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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
any ideas on face infection?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
any ideas on face infection?
by jborky, Jan 04, 2007 12:00AM
Hi,
Over two years ago, I went on spur of the moment trip to India to pick up injured brother. A couple weeks after returning home I got a large zit(?) on my right cheek. After a few weeks it finally produced what may have been an infected hair surrounded by hardish yellow material. There was some green material at the base (gross I know). Anyway, I thought that would be the end of it, however, two years later I still have a moderately sever infection on that area of my face. It's not like the first couple weeks in that its spread out some (3 primary infected areas in a half doller size area). There never is puss, just sore, very red, sores. Sometimes there seems to be firm areas under the skin, however, they seem to come and go. The surface infection does seem to focus around hair follicles. If I pull the hairs out, they sometimes appear infected, yellow and black striped.
Biopsy tested positive for rosacea or acne. I'm allergic to tetracyline, however, did a max dosage of erythro for months with no luck. I'm currently on month 4 of accutane ... with very slight improvement. I've never had acne or any other skin issues. I've tried warm compresses, not shaving, shaving, I just can't seem to shake this! Recently it seems the area is becoming somewhat numb.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated ...
Over two years ago, I went on spur of the moment trip to India to pick up injured brother. A couple weeks after returning home I got a large zit(?) on my right cheek. After a few weeks it finally produced what may have been an infected hair surrounded by hardish yellow material. There was some green material at the base (gross I know). Anyway, I thought that would be the end of it, however, two years later I still have a moderately sever infection on that area of my face. It's not like the first couple weeks in that its spread out some (3 primary infected areas in a half doller size area). There never is puss, just sore, very red, sores. Sometimes there seems to be firm areas under the skin, however, they seem to come and go. The surface infection does seem to focus around hair follicles. If I pull the hairs out, they sometimes appear infected, yellow and black striped.
Biopsy tested positive for rosacea or acne. I'm allergic to tetracyline, however, did a max dosage of erythro for months with no luck. I'm currently on month 4 of accutane ... with very slight improvement. I've never had acne or any other skin issues. I've tried warm compresses, not shaving, shaving, I just can't seem to shake this! Recently it seems the area is becoming somewhat numb.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated ...
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jan 05, 2007 12:00AM
, Jan 05, 2007 12:00AM
The only way I can think that this kind of sequence of events can come about is from chronic squeezing and hair pulling. Unless you stop doing that, you will never get better. I know you think that you have to get the hair out, but you don't. My advice is to apply an antibiotic ointment once daily and to absolutely leave the spots alone, 100% of the time. (It's OK to wash, but that's all.) It should take 4-6 months, but you should eventually see complete improvement. Oral antibiotics are neither helpful nor necessary. And no more biopsies.
Give it a try. It requires patience, but this is eventually rewarded. This is one of those times when it's best to do nothing.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Give it a try. It requires patience, but this is eventually rewarded. This is one of those times when it's best to do nothing.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
