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Whats wrong with my face?
For a few months now, I've had a dry, red rash on my face. It covers most of my cheeks and my forehead while leaving clear circles around my eyes and clear skin around my mouth also. About a year and a half ago I had bad acne and I was put on (and still am on) oxytetracycline. I have no problem with acne now and for around a year (from when I began taking the oxtetracycline) the skin on my face was perfect. I have been to the doctor and nurse several times regarding this redness and have been given anti-inflamatory creams and anti-fungal cream, none of which have helped. It goes through stages, sometimes it may feel like completely normal skin and sometimes it feels dry and itchy. But either way, the redness remains constant. I eat very healthely and and wash my face with just water (even pure water seems to make it more inflammed) so I don't think its down to diet or an allergic reaction. It seems to flare up even more when I'm in a warm room (not hot, just warm). My face begins to feel extremely hot and uncomfortable (while the skin around my eyes and mouth remain normal). It has now got to the point where this is ruining my life and I really need to get this sorted. If you have any idea what this could be then please help. Thank you (:
I had a similar experience a couple years ago.
First of all I was treated with antibiotics for what the doctor thought was folliculitis. My skin on my face got worse, the antibiotic did not help, and it was very red and extremely sore and hot as if I was sun burned. I felt embarassed to talk with people because of the way I looked.
I look up on the web for an answer and saw a different doctor and mentioned wether it could Rosacea. He agreed that it was and prescribed me with a tube of Rosex. Rosex is a metranizadole cream and a few days of using it my skin dramatically improved. I found that hot and cold windy weather made my condition worse, so was prescribed with a 50% sun block. I still use the Rosex from time to time when my face starts to get red blotches.
I do not wear make up. I had been taking Orlistat (double dosage of Ali which you can only get on prescription from the doctor). I was also eating lots of cinamon and raisins so wondered whether I became allergic to that.
I have since learned that when taking Orlistat (or Ali) (these are used to aid with weight loss), one needs to take a supplement of Vitamin D as it can be depleted when on the Orlistat or Ali. I don't think my doctor knew about that. I stopped taking the Orlistat and consuming the mega amounts of cinammon.
When you see the doctor again, suggest whether it could be Rosacea and if so, if they could try you on the Rosex to see if that will help.
Don't know how old you are, but the menopause can cause red flushes.
Best wishes
First of all I was treated with antibiotics for what the doctor thought was folliculitis. My skin on my face got worse, the antibiotic did not help, and it was very red and extremely sore and hot as if I was sun burned. I felt embarassed to talk with people because of the way I looked.
I look up on the web for an answer and saw a different doctor and mentioned wether it could Rosacea. He agreed that it was and prescribed me with a tube of Rosex. Rosex is a metranizadole cream and a few days of using it my skin dramatically improved. I found that hot and cold windy weather made my condition worse, so was prescribed with a 50% sun block. I still use the Rosex from time to time when my face starts to get red blotches.
I do not wear make up. I had been taking Orlistat (double dosage of Ali which you can only get on prescription from the doctor). I was also eating lots of cinamon and raisins so wondered whether I became allergic to that.
I have since learned that when taking Orlistat (or Ali) (these are used to aid with weight loss), one needs to take a supplement of Vitamin D as it can be depleted when on the Orlistat or Ali. I don't think my doctor knew about that. I stopped taking the Orlistat and consuming the mega amounts of cinammon.
When you see the doctor again, suggest whether it could be Rosacea and if so, if they could try you on the Rosex to see if that will help.
Don't know how old you are, but the menopause can cause red flushes.
Best wishes
I found no relief from any moisturing unperfumed soaps or creams and using Ttree oil diluted with baby oil also did not help
I have copied the information about Rosacea from the NHS Choices web site and have pasted it below :
Rosacea is a common but poorly understood long-term (chronic) skin condition that mainly affects the face. Symptoms begin with episodes of flushing (when the skin turns red).
As rosacea progresses, other symptoms can develop such as:
•burning and stinging sensations
•permanent redness
•spots (papules and pustules)
•small blood vessels in the skin becoming visible
In the most severe cases, skin can thicken and enlarge, usually on and around the nose.
Learn more about the symptoms of rosacea.
See your GP if you think you have rosacea as early treatment helps reduce the chance of severe symptoms.
Triggers of rosacea
While the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, several triggers have been identified that may make the condition worse.
These include:
•exposure to sunlight
•stress
•exercise
•cold weather (wind)
•heat
•the menopause
•certain medications, such as vasodilator drugs
•hot drinks
•alcohol and caffeine
•eating certain foods, such as spicy foods
Identifying and avoiding the triggers of rosacea can be a useful way of controlling the symptoms.
Read more information about preventing rosacea.
Treating rosacea
There is no cure for rosacea, but treatments are available to control symptoms.
Rosacea is a chronic and relapsing condition, which means there are periods when symptoms are particularly bad, followed by periods when the condition is less severe.
As well as avoiding known triggers, certain medicines can help control flare ups.
Read more about treating rosacea.
As rosacea can affect your appearance, some people find they experience feelings of low self-esteem or frustration. You should speak to your GP if you are feeling depressed.
