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Red Rash On Forehead, Cheeks, Shoulders. Discomfort In Eye. Taken Antibiotics. Peeling Skin, Burning

Posted on Thu, 11 Apr 2013

Question: My partner has a red rash over his forehead, cheeks, chin, neck ears and shoulders. He also has one gritty and uncomfortable eye. The eye problem is 8 months old and the rash came out after two months of antibiotics to establish whether he has a skin problem before going to dermatologist. The rash comes and goes. It burns like sun burn also causing his skin to peel.
It looks like XXXXXXX era but none of the photos fit.

Answered by Dr. Tanusree Biswas (20 minutes later)

Hello,

Thanks for your query

There are several possibilities in the above case.
Rashes on face may be due to :
1) Allergic contact dermatitis
2) Seborrheic dermatitis
3) Rosacea

I will be able to help you better if you can let me know the duration of rashes and symptoms caused.
Please mention the age and sex of the patient as well.

Kindly upload a few pictures of this in good resolution.You may send them to

YYYY@YYYY

with subject as ATTN DR.TANUSHREE BISWAS.

Will be happy to answer your follow up queries.

Wishing you good health,

DR.TANUSHREE BISWAS

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Tanusree Biswas (41 hours later)

Dear Dr. Biswas, I am XXXXXXX's partner, XXXXXXX I have always had dry skin but it has become more pronounced in the last couple of years. Last September/October I was diagnosed with 'dry eye' but only in my right eye. I am 55 years old I was in a XXXXXXX that caused me serious amounts of stress. I have since resigned but I am still taking Sertraline (50mg) tablets to address my depression, as well as a three month course of antibiotics (Erythromycin 250mg) to see if it has any effect on my skin condition. After I resigned in November last year, my skin condition improved and my dry eye almost vanished with the exception of the occasional issue first thing in the morning. However the skin problem has returned and is worse. The eye problem has also returned but it isn't nearly as bad as it was at first. My skin problem has recently developed the symptoms of sunburn predominantly on the right side on my face, neck and shoulder and partly on my ear. The skin then goes flaky and peels leaving raw skin exposed. This lasts in the region of five to eight days generally. I have been prescribed Epaderm cream and this undoubtedly eases the symptoms but it doesn't prevent it from happening.

Answered by Dr. Tanusree Biswas (5 hours later)

Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for following up.

I have been through your history and seen the uploaded pictures.

I think there is a possibility of Rosacea in your case. The history as well as the improvement with erythromycin suggests the same. Ocular symptoms’ being present is an association which is there with rosacea.

Some primary symptoms in rosacea are:
1) Flushing: This facial redness may come and go; is triggered by sun exposure, spicy food, emotional upsets and certain medications.
2) Persistent Redness: may resemble a blush or sunburn that does not go away.
3) Bumps/Pimples: Blackheads are absent here.
4) Visible Blood Vessels: small blood vessels become visible on the skin known as telangiectasia.

You may look for these in your case. While there is no permanent cure for rosacea , if you avoid certain known stimuli, the manifestations can be within control.

You should avoid:
Stress/anxiety, sun exposure, alcohol, hot drinks, warm environments etc.
Please look if the symptoms improve with these.

Medical therapy consists of oral/topical antibiotics, sunscreens which might be advised in adequate doses from time to time.

Please use only medicated hypo-allergenic products on skin (colorless, perfume free) please use non-chemical sunscreens that contain zinc or titanium dioxide and have both UVA/UVB protection. Moisturizer designed for sensitive skin can help reduce the possibility of irritation.

In certain cases, Allergic contact dermatitis or Seborrheic dermatitis may co exist and bring about more symptoms.

You should visit a dermatologist, do a patch testing to know if you are sensitive to anything specific and avoid the same.

Hope this is helpful to you.
Wishing you good luck,
DR.TANUSHREE BISWAS

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Tanusree Biswas (10 minutes later)

Hello Doctor, The information you have provided me with is a huge help. Thank you for your kind assistance.

All the best, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Tanusree Biswas (19 minutes later)

You are welcome.

Please feel free to ask anytime you have any clarifications.

If you do not have any questions now, you may close this and rate the answer.

Wish you the best of health,

DR.TANUSHREE BISWAS

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T