What the hell could I be allergic/reacting to?!

[Laquila]

I’ve always had pretty difficult skin - quite sensitive and acne-prone, although it was amazing both times I was pregnant 🙄

Around the end of January I started with a weird spotty rash, mainly on the sides of my forehead, which then seemed to expand to the hairline around my ears and neck. The GP (apparently a skin specialist) has been vague at best and neither Fucidin nor steroid creams have had any effect, two weeks of treatment-dose clarithromycin (a few weeks ago) seemed to improve it but not clear it completely, and it basically hasn’t got much better since then. I seem to have lots of teeny tiny blackheads which I didn’t have before, and any spots (which I have quite a few of) are taking absolutely AGES to heal.

My usual routine is Toleriane cleanser followed by Pixi Glow or Nip+Fab, then either Neals Yard facial oil or Toleriane moisturiser, with Effaclar Duo tinted as a make-up base. I sometimes use TO Niacinamide with zinc too. I’ve also tried Cerave facial wash, Superfacialist cleansing oil (which I usually rotate in anyway, and love) and Hada Labo hyaluronic acid/primer. The latter is nice, but doesn’t seem to make any difference. I think the Nip+Fab pads have he most effect, as they effectively help resurface skin,

I stopped using the mousse I’d used for twenty years to see if that made a difference but it doesn’t seem to have helped. I bought new (hypoallergenic microfibre) pillows. I switched to Head and Shoulders shampoo, then Nixoral, then a Lish shampoo bar. Nothing seems to have helped.

I guess what I’m asking is has anyone had a similar skin issue/rash, that they know isn’t their usual acne/problem skin but looks not dissimilar, and then have an aha moment when they realised what they were reacting to?! I cut out dairy for a good month but they made no difference (other than being miserable). I only ever use Faity non-bio. I deepcleaned all my brushes and bought new bronzer and concealer in case something was harbouring an infection, I’m at my bloody wits’ end!! Any advice or suggestions gratefully received.

Terrible spelling in this. Apologies!

Personally, I'd stop using anything on my face other than water. It won't heal well if you're covering it in makeup and moisturisers.

Check yourself for head lice!

My DD had bad skin rashes a little while ago. I switched her to all organic skin care and it cleared up very quickly - she was clearly reacting to some chemical nasty.

Folliculitis?

Organic shampoo and conditioner too - Logona, Lavera and Centifolia brands are all excellent.

My DD is 14 and gets a sandpaper like rash, mostly on her face but sometimes on her arms or chest. We have no idea why she gets it and haven't worked out yet if it has a specific trigger. It's weird. My skin is reactive, with no logical explanation (eg fragrance), and I think sometimes skin is just reactive for no reason. Not very helpful I know, but apart from going back to a basic, fragrance free skin care regime I'm not sure what to suggest. Maybe take piriton if it's itchy or bothersome.

Sounds like a staphylococcal infection. You'll need a long course (around 3 months) of antibiotics to clear it, e.g. lymecycline. Insist on seeing a dermatologist. In the meantime, you could try Gladskin (Google it, sorry not got time for a link).

You need to go beyond «fragrance free» skincare as it is not just fragrance that causes contact dermatitis.

I would go back to the GP and ask for a dermatology referral!

I get a rash like that when I use certain shampoos, it’s very itchy though when I react to something. I’ve also reacted like that to a new scarf but it was more on my jawline.

Thanks very much all - I appreciate everyone taking the time to respond!

Regan there’s no way on God’s green earth I could go to work without make-up 😂 and if I’m wearing make-up it needs to be removed properly, so I’m afraid that’s just not an option for me.

Sanity I started itching as soon as I read that! I didn’t realise lice could cause skin rashes?

MoMamdaS I did mention staph to the HCPs I saw at the time but they were fairly dismissive (my kids had scarlet fever around the time it first appeared and I also thought of strep, but they didn’t seem convinced - they did also have me on clarithromycin so I guess they thought that’d clear it up if it was that. I was actually on lymecycline for acne prior to this rash, and have since started it again (in the absence of being able to get a docs appt I have raided my bathroom cabinet and taken and excutive decision...I know, I know...) - I think it’s seen a bit of improvement these past few days so who knows.

MariaNovella it is somewhat sandpapery although less so now. Comforting to know that other people have here seemkibgly troggerless episodes though I do feel for your poor DD!

browneyes I did mention folliculitis/yeast infection to the nurse the first time I saw her but she was convinced it wasn’t fungal. She did think the Fucidin would work on that if she was wrong though.

I do have another GP appt but not for a couple of weeks.

I get a terrible rash and spots from la Roche posay toleriane stuff! I'm also sensitive to niacinamide and hyaluronic acid....

definitely it’s never been itchy, actually - that’s the best thing you say about it 😁

magnum I’ve used all of those things for at least two years with no issues - the toleriane cleabser for longer, and in fact it was that that calmed down my skin after another reactive flare-up to God knows what a few years back. That’s one of my boring fall-back products - if it’s that I’ll be very miffed!!

Could it be something else you are eating? Your skin sounds like mine (bumpy on the temples?) and I am convinced mine is related to food.

My skin is sensitive/ dehydrated/combination/ spotty, I can't use niacinamide products as they make me break out within a couple of days.

Which La Roche Posay moisturiser do you use?

Glycolic acid upsets my skin hugely (pixie glow tonic etc) so could be that....

I used to love the Superfacialist cleansing oil, but the last time I bought a new bottle, it felt like it was burning my skin!

I don't know if they changed anything in the formula, but that might be a possibility?

Similar skin here - I reacted pretty badly to the Nip & Fab

Glycolic acid upsets my skin hugely (pixie glow tonic etc) so could be that....

Me too.

I would go back to basics and use TBS ginger shampoo and conditioner and a very bland moisturiser and see what happens.

Not the same as the rash was both itchy and sore. However there was no itching the first few times - I ignored the warning signs until it got out of hand.

The only thing that sorted it out was not putting anything on my face but olive oil for a couple of weeks. (That was instinctive and happened to be in the kitchen - if it flared up now I'd use almond oil.) It was so bad I honestly did not care how I looked without make up. I couldn't bear the feeling of anything else on my skin.

Since then I've used as few products on my face as possible, never introduce more than one new thing at a time and stop if there's any redness or itching. I've never got to the bottom of what causes it.

Thanks so much everyone - I really appreciate your posts.

I’ve successfully used niacinamide in Effaclar Duo for years, and in TO niacinamide + zinc for about twelve months, so I’d be surprised if it was that bit of course nothing’s inposisble!

I’d used Nip+Fab for a while (and less frequently, Alpha H Liquid Gold) with no issues. And thinking about it I don’t think I was using Pixi Glow when the rash started.

Awd I use the LRP Toleriane Ultra or Fluide, both of which I’ve used for about 5 years with no probs.

Madame I’m increasingly thinking it’s diet-related but having to gear myself up to cut out sugar!...I think it’s probably worth a try.

I’ve actually just started using Embryolisse as a night cream and think that might be helping a bit, but I might just be being optimistic...

I’ll keep at it but please do continue with any suggestions! Thanks all.

Floisme I do have some almond oil but as it’s not itchy/sore I don’t feel like I’m quite at that stage yet...i guess I’m too conditioned to wearing make-up every day of my life now - the thought of going out without a bit of concealer and bronzer terrifies me!

It doesn't matter if you've used something for years,that's how allergies happen ,suddenly you react. My severely nut allergic ds ate nuts and was fine...and then suddenly wasn't.

If using something for years discounts it, surely you've been eating sugar for years with no problems too.