To ask what you think this acne is (pic)

[DontLook]

Sorry to hijack AIBU, I'm desperate for an answer. I've booked two appointments to have the skin on my cheeks checked out by the doctor over the past 6 months, but each and every appointment, (sod's law) it calms down and looks better so Dr can't assess/help.

It's been worse for two weeks' now but I'm loathed to waste more Dr time if it inevitably gets better by the time I'm seen.

Sometimes it can be clearer for a few days, then I'll wake up and my cheeks are stained red and buldgy, like lumpy skin. It's a tiny bit itchy sometimes. Spots don't come to a 'head'. They're just large and lumpy.

I've tried cutting dairy, sugar, wheat, booze, fruit, etc etc, I've taken anti-histamines, I cleanse, moisturise with expensive sensitive creams...I stopped wearing any make up and I take cool showers, and limit having the central heating on. But I don't know what is causing it! It's been like this for a year or so, getting worse each 'flare up'. No link or pattern to menstrual cycle.

Does anyone recognise what it may be?
-normal flare up?
-hormonal acne?
-roseacea?
-allergies?

ANY help appreciated!

You need to see a private consultant cosmetic dermatologist. GPs in the UK are very poorly trained in dermatology and NHS consultant dermatologists are more interested in cancer and other life threatening diseases than in acne/rosacea. Where do you live?

It looks quite like rosacea to me. But you really do need a doctor’s opinion.

Is it just on your face or in other areas?
I agree sometimes the gp doesn't know what it is. They are only general practitioners and you need a specialist.
I don't agree the NHS isn't interested, they were quick to assess and diagnose my dh. Although, there's little treatment they can offer and he has to try to manage himself, he has HS, I'm sure yours isn't this though.

@MariaNovella I live in the West Midlands.

I'm leaning toward Rosacea too as it fits everything on the NHS symptom list. The only thing that made me think it wasn't that was the fact it can look much much better, and the pictures online of rosacea look much worse.

Okay I'll research a dermatologist, I really don't want to bother my GP with this.

@RomanyQueen1 just my face, no where else, left cheek is hardly affected/noticable, but right cheek is much worse.

Sorry for my ignorance, what's HS?

Does it go over your nose at all?

yes i'd guess at Rosacea.

Do you have dry/watery/uncomfortable eyes too? Big chin spots? When you're hot do you go pink for hours?

Mine's having a massive flare up at the moment. Could happily scratch my face off right now.

I'm on Anti-bs from the GP - makes the spots a LOT better and the optician says should help my eyes too. As can a warm compress to the eyes in the evening.

If you showed your GP that picture they could probably treat it. Some GPs do postgraduate qualifications in dermatology and it would be worth asking if anyone in your practice has a specialist interest. They can and would treat conditions like rosacea, and Dermatologists WILL look at skin conditions like that - it's why they trained in Dermatology.

Also looks like rosacea to me. Classic for it to be up and down, various food and temperatures can be triggers.

@crankyassnoperope the redness does go over my nose. But no lumps/bumps at all.

If I blush (which easily happens) my cheeks and nose go scarlet. And it doesn't fade for hours.

Have you been tested for coeliac disease? Could also be Dermatitis herpetiformis which is indicated with that.

Do you have dry/watery/uncomfortable eyes too? Big chin spots? When you're hot do you go pink for hours?

My eyes are very dry (but could be a side effect from laser eye surgery 7 years' ago) and YES when I go running I am positively glowing after, it's so embarrassing I look sunburned - but like I've had sunglasses on.

It's always worse in the morning, and better in the evening, like it calms down by nighttime. Then new nasty red bumps appear.

I've been in the sun when we had the good weather over Easter, if it is Rosacea then that could have been the trigger for it being worse lately.

Thanks everyone, so much. I just want to pinpoint it so I can seek the right help/advice.

Rosacea responds very well indeed to oral antibiotics plus a topical antibacterial and antiparasitical cream/gel.

Amoxycillin by mouth and either Rozex or Soomantra cream.

www.londondermatologist.co.uk/top-ten-treatment-tips-for-rosacea/

@MariaNovella thanks so much for your posts. Is there anything you know about that I can try over the counter?

I'm loathed to ask for antibiotics!

It looks like rosacea to me, if it is you can treat rosacea with changing diet (spices, chocolate and alcohol are all trigger), and by trying some different skincare. I’ve successfully used dermalogica and Elemis, but la Roche posay did not work for me, you need to have a practice. Don’t ever use those facial wipes, they’re the worst.

I'm loathed to ask for antibiotics!

Me too, but seems to be the only thing that works for me. No side effects so far. I take a probiotic too.

They don't take away the redness. Revlon takes care of that

It looks like my rosacea. Also, my right cheek is tonnes worse than my left. I’ve found the whole range, but particularly the azeliac acid and rose hip oil from The Ordinary skincare fairly life-changing. No kidding.

Thanks so much for the posts. I'll make a note of all the suggestions!

I will see a dermatologist, now more convinced it's rosacea.

Urg it's so shit. I'm healthy, fit, active, but my face looks like I do nothing but eat grease and sugar :( .

I'll be changing my career into the health sector too, I feel like I'll look like a complete fraud with awful skin.

I think that a low dose oral antibiotic is a necessity in the short term. Longer term, if the rosacea reoccurs, you may be able to nip it in the bud with topical cream.

@HollaHolla thank you! Where can I get those products? opens wallet

@ShakeYourTailFeathers ah in that case I may have to ask for them for the greater good did the antibiotics clear the lumps/bumps for good?

If you look on Feel Unique, they quite often have them at a good price - less than £10 each. Also, QVC sometimes have sets on their website, I’ve found. 🤞🏻

I don't have lumpy cheeks, just red ones, but i imagine they would help.

My main issue is a chin full of spots. A never ending procession of the buggers. I had about 6 at once when i went to the Dr about 3 weeks ago. Started the antibiotics and they've all gone!

Still itchy. Hoping that's going to go away too.

Oh, and i find once i've been on them for 3 months (or sometimes less) i'm good for a couple of years.