A rash from lemon and cinnamon remedy

[ZombieKing]

I've had a few pimples on my face. A cluster next to my nose, on my temple, and on my forehead. I researched and found out that lemon mixed with cinnamon helps get rid of the pimple from the root. Ive been using this for the past month. Everythign went fine.  but then one day, after putting it on, i woke up with rash patches at where i put on the remedy. They're very red and really itchy.
Please help. I don't know how to get rid of it

[Megraaj2]

I faced the same problem.I used natural things like glycerine and olive oil and also some moisturizer.I got rid of those rashes by using ém.

[Kristin2010]

Hello again!  I'm definitely not a doc but just wanted to remind you from experience - until you get to s dermatologist DON'T use ANY creams that have any level of steroidal ingredients - it makes it come back stronger.  (I learned that the hard way from a doc that was not a derm specialist.)  They gave me a cream with steroidal properties (very slight) and it took me over a year & half to get it back under control.  You'll think it's working because it goes away, looks and feels great, then it comes back more aggressively shortly after you think the creams worked.  One big bad cycle that started innocently with and irritant, then the recommended cream with a steroid!  

A derm might prescribe an antibiotic to take along with a gel.  You'll keep using this gel for some time.  (The longer you've treated it with anything else - the longer it takes to get rid of...Dermatitis is very persistant but you can definitely get it under control!

It may not be dermititis at all - but be safe and DON'T use a cream with steroids!  Good luck!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it sounds like irritant contact dermatitis. Irritant dermatitis, the most common type of contact dermatitis, involves inflammation resulting from contact with acids, alkaline materials such as soaps and detergents, cosmetics, or other chemicals.

Avoid using any lotions and creams over the face for the meantime. Wash your face with a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Pat your face dry. Then apply a good hypoallergenic moisturizer over the area and see if this improves.If the symptoms still persist then you can apply mild steroid like dermacort.

If the irritation persists then please get it evaluated from a dermatologist. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Kristin2010]

I had dermatitis and it turns out one of the worst aggravators of it was Cinnamon!  The cinnamon got the whole thing started and the creams recommended made it MUCH worse!  Make sure you go to a derm for the right solution.  Be careful not to do anything but a very mild unscented soap.  The more time away from cinnamon the less of a flare up you'll see but you would be best making sure to see the derm to get in in check all together in case it has produced dermatitis which can be very persistant!  (Some creams have small steroidal ingredients in them which will make the problem much worse so be careful not to apply just anything.  You may see that it helps at first but will come back worse.)  The zip zapper looks like a good bet going forward as well!

A good dermatologist will definitely be able to help.  Good luck!

[MIAdvocate]

Cinnamon oil is VERY irritating to the skin.  Pure oil can cause a chemical burn if applied directly.  That's why you rarely see natural cinnamon as an ingredient in lotions and perfumes.  Whole/ground cinnamon may contain varying amounts of the oil depending on the plant and how long it's been stored.  You should definitely stop the treatment, and possibly consult an allergist to see if you have developed a sensitivity to either ingredient.  

If you're looking for a household skin care option, try just scrubbing lightly with plain white table sugar and lukewarm water, rinse well, then apply a light moisturizer.  

[Katobow]

First off, stop using the remedy.  If the itching and patches don't go away see a doctor.  Don't use anything, not even soap for now.  Just wash your face in cool water using your hands in a circular motion.  This will wash your face and not irritate it anymore.  Then when all is good again, keep in mind that over scrubbing and treating pimples can make them worse.  Also, hot water when scrubbing them can spread the bacteria giving you more zits.  Use a mild soap every other day in lukewarm to cool water.  On the opposite day don't use any soap.  Use a topical zit zapper as directed to waste away the worst pimples.  My son went through all the remedies etc... and when he followed this regimen the zits were gone in about 6 weeks.  Once again, too hot of water, and too much scrubbing will make this worse.  A little apple cider vinegar mixed with water on a cotton ball a couple of time a week can help too but wait until the irritation on your face is gone.