gee whiz...weird skin rash on face. HELP!!

[luvnGod]

I have developed a strange skin rash that I've had every year for the last 3 years beginning in Spring when I start going outside more.  It comes on after sun exposure and usually sticks with me for several weeks and then as I spend more time in the sun eventually goes away.  I've looked into Lupus and other things, and one thing for sure is it seems to be autoimmune!  Go figure.  

The strange thing is this is not a red rash, it is clear or skin colored tiny bumps on my face.  The first year our church was doing an outdorr yardsale and it was super hot outside.  I was out there for about 10-15 minutes and then I felt my skin tightening and then felt all these bumps on my chin and near my mouth. It ended up from my mouth up both sides on my cheeks. At that time it appeared I had sunburn, people that I asked about it said it kjust looked like sunburn.   Last year close to the same thing except not as far up my cheeks and not red.  This year only around my mouth and chin and right beside and under nose.  All these tiny bumps are clustered, it almost loooks like I've got a gotee (however you spell that).  It's making very self conscious!

This is also when a lot of neuro symptoms began getting worse.  Anyone have anything similar?  I thought this last go around might also be related to coming off steroids.  I just don't know.  I have found something called
Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE).  Any ideas??

Love you guys and praying for you all!
Stacie

[luvnGod]

I will definitely be calling a doctor.  I have never been to a dermtologist before.  I guess I will call my regular doctor on Monday...if they are open and ask for referral??  If I can't get in right away with dermatologist I will ask to see my PCP so he can document it and I will take pictures.  

Thank you all for your responses...Barb thanks for the sites.  A friend of a friend had sarcoidosis and she was really sick.  The thing that was strange was the connection with Celiac (gene DQ 2.  I have that).

Gave me a lot to think about.  Thank you and many blessings!
Stacie

[Sidesteps]

Stacie -

I am assuming you have been tested for Lupus ... but it sounds like it could be a flare of Sarcoidosis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcoidosis

Also, I found this googling for you:
http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/autoimmune/aibd.html

Some of the auto-immune diseases in this catergory are hard to diagnosis without being in a flare.

Hugs to you,
~B

[twopack]

Your description sounds most like a reaction of the superficial sweat glands to the increased heat each year.  I thought of rosacea too but that (along with most other facial eruptions) is distinctly red in color.

Your best bet is to see a dermatologist while the eruptions are active.  That's when accurate diagnosis is most likely and many treatments are most effective if started early.  Internet self-diagnosis can lead to treatments that make this worse instead of better.  

It's nice this goes away on it's own but better to avoid it althogether in my mind.  With a professional opinion you could find out what it takes to avoid this unwelcome salute to spring's arrival.  I would call for an appointment today.  You know how long it can take to get in with specialists :(

Mary

[zoefromsussex]

I was also going to suggest lupus as a possible cause. Psoriasis is autoimmune too but would not cause any neurological symptoms.

[Ojibajo]

Have you been tested for Lupus?