facial rash

[PatB]

I have a rash on my face, probably caused by cosmetics, What would be the best thing to use on this rash?  Also, for the last 2 days my eyelid is swollen and sore, could this be from the same thing?

[SharleneM]

This is a comment for Harry. I recently had a rash on the sides of my nose. Not sure if it is the same as yours but mine was red and looked like tiny little water bumps when I looked at it up close. The rash was mildly itchy and isolated to just the sides of my nose. No cream or soap I used helped, in fact some of them made it worse.

Anyway, after a few months it really got to me so I went along to my doctor and he told me it was Rosacea. After using a gel he prescribed me, the rash totally cleared up in just over a week and I was extremely relieved. I could be wrong but what you have may be the same thing. Just go to your doctor and ask him if it could be Rosacea. It can be caused by many things - diet, use of steroid creams on the face, stress. In my case there didn't seem to be any particular cause and now the rash has completely gone.

Hope this helps.

[harry]

Hi there
For several years I have had a sought of rash on the sides of my nose .I have tried various creams but nothing seems to work.Is this just a very sensitive area which is easily irritated or is there something i can do about this ,what is it and how on earth can it be treated?

Please help
harry

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It could be allergy, or it could be just eczema.  Try OTC hydrocortisone 1%--this is safe for the face and may clear the whole thing up, or at least imporve matters.  Then you should consider seeing a doctor to look into whether this is an allergy or not.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff