Help!! Too much scratching?

[reveriebliss]

The skin on my face and neck has been burning and really itchy for the last 2 weeks. I have not been able to stop scratching even though I really don't want to.

The other night I woke up to my face scratching so hard that fluid-like stuff came out. Now my face is extremely tight, I cant eat or smile properly because the skin around my mouth and eyes hurt too much, they feel like they are being pulled. I touch near my eyes and my eyes start to twitch and feel really weird.

Im very worried! Im afraid I scratched so much I removed layers of skin (a couple of my long terms scars are not visible anymore). What should I do?  Should I avoid anything? Can I wear makeup? And will this improve over time?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Sometimes cosmetics and other chemical may irritate the skin condition. So until the skin heals completely apply only a non perfumed, hypoallergenic moisturizer rather than a sun screen or cosmetics. I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[reveriebliss]

Thank you so much, you have no idea how that eased my mind. I really appreciate it a lot.

Do you have any approximate idea how long this may take to heal? I'm concerned with putting on sunscreen and makeup, and don't want to further damage my skin. When would be the earliest I could do this?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be due to contact dermatitis or eczema. Irritant dermatitis, the most common type of contact dermatitis, involves inflammation resulting from contact with acids, alkaline materials such as soaps and detergents, cosmetics, or other chemicals.

Avoid using any lotions and creams over the face for the meantime. Wash your face with a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Pat your face dry. Then apply a good hypoallergenic moisturizer over the area and see if this improves. If the symptoms still persist then you can apply mild steroid like dermacort. Also take oral antihistaminic for the itching.

If the irritation persists then please get it evaluated from a dermatologist. I hope it helps. Take care and regards.