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48 hours to turn myself around….help

8 replies

slet · 28/08/2025 20:18

I am currently on holiday and get back home on Saturday morning. Before I left I was prescribed a course of antibiotics for a gum infection. I came out in a rash and the dentists now suspects I have developed an allergy to penicillin. He prescribed me other antibiotics (which incidentally have meant I haven’t been able to drink alcohol on holiday, not a massive deal but would have enjoyed the odd glass of wine if I could have!). in the meantime, I have been absolutely bitten to bits by mozzies including on my face. I have also had an ear infection while I have been here which required me to see a dr here and get ear drops. The side of my face is swollen and all of my hearing is muffled on one side.

im not sure if it is as a result of the antibiotics or the heat but my skin just seems extra reactive and is in such a state with bites and redness everywhere, and the rash hasn’t gone away (I’ve kept out of the sun anyway).

i honestly feel a complete wreck. I’ve had a difficult year with a bereavement and I’m not sure if I’m just a bit run down which is why I’ve had two infections in a row. People come back from holiday looking relaxed and glowing but i am just an inflamed mess.

on Monday morning I am back at work and doing a significant presentation to a large group of people. I have prepared it before I left so I’m not worried about that but in terms of my appearance, I really am going to have to pull myself together to look vaguely presentable.

in this situation what would you do to try and sort myself out before Monday, bearing mi mind that I get back on Saturday morning? Are there any miracle products I could order to come home to?

OP posts:
NewGoldFox · 28/08/2025 20:28

Maybe ice your face (gently and stop if it’s making things worse!)
Tarte shape tape is a great concealer.
How much makeup do you normally wear?

slet · 28/08/2025 20:32

Ok thanks, will have a look at that concealer.

i do often wear full coverage make up but had a thread recently where I was bemoaning not being able to find a foundation that works on my skin anymore.

OP posts:
RhubarbandCustardYummyYummy · 28/08/2025 20:37

Drink lots of water and stay in the shade as much as possible. Get a green/yellow tinted primer

ivegotthisyeah · 28/08/2025 20:38

Take some electrolytes

Newmeagain · 28/08/2025 20:46

Antihistamine for the bites?

Cicaplast?

BasilParsley · 28/08/2025 20:48

Make the first part of your presentation a jokey "Hi folks, sorry for my injured/spotty/whatever face but I have just come home from one hell of a holiday and allergies are rife as a result!" then segue into the presentation...
Make a joke of it...

Aparecium · 28/08/2025 22:07

Antihistamines. You can take up to 4 of the one-a-day antihistamines every day.

Hydrocortisone ointment. Might be better to get someone else to ask for it, as the pharmacist may ask if it's for your face. I have allergies and use even stronger steroids on my face.

Between the two of these your skin should feel and look much better within 48h, albeit probably not completely healed.

I wouldn't use any other products on my skin right now, just water and the blandest of bland, fragrance-free moisturisers. Preferably one that's not based on white paraffin.

And just style it out as BasilParsley says.

DoodleLug · 28/08/2025 22:18

That sounds terrible, I'm so sorry.

You really need to calm your bodily inflammation. Agree as above on antihistamine and cool bathing. Also good sleep, meditation/relaxation, clean food, gentle exercise, no alcohol. Its very boring but your whole system is turned on at the moment and you need to convince it it is over reacting.

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