Painful rash on nose

[Lucyfarley]

I have had a rash on my nose for over 2 months. It showed up with symptoms similar to Impetigo, very sore, red, little blisters popping and getting a golden colored crusty cover. It moves around my nose and under my nose, but has not moved onto other parts of my face. I can tell when it is flaring up in a new area because it itches and tingles and is really sore!

I have seen two dermatologist, no viral or bacteria can be found with the cultures. They are both totally stumped.

I have been on antibiotics (Keflex, Doxycycline), anti-viral (Valtrex), a variety of topical creams (Ciclopirox, Mupirocin, Cloderm).

Ciclopirox keeps it from flaring-up (it stays red and dry), but if I stop my 3x a day application it comes back.

I have been diagnosed with rosacea in the past, around the edge of my nostrils. Similar painful red little pimples, but never fast moving and crusty. Metro Gel had worked (also an occasional oral antibiotic). I also seem to have dyshidrotic eczema on my fingers on occasion.

Help! Any suggestions? Thank you!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Do you play with these lesions?  If you do, you'll need to stop, or else they'll never go away.  This means: no picking, no squeezing, no rubbing, whether consciously or when you're not paying attention.  Meantime, try applying over-the-counter bacitracin ointment twice daily but do nothing else out of your regular routine.  I suggest you try that regimen for a month and then show your dermatologist who can take it from there.

This does not remind me of any exotic or contagious disease, by the way.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff