Red/purple blotches on skin

[KMcKee22]

My dad is bed ridden and he just recently came home from the hospital. The hospital put him on Neutra-Phos Powder and he seemed fine. Yesterday he was given milk of magnesia and his face broke out later that night in these big red blotches and they're on his chest too. They seemed to have gotten darker over night and they are not going away. I looked up the interactions and it says magnesium should not be given with the Phosphorus because it can make it less effective, but it doesn't talk about any allergic reactions between the two. I looked up pictures of allergic reactions and they look nothing like what he has. I added a photo. If anyone can tell me what it is, I would really appreciate it. He won't be able to see his doctor this week and I just need to know what it is so that I can take care of it. He can answer, but sometimes his answers are not understandable. He says that it itches. So it may be itchy. I'm not sure. Thank you!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Calmospetine contains menthol and zinc oxide and is similar to calamine. Dermacort contains topical steroid and should be used only under a dermatologist’s guidance.

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.

[courtney48]

Is it possible that he has a yeast infection?  Is the skin around the trach stoma red?  Wondering if he was on an antibiotic if perhaps he now has yeast.  Good luck.  

[KMcKee22]

Thank you for your response. I have both Cetaphil and Neutrogena hypoallergenic facial moisturizer, so I will try that. I recently bought Calmoseptine Ointment for body itches. Would this be similar to Dermacort or would you suggest Dermacort over Calmoseptine Ointment? Thank you.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it sounds like irritant contact dermatitis. Irritant dermatitis, the most common type of contact dermatitis, involves inflammation resulting from contact with acids, alkaline materials such as soaps and detergents, cosmetics, or other chemicals.

Avoid using any lotions and creams over the face for the meantime. Wash his face with a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Pat his face dry. Then apply a good hypoallergenic moisturizer over the area and see if this improves. If the symptoms still persist then you can apply mild steroid like dermacort after consulting a dermatologist. For the itching anti histaminics like Benadryl can be taken.

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.