Aa
What is wrong with my skin? -chose general health b/c dermatology wasnt a choice
Two years ago I was placed on Minocycline, Clonidine, and Noritate to treat what was diagnosed as Rosacea. (My only symptom was constantly red cheeks) Since then, I have developed so many new skin problems I don't even think I could list them all in the amount of words I have to write this message and I don't know if these medicines are to blame. The three skin problems that I have been diagnosed with at the moment are Rosacea, Seborrheic Dermatitis, and recently keratosis Pilaris of the face.
In the last two days or so my scalp has suddenly become EXTREMELY itchy. Especially after I shower, and its becomes even more unbearably itchy every time I dry it off with a towel. Also when I dry my hair with a towel my face becomes bright red (which has never been a Rosacea trigger for me before) Also, my forehead and temples have broken out with somewhere around 50-100 pimples almost overnight (none of them have pus in them, just red bumps). It looks sort of like an acne-rash. I'm not sure if this is related or not, but I've also been developing this weird blotchy rash on my arms after I shower for the last week or so that looks similar to the Raynaulds syndrome blotchiness I get on my hands when they are cold. The way this all gets drastically worse when I dry off from the shower led me to suspect some type of allergy, but, there's been no change in laundry detergent, towels, water, etc.
This has happened to me once before, a few months ago, just the same way. My derm saw it then and told me whatever it was it was probably not an allergy. At the time i was concerned of a shampoo allergy and he said it probably wasnt that because a shampoo allergy would appear on the forehead and back of the neck (Wherever there's hair) not just the forehead. When he looked at it though he said my scalp was clearly irritated.
What can cause skin redness, scalp itchiness and the VERY sudden appearance of lots of pimple-shaped red bumps? Whatever it is I do NOt think it is various symptoms of several skin problems.. I think its all ONE skin problem because of how it all came on at the same time even when I can't think of anything I did to provoke it. Also, whatever it is, I'm sure its not just my Rosacea acting up.. I know alot about Rosacea and that is definitely not the problem at the moment.
I have this feeling that it is somehow related to the Minocycline I am taking, but I can't seem to get off the minocycline because both times I tred I have really really bad (Sometimes painful) skin flareups.
Hopefully based on the symptoms (skin redness, itchiness of the scalp, and acne-rash) all worsened by showering and drying off I hope you might have an idea as to what my problem is.. and also hopefully this might shed a little light on some of the other skin problems I've been having?
In the last two days or so my scalp has suddenly become EXTREMELY itchy. Especially after I shower, and its becomes even more unbearably itchy every time I dry it off with a towel. Also when I dry my hair with a towel my face becomes bright red (which has never been a Rosacea trigger for me before) Also, my forehead and temples have broken out with somewhere around 50-100 pimples almost overnight (none of them have pus in them, just red bumps). It looks sort of like an acne-rash. I'm not sure if this is related or not, but I've also been developing this weird blotchy rash on my arms after I shower for the last week or so that looks similar to the Raynaulds syndrome blotchiness I get on my hands when they are cold. The way this all gets drastically worse when I dry off from the shower led me to suspect some type of allergy, but, there's been no change in laundry detergent, towels, water, etc.
This has happened to me once before, a few months ago, just the same way. My derm saw it then and told me whatever it was it was probably not an allergy. At the time i was concerned of a shampoo allergy and he said it probably wasnt that because a shampoo allergy would appear on the forehead and back of the neck (Wherever there's hair) not just the forehead. When he looked at it though he said my scalp was clearly irritated.
What can cause skin redness, scalp itchiness and the VERY sudden appearance of lots of pimple-shaped red bumps? Whatever it is I do NOt think it is various symptoms of several skin problems.. I think its all ONE skin problem because of how it all came on at the same time even when I can't think of anything I did to provoke it. Also, whatever it is, I'm sure its not just my Rosacea acting up.. I know alot about Rosacea and that is definitely not the problem at the moment.
I have this feeling that it is somehow related to the Minocycline I am taking, but I can't seem to get off the minocycline because both times I tred I have really really bad (Sometimes painful) skin flareups.
Hopefully based on the symptoms (skin redness, itchiness of the scalp, and acne-rash) all worsened by showering and drying off I hope you might have an idea as to what my problem is.. and also hopefully this might shed a little light on some of the other skin problems I've been having?
