Mysterious spots on face...

1. AMD 24 May 2012 at 15:13PM
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   If anyone can offer some advice I would be enormously grateful.

   Around 8 - 10 weeks ago, I got some spots on my cheeks, and my skin went very dry. I also experienced facial flushing. The spots aren't the usual 'whitehead' style that I've occasionally suffered - they are very red and have no head. Some swell and weep a small amount of clear discharge, mainly after a shower, and then develop a small scab.

   The spots disappear quickly - often within a few hours, but leave a paler mark in their place which is giving me an uneven skin tone.

   I have been to the GP twice, but since the spots fade fairly rapidly she said it wasn't serious - in fact she told me that it was a minor cosmetic issue and I should be grateful that I didn't have something 'really noticeable'! Cosmetic or not, it is bothering me and I'd love some advice.

   I have tried, with some success, repeated use of antiseptics, (Savlon Cream and bathing with TCP). These have reduced the outbreaks, but the spots return almost overnight if I discontinue.

   Help!

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2. Kecki 27 May 2012 at 10:58AM

   The facial flushing and the spots, red and no head, sound like you may have rosacea. I'm sorry your GP was so unhelpful as this is a really unpleasant condition. After a lot of trial and error, I found that Sudocrem can really help to clear up the spots.

   I also went to my local Lush shop, and found the following products really good - Fresh Farmacy Facial Soap, Eau Roma toner, Angels on Bare Skin cleanser and Celestial moisturiser. Since I've been using these every day, the spots are very rare, and the redness and flushing has calmed down. The Lush staff will give you samples of these to try at home.

   You could try seeing a different GP who may be more helpful, I was given a cream called Finacea, which can help in about 75% of cases of rosacea, which seemed to help calm my skin down a lot in the beginning. Since I began using the Lush products I haven't had to use the Finacea cream at all. Be careful with spicy food, tomatoes, alcohol and avoid a lot of sun exposure, this can make rosacea worse.

   I hope this helps and that you can get more help from your surgery, good luck.

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