Weird rash secreting runny, yellow pus

Hi there,

Recently, I've developed a rash near my eyebrows. I remember scratching it a lot in the beginning because it was very itchy. Slowly, it has turned into a rash. Even worse, runny, yellow pus comes out. Sometimes just a little bit comes out so it crusts over easily, but oftentimes, so much comes out that it cannot dry on time so the pus runs down my face at night and I wake up with a trail of hardened, yellow pus on my face. The rash is red in nature. After washing, I can see wet, scaly skin on top.

I'm already seeing a dermatologist for another rash thought to be caused by photodermatitis. For that, I am currently taking a prescribed hydrocortisone topical. However, when I apply this to the rash on my eyebrows, I notice it burns and makes it secrete more pus right away.

Any idea what this might be? I'm about 1.5 weeks away from my next derm appointment, and would appreciate some advice on how to care for this. When I go out, I put a bandaid over it, otherwise I try to expose it to air as much as possible. I clean the area every morning and night with gentle cleanser and exfoliator.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Presence of redness and pus is clearly indicative of an infection of the area. Keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful. However for such kind of infection, you need to consult a dermatologist and get oral or injectible antibiotics prescribed.

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.