Yellow scales on face?

[Mdoodm1000]

About a year ago, I noticed that I had mild skin flaking in the creases beside my nose. I didn't really think much of it because it wasn't noticeable to anyone besides myself. About a month or 2 after I first noticed the condition, it got A LOT worse. The rash had spread all over the area beside my nose. This time, the scales were very thick and yellow. I also had this big brown line underneath my eye. Everyone who saw me would ask me what happened. It was very humiliating to go out in public. When I brought the condition to my mother's attention, she said that she thought the products I was using on my face were too harsh. At the time, I was using Clearasil face wash, Stridex acne pads, and Olay lotion. She advised me to just use dove soap and water. After a week, the condition showed very little improvement. My mom then talked to a pharmacist and she recommended I use Eucerin ultra healing lotion. I applied the lotion to the area beside my nose and the line under my eye once every day. After a week, the line under my eye was completely gone, and the scales were about 25% gone. I thought this lotion would get rid of the problem completely, but here I am, a month later and I still have red and scaly skin in the area beside my nose. Everyone I see always asks me what it is, and it is very embarrassing. I did some research, and it looks and sounds a lot like seborrheic dermatitis. I know there is no cure, but is there any way I can at least make it less noticeable? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance. (BTW: I am 17 years old and I have VERY sensitive skin.)

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms, it looks like seborheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes flaky, dry, white to yellowish scales to form on oily areas esp under the nose or anywhere on face. You can treat flaking and dryness with over-the-counter dandruff or medicated shampoos. Shampoo the hair vigorously and frequently (preferably daily). Active ingredients in these shampoos include salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin, ketoconazole, or selenium. On the face topical steroid under a dermatologist’s consultation are required.

If the symptoms persist, then it would be best to get it confirmed from a dermatologist.

I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.