Worse breakouts + dry patches

[tcj2007]

Hi -

I'm currently experiencing some trouble with my skin that I've had once about a year ago as well.  I have mild to moderate acne on my face.  I do get nodular/cystic acne, mostly along the jawline, around my ears.  Occasionally I get it on my forehead or chin area.  Generally I just use an acne cleanser usually twice per day and deal with it.  Well a month or so ago my skin started breaking out a little more than normal.  I had made no change to any skin care or makeup or anything.  As a result I started to look for some new care products for acne, etc...  I only buy mild products, and wash twice per day.  Here's what I'm using:  Biore Ice cleanser in the morning and Philosophy microdelivery scrub at night,  Followed by neutrogena spot treatment and oil free clinique moisturizer.  I have not been wearing makeup.

Well, as I noticed last time my skin broke out worse one year or so ago, my skin has started to become dry in spots.  The same exact spots as one year ago too.  I get dry flakiness just around my brow bone, right under my eyes I get thicker dry patches that look red, and on my neck I have itchy, splotchy and red patches that are dry as well.  I just noticed that this happened last time my skin broke out worse too and that it was about one year ago, same time of year and all.  At first I thought this could be from me using some new products on my skin because of the new acne, but the dry and itchiness is in places I'm not even applying any of those products.  I certainly am not using acne cleansers on my eyes and I don't put it on my neck either.  

I've tried a couple different eye creams.  Right now I'm using Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Cream sometimes.  I have also been trying a small amount of vaseline on the dry spots around my eyes before bed.  The dryness will go away for a couple of days and than it just comes right back.  For the itchiness on my neck I've been trying my son's Aveeno baby skin cream.  It relieves for a short time and than my skin starts to itch a lot again.  I've also tried 100% aloe vera gel on both spots which didn't really do much.  

Does this sound like eczema?  Or could this be from new skin care products or more face washing in general even though I'm not using product on those areas?  I generally have pretty oily skin, so dry patches are very weird for me.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It looks like eczema to me. Eczema is a form of atopic dermatitis. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

For mild-moderate symptoms a weak steroid may be used whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid.But they are available under prescription and should be taken only after consulting a dermatologist. Symptoms can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.
If the symptoms persist then get an evaluation done by 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.

[llyons411]

it kind of sounds like eczema but i would see your doctor to be sure. Ive had eczema since i was a kid and the only thing for me to use was vasoline lotion. Now that im older the one thing that helped really well was Neutrogena Intensive moisture wrap. I dont know if that could help but it might. Also with really dry skin you may want to cut down on the soaps and cleansers you apply to your face because that could just irritate it more. i would just rinse your face with leukwarm water and let your natural oils take over for a bit.