Red skin & small white bumps around nose.

[Aphotic]

Hey guys.

I'm 16 years old now, and for the past year or so, I've had some acne problems around my nose.
Severe redness, small white pimples ..

Previously, it had only occurred on the sides of my nose. Now, it's kind've spreading over my nose and normal acne on my forehead is appearing.

Lifestyle changes include .. Stopping regular swimming squads, lack of sleep from previous 7 hours to 5/6 hours, big increase in appetite .. [ It's been around 2/3 years since i've started going through puberty ]

how can I clean it up?

Images: [ skin is much redder and harsher in general in real life .. ]
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/9938/photo0132no.jpg

many many thanks in advanced.

[Aphotic]

Thanks for your reply :)

I'm kind've new to exfoliating and .. cleaning my face in general :S
do you have any tips for general cleansing ?

oh, and is there anything wrong with: cetaphil, then st. ives apricot scrub, then QV lotion ?
the scrub is kinda rough and stingy .. not sure if that's normal, since you mentioned mild one ..

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like acne and plugging of the glands leading to whiteheads. Cleanse the area thoroughly and apply a good mild exfoliating scrub on that. Apply a medicated cream or gel containing resorcinol, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. This helps is soaking the oil and helps in peeling away the blackheads.If benzoyl peroxide leaves your skin dry, apply an oil-free moisturizer after 10 mins of applying benzoyl peroxide.

If the symptoms still persist then please consult a dermatologist and get cysts ruled out. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.