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Avatar universal

What is destroying the skin on my nose?

Hello, I have a rapidly progressing condition that started last May and is causing the skin on and around my nose to darken and sink in. At first it wasn't painful but recently the affected areas produce occasional stabbing pains and itching.

The first dermo I saw concluded seborrheic dermatitis and prescribed Metrocream, which did not have any effect. I have now seen the entire dermatology team at a major U.S. university and received no diagnosis, only the suggestion to have a biopsy. No one has mentioned cancer, rosacea or any of the usual suspects. The skin is not red, no pus, etc.

I should mention that the condition coincided with rapid weight loss (20 lbs in 5 weeks) and is only affecting either side of the bridge of my nose and the crease around the nostrils. Every week there is more recession. A salicylic acid cleanser made things worse, now I only wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser followed by ****** PM moisturizer. It's not stopping the damage but overall the skin seems to respond better to this regimen than doing nothing but rinsing with water.

I am urgently in need of any professional thoughts on this. I have posted two photos on Google and can post more if requested. Thank you.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNUgnXx9g3OukrjMZFb7u_AX_m-EDV5lo-CxzjC
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPiuXQoPYG6ceZnOxfE2227P_StjHnKlV2CGWas
2 Responses
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5536886 tn?1455827346
COMMUNITY LEADER
Are you going to go ahead and do the biopsy?  Did they tell you what they hope to find out with the biopsy?  
Helpful - 0
3 Comments
Hi purple, thank your for responding. One well-regarded dermo I saw mentioned lipodystrophy or possible connective tissue disorder and thought a biopsy might make things worse. I think others may be recommending a biposy as the only possibility for diagnosing this, but I have not been told what they hope to find, so I am holding off and trying to get more answers from endocrine tests, etc.
I'd ask a few more questions of them about what they hope to find out specifically with a biopsy too- so sorry I can't be of much more help, I know this must be very frustrating!  Keep us updated on how you are doing!
Thank you very much for your concern! I saw my local dermo again and he looked at the skin under UV, did not see any unusual colors. I'll ask my university dermo further about the biopsy as you suggest and post any updates.
Avatar universal
https://www.flickr.com/photos/155675660@N05/41851998830/sizes/l
https://www.flickr.com/photos/155675660@N05/41852003550/sizes/l
Helpful - 0
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