What could be?

[Kittycat965]

I get some kind of irritation on my face. Develops very fast, in a matter of minutes. It starts at the corners of my mouth, the base of my nose and it starts spreading all over my face like a rash. Recently it gets on my forehead and the eyelids. My skin feels a liitle itchy, and as if I rubbeded it with sand paper. What could be and what can I do?

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 your face with a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Pat your 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.

If the irritation persists then pls get it evaluated from a dermatologist.

I hope it helps.Pls do keep me posted in case you have any additional queries.

[hiximxnicolexx]

Oh, and I forgot to add you only know for sure what it is if you visit your dermatologist, so if my suggestions dont help, go see one.



Hope this helps and good luck!

[hiximxnicolexx]

I dont think its any cause for alarm. I get something similar. Usually after I shower, my face stings a bit sometimes it itches and red rashy blotches appear, oddly I only have dry skin on one of my eyelids. Honestly its quite possible it just means you have sensitive skin, so try using dove soap, or soaps with no dye. If you wash your face with a harsh acne solution, exchange it for a sensitive skin friendly mild everyday facial wash and after you shower dry your face and apply a mild facial lotion, this will help dryness.