Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
facial rash continued
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.

facial rash continued

by flounder, Nov 20, 2002 12:00AM
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!!

by Alan Rockoff, MD, Nov 20, 2002 12:00AM
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
Continue discussion
RSS Expert Activity
H1N1 and Our Pets
Nov 05 by Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician
In the ER: A Unicorn's Journey
Nov 03 by Jon Geller, D.V.M.
Doctors Resign Over Coca-Cola Fundi...
Nov 03 by Adam Tanase, D.C.