Steroid Rosacea

For the past three months I have been using Ultravate ointment on my scalp for folliculitis decalvans--I think this strong ointment caused my face to break out! I then started applying betamethasone ointment on my face and now I have Steroid rosacea! My Dr. has me using Elidel to clear it up--it initially made a big difference! Now it seems to have lost its effectiveness. How long will this take to clear up?! Its been about two weeks-- I look HORRIBLE!!! Also will this be a recurring condition in my life?? Also why is my face ITCHING !! and what can be done to control it? When will the itching subside???  Re: the folliculitis; will it ever go away? Can I go completely bald from this? How can I control it without Steroids?!

Thanks in advance for your much needed answer!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I'm not sure about scalp Ultravate causing facial problems, but betamethasone ointment can certainly do it.  Besdies avoiding steroids, topical antibiotic creams (like metronidazole) as well as oral antibiotics (like doxycycline) will indee clear this up.  When steroids are stopped, the condition flares, but this is temporary.  Talk to your doctor about the antibiotic regimen I'm suggesting.  Don't worry--you face will be good as new.

The scalp condition you have is rare and very hard to treat.  I think you will need ongoing steroid treatments, but these should not affect your face.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[boarsme17]

Hi you will probably think i am crazy but i have been struggling with this issue and am just looking for some help or advice if possible.  My whole life I have had very dry skin and experienced eczema.  And one day my aunt told me to put hydrocortison 1% on my face to see if that helped.  Sure enough it worked and I used the hydrocortisone on my face for about two years now.  Recently my face has been getting really red at various times.  Also I recently went to college and moved away from my family so this is very difficult for me.  My face was getting red and it was hard for me to go and meet new friends.  Anyway I went to the dermatoligist and he asked me about the what I have been putting on my face and I told him about the hydrocortisone.  He told me to quit using it immediately but really didn't tell me much else.  He put me on some mild steriods for about six days and put me on two topical applications.  One Elidel and the other Metrolotion.  I started using the Elidel and my face would within twenty minutes get very hot and red.  So I discontinued the use of Elidel and am now using the Metrolotion.  However in the area where I had always used the hydrocortisone it is always red right now and it has been about two weeks since I stopped using the cortosone.  I am really frustrated and I am goin back to the Dermatoligist tomorrow to see what he can do for me, cuz this at my age is causing me to get really embarrased and I get so red when I get called on in class and stuff I am beginning to believe I am developing a social phobia.  Anyway can you give me some advice on this issue of using hydrocortisone on my face, I used it on my nose and right by my nose on my cheecks.  Becuase this is really bothering me and is starting to affect my school work.  Will this redness ever go away?  He said I was thinning out my skin, how long will it take for my skin to get back to normal?  I am goin having a lot of troubles with this and it is starting to get to my head so if you have any knowledge on this will you let me know.  Thanx

[boarsme17]

Hi you will probably think i am crazy but i have been struggling with this issue and am just looking for some help or advice if possible.  My whole life I have had very dry skin and experienced eczema.  And one day my aunt told me to put hydrocortison 1% on my face to see if that helped.  Sure enough it worked and I used the hydrocortisone on my face for about two years now.  Recently my face has been getting really red at various times.  Also I recently went to college and moved away from my family so this is very difficult for me.  My face was getting red and it was hard for me to go and meet new friends.  Anyway I went to the dermatoligist and he asked me about the what I have been putting on my face and I told him about the hydrocortisone.  He told me to quit using it immediately but really didn't tell me much else.  He put me on some mild steriods for about six days and put me on two topical applications.  One Elidel and the other Metrolotion.  I started using the Elidel and my face would within twenty minutes get very hot and red.  So I discontinued the use of Elidel and am now using the Metrolotion.  However in the area where I had always used the hydrocortisone it is always red right now and it has been about two weeks since I stopped using the cortosone.  I am really frustrated and I am goin back to the Dermatoligist tomorrow to see what he can do for me, cuz this at my age is causing me to get really embarrased and I get so red when I get called on in class and stuff I am beginning to believe I am developing a social phobia.  Anyway can you give me some advice on this issue of using hydrocortisone on my face, I used it on my nose and right by my nose on my cheecks.  Becuase this is really bothering me and is starting to affect my school work.  Will this redness ever go away?  He said I was thinning out my skin, how long will it take for my skin to get back to normal?  I am goin having a lot of troubles with this and it is starting to get to my head so if you have any knowledge on this will you let me know.  Thanx

[jannov]

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[huma55]

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