Possible rosacea?

I'm a 27 year old caucasion female with a medium-dark complexion. I have been having a problem with breakouts all summer in the form of smaller  and some larger bumps mainly around my mouth. However about 2 week ago I literally woke up one day with not only tiny little white bumps all over my forehead, but also at least 10 or 15 larger cyst like bumps on top of them all over my forehead. I have been to a doctor because I thought it was an allergic reaction and he gave me an oral steroid and also a prescription for metrogel for rosacea in case that did not work. the bumps came back the day I finished the steroid and I cannot afford the metrogel that could "possibly help" if I do have rosacea. From what I read about rosacea it does not sound like what I have as it is pretty much just affecting my forehead and I have not had similar bouts. I don't believe this is just acne either because when I tried some trenotin cream I had from before it just made the whole area extremely red and swollen feeling the next day. Help! I cannot afford to keep going to the dermatologist for this and am allergic to anything in the tetracyline family or other antibiotics they could prescribe!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Apart from rosacea, adult acne also needs to be ruled out. Just keep you face clean by washing with a mild soap atleast twice a day. Pat it dry and do not rub it. Avoid picking or pressing the acne. You can also use Benzoyl peroxide 5% lotion or gel once at bedtime. An amount of lotion the size of a pea should be enough to cover most of your face. If your skin becomes red or peels, you are using too much of the medicine or applying it too often. If the symptoms persist then please get it evaluated from a dermatologist and get rosacea and cysts ruled out.

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 dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.