Rash on left cheek

I have had strange spots on my left cheek (some used to have pus, but these went on their own accord), these have been there for about a year. It started at a small tiny spot, then a small rash which was hardly noticeable, then it spread into more spots at a rapid rate. The area around these spots are slightly darker than the rest of my skin. The area feels rough, and it's slightly tender in some areas (the larger spots), these don't excrete any fluid but before the bigger ones used to be whiteheads.

Around this time, I went to a doctor about it and she diagnosed it as eczema (I used to suffer from eczema as a child).

She gave me Hydrocortisone cream to treat it and told me to come back , however despite using it for the time she specified, the spots show no sign of alleviating.

I have tried exfoliating my skin, and using spot clearing cream. But it only makes the outward appearance of my spots smoother.

Here are some pictures if it helps - I hope they are visible enough:

http://i56.tinypic.com/xf0zr6.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/23u6g77.jpg

I am pondering the possibility of it being acne, which I've heard is common for people of my age.

[HavenFlower]

Sorry to bump but does anyone have any possible ideas on what this might be?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Eczema presents as an itchy dry rash and not as bumps with whitehead. These bumps can be due to acne vulgaris or folliculitis. Pimples are caused due to blockade of secretion by sebaceous glands. These can be enhanced by hormonal changes, dirt or unclean skin.

Some of these might get infected causing micro-abscesses and micro-tissue necrosis that heal to produce a scar. The only way to prevent them is to keep the skin clean. You should wash your face 2-3 times daily with a mild soap, avoid stress and oil based products.

It is also not advised to pierce the pimples. Use could use an antibiotic cream like erythromycin or an ointment containing benzoyl peroxide for the pimple to heal. If they are too bothersome you could consult a dermatologist.
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.