To be so upset about this (see photo) *MNHQ adding content warning for fairly grim skin ailment*

Also, I had a bad scalp problem in the past and I had to stop using shampoo with SLS in it (sodium laureth sulphate). I'm not in any way suggesting that that will solve your problem, but just that SLS is very harsh on the skin so best to avoid it.

Have you had swabs? My son had similar and it was a persistent Strep A infection.

It needed 2 lots of oral antibiotics before it fully went.

Can you afford a private dermatology appointment? GP's often aren't great with skin. I was furious when I finally convinced my DH to show his mole to his GP, after nagging for a long time, and they said it was fine. He then wouldn't return, because "Dr said it's fine". It took 2 year to get him to go back - this lead to urgent dermatology referral, and it was indeed malignant melanoma. Your GP should be thinking, nothings working here, I'd better refer on to someone who knows more than me. Complain, if he doesn't, to practice manager.

I’ve posted replies before, sorry to see you are still suffering - I agree with the others suggesting you need to push for further testing and see a dermatologist. I’ve been referred recently for acne and got an appointment within a couple of weeks.

You poor thing op. I would book an immediate app with a dermatologist and not wait a minute longer.

There is another lady on here with the exact same issue - she posted photos which look - iirc - identical, although they were of the top of the scalp. I'll try and find her thread.

I couldn’t recommend Balmonds Skin Salvation enough.

My little one had something like that all over her chest(maybe not just as bad) and everything the doctor gave and I mean everything made it worse.

Balmonds got rid of it in about 2-3 days and it’s never came back.

Check this lady's thread out

I had similar looking patches as a teenager, on my shins and elbows. They were hot, itchy and painful, and would never fully close over, just forming a yellow crust that would flake off easily.Have you had an official diagnosis, or are they just throwing stuff at it?

I was eventually diagnosed with discoid eczema and referred to dermatology, but they said there was no real treatment and I would just have to get the areas dressed, weekly, forever! My mum wasn't having that and (I may get flamed for this) took me to a fully accredited practitioner of Chinese medicine. One month of weekly acupuncture and daily herbs later, the patches had started to heal over properly, three months later they were gone, I stopped going, and they've never been back.

Chinese medicine treats eczema as an internal issue, rather than as an external one with topical treatments. Seen as a bit woo woo, but honestly it was life changing for me.

seconding the recommendations for fucidine or even better: fucicort. I have eczema behind my ears (although mine is at the bottom of my ears). Apparently it is a common place. Fucicort is the only thing that really works. I only use it once or twice and it clears up (though does come back after weeks/months).

Why are you suggesting antibiotics when you dont know what it is? Antibiotics are for bacterial infection and will not help if its not what it is and will do damage.

I would go back to GP for swab, bloods and referral to dermatologist. If you have the money I would make an appointment to see a dermatologist privately, but get the NHS swab results and blood test results and take them with you. How old are you and do you spend a lot of time outside? Do you dye your hair?

I'm the first person to roll my eyes at stuff like homeopathy (see also my rage about chiropractors and nutritionists pretending to be medical doctors on social media!) but I know there are antiseptics, anti-inflammatories, etc in nature and I believe that this works.

My skin is very temperamental and I would be interested in trying it.

You've just reminded me of when I took an Uber to minor injuries with a suspected fractured ankle and the (Indian) driver told me to use turmeric for the swelling. He was a bloody lovely man and made a painful journey a bit easier

This 100%.

This looks identical to my psoriasis when it flares up. I get eumovate from the doctor for day to day, but have also had fucidic cream for a bad flare which works quickly.

Look up Kerion. That's what my DS was finally diagnosed with.

@Brownhair3 Could I suggest getting yourself some good probiotics and really work on getting your gut in a good place? If you’ve had any courses of ABs then you’ll need them.
Try Biokult - they do a super charged one that might be worth starting with. www.bio-kult.co.uk/boosted/13412728.html

Depending on where you are there is an NHS app called MySkinDoctor where you are referred by your GP and the photos are assessed by a dermatologist in 3 days. Have used it and it is excellent.

Oh, that looks so sore. I'd keep going back to the GP. It needs medical attention beyond what they've already tried.

Do you wear glasses? Are you allergic to the nickel in them?

I'm usually very pro medicine and anti woo. I would be pushing hard for a dermatology appointment, and in the meantime I'm looking seriously at @Daisychained8 's suggestion. Turmeric is a known anti inflammatory and honey is an antiseptic. In fact I've saved her lost to make myself as I'm having some skin issues.

Good luck OP. Battling the GP and navigating the NHS is bloody exhausting.

Definitely ask the doctor to escalate to dermatology.

Just a thought but I discovered that I react badly to anything with hydrocortisone in it, so it actually makes things worse not better. Have you tried not putting anything on it for a while? Just clean with tepid previously boiled water and pat dry with disposable gauze swabs. See what happens.

I agree turmeric would be good. Coconut oil is antiviral / antibacterial and very soothing and healing.

Also maybe aloe vera gel if you've not tried it before? tremendously healing.

Nah, I'll just point out that implying it could have cured skin cancer is fucking irresponsible.

I'll second this, with bells on. I suffer not only severe eczema and psoriasis, but also seborrheic dermatitis and plain immune issues.

I've tried absolutely every emollient and steroid cream going, but Balmond's is just fabulous, also really helps the itch. I was very sceptical when I first used it, but I noticed a major improvement in 48 in rs, and wouldn't use anything else now. Also handily available next day on Amazon. They also do a scalp oil as well at the usual creams.

balmonds.co.uk/pages/our-story