My sympathies. I can relate to this. I think I am allergic to most shampoos. I can use one kind for a while and then it becomes a problem and some I can't use at all. It takes about 3 days of use for the symptoms to become so bad that I pay attention and then its bad and I itch everywhere on my head. My face gets puffy and itchy especially around my mouth. Actually feels like burns around my mouth. I have had enough fluid build up in my face to make me look 100 years old. (my daughters defenition) The skin gets rough textured and iritated right under my mouth on the sides and it gets itchy and bumpy on my jawline. If I have hair over my ears these get itchy too. My face gets puffy and skin gets red and then even the chlorine in the water makes me feel prickly. Also I get anxious, which I don't usually realise until later and my throat gets smaller and my tongue feels a bit thick so who knows if the anxiety comes first or later. I used to use prescription cortisone cream but the petrolatum base or silcon-type(?) stuff it was in doesn't really agree with my skin, seems to irriitate it. I am not allergic to lanolin though and this has helped me with dermatitus on my hands. I lived in Brasil for a year and the chemicals there (cleaning and airborne from a pulp mill) didn't agree with my hands. Anyway, now I take half a Benadryl at 8 hour intervals and this seems to make things better. It is this current episode that I realized my tongue and throat are affected and that is a little scary. I also have been diagnosed with Rosacea and had allergy related asthma as a kid.
I have blood vessels that are just below the skin level. It is only seen on my hands and legs in patches that cover the majority of my skin in those areas. I have been to many doctors who have taken samples of my skin only to find there is nothing wrong with my actually skin. I have also found out that it goes always with my body temperature is lowered, like swimming in a pool or sleeping, it also for away if the area has pressure applied to it. I think this might be Rosacea not I’m not sure….O and in hot water or during activities were I’m moving a lot it becomes extremely redish. Any ideas on how I can fix this? I would really like to wear a skirt someday!!
Sorry for replying to my own message.. but after looking more carefully.. the red bumps are also all along the outside of my cheeks and on my upper lip and on my chin. There's just way more of them on my forehead.
Adam
Adam
Thank you for visiting the Family Practice Forum.
What you are describing on your face really does sound like Rosacea. The rash involving your scalp however, reminds me of seborrhea. Seborrhea, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, is an inflammatory condition of the skin often marked by dry or moist greasy scales and yellowish crusts. Common sites are the eyelids, face, scalp, outer surface of the ears, armpits and groin. Shampoos containing selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione or tar and/or ketoconazole-containing shampoos (Nizoral) are used to control the symptoms of this rash if present on the scalp. Seborrhea on the face is commonly treated using steroid creams such as hydrocortisone (1% or 2.5%) and in more severe cases (usually under the care of a dermatologist) high-potency steroid creams may be used for short periods of time. Nizoral cream may also be helpful. This condition is characterized by recurrences and remissions. Commonly patients will describe a worsening of the condition during certain times of the year either. Some may be worse in the spring and fall due to seasonal allergens, while others may be worse due to the low humidity seen in certain climates in the winter months.
The small pimples you have which come up very suddenly bring thoughts of conditions such as urticaria or possibly an underlying fungal infection (tinea corporis) which will get worse when the skin is irritated (i.e. showering/drying off.
One more thought. I guess if you want to talk about "ONE" possibility here, and taking into account that you have been on an antibiotic for a period of time (Minocycline), perhaps you are developing some type of widespread fungal infection. With increased use of antibiotics... FUNGUS (i.e. Tinea corporis) will actually grow! [antibiotics kill bacteria, not fungus].
Based on your symptoms, approaching this as a widespread fungal infection may prove to be most beneficial. Talk to your doctor about considering a medication like Lamisil also with the current treatments you have for the Rosacea. It would be interesting to see if the "OTHER" rashes got better off the MINOCYCLINE.
I hope this helps you!
What you are describing on your face really does sound like Rosacea. The rash involving your scalp however, reminds me of seborrhea. Seborrhea, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, is an inflammatory condition of the skin often marked by dry or moist greasy scales and yellowish crusts. Common sites are the eyelids, face, scalp, outer surface of the ears, armpits and groin. Shampoos containing selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione or tar and/or ketoconazole-containing shampoos (Nizoral) are used to control the symptoms of this rash if present on the scalp. Seborrhea on the face is commonly treated using steroid creams such as hydrocortisone (1% or 2.5%) and in more severe cases (usually under the care of a dermatologist) high-potency steroid creams may be used for short periods of time. Nizoral cream may also be helpful. This condition is characterized by recurrences and remissions. Commonly patients will describe a worsening of the condition during certain times of the year either. Some may be worse in the spring and fall due to seasonal allergens, while others may be worse due to the low humidity seen in certain climates in the winter months.
The small pimples you have which come up very suddenly bring thoughts of conditions such as urticaria or possibly an underlying fungal infection (tinea corporis) which will get worse when the skin is irritated (i.e. showering/drying off.
One more thought. I guess if you want to talk about "ONE" possibility here, and taking into account that you have been on an antibiotic for a period of time (Minocycline), perhaps you are developing some type of widespread fungal infection. With increased use of antibiotics... FUNGUS (i.e. Tinea corporis) will actually grow! [antibiotics kill bacteria, not fungus].
Based on your symptoms, approaching this as a widespread fungal infection may prove to be most beneficial. Talk to your doctor about considering a medication like Lamisil also with the current treatments you have for the Rosacea. It would be interesting to see if the "OTHER" rashes got better off the MINOCYCLINE.
I hope this helps you!
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