Read about complications of rosacea for information on the psychological effects of having a long-term condition.
Who is affected?
Rosacea appears to be quite common, and is estimated to affect up to one in 10 people. It most commonly affects people with fair skin, but can also occur in people of Asian and African origin.
Rosacea occurs in both men and women and may occur at any age. However, it typically begins after the age of 30. Middle-aged women are more at risk due to hot flushes caused by the menopause.
I have copied the information about Rosacea from the NHS Choices web site and have pasted it below :
Rosacea is a common but poorly understood long-term (chronic) skin condition that mainly affects the face. Symptoms begin with episodes of flushing (when the skin turns red).
As rosacea progresses, other symptoms can develop such as:
•burning and stinging sensations
•permanent redness
•spots (papules and pustules)
•small blood vessels in the skin becoming visible
In the most severe cases, skin can thicken and enlarge, usually on and around the nose.
Learn more about the symptoms of rosacea.
See your GP if you think you have rosacea as early treatment helps reduce the chance of severe symptoms.
Triggers of rosacea
While the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, several triggers have been identified that may make the condition worse.
These include:
•exposure to sunlight
•stress
•exercise
•cold weather (wind)
•heat
•the menopause
•certain medications, such as vasodilator drugs
•hot drinks
•alcohol and caffeine
•eating certain foods, such as spicy foods
Identifying and avoiding the triggers of rosacea can be a useful way of controlling the symptoms.
Read more information about preventing rosacea.
Treating rosacea
There is no cure for rosacea, but treatments are available to control symptoms.
Rosacea is a chronic and relapsing condition, which means there are periods when symptoms are particularly bad, followed by periods when the condition is less severe.
As well as avoiding known triggers, certain medicines can help control flare ups.
Read more about treating rosacea.
As rosacea can affect your appearance, some people find they experience feelings of low self-esteem or frustration. You should speak to your GP if you are feeling depressed.
Read about complications of rosacea for information on the psychological effects of having a long-term condition.
Who is affected?
Rosacea appears to be quite common, and is estimated to affect up to one in 10 people. It most commonly affects people with fair skin, but can also occur in people of Asian and African origin.
Rosacea occurs in both men and women and may occur at any age. However, it typically begins after the age of 30. Middle-aged women are more at risk due to hot flushes caused by the menopause.
It appeared overnight. Can rosesea do that? I thought if it was rosesea then it would be a gradual thing. I'm not sure though
And there's one more thing I thought I should add, I once tried a honey, lemon juice and sugar face exfoliation mask thing and the first time I ever used it all the redness and dryness completely disappeared and my skin was perfect. I was amazed. But it only lasted two days and it went back to normal. When I tried the same thing the next week it had no effect. I've tried it several times since but nothing. I really don't understand why it only worked the first time.
Sorry, your profile says you are female. Showed me up as being male.
As you are 16 year old young man, I would say that this could be a hormonal thing. But obviously your doctor has treated you with anti-inflammatory cream that have not worked.
Sometimes we get blushing in the face from embarassment or when we see some one we like.
I don't think Rosacea appears overnight. But the thing is a lot of people brush off pinkish skin util it bothers them. As the other ant-inflammatory creams did not help, next time you see the doc, suggest Rosex and see what he has to say.
People who work outdoors get a ruddy complexion.
Don't use any harsh soaps on your face, that includes shampoos that may come down the face as well as shower jels. These will dry your skin and you may be allergice to them.
Get a light moisturiser cream, one from the doctor, or E45 cream or something similar to keep your skin moisturised and protect it from the sun and harsh winds.
When you wash your face, just pat it dry gently.
Are your pillowcases washed in non-biological powder? You may be getting a reaction from your pillowcase if this has been washed in strong detergents.
Have you started to shave? If you are shaving, you may have a reaction to the shaving cream and aftershave (if you use that).
Don't forget to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Hope you get it sorted.
Best wishes
As you are 16 year old young man, I would say that this could be a hormonal thing. But obviously your doctor has treated you with anti-inflammatory cream that have not worked.
Sometimes we get blushing in the face from embarassment or when we see some one we like.
I don't think Rosacea appears overnight. But the thing is a lot of people brush off pinkish skin util it bothers them. As the other ant-inflammatory creams did not help, next time you see the doc, suggest Rosex and see what he has to say.
People who work outdoors get a ruddy complexion.
Don't use any harsh soaps on your face, that includes shampoos that may come down the face as well as shower jels. These will dry your skin and you may be allergice to them.
Get a light moisturiser cream, one from the doctor, or E45 cream or something similar to keep your skin moisturised and protect it from the sun and harsh winds.
When you wash your face, just pat it dry gently.
Are your pillowcases washed in non-biological powder? You may be getting a reaction from your pillowcase if this has been washed in strong detergents.
Have you started to shave? If you are shaving, you may have a reaction to the shaving cream and aftershave (if you use that).
Don't forget to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Hope you get it sorted.
Best wishes
I have recently changed the washing powder to non-bio in hope that might help. No change yet but its early days at the moment. Thank you for your help, I'm really hoping for this to go away because its really making me depressed and self conscious about the way I look. Thanks again for trying to help, I'm really grateful :)
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