5 replies to this topic

[hans83]

Sorry for wall of text. Pics at bottom.

Forward: I have both rosacea and acne and maybe something else? I am a 27 yo male who is very fair skinned. I generally have very dry sensitive skin expect around on and around my nose which is oily. Almost all of my acne in below my nose so I only use medications between my nose and upper lip and on my chin area. I started using trentinoin about 6 months ago and it seemed the skin around the sides of my nose was getting redder and less smooth than before (note that I was not apply tretinoin directly to this area though). I don't know if the two are even related or not.

An acquaintance suggested I try using otc hydrocortisone cream to deal with the inflammation and redness on the sides of my nose. I applied a modest amount once or twice daily for about three weeks. Around that time I developed some strange rashes between my eyebrow and temple. I don't know if this is related or not but in thinking it could be I took to the internets and found out about how it is not advised to use topical steroids on rosacea. I stopped using the cortisone and two days later the area is very red, inflamed, and broken out. The area used to be a pinkish-red and now it is very red. Way worse than before I used cortisone.

So I guess I have a few questions here: How long might this cortisone withdrawn last? I know the pictures aren't the best quality but does anyone have a guess as to whether it is seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea around my nose area? Also, what about the rash by my eyebrows? It is not nearly as severe but it is pink and gets dry/flakes if I don't put lotion on it for several hours. I have tried using various lotions for the past 5 days or so and it has stayed the same or possibly gotten worse.

I made an appointment with my dermatologist but couldn't get it for almost a month...in the mean time I'd like to take what steps I can and help heal this or at least not make it worse! Thanks for any help anyone can provide.


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[Lipslikesugar22]

It burns and itches and it gets flakey? are the areas usually oily?

[hans83]

It gets flakey if I don't but lotion on it.

Doesn't really itch or burn very much.

[pokerlady888]

This is sort of what my skin looks/looked like before it got a little worse and a little redder. In the beginning stages of whatever it is that I have, my skin looked light pink just like your skin does in patches and it didn't bother me. Eventually it got worse and turned to extremel itching, stinging sensations, spreading patches of redness, dryness, and a tiny bit of flaking. I have gotten the dryness and flaking under control now, but the patches of redness are still the same and pretty dark compared to how they looked when this all started for me back in January many months ago. The only thin that helped so far a little bit for me was the aloe vera plant that I have. I cut it and rub the juice on my face. From what I've read, it's suppowed to help the skin grow healthier....I don't know if it's really working yet though. I've only begun using it a few days ago, but if you are feeling up to buying an aloe plant from home depot for 4.oo, give it a try. It may work for you to relieve the redness a tiny bit since aloe vera gel is known to reduce sunburn redness.

I'm wondering...did you use steroid cream on your face at an point before these pink patches occurred? Or if you used anything on your face??

As for me, anyone on this forum know what I can do for my skin? I don't understand why my skin itches so much and stings in places and is so pink/red in patches all the time....there are very very tiny bumps on my skin somewhat where the dry patches are. What could this be?

Edited by pokerlady888, 05 August 2011 - 02:33 PM.

[hans83]

I had been using the steroid cream around my nose area before the pinkish patches appeared on the side of my face. I then used the cream on those patches too, which seemed to make them worse and cause them to spread.

After reading this (http://rosacea-suppo...asked-questions):

“After observation of long-term facial application of even low-dose corticosteroids, we have see many adults and children with a rosacea diathesis in whom severe burning and itching develop, along with bright red papules and nodules.This may occur after long-term application of even low-potency topical corticosteroids.

Application of topical corticosteroids causes immediate vasoconstriction and reduces the redness seen in rosacea and many other skin conditions. However, when patients discontinue usage of the topical corticosteroid, symptoms immediately reappear, and the symptoms are often much worse than those seen in the original condition.”

I stopped using the steroid cream and the next day the skin around my nose went to hell (as seen in the pictures) and the pinkish patches have remained about the same. It has been like this for 3 days.

[hans83]

The redness around my nose has gone down somewhat but it is still a little worse than before. I also still have the dry patches of skin..they seem to be very persistent. Also, my eyes have become irritated now. I'm not sure if it is related but it might be due to all the stress/anxiety this thing has caused me. It feels sort of like pink eye only without my eyes actually being pick and they are not as sticky as they would be if it were pink eye.

Not really sure what I should be using on my SB like patches while I wait for my dermatologist appointment? It seems they are slowly spreading and popping up in new places. I'm wary of trying too many things because I don't want to make the condition worse.