Since August I have had a weird bright red,crusty rash on my face. Mostly around my nose area, and mouth. It has now spread to both sides of the face. Dr wasn't sure what it was. I haven't seen her lately because I do not have health insurance. I can't figure out what triggers it. It is amazing how quickly it can change. I had tried hydrocrozone, neosporine. Vasiline, Aloe Vera. Nothing worse. I don't think it has scarred my face but it seems to be always red even if rash has cleared a bit. Anyone else have this problem? I am not in the sun much so I don't think that is the problem.
I so want you to see a doctor. Perhaps we can put our heads together on this forum and work out a way for you to find a doc.
A doctor could rule out the malar/butterfly rash of Lupus, and then start thinking, perhaps, of other autoimmune rashes.
You have tried most of the things I would/have tried and thought of. You should check all the preparations you've used on the rash for any sign of alcohol, or any weird ingredient that might contain alcohol, as alcohol will make rashes of many kinds worse. A cortisone ointment or cream will, oddly enough, not have an affect on an autoimmune rash, as far as I know.
Look in the phone book for Community Health Centers. They are very low income health care offices that have caring doctors who see everything, and know their stuff. They won't turn you away for not being able to pay. They also provide you with any medicine they want you to take -- I'm assuming you are in the United States, because anywhere else you would be on universal coverage of some sort, though in Canada you would have to pay for medicine, and the coverage is different from province to province.
Ah, finally, if you can, emigrate to Canada.
Go for the best diagnosis and treatment you can get, wherever you can get it,
Soycoffee
Call the nearest teaching hospital with a dermatology unit. Describe your situation, and volunteer as a patient for students under one of the attending physicians. Tell them (speak to at least a coordinator) that you have a malar rash, that doesn't respond to ordinary stuff, and would like to be seen, in return for sticking around for a lot of students to examine you and try stuff, and perhaps order tests. And you will come back for nuisance appointments.
I had such a rash in 1980, and residents in the ER went wild with an identified "butterfly rash." It was probably rosacea, and possibly a mild lupus flare. They had me tested, I was scared unnecessarily, and when I called for the results they said the (lupus) test was negative, and that was it. It would have been great if they had tried calling me back and rethinking the problem, because I never got treatment for rosacea, and now have scarring. For rosacea and lupus rashes the treatments are different; most of them are not available over the counter (OTC).
This forum will offer some other stories and possibilities. Take it as expanding your options.
Other ideas:
Call a dermatologist's practice, and negotiate a fee ahead of time, mentioning that you do not have medical insurance. Apply for Medicaid if your income is low enough. Threaten to treat yourself on the internet! (That won't really work.)
Sleepy,
Please, please, PLEASE take a photograph of your facial (malar) rash so you can show the rash to a GP, but even better, a rheumatologist. The rash could disappear tomorrow and not show up again for quite some time. Or it could stick around for a long time, but it would be best to get a picture of it now. I'd take several photographs: face forward, left side and right side.
Big hugs,
Victoria
I had a rash on my face, neck, and chest. Dr. suggested that I might be allergic to artificial food dyes. I found the nasty little FD & C colors in all kinds of things!-- even my multivitamin and 2 of my prescription meds!! Within a month of eliminating them I was rash free, and itch free in those areas. Might be worth try.
There could also be foods that you are allergic to--
I get a rash that started around my mouth and later moved to my nose. It is red and later flakes and scales. My dermatologist said it was perioral dermatitis. It can be awful and can get worse depending on what I eat (acidic, or sweet foods). the only thing that works is watching what i eat and using a mild steroidal ointment for a few days. i also use chap stcik around my mouth before i eat (has to be burt's bees). maybe this will help you!
Tammy
Thanks for everyone's responses. I did show the the rash to my GP and Rhuemy. Because all blood tests were normal. They thought it was due to stress because my husband had been in the ICU for five days the week before. It hasn't got any better since august even worse at times and has also moved to my left side also. It is more on the side of my nose by my nostrils so I am not sure if it would be classified as a Mylar rash. I do have a visit next week with my GP. It is manditory if I want her to continue refilling my meds. But I am not sure if she can do anythings about.