Is this considered part of rosacea or something else?(photo)

[iVAN]

The rosacea on my face has worsened over the years, and now
in the last couple of years I have been getting some flushing
on my chest, as well as lots of red pimply things.

Is this an extension of facial rosacea or another skin problem?
Would low dose Accutane help possibly?
Any thoughts on the matter?

Thanks.

http://i18.tinypic.com/5z1wiab.jpg

[Strive]

I don't know if it's a type of folliculitis, but it's in the same place as mine, and it looks similiar to what I have...whatever THAT is.

After a shower, I have started using rubbing alcohol on the area, followed by NeoStrata AHA 15 Glycolic Lotion Plus. This stuff is fairly potent. Some people start with a 10 and word their way up to a 15. I always wash hands thoroughly after applying because it can kind of burn or irritate the area if you don't. In the beginning, I even wore latex/vinyl-type gloves to make sure I didn't irritate my hands. And it makes the skin sensitive to sunlight, so a person has to be careful about that.

Don't know if it would be an appropriate routine for your issue, but I have to say it's the best stuff ever for me. It's essentially taken care of the problem.

By the way, this would NOT be appropriate for rosacea. I'm sure it would cause quite a flare on rosacea sensitive skin.

[evoken]

try 'head and shoulders' (with zinc) shampoo. Leave it on for about 2/3 minutes each day. It works.

[PA Dancer]

What kind of Laundry Detergent are you using? How much are you using? Soap? Cologne? What kind of Fabric are your shirts made from? Are you rising well before you get out of the shower?

I would suggest starting with a simple elimination process of things that might be irratating your skin.

I have very sensitive skin, and have had reactions to all of the above.
I only use laundry detergent that says Free and Clear, and only use a quarter cup to do a full load.

A test to see if you are using too much laundry detergent is fill the sink with water and submerse a towel/wash cloth in the water. If a film or soap starts coming out of the fabric, you are using too much. Dryer sheets are bad too.

[iVAN]

Strive, I have been cleaning one half of the area with
alchohol for a while and it has not improved or worsened
as compared to the side I am not using alcholol on.

Evoken, do you think it is the zinc in the head and shoulders that
helps or something else? You do mean to use it on the
red bumpy areas, not my hair right?

PA Dancer, now that you mention it, this skin condition covers
my body (in various severity) from my feet to where my t-shirts
end on my arms, so I will look into it possibly being a detergent
allergy. My wife does use those dryer fabric sheets on all the
clothes.

Thanks for the responses. 8)

[Froggirl]

Another possibility is seb derm, which is where head and shoulders might help. I don't really know why but when it effects the chest and back it looks much more spotty and less scaley then when it effects the face and scalp. There are some good pictures and information here:

http://www.dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/seborrhoeic-dermatitis.html

[PA Dancer]

Strive, I have been cleaning one half of the area with
alchohol for a while and it has not improved or worsened
as compared to the side I am not using alcholol on.

Evoken, do you think it is the zinc in the head and shoulders that
helps or something else? You do mean to use it on the
red bumpy areas, not my hair right?

PA Dancer, now that you mention it, this skin condition covers
my body (in various severity) from my feet to where my t-shirts
end on my arms, so I will look into it possibly being a detergent
allergy. My wife does use those dryer fabric sheets on all the
clothes.

Thanks for the responses. 8)

I would lay off the alcohol...it seems like that would be very drying.

and I would also try a Free and Clear laundry detergent and AVOID the dryer sheets for your clothes and see if it helps.

A dance partner of mine was having a similar problem on his inner thighs and groin area with a bummpy rash and itchiness. I said the same thing to him. When you sweat the moisture is wetting the fabric which is bringing out the residue of the laundry detergent and fabric softeners. Is your washer doesn't rinse well, or you are using too much of either it can cause irritation.

Another thing to consider is a food allergy, but I believe the rash would be flat and not bumpy...

Everyone here has such great ideas. Try one thing at a time, see what happens, and if it gets worse, or even if it will make you feel better, go and talk to a dermatologist.

Good luck!
-Ann

[Strive]

The rubbing alcohol, alone, doesn't do it for me. I have to use the AHA lotion, too. That's what made all the difference for me, and the lotion seems to combat any dryness I might experience from the rubbing alcohol. But my skin is pretty oily, and I'm always amazed how much oil/dirt rubs off on the cotton ball, even after a shower.

It's good that you're trying a test area, though.

It certainly could be allergy-related. I also use Pure and Natural soap, which my body skin seems to like but I don't use it on my face.