Mystery Face Rash - Any help would be much appreciated.

[Loulou2448]

Over the last 5 years I have had discolouration around my mouth, nose and forehead. Nothing on my cheeks at all. It's like a triangle shape from the mouth up to the nose. The rash is slightly dry and has a red/orange tinge. I visited a Spire dermatologist who did some allergy tests, fungal cream and concluded that in 'might' be seborrhoeic dermatitis but wasn't really sure. He said I would have to manage it with steroid cream for the rest of my life however this seems to be having very little effect. I have looked and photos of seborrhoeic dermatitis and it doesn't really look similar at all as mine isn't very red, oily or flakey - I felt a bit fobbed off if I'm honest.

I must also add that I got a long haired rag doll cat around the time the rash started to appear. Coincidence perhaps - or could this be related?

Does anyone have any advice as to what this could be or know of an excellent dermatologist as I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do.

Thanks for reading.

[Saassii]

Yes any external or internal trigger should be considered. Do elimination. It's the only way to learn xxx

[kite1066]

This looks almost certainly like seborrhoeic dermatitis. The steroid or anti fungal route is not the only route; having had this for over 10 years and visited countless dermatologists the best final advice for treatment came from a fellow sufferer who recommended face washing with anti dandruff shampoo. This worked and within a week it had cleared (I leave on my face as a lather every night, or once every few days if no flare ups. If I forget, it returns...). Initially I used Head and Shoulders but note for some reason they no longer have Zinc pyritone (spelling?) as the active ingredient and this is crucial. Boots own and a few others do this now instead. Combine with daily washing and moisturising and it may the simple answer. Good luck.

[Loulou2448 in reply to kite1066]

Ah thank you so much for your reply. Really appreciate it. What made me think is wasn't Seborrhoeic dermatities is there isn’t any flaking of skin or itchyness? It’s more dry patches?. I will certainly give this a try though. Can I just ask, when you lather the shampoo on you face how long do you leave it on there for before washing off? Do you then use a certain moisturisers at all? Thank you again for taking your time to reply to me

[kite1066 in reply to Loulou2448]

No problem - worth a try I'd suggest. My SD didn't flake for years as well, so it may still be relevant. I tend to wash/lather my face, then brush my teeth and then finally splash water over my face and pad dry (so those are my timings) - almost intentionally leaving some shampoo residue for benefit. Initally I did not moisturise post application to really go for full benefit, but now I do. My skin does feel very clean going to sleep.