Skin Rash or Acne?

I recently went to the doctor and have been advised that I have a blockage of sweat ducts on my forehead (which appears as flesh coloured tiny bumps and is not red or itchy). However, I have noticed that it seems to be spreading to my cheeks, with additional tiny whitehead looking bumps popping up (also tiny and mainly around my chin and mouth area). The doctor also told me this was 'milia'. One thing that confuses me is that I am unsure if this is acne, or a rash or both. I have been referred to a dermatologist, although the wait is 2 months so my appointment is a while away. I am getting very concerned because this has been around for over 2 weeks. I live in Australia where it gets hot and humid, although I have lived here my whole life with no previous problems. I have also been advised to wash my face with bicarbonate soda, which seems to make my face worse, as warm water and scrubbing seems to aggravate it. I have been prescribed with Eryc 250 mg dosage every 6 hours and Eryacne Gel (2%). I have been on this medicine for 3 days, with not much improvement. I know it takes a few weeks, but because Eryc is usually prescribed for acne I'm unsure if I should stay on it. I am getting really frustrated as the problem seems to be sticking around, and I keep breaking out every morning with tiny whiteheads on my face, in conjunction to this 'rash' on my forehead. Please help! (Also I have tried Duac, with no improvement).

[worriwart63376]

Hi,

I had a similar issue. I woke up with red dots on my forehead that later turned to skin colored acne like things. They have remained for a while (can't really see them without proper light reflections), but I did make a trip to the sauna to see if sweating helped, although sweating is probably what caused them. Anyway, it appeared to have helped me. I think it has something to do with clogged sweat pores on my forehead, but only speculation. The sauna allowed pure clean steam to help me sweat, so there were no other contributors that could have inflamed my forehead (when it happened my face was stuck to a pillow). I too am in Australia and the humidity has been pretty intense.

Good luck.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

Milia appears as a small white-to-yellow, dome-shaped bump on the outer surface of the skin which is caused by accumulated dead skin cells that are not coming out of the skin surface. If left untreated, they will not cause any harm. However, treatment options for milia include topical retinoid creams and removal with a sterile lancet or a series of peels or microdermabrasion procedures. Continue with the medications prescribed by your doctor but you have to discuss facial wash options. With hot and humid weather conditions, this may take a while before it resolves.  Take care and regards.