Can anyone help diagnose my neck skin?

[OhBuggerandArse]

Not sure if this is a beauty question or a health one. Creases in my neck are inflamed and angry-looking, looking much more defined and obvious than I’d ever noticed them being before. Periodically itchy or really quite sore. I have been using a face cream with tretinoin in, but have avoided the neck area. Does anyone have any suggestions of what might have caused it, or what might cure it?

See a doctor or pharmacist.

But it could be dermatitis which would likely be fixed by hydrocortisone cream.

I am not a doctor.

Did you use a new perfume?

I once had an instant reaction to a new cream on my way to work, my neck was so sore and red, but I can have quite reactive skin. I went into Boots and got some La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baumé, it felt much better very quickly, although I used it for a week -10 days.

Thanks, everyone. @LadyLapsang sorry for being dim, but what is the La Roche Posay cream you mentioned - is it a medical one or a cosmetic?

I'd take some antihistamine and use some antihistamine cream too. I'd stop using whatever creams you're using as it looks like you're reacting to them.

I would treat initially with a steroid cream or ointment to reduce reactivity. Longer term find an emollient that suits to rehydrate eg Aveeno.

La Roche Posay Cicaplast is some kind of magic. I started using it on the advice of a French friend, whose dermatologist told her to keep it in the house for any odd itchy skin episodes, or to help heal small cuts. It’s very effective.

@OhBuggerandArse La Roche Posay is a French firm. The reason I knew about Cicaplast was because a young woman I knew, who had the most beautiful skin, had had horrible acne and was under a top dermatologist on the NHS and had to have medication. The medication dried her skin and the dermatologist recommended Cicaplast. It is inexpensive and you don’t need a prescription. You can buy it in larger Boots or the firm has a website.