facial rash continued

Thanks Dr Rockoff

I thought perioral was a pimply rash - mine is not really.Its more of a solid red with white scaly patches when its realy dry. It gets better on its own (although never completely goes away) and then flares up again. I did try using nothing at all for a couple of weeks and it improved and then started to flare up again without using any steroids or whatever - in fact i haven't used steroids for over a month now. Can perioral be atypical like this? Does it get rough and scaly if nothing is used? Can antifungals MAKE it rough and scaly? Can it possibly be linked to hormones? I'm 37 but have started experiencing peri-menopausal symptoms. It does appear to follow the menstrual cycle somewhat.
I do appreciate your advice - the tetracycline "allergic reaction" was intense itching all over body with appearance of red blistery looking spots all over chest (after 3 or 4 days of being on medication) Is this normal - should I have kept taking it ? (Drat it - I could have been a month on it already if so!!)
Thanks very much - I do feel better emotionally since getting your answer!!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You are correct that perioral dermatitis is primarily pimply, but tretament can disguise it.  Steroids in particulr suppress the condition a little, and then when you stop--WHAM--and I think that's what's happening to you.

I would consult with the dermatoloist about an oral therapy--peraps something other than tetraycline, just to be sure.

Just don't be discouraged, though--I'm confident this will all go away.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff