Skincare when sick - help my poor face!

[LambChopsMcGee]

Hi guys,

So I have what I think is tonsillitis. I've had a fever for a few days, very sore throat etc. Feeling pretty shit. Waiting for the doctor to call me back for second thoughts as my fever went back to 39 today (not Covid).

This morning I had a shower and was feeling a bit grubby so used a gentle exfoliator. I don't know if this caused the issue as I was in a bit of a daze.

I usually have very smooth skin, but currently I have tiny pimples all over my t-zone, and my skin feels all bumpy.

I did a mask with greek yoghurt to calm it (thank you teen magazine circa 1996) but it still feels gross.

Does anyone have any recommendations to get it to calm down and the spots to go away? I don't feel like I should use my usual astringent as the skin feels tight and sensitive. Wondered about a layer of aloe overnight. Any other ideas, or just leave it alone (except cool water and a gentle moisturiser)?

Turns out I've got scarlet fever?!?

So...any advice on caring for my face through that, please share!

I'd leave well alone apart from CeraVe moisturiser . Hope you feel better soon💐

My goodness! I don't know, but gentle, calming things would be good for the whole of you. So good healthy simple food, water, and a good moisturiser perhaps? Wishing you a swift recovery.

Well scarlet fever or not, put the exfoliator and astringent in the bin. Skincare has indeed moved on since 1996! Aloe vera (and any plant extracts/essential oils) can also be irritating fyi.

What sort of skin do you have? Maybe take this as a sign to go back to basics.
Agree with CeraVe. Use the hydrating cleanser, one of their moisturisers and an SPF.

Oh you poor thing. Yes go back to basics. Put very little on your face.

Thanks all! I'll keep it very simple. I had tried some aloe before I saw that mentioned here and it didn't feel nice at all! Rinsed it straight off!

Skincare has indeed moved on since 1996! "

Haha @DonateBloodNCheckSmokeAlarms
! True. I don't usually use them at all, just when I'm getting my eyebrows and moustache threaded and want to avoid breakouts. I felt so grimy this morning...but yeah good to remember.

My skin in generally great! (Not being arrogant...I'm not pretty really but the skin itself has always behaved). I'd been on a zoom call Friday and thought how nice it was looking. God obviously laughed at that...

I like the ordinary serums but generally keep it simple and always use SPF.

Weird having such a 1950s feeling disease. Apparently it's on the rounds in London though so be aware of it if you or your kids are ill. I thought I had tonsillitis till the rash showed up, and it's actually very mild on my arms and tummy.

I've ordered the Cerave cleanser and moisturiser. I ordered the one without SPF - I am religious about using SPF but wanted the simplest formula and one to use day and night (and I'm in the house just now anyway...) and I'll use my La Roche Posay on top when I am going out.

I have literally about 100 pimples on my face, and I think they are different to the fever rash. I think maybe the skin got irritated in the shower when it was very sensitive.

I'll use the Cerave cleanser when it comes and be very gentle after.

Usually I use Pixi Glow about once a week but I would think I should hold off on anything like that for a while, what do you guys think?

Personally I wouldn't use anything but the CeraVe cream until it's better. Just a wash cloth in the shower on your face .

It'll all clear up once you're better .

I'd hold off on most things.

When I'm ill I find my skin is always extra sensitive and affected, it is a part of our body after all and affected by our immune systems.

In this situation I'd switch to a basic cream cleanser and fragrance free moisturiser and wait it out, no acids or exfoliating. If you're usually happy with your skin and it's usually fine then presumably it will go back to that once things have cleared up.

Scarlet Fever is incredibly contagious so I wouldn't be going out anyway if I could help it. I believe the NHS advice staying at home until at least 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotics.

It's a rash from the scarlet fever. It'll go away when you've recovered from your illness. No skin care regime is going to magically make it better. Get well soon

Thanks guys, yeah i guess it will be from the illness or at least related. These are white pimples though, poppable little zits (don't worry I won't pop them...) and the rash on my body is red.

I am isolating for the rest of the week to be safe (started antibiotics last night), and so as not to be seen 😅

Pixi Glow is nasty stuff. Has perfume in it. AHA is irritating enough!
If you want to "glow" you are better off with tretinoin.