What sort of skin condition is this? It's scaring me..

[jimmyjones34]

Okay, so I'm 18 years old and I"ve been dealing with this skin condition for about 4 years now. It's all over my torso, stomach, slightly on the chest, and back. It makes my skin look as if it's dirty or idk, but it has like red spots on the pores I guess? I feel like it might have something to do with perhaps having  a infection on the hair follicles..Here is a picture

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y400/JimmyJones2/20130418_183315_zps62140b01.jpg

please help, or any tips!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
You can take and use topical antibiotics like Neosporin or Bactroban and wear cotton clothes.
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.

[jimmyjones34]

thank you! do you know any products that I can go get from like walgreens/HEB/WalMart? so that I can try to apply it on my skin..also you mentioned blockage follicles, how can I unblock or prevent this from happening again?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These symptoms can be due to folliculitis. Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing or blockage of the follicle. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).

Please keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful. In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.
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.