Rash Above Lip

[peteloaf]

I have had a slight red, smooth, non itchy, rash just above my upper lip for about 2 1/2 months with hardly any change from a whole range of medications my doctors (3) have prescribed. I am desperate becouse I dont know if its something contagious and my last doctor after her second course of prescription has just stopped trying. (I am traveling this summer so I have been in contact buy phone and e-mail - which makes getting after this situation that much harder but I am currently in the midwest and would stop at any doctor if I thought it would make a difference - I really dont have a great deal of hope after all I have been through).
Somewhat specifically, like I have mentioned, I have seen 3 doctors 2 of which have been dermatologists and one doctor who made a suggestion on medhelp but when I had tried that and responded, I didnt hear back. UGH.
I have tried (roughly in order): Neosporin, vitamin E, Hydrogen Peroxide, Lotramin, 2 different prescription steroids of increasing strength, prescription anti-microbial ointment, prescription anti-biotic ointment, 2 different prescription antibiotic pills, Rosacea ointment and lastly an over-the-counter anti-histamine...No Affect. Nothing has done anything other than what SEEMED to be a SLIGHT INNITIAL improvement from the oral anti-biotic but then no
thing after just the innitial first few days.
Someone please help. I will do anything to at least know what is going on. I would like to fix this but at the very least I need to know if its contagious. I really hope someone can do right by society if not by me and help prevent me spreading this stuff around if it is such.

[peteloaf]

First of all thank you so much for replying to my posting. It means so much to me.You mentioned a (KOH and gram stain examination) for my rash above my upper lip. Is there a simple way I could have this done, since I am currently traveling and in between primary care physicians/insurance. Anyway to go directly to a lab? I will be in Madison, WI for the next couple days and will do whatever you think best to get the microscopic evaluation performed. Please let me know how to go about getting that done and thanks so much for your help!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

I understand that you are frustrated about this. You have noted that the rash is smooth and nonitchy which appears to be nonresponsive to antifungal medications and corticosteroids. At this point, this may not be fungal or dermatitic in nature as there is no itchiness involved. Most dermatitic skin conditions present with itchiness.

A biopsy of the involved skin may be able to help as the diagnosis remains elusive. Skin scraping of the area and microscopic evaluation (KOH and gram stain examination) of the skin scrapings may be able to ascertain presence of bacteria or fungi.