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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder what could be causing this

8 replies

Ankleblisters · 09/01/2025 10:34

I've attached photos, I hope they come through. Since mid/late summer my mother (who has dementia) has been getting this rash (is it a rash?) on her cheeks. They look like lots of spots but there is nothing in them like there would be with acne or similar. The rash doesn't seem to be bothering her but it's really hard to tell.

I stopped putting any face cream on her at all for several weeks when it first started but it didn't make any difference. Now I put a little bit of bio oil on her cheeks after a shower (twice a week - I know that's not often but it's all I can manage / she can tolerate) but the issue is not getting any better.

Her diet is extremely healthy so I don't think it can be diet related? It's also only on her face (both sides) nowhere else on her body.

The only possible cause I can identify is that she loves to cup her face with her hands / rest her hands on her cheeks or rest her head in her hands. I've been trying to move her hands away or give her something else to hold whenever I notice her doing it but I can't do that 24/7 and they always make their way back to her face again. I try to keep her hands as clean as possible but it's hard to wash them (she hates it) so I tend to wipe them down with a wet wipe and also clean her face with one a couple of times a day (the 'water wipes' ones which are hypoallergenic etc)

Any ideas or advice? Could putting your hands on your face too much cause a rash like this?

To wonder what could be causing this
To wonder what could be causing this
OP posts:
ZiggyZowie · 09/01/2025 10:38

It looks like rosacea

My mum had it and it was harmless.

I would continue to cleanse with cleanser that is gentle and then moisturise .

The GP gave us cream to apply ,don't know if it will make a difference, you should send photos to the gp.

Ankleblisters · 09/01/2025 10:44

ZiggyZowie · 09/01/2025 10:38

It looks like rosacea

My mum had it and it was harmless.

I would continue to cleanse with cleanser that is gentle and then moisturise .

The GP gave us cream to apply ,don't know if it will make a difference, you should send photos to the gp.

This makes a lot of sense, I've just googled it and quite a few of the pictures do seem very similar. It also chimes with a similar red rash she gets on her lower legs in the summer when it's hot or she's been out all day.
I'm going to take her to a pharmacy (our GP is almost impossible to contact unless its urgent) and see what they recommend.
Thanks for your reply. Do you remember the cleanser you / your mum used?

OP posts:
curtaintwitcher78 · 09/01/2025 10:44

It also looks like my rosacea before I had it under control.
I agree with PP, send photo to GP and try to get some Soolantra prescribed.

Ankleblisters · 09/01/2025 10:45

So I don't need to worry too much about her hands being on her face all the time?

OP posts:
ZiggyZowie · 09/01/2025 10:47

My mum used Dove cleanser and moisturiser.

Hopefully you will get prescription cream that will help calm it down .

ZiggyZowie · 09/01/2025 10:48

I don't think you have to worry about her hands especially if they are clean and nails are short.

curtaintwitcher78 · 09/01/2025 10:48

Cerave cleanser and moisturiser are very gentle and have never aggravated my rosacea. One of the gentlest around.

Ankleblisters · 09/01/2025 10:52

Thanks so much. I've put in a request for a GP appointment via their online triage system and we're going to walk around to the pharmacy shortly to get a cleanser.

I'm so relieved I don't have to worry about trying to keep her hands off her face!

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