Orange Crusty Oozing Acne?

[N.B.]

I have been getting these sores or zits for about 5 years, I'm 27 now. Within the last few months I've been getting 10 or more at once vs. 1 or 2. I have a Hx of acne and cyctic acne in high school, but had none for 2 years post-accutane at age 17. These sores start oozing then crusting over, but the crusty orange scab falls off when easily bushed up against the first day, then is harder after. They last about 3-4 days total. Sometimes there are pustules within the scab, but not always. It later turns into a normal scab and falls off or just turns red and goes away. They do not seem to leave a scar. They do itch a little sometimes, no pain. They range in size from 1mm-6mm. They only form on my face. One G.M. Dr. (not Derm) told me it was mutated acne when I first started getting them, he perscribed Retin-A, but at the time I got them so radomly, I couldn't tell if it really helped or was worth the dryness. Another Dr. thought it could be actinic keritosis except they do go away and they come back in all different spots. It is so imberrising and gross now, that I need to do something more about it.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I can only suspect this because I haven't seen you, but I wonder whether you aren't aggravating the problem by picking or squeezing or scratching these spots out of embarrassment and self-consciousness.  If you are, please stop.  While you wait to see a doctor--which you should do--try applying an over-the-counter acne product containing benzoyl peroxide (there are many.)  Use one for "on-the-spot treatment.)  Your doctor can add anything else you need.  Get yourself checked out.  I'm confident you can be cleared up.

27 is too young for actinic keratoses (sun spots) to be at all likely.)

Best.

Dr. Rockoff