Please help identify this rash

[teaandtoastwithmarmite]

I've had this rash for a few months now. Had a telephone call with gp and she prescribed a cream which doesn't do an awful lot. I think I'm allergic to something and have tried the following
Stopping using charcoal face wash, then a different face wash and now using dove soap
Am about to change shampoo
Tried not wearing make up
Tried using just Nivea soft and not my usual anti aging cream
Cancelled my next hair dye appointment
It seems to die down then starts up a bit and it's starting to get me down.

Definitely going to give it a try. It's less itchy today but still itchy

Can't decide if it's worse or the same today

Another unflattering picture 🤣

It looks almost like sunburn — was it sertraline you said you were on? It can make some people's skin more sensitive to light, though I can't see why that would start happening in autumn.

It does look a little like scabies, on your left hand side of your neck area are there little burrow type lines or is it just the camera. Have you got any other symptoms like tiredness or aches and pains.

I have very sensitive skin and I only ever use water to wash my face, and only once a day. My face is perfectly clean and my skin is much better than when I was using a load of cleansers and moisturisers.
I also stopped using bottle shampoo and started with a sensitive shampoo bar which also made a difference. Also try washing your pillow case in something like fairy non bio.

hydrocortisone creams are awful for containing allergens in the inactive ingredients. If you do have a contact allergy you have to pick the cream carefully.

this is true for prescriptions as well. You can show up and get a prescription at the pharmacy and it will contain the thing you are allergic to that you have been given the cream to treat. It’s necessary to check every single time because pharmacies change suppliers constantly and manufacturers also make adjustments to formulations. My pharmacy has to special order the steroid cream I use on a regular basis they still mess up occasionally and give me the wrong one. Label reading is essential.

Do you use SPF? Stop if you do.

@HappyHamsters it's not scabies lol

I had something identical. Had tests…..no known allergens. The most likely cause was the Moderna booster. Mine lasted for months. The heat and itch were awful. It only cleared up after a 3 week tapered dose of steroids. Have you had a recent vaccine? My 2 Pfizer vaccines were fine. It appears to be the Moderna booster that triggered an auto immune response.

No not had a vaccine since that second one. Was it last winter?

I think it's on its way out. Itching has reduced and though it's still red it's not as sore. It looks worse on these pictures

That's looking a lot better. You have really good skin when it's not throwing a tantrum.

@FurryDandelionSeekingMissile aah thank you. That's nice to hear. My friend said that as well when she gave me a facial a while ago (before all this). I think it maybe is the shampoo and/or hair dye. I'll have to go back to doing it myself.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor my cerave hydrating cleanser has come

It might be rosacea. You could ask for soolantra from your GP.

@Ninjasan thank you. I'm pretty convinced now it's hair dye/shampoo with hair dye in. I used to dye it myself and never had this.

It's fading I think

Looks loads better 😁

Before you start on the new stuff you bought maybe give it a few days without anything on it other than water? And take antihistamines to give it time to heal?

Thank you @Lolreally
@whereamu I'm going to. Don't want to start anything until it's right. Thank you 😊

OP
Have you been using skin cream with Vitamin A or retinol added?
It can cause a rash and itchy skin in some people.
Often found in anti aging creams.

I'm not sure. Maybe.

Just popping in to ask another couple of questions. Have you been feeling okay apart from your face? Any fatigue, joint or muscle pain? Hair loss? Ulcers or dry mouth? Blood in urine, headaches, joint stiffness, raynaud's syndrome, sensitivity to light, swelling, water retention, or weight loss?
Clinical depression and/or anxiety are symptoms of what I am thinking too.
Your rash is shaped like a butterfly. I think you may need to have some blood tests to see if you have lupus.

Here is an example (diagram) of typical lupus rash. (They can be worse than this or less severe too.)