Get your blood sugar and thyroid hormones levels evaluated. You can take some vit B12 for some days and see if the symptoms are gone or not.

In case the symptoms persist then consult a neurologist as it can be due to some neurological disorder. 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 and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

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Avatar universal
Nummular(Coin shaped) dermatitis possibly.Difficult to eradicate but treatable for symptoms like itch.Patch test might reveal the allergen.
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