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Found Severe Acne On Temples And Cheekbones. Red Pimples On Face. Best Way Yo Treat?

Posted on Thu, 24 Oct 2013

Question: I am 24 years old and have never had an issue with acne - in my teens I was prone to very minor breakouts at most and have had almost completely clear skin for most of my life. I have had 2 close family deaths in the past 4 months. Immediately 1 week following each death and grieving period, I have broken out in what appears to be severe acne flareups from my temples, down my cheeks and to my jawbone. Not much whitehead presence but very angry red pimples all clustered down my face. I have never had anything happen like this before. What is the best way to treat these crazy flareups and potentially prevent them from happening again? How long will it take to heal?

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
please read a detailed answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing to us.
Stress can precipitate both acne and rosacea.
Now the type of lesions that you have mentioned can occur both in acne or rosacea. As you already have rosacea, it has to be seen whether these red raised bumps are due to rosacea or not.

For the same I would appreciate if you could attach an image of your face.
Usually in rosacea one gets red bumps and pustules along with redness, flushing and thread veins while in acne one has blackheads, whiteheads, red bumps, pustules etc.

In the meanwhile apply benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin gel over acne lesions. Use mild face wash and protect your face from sun.
Hoping to hear from you soon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kalpana Pathak (9 minutes later)

Thanks for the feedback - I will upload a photo. What I will stress is that this issue is a completely fluke event and only ever happened last time a family member passed away. I have worked a stressful job for 4 years and have had flareups of redness and flushing in response to work and general life stress many times. However - I've NEVER had this redness/flushing be accompanies by bumps and pimples. I just think it's so strange that this is my physical reaction to grief? Seems very extreme...

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
please upload an image

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Firstly please accept my apologies for delayed response.
I need an image of your concerned lesions as it would help me in identifying the most plausible diagnosis in your case
If we go by the two possibilities I have mentioned-
Acne can flare up any time at any age. Causes could be medicines, cosmetics, stress, hormonal factors
Rosacea initially begins as redness flushing over face and as the disease progresses, red elevated papules and pus filled lesions may appear in due course. Rosacea is characterised by redness, thread vessels and red bumps/ papules and pustules/ pus filled lesions. Redness gets exacerbated by alcohol, spicy food, hot food, sun exposure, stress etc.
Whatever be the cause apply benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin gel over red bumps and pustules. Also wear a sunscreen in morning.
Hoping to get the pics soon.
Take care

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar