Rash on Face

[coolcatcal]

I have had a bumpy, slightly red patch on my face on one side of my chin for about 6 months. The spot is not really visible to other people unless I point it out. The spot has very gradually gotten larger. It is now about the size of a 50 cent piece. It itches some.
I have been prescibed 2 different steroid creams that did not help.
I had a biopsy taken and the dx was "Prominent folliculo-sebaceous structure".
I have been prescribed Retin-A that has yet to be authorized by my insurance. I have looked around on the internet for any info, and I can't find anything.
I'm wondering what this dx means in laymans terms?
Have you ever come across anything like this?
Thank you.
Cheryl

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The biopsy rules out anything of concern.  If other people can't see it either without your pointing it out, than your best bet may well be to ignore it.  There are many visible skin changes that don't amount to anything and are best ignored.  If you have a habit of touching or examining it, it would be better not to, since even minor irritation can perpetuate spots like the one you describe.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[coolcatcal]

Thank-you for your reply.

I undestand that my skin rash does not have any pathology, but I still don't want this to take over my face. It is growing. I do not touch it or scratch it even if it itches, because I'm afraid it will grow. I have put vaseline on the biopsy site to help with healing. The creams didn't help, so I have stopped them.

When you suggest to "ignore it", do you mean that it may go away on it's own, or that I should just live with it? I really don't want to do the latter...

Do you think that I will need to visit a plastic surgeon or an esthetician to get rid of the patch of skin since this is not pathological?

Thanks,
Cheryl