Rash and acne like breakouts on face once a month for past three months

[MReid]

I began taking Diane-35 as my main form of birth control approx. 2 yrs ago. I also used it to help clear up acne that I had. I have never had any problems taking the Diane and it made any acne I had go away. It was not major acne, but I did have breakouts on my face and back. Three months ago I stopped for one month. At the end of that month my face broke out along my jaw line on the left side of my face. The breakout was itchy and consisted mainly of very small bumps. The bumps appeared to look like whiteheads (I'm not sure as I have never had a whitehead before) and the skin was a bit red, but it as also red because I was scratching it. The breakout occured just before I due to get my period. I used a benzyol peroxide OTC treatment for it and it went away in a couple of days. I started the Diane-35 again. At the end of my first month on Diane-35, I again broke out just before my period was due. The second time the breakout was all along my jaw on both sides of my face and also underneath my jaw on the right side. Again, it appeared to be whiteheads that could be "popped" or could have a small white center taken out. This I again treated with my BP cream and it went away in a few days. So, I took my Diane-35 for another month. Again, at the end of the month before my period, I broke out. This time the breakout covered the entire right side of my face, my forehead, along my hairline on both sides of my face and my eyelids as well. The only part of my face that was not affected was the left side cheek area. It remained very soft and smooth and clear. My face looked basically like it had litle bumps all over it. It was not as red as before. My forehead was not red at all, just a bit on the right side of my face and my jawline.It had a dry look to it, but applying the BP cream did not dry out my face or make it look as though it was peeling. Normally any extra use of BP dries my skin out excessively. It also affected my lips, both around and on them, and they looked and felt as though they were very chapped. Again I had those whiteheads. It took a week for my skin to clear. On to this month. I took the Diane 35 again, today is my last pill of the month, and yesterday I noticed my lips were becoming chapped like they were last month. This morning I woke up with my face feeling itchy along the lower part of the right hand side, along/under the jaw and it is red. There are no bumps as of yet, the skin is soft and smooth, but it feels warm to the touch. It is only on the right hand side of my face as of now. For all the other breakouts there was no redness alone first. I always had the bumps or whiteheads at the same time. I know that when taking Diane 35 for acne it may take three months for it to work, which is why I kept taking the medication. I don't see how it could be the Diane causing this, since the breakouts only appeared when I stopped taking it. If you have any idea what this could be, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Best regards.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It sounds as though you have adult acne.  I don't think the Diane is causing this.  In fact, the cause of adult acne is not known.  Your dryness may be something else, such as an allergy to benzoyl peroxide.  I advise you to stop all home treatments and see a dermatologist for proper diagnosis.  I see no problem with your staying on Diane, however.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[rozwork]

A related discussion, same problem with breakouts past four months was started.