Very persistant fungal dermatitis

[Fmj4545]

I have suffered from a very persistant fungal dermatitis for almost 10 years. Around 15, I took accutane and that fully cleared it up (along with acne). Once off, the Acne stayed away but the red, itchy, flaking dermatitis returned. From around 16-21 the flaking was contained to the sides of my nose. Now, at 24, it has moved to my eyebrows and toward my cheeks. My dermatologist has kept me on a regime of part cortisone lotion, part anti-fungal lotion since I was 18. While this seems to lessen the dermatitis, the flaking is still persistant, and seems to come in cycles. I have also been using tea-tree shampoo (hoping the anti-fungal properties of tea-tree oil).

What other options do I have? My current fix is no fix at all, but a poor "band-aid."

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From what you have described, rosacea is an important possibility that needs to be ruled out. Rosacea is a cutaneous disorder of the central part of the face , such as forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Pimples or acne are sometimes included as part of the definition. Even the possibility of steroid induced rosacea is there.
Steroid induced rosacea or dermatitis is an adverse effects of using steroids. Some patients develop steroid-induced rosacea within weeks of applying a topical steroid; others may not experience it for years.
Avoiding rosacea triggers, such as caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol, also may help clear the skin. Also use of antibiotic creams, antihistaminics, sun screens and tacrolimus(available by prescription) helps but consultation of a dermatologist is required first.
I sincerely hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[Simpleman74]

The other option is to find out what you really have. Dermatologist usually hurry, then stick to that. Prescribe a cream, take your money and send you out the door.
They give you something that covers all the bases and tell you you have the one thing that will not educate you enough you can go find a fix online and not need them. LOL
I don't know they are that bad. But it sure seems so.
I know a kid, who had the same thing as you and was told he was allergic to vinyl, and I don't think he was. I don't know what you have. But good luck. Because it seems skin doctors don't feel your pain or anquish at all. And people seem to get the same answers from all of them. It is like this : they take the symptoms, and choose the thing it looks like the most! That way it is fast and easy. Big money for 5 minutes time. NEXT!
Never a test. Or questions any more than a couple to convince you they are making some kind of effort for all that money and to eat up at lest 5 minutes time.
When so many times it could be something else that is very similar! And once they decide, they will never admit they are wrong and change their minds. At your expense.
One will be coming along any time now to paste in one of their generic answers for you!