My skin - I'm in despair

[GiraffeFluff]

For the last seven months I've had patches of extremely dry, red, flaky skin on my face. Now it's spread and it looks awful. The red areas are down the whole 'middle' of my face - between eyebrows, around nose, chin and between mouth and nose. Makeup helps a bit but the foundation or concealer sits in the dryness and looks flaky (but less red than without any makeup).

I've been to the doctor three times and had the following:
Betnovate cream (did nothing)
Hydrocortisone cream (helped for a while but now does nothing)
Metranidizole cream for rosacea

It doesn't look like rosacea to me as it's not raised or lumpy. If anything it looks like eczema or dermatitis.

I've also tried - sudocreme, E45, Elizabeth Arden 8hr cream, vaseline, Aveeno and nothing makes any difference.

Help!!!!!

I agree, Deux - it's ketoconazole (nizoral) that fixed my skin practically overnight.

Betamethasone valerate - hydrocortisone is weak bullshit. If it comes back as soon as you stop apply the steroid cream then you're experiencing a steroid flare in which case you need to implement a withdrawal program with your doctor.
Check for a lanolin sensitivity. It's in a lot of moisturisers and I suggest the cetaphil moisturiser too. 4 times a day is recommended

Also E45 is too thin and makes it worse and try taking an antihistamine twice a day to help the itching

Quick update - my skin is a LOT better since I stopped Cetaphil and I've been using only Avene stuff for hyper-sensitive skin. It's not perfect by a long mile but it's much, much less red and the flakiness is all but gone.
Thank you all for all your comments and suggestions - I'm hoping it continues to improve.

Good luck. Mine is awful at the moment. Red and itchy and hot. All over my face. People keep commenting on it. As if I'm unaware my face is on sodding fire!

Watch out for E45 its got lanolin in it which a lot of people are allergic too. Some of these suggestions are creams which contain perfume and parabens (preservatives) also a no no for sensitive skin.
Epaderm - good at night coz thick.
Leave all make up off for a while.
I have used waitrose 'baby bottom butter' to moisturise which just contains olive oil and camomile, nothing else.

My son uses body shop hemp ointment on his eczema but not sure of complete ingredients.

Another vote for trying to get a dermatology referall.

I have eczema all over, including face when bad. Like you, OP, it does affect confidence.

Personally, I use 1% hydrocortisone on my face (prescribed).

sometimes, I get sick of moisturising - I think the skin can get fed up of it too.

Have had to have oral steroids, and methotrexate, although have decided to stop those at the moment.

Good luck - whilst a lot of people have tiny patches of skin problems, it is distressing if you have more.

Just seen the last three messages!
Sadly, it's awful again. Bugger. All
I've been using is the Avene stuff.
Off to doc this week to get that referral.
Red and flaky and itchy.
So fed up.

I’m another who thinks it looks like seborrhoeic dermatitis. Mine started as redness down the outside of my face, then became dry skin, then became flaky skin on my forehead slowly over 18 months before it moved up to my scalp and became “proper” seb derm.

Dermatologist saw me before the flakiness and couldn’t figure it out - she thought probably rosacea, except it was the wrong pattern.

The only thing that sorted mine out was using Nizoral shampoo religiously as a shampoo and face wash. Every second day to start with, and now that I’ve sorted it out, once a week for maintenance. The fungal cream (clotrimazole) did nothing.

If it is seb derm then most dry skin moisturisers will be feeding the fungus and perpetuating the problem. You need to avoid all food grade oils religiously if you hope to keep it at bay, choosing “oil free” skin care. This website summarises suitable skincare, albeit it relates to acne caused by the same fungus.

simpleskincarescience.com/pityrosporum-folliculitis-treatment-malassezia-cure/

If it gives you hope, my face was red and very sore for about 12 months before I treated the seb derm. It’s now soft and hydrated again, and the redness is mostly gone except for some permanent damage that will need laser treatment in due course.

I've not read all replies so apologies if already mentioned!
Years ago I suffered similar and my gp gave me all manner of things. It gradually worsened. Eventually I begged for a referral (I might have said I was getting married soon... )
Anyway got a appointment with a dermatologist who at first glance, literally before I'd say down diagnosed perioral dermatitis.
He prescribed a month course of a certain antibiotic which I can't recall but began with F
He told me for the time being to avoid putting anything on it. I had to wash with cool water and that was that.
He warned that things would get worse before better because all the stuff the Dr had given were although suppressing the redness actually worsening the condition so a little like going cold turkey.
It did get worse but only for a few days, after that it got better rapidly.

Have you tried cutting out wheat and/or dairy from your diet? That can help dramatically.

I have similar skin woes and it's hard to know what makes it better or worse. I had great success with Lush skincare years ago. Next time you pass a shop, pop in for a chat about your skin with the sales assistants and ask for a sample of Crlestial moisturiser - that's what helped me. Angels on Bate Skin cleanser is also very gentle. That said, neither work for me now but they made a dramatic difference during a bad glare up 15 years ago.

Just to say thanks for all the replies - I really appreciate them

I have sebhorrheic dermatitis. Your description sounds similar. The condition can be self limiting and may clear of its own accord. I don’t have any cures to offer... so sorry!

Nizoral watered down as facewash, and used as shampoo. If it is going to work, you’ll feel relief quickly. Good luck x

Just updating this thread as I have news!
So my skin continued to be dreadful up until a week ago. I happened to be in the pharmacy and I caught sight of La Roche Posay Cold Cream. I bought a tube, applied it and - ALL THE REDNESS AND FLAKES HAVE DISAPPEARED. Like, overnight.
My skin is normal for the first time since I can remember.
I have no idea how or why this Cold Cream has done this but I thought I'd share. I'm just crossing my fingers that it continues!

Wonderful! Long may it continue!