rare skin condition-red face

I am a 23 year old male who has just been diagnosed as suffering from a rare skin condition called Ulerythema ophryogenes.
The give-away are my big red cheeks-which i have had most of my life
The dermatologist suggested laser treatment(pohotoderm)
I have checked the internet for information on this condition but have found almost nothing
Could you give me any information on it??
What is the success rate of laser for this treatment
I have read that the condition is associated with other diseass such as alopecia and atrophy--is that true???
Any information would be gladly accepted
yours sincerely
Conor

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Conor:

I admit to knowing almost nothing about this condition.  Even my huge textbook has only a few paragraphs on it, and a description does not even mention red cheeks, only red bumps in the hair follicles.  Laser treatment works reasonably well for redness of the cheeks, regardless of the cause.  As to the diagnosis, however, you might want to get another opinion.

Good luck.

Dr. R

[Glenn]

Dr R, I am a medical student, and I have been looking up possible differentials for my own red cheeks, loss of the lateral halves of my eyebrows, and the keratosos pilaris on my forearms, and posterior aspect of my upper arms.

I have come to the conclusion that this too is Ulerythema Ophryogenes. My father also has some of these signs, which supports this diagnosis, as it is genetically linked.

What treatments are available for the keratosis, and the redened cheeks?
Is the laser treatment expensive or time consuming?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Glenn:

If you're a medical student, do yourself a favor and don't diagnose yourself, especially with a rare and exotic diagnosis.  See a skin doctor and do it right, the way you will want your patients to.  Most likely, you have things which are far more banal and easy to deal with than you think.

Dr. Rockoff

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Glenn:

If you're a medical student, do yourself a favor and don't diagnose yourself, especially with a rare and exotic diagnosis.  See a skin doctor and do it right, the way you will want your patients to.  Most likely, you have things which are far more banal and easy to deal with than you think.

Dr. Rockoff