red cheeks

[d_corb]

i have had red cheeks my whole life, but around age 14 they started to feel uncomfortable like my cheeks were burning, i consulted a dermatologist and they told me that salicylic acid would work, all that did was irritate it and make it worse. This year every single night it seems to flare up more (get more red and feel much worse). Also during the cold, the heat and when i exercise they feel worse. I was wondering what would be the fastest and most effective way to get rid of my facial redness for good. i have tried many creams and none of them have worked, most of them have made it worse. Is laser surgery the way to go?

[Dr Santos]

Hello,

Rosacea is just one differential that we can look into since there are some cases that this condition only presents with redness. This is why it is recommended that direct clinical examination is done for proper diagnosis. With regards to you KP, focus on softening the keratin deposits in the skin. There are several medications such as ammonium lactate, Urea, topical corticosteroids or retinoids that can only be prescribed by your doctor. Using a medication regularly may improve the appearance of your skin. Unfortunately, if you stop, the condition returns and tends to persist for years.

[d_corb]

i don't think that it is rosacea because i don't have the bumps on my face, just the redness, but in addition i also have these bumps on my arms the dermatologist told me that this was keratosis pilaris. I have heard that there is no cure for rosacea, but is there a cure for keratosis pilaris?

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Try to avoid putting any creams and medications to prevent further harm. This could be due to rosacea which is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that causes redness in the face and produces small, red, pus-filled bumps. If this condition is left untreated, rosacea gets worse over time. Signs and symptoms may flare up for a period of weeks to months and then lessen for a while before flaring up again. Other differentials include skin allergy or eczema. Have  this evaluated further for proper management.  Direct clinical examination is essential in determining the diagnosis.  Treatment will depend on the underlying cause.  Take care and best regards.