Why is treatment not working on this rash?

[abdbdac]

One year ago itchy rash appeared alongside nose and down to sides of mouth.  Dermatologist treated with creams which helped but over time it worsened.  Progressed to eye area and all of T-zone.  Have tried Elidel (helped a long time), Noritate, Topical antibiotics, steroids.  Started tetracycline in Nov. Rash worsens and a 10 day course of prednisone made is better but it returned when prednisone stopped.  My face is a mess.  It itches, it's red.  I've tried leaving it alone - no makeup. Using only mild cleanser.  It's depressing and interferring with my self-esteem.  I'm a 45 year-old professional. Can this be Rosacea? Perioral Dermatitis?  What?  It's not responding and it's all over my T-zone (forehead, between eyes, under eyes, around mouth, etc.)  HELP????  My dermatologist has me on U-cort once per day and Tetracycline twice a day but I see no progress at all.  I'm so frustrated and hate to go to work.  Makeup does not cover it!

[betty1212]

I used to have the same rash across both cheeks & on my nose.  When I was stationed overseas, the doctors called it a " butterfly rash " and prescribed kenalog cream.  I used it & it cleared it up.  At the first itch feeling, I'd start using it again which would prevent the rash from appearing & eventually I guess the rash gave up trying & I've been free of it for over 20 years now.  Hope this helps you.  I remember it was ugly & itched like hell!

[jacq1]

Years ago i had a terrible rash which spread around my chin upper lip area...devastating. I began having colonic irrigation as i was chronically constipated. My dermatitis seemed to worsen and it was then that i began taking antiobitics to clear up the infection and i continued with the irrigations. My natorapath told me that toxins are stirred up when a person commences this therapy and it can cause the skin to flare up. She told me that the skin is the largest organ for elimination. My skin cleared up and i believe that my body was so polluted with toxins from the waste i wasnt eliminating that my body was trying to eliminate through my skin. My skin cleared up nicely and I continued for a few years with colonics every 2 months or so. I havent had one for over a year and recently i have had this condition return...mildly. I have decided to take a short course of antiobitics along with the colonics (I have been constipated again). My doctor told me that he didnt believe in the irrigation, wasnt natural, can perforate the bowel etc. If a person has chronic constipation which i had years ago...i believe that the irrigations are very helpful to rid the body of years of waste. As for not being natural, most of what we eat has been chemically treated, chickens, cows are given steroids and antiobiotics,(i could elaborate) UNNATURAL!
And the bowel perforation is simply not true. The treatment is very very gentle, non invasive. Just wondered what the Doctor thinks about this.

[jacq1]

PS.
I my diet is very healthy most of the time...lots of water, no fast food at all, fruit and veg, i mostly eat unprocessed food.
I think the month leading up  to Christmas festivities had an impact on my bowel.

And my comment stating that colonic irrigation does not cause perforated bowels ...is based purely on my own experience and  my opinion only.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It's hard for me to answer, both because I'm not seeing you and because you've been on so many medications.  Having said that, I suspect a rosacea/perioral dermatitis type of eruption.  I would suggest avoiding any steroids (I don't know what U-Cort is, but I assume it's a steroid), and if tetracycline hasn't worked, perhaps one the other cycline derivatives such as doxyxycline or minocycline might help.  Also, a different topical antibiotic such as sulfacetamide or azelaic acid could be considered.  I suggest running these ideas past your dermatologist.  You might also think about another opinion--sometimes a fresh pair of eyes helps.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff