Red Rash Around Nose

[NoseRash]

Not sure if this is a continued post from the one I was just reading by johnnyzhouse, http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/242996  ;

I was wondering if johnnyzhouse ever found a treatment for the problem they were having?  I have the exact same problem and it started for me when I was also 15. I put one of those perfume samples on my face, the ones you get from the magazines, and it caused my face to break out in this terrible raw rash. I know it wasn't the smartest thing to do and I have suffered for the next 25 years cause of it. The rash on my face did eventually go away, except for around my nose.

It's red with tinny little pin head like bumps which sometimes has white stuff in them like a pimple. Or the skin is just red and raw looking and constantly flakes. It right around the underneath edges of my nose sometimes partly coming out from inside my nose. I feel it tingle at times, but I try to never touch it.

I have been dealing with this for 25 years and no ointment in the world works. I've tried every gimmick there is out there, even diet change. I've been to many doctors and specialists and nobody has had any miracle ointments that works. They may work for a short period of time, but I end up becoming immune to them and they stop working just like johnnyzhouse said. The only thing that gives me relieve is a treatment of oral antibiotics. This will sometimes make the rash go away for maybe a few years. But over the years I've become immune to them so they aren't working so well any more. It goes away almost instantly during the treatment, but a month or two after I finish the treatment it comes back.

So what I have learned is that it's coming from within and only a oral treatment will work. All ointments do is mask the problem and don't go deep enough inside the skin to stop it. Oral antibiotics works from with in and is the only thing that work temporary... Though I hate taking them cause it's unhealthy a lifetime of antibiotics. So what I am looking for is maybe a herbal treatment which might be better for my health that is simliar to antibiotics..

Any suggestions?

Thanks..


This discussion is related to red rash around nose for over a YEAR NOW!!.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

What you have may be a case of folliculitis with an allergic or dermatitic component. This could explain the persistence and the recurrence of the condition.

An oral antibiotic will readily solve the condition given that this is probably cause by skin bacteria. However, dermatitis is a chronic and recurrent condition and given the right triggers , it may come back. The area may be reddish and inflammed and an infection may set in giving it the appearance that you have described in this post.

I do not have any known herbal remedies for the skin condition. Although Vitamin E cream may be able to help as it may nourish the skin and avoid any dryness which may lead to irritation.

Vitamin supplements will also improve skin condition. Discuss this with your physician. You may opt for a referral to a traditional medicine specialist for optional therapies.

[NoseRash]

Thank you for your reply Vanessa...

I have been trying for years to figure out what could be causing this. Even a diet change of eating really bland foods to see if it was food related didn't make a difference. I've tried every type of soap to no soap or no face products at all, just plain water wiped off with a towel washed in allergenic detergents afterwards. Sometimes I think maybe I'm allergic to the air I breath considering that it is only around the rims and bottom edges of my nose and is something I do the same every day.

As for the pimple description, it's hard to really explain exactly what I meant. You don't really see what is inside the pin head bump, it's just if I poke it with a pin this is what is underneath, and its such a tiny amount that if you didn't have good eye sight you'd miss it.  And no I don't make a habit of poking it with a pin cause that just makes it worse.

I've used vitamin E before and it's not a cure, but does what you said. Though the rash is still red and once absorbed the rash will turn dry and flaky again. I've even tried fish oil, which seems to do the same thing as vitamin E, but smells.. lol...

I guess this condition is triggered by something I am doing. I wish I knew what. It's an endless process of red bumps, flake, heal and then all over again. Not heal as in all gone, but just one bump gone while another few are brewing..

At the moment I'm just letting it run it's course and seeing if maybe it stops. Usually I give in to antibiotics once it becomes really noticeable. It's not to bad at the moment and people cant see it unless they come up real close.. I really hate it, it's affect my self esteem for years and has given me a complex of hating when people stare at me or get to close.. I know it's silly but it just makes me feel so ugly..

Thank you Vanessa for your advice..

I appreciate anything anyones has to offer to help me....

Thanks..

[NoseRash]

Wanted to add one other thing.. If this is something that I'm going to have to live with.. Is there any kind of cream that will work for taking the redness out of the rash? The flaking I can live with, it's the redness that makes it such an eye sore..

Thanks..

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

The condition as you have posted, seems to have been around for some time. The chronicity and the recurrence of the skin condition suggest that this is eczema.
Eczematous diseases are chronic inflammatory conditions and they do recur and some persist for a long time.

There is no known effective medical treatment for dermatitic and eczematous skin conditions.The mainstay for therapy is avoiding any trigger .Application of moisturizers and corticosteroids are also helpful. Corticosteroids though have their own side effects and they are not supposed to be used continuously for a long period of time.

[NoseRash]

Hi

Yes Corticosteroids creams was something I was given at the very beginning. It did work at first, but doesn't work any more, probably because I over used it back then. All they do now is make it worse.. Over the years I've tried it again and it still makes it worse, after a false hope of making it appear like it was getting better.  I think because of over using corticosteroids creams it has cause these little tiny varicose veins to appear around the folds of my nose. Though this could be because of the many different creams I have used over the years.. But corticosteroids was the main one. Every new doctor I go see would start me off on corticosteroid creams and each time I go back to show them it got worse, I get a new cream. Till finally they give me antibiotics.

At the moment I'm trying this over the counter Eczema & Psoriasis cream. It's by Natralia Nourish. It also comes with a wash. I have been using that and the vitamin E cream that you suggested and it seems to be working like everything new does.. It's still red and kind of looks like what happens when you blow your nose too much, where it's dry and red and a little bit flaky. Though only right around the folds and upper lip entrance of my nose...

I'm trying to be hopeful that this new treatment will work..

I will keep you posted..

Thanks..

[NoseRash]

If you can view this link. This is what it looks like at the moment..

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/2695/picture009lm5.jpg

I really hate putting up pictures.. It makes me feel so ugly!

If it gets worse I will put up a better picture..

[NoseRash]

It got a lot worse, the creams didn't work.. It's like I had a chapped nose or something.. Constant flaking with this chapped look about it.. Anyway, got fed up and just went to the doctor and got a prescription for Minocycline, and it has cleared right up.. Though who knows for how long......

[MechanicalEngineer]

Hi,
I have the same problem. I died my hair and had an allergic reaction about 3 years ago. Ever since then, It has been like this (I am 40).

I can remember when I was a teenager that certain sunscreens would burn that same area when I went to the pool. So beware sunscreen for the pool !!!!

I believe (don't know 100%) that many things agitate the area - such as dandruff shampoos that contain any type of acid. Even standard "gentle" dandruff shampoos have salicylic acid that irritates. I am sure that people have told you that this is just a form of dandruff - as I have been told. dandruff shampoo doesn't help and makes it worse. You may want to try a coal-tar dandruff shampoo to wash the area and see if that makes it go away - as that does not cause irritation to me. It is not a Dandruff  - or it cannot be fixed by anything topical that I have found either - and I have tried a lot.

I have found that "Hardworkers Hand Cream" found in Ace Hardware Stores or online is a great for putting on the area. It has no smell, has no irritation, and is much thicker than any other cream. I just put a little in that area morning and before bed and it keeps the drying, cracking, and redness to a minimum. It does not go away though...

I also just joined a gym and I am hoping that the sweating out of toxins may help also - as I did not have this problem when I worked out alot - but have it now. I do not think it will solve the problem - but I will try it.

Cheers,
MP

[rednose422]

I have had a very similar problem in the past and it recently started up again. When I was younger I went to the dermatologist for it and she had told me that it was a reaction to mint and a few other things that I cannot remember. She gave me some ointments to put on and then told me to avoid mint and a few other things. Once I cut that out of my life my face healed up. It was tough avoiding it, because mint is in a lot of things like toothpaste and mouthwash, and the redness has returned.

So, I would recommend to try and avoid things with mint in them and see if you get any results. I wish I could remember the other things to avoid and the creams the dermatologist gave me, but this was years ago.

I know what it feels like to have the embarrasing redness and avoiding mint is worth a try, especially if it works!

Best of Luck!

[rednose422]

fluoride, tarter control and cinnamon were the other things the dermatologist told me to avoid. Did a search online to see if I could find what this may be. Perioral dermatitis is what I came up with. Look into it to see if this is possibly what you have.

[kisska]

I am having this very symptoms for a very long time now. And it started when I was 14-15 years old. Only back then it could start with tiny pimple around the nose and grow all over my face. It would take a lot of time to heal. I visited so many dermatologists and tried so many treatments and nothing would help. I noticed that rash would worsen during colder or windy weather (I am not sure how is it related, but assume that during winter season we eat different food which is available at the time).
I used to live in Eastern Europe but 7 years ago I moved to California. Since I moved to California my condition improved and I do not have this rush most of the time and do not have severe outbreacks anymore. One doctor told me that this is food related and since then I was very carefully watching what may cause this at least for me.

In my case if I eat too much of processed food, food which contains a lot of preservatives, chemicals and dyes, and pickled food. I still eat all foods listed above but the moment I overdose I get my rash back.

Some examples -
I am trying to avoid cookies or cupcakes with crazy color frost on it. I am avoiding products like philadelphia creem cheese with salmon or strawberry etc (because it is not real salmon or strawberry but chemical)and substitute these by making my own or by bying natural from local producers. I run away from foods which have long life shelf (and I am not talking about uncooked pasta and grains), what I stay away is cooked seasoned ribs in barbeque sauce in the airtight sealed package or canned soups, saucages (especialy the ones where you can't see if they are made of meat or something else) or anything like this. I never buy sealed pastries with long shelf life - Twinkies, carrot cakes, Pop Tarts or anything similar. Also, I had to cut on most of the soft drinks - again look by the color, it says it all! I am a tea drinker and very rare drink coffee and often after having coffee with half and half and splenda I get my rash back (it could be half and half or splenda what causes it but I just can't drink coffee without it). I am very carefull when choosing chocolate, chips, cookies, candies and look for more natural ingridients. The easiest way to follow this diet is to stay away from brand name products or widely commercialized products as these are the ones which have the most chemicals and preservatives in them. This is just some of the examples but you can get an idea.

As I said I am still eating everything, including junk food but trying to substitute it as much as I can with more natural choices. I am able to get rid of this rush very easily now (I do not have rednes or flaking skin or uncontrolable outbreaks) but it comes back if I do not follow this very simple diet.

I hope this will help (I had this condition for over 10 years now).

[RedNoseRash2]

Have something very similar...dermatologists have not been able to come up with solution.  Very, very frustrating.

[MyRedNoseRash]

I have something quite similar. Not so much pin heads, just an irritating redness. It started when I had a Cold a few years back, and it hasn't gone away since. I think it was caused from using cheap tissue paper to wipe my nose, which caused a bright redness, and some minute lumps. But now it's become a long-period issue - and quite annoying. E45 Cream tends to work for me, as well as regular exercise to try and sweat out the “toxins”. I hope it doesn’t last as long as you say, for me! Please, God! I’ve only just turned 18! It’s hardly noticeable, yet it still makes me feel self-conscious. I hope you find a cure, or find some sort of substitute. If you do, tell me!

[MyRedNoseRash]

Update:

I've tried applying a large amount of moisturiser over-night, and already the redness has been reduced - yet still some pimples. Not noticeable to other people, yet still noticeable to me. There's been no flaking so far, but as you say, it's usually weather orientated, and the weather is humid and damp. This DOES seem to keep away the flaking, and reduce redness - but for how long? I'll try to keep you updated on methods that work for me.



MyRedNoseRash
(7 Months of a rash around the nose)

[RednosedCanadian]

         I have this exact same problem and I had it for a very long time. I remember the rash starting when I got sprayed in the face with cologne by a relative. It gets bad during the winter and improves dramatically over the summer. On a doctor visit during the winter, my doctor diagnosed it as Perioral Dermititus and perscribed Minocycline as a once a day pill. I made another appointment for three weeks after. Unfortunately, I missed that appointment without rescheduling and I stupidly took the medication for five months hoping for improvement. There was none, but I unwittingly took the medication past it's expiry date and experienced symptoms of kidney damage (swollen hands, feet and bubbly urine).

         Since that time, I've stopped taking it and I took advice this forum by avoiding mint and cooking healthy meals. However, since I've stopped using shampoo and, with conscious effort, avoided touching the rash at all (even towelling my face when coming out of the shower) I have seen an even noticable improvement with redness almost gone with scaly skin left.

         I am pleased with the improvement, however I don't know how much longer I can go without brushing my teeth and shampooing my hair. I am going to see the dermatologist again to explore my options.

[worrieddude411]

So did anyone actually found the right treatment? I'm also currently dealing with red rash around the edges of my nose and tiny little pimple that only i can see up close in the mirror but it's really annoying because I get really self concious when someone goes up close to me.

[Debrah71]

I have the same problem and it all started when I moved in to the house I live in now that has black mold.  Were in the process of looking for a new house but still in it.  Its miserable ugly and getting worse now that its warming up in this frigid cold winter in Alaska when the mold gets worse. You said the perfume set it off so you must be allergic to something. I have done lots of research about living in houses with black mold and it can permanently effect your immune system. I've been taking vitamins of high vitamin A, E, B and C to bust my immune system along with multivitamin and putting vitamin E and A oil on the infected area at night before bed. I feel for you been living with this for about 3 years now and just starting to realize the source of it. Hope
this helps.

[mhusername]

I have had a red rash around the edge of my nose very simillar to one posted earlier...

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/2695/picture009lm5.jpg

When I was 13 (I am 29 now) I saw a doctor about a bad cold, and he pointed out some dry flakey skin around my nose and behind my ear. He told me to use some Hydrocortizone cream, and sure enough it cleared right up. But after a week or two, it came back as a red rash, and has been red ever since.

Help!

[Redmcd]

I have the same thing. It is a form of acne (which I was very fortunate to never have had as a teenager, bummer to have as an adult).  My doc prescribed liquid Erythromycin, cleared it up in a few days. I still get it from time to time, usually when stressed or after having a cold and using one too many lotion tissues.

Hope this helps

[NoseRash]

Thank you for your reply. I was wondering how the liquid Erythromycin was administered? Do you apply it directly on the rash or do you take it orally? I've been experimenting with different things over the years and I find the liquid from oderless garlic tablets seem to help during flare ups. I just dab a small amount after a shoewer around my nose. Seems I suffer with this rash more during the winter months than the summer. Swimming in the ocean and getting lots of sun keeps it away all summer.

[jcb2107]

Hi! I have the same problam. Also red and flky skin in and around my ears. I thought it might be stress. I started reading about some reactions to some of my meds. I take xanax, flexril, and antenal high blood pressure med. The xanax and flexril side effects say you could get a rash on the face. I think i might be on the right track so I stopped taking xanax. Bad idea cuz my blood pressure went way up. I'm gonna ask my DR. abou this problam and see what he has to say.

[APunkRockFairytale]

I came across this when i was trying to figure out what mine was. Sounds EXACTLY the same. from the dryness to the little pinheads to tingles. It *****. Im only 14 and have been dealing with this for years. Only help i can offer is DO. NOT. USE. LOTION. i used all types of lotion for it and all it did was flame up to a bright red. it helps the flakes but does nothing for the color. If you dont mess with it and keep it dry, it fades a bit and has less flakes. Im sorry i can't help more. im still looking for an answer myself.

[Churchpct]

Hello, I realize it's is a late message but if you get this.. I would love to know where you stand with this issue and maybe tell you about my trials. Would be nice to compare thoughts. With in going trials and ranges of this type, I would love to hear your trial info. Hope you have concurred.
Hope to hear some good info,
Lori

[NoseRash]

First I would just like to thank everyone else who has replied to this post. It's never too late to reply and though it's been years I still get notified when someone posts here. Seems this is my longest ongoing thread ever!!

As for how things have been over the years since I first started this thread, pretty much the same tho not as bad. I have learned a few tricks over the years at keeping it from not getting so bad and I think it has something to do with living in a dry climate. I used to live in Canada, but have since moving to Australia  where things have been much better. In the summer months I never have a problem and I’m thinking it’s due to the really dry hot heat here with some 43C days and going to the beach and swimming in the ocean and getting a tan. I read someone where before that sun and getting a tan helped eczema, so maybe it’s the same for this too? I thought maybe also sweating lots which keeps your pours moist made a difference also? I don’t know for sure.... However as soon as the winter months arrive and I’m not out in the sun as much it seems to come back.

I agree with you APunkRockFairytale, lotion just makes it worse and more angry looking depending on some types of lotions. The best is to keep it dry. But when you are having a breakout you feel horrible and disgusting and will do whatever it takes to cover it up. What I do is use a tiny bit of lotion one that is oil based and at the moment I’m using an anti aging cream due to being middle age and wanting to hide that too. lol... Then I use a makeup brush and brush on some light coloured face powder that matching my skin.  The lotion minimizes the flakes and the powder covers up the red. It does work well but it really depends on how bad it is. Some days it seems nothing works and this just leaves you feeling like hiding in the house the rest of the day.. However I never really let it get that bad anymore and when it gets close I will take a dose of Minocycline. I don’t know why it works but it does and works every time. Tho the more I give into taking it the less time it seems to stay away. So it’s better if you can really let lots of time pass before taking it again. Better long lasting results that way.  

I had asked the question to redmcd about the liquid Erythromycin that she said she got from the doctor. I went to my doctor and enquired about it and what they have in the way of liquid Erythromycin is called Eryacne. It’s a gel and has 20mg of erythromycin in it. My doctor gave it to me and I tried it, however all it did was make the rash super dry and flaky... But at the same time I was taking the Minocycline so I didn’t have to keep using it and the rash has now gone away.  It’s been several weeks now that it has been gone and I’ve stopped using anything and so far so good. I only have a few months more to go till summer...

I hope that this answers your questions.. I welcome anyone else’s advice or suggestions or stories. I want to find a cure for this and it seems we all want the same thing.

Cheers to everyone