Help Needed Please..urgently!
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free skin care · Tue May 29, 2012 5:26 am

I have been very silly and used some new products in the past several days (I know silly move)
I am going away for the weekend and have a function on Saturday.

The problem is a rash like outbreak on my temples (just about my eyebrows) and a little around the outside of my eyes? It looks a little like contact dermatitis. Not itchy, like lots of tiny little bumps under the skin, they are not actually pimples.
I don't suffer form pimples at all, my skin is dry if anything.

I have been using a new DIY tetra C serum, also some new make up. Also used Green Cream #9 a couple of nights.

No stinging or apparent problems when used initially but my skin is definitely not liking something at the moment. I am so annoyed with myself, my skin had been look really good!

I have stopped using everything except Cerave. Is there anything I could do to have this fixed by the weekend?

My husband has some cortisone cream could I try abit of that? It does feel scaly, could I use squalane oil?

Any suggestions would be really appreciated ...TIA

free skin care · Tue May 29, 2012 6:11 am

It sounds like an allergic reaction. Cortisone seems like a good choice to me but I know it comes in different concentrations. I would ask a pharmacist first. Also you can take antihistaminics or apply antihistaminic cream on the affected areas.

free skin care · Tue May 29, 2012 7:23 am

Thanks for the reply Marjorie, I did wonder about an antihistamine, I just took one!! I haven't got an antihistamine cream.

The cortisone cream is 1%? Not sure if that is strong or not?

free skin care · Tue May 29, 2012 8:20 am

If it's hydrocortisone all the strengths are considered mild, but still just use a very thin layer and only twice a day don't treat the product as a moisturiser. Keep all your hair products away from the area - even shampoo bubbles so you may want to use a barrier product. Don't soak the area in the shower, wetting can increase irritation.

free skin care · Tue May 29, 2012 9:07 am

Thanks Firefox, it is a hydrocortisone. I have just applied it once very thinly. I am worried about washing my hair, although I use a no sls etc shampoo and conditioner.

Do you think it would be ok to use some squalane oil?

free skin care · Tue May 29, 2012 9:30 am

IMO stick with the CeraVe, you need humectants as well as emollients because that will encourage healing and natural exfoliation. I really like squalane, but I don't really see what you are achieving by using that - if you really want to maybe add a few drops to the CeraVe in your hand before applying? Use a non-comedogenic barrier (thick ointment/ butter) in the shower. IMO don't let any foaming surfactants touch it if you are hoping for swift healing, many conditioners contain potential irritants.

free skin care · Tue May 29, 2012 10:26 am

thanks firefox, I will stick with the Cerave!

I am just not going to wash my hair til Friday!! I am not going anywhere til then!

free skin care · Tue May 29, 2012 10:54 am

Maybe stay away from all topicals for 2 days, especially oils!

Use your LED on your bare face!

free skin care · Tue May 29, 2012 4:10 pm

Cortisone is my go to cream for something like this (and I have had my share of these situations!) Embarassed

free skin care · Wed May 30, 2012 5:58 am

thanks for the advice, the redness is definitely fading but its still bumpy and scaly Sad

@Kassy..interesting about the LED, I thought it might make it drier?

@bethany, I think the cortisone has helped with the redness,glad I had some!

I miss my actives! Although I am going to be wary of adding them back in. I am hoping my DIY tetra c is going to be ok. I did put some coenzyme Q10 in it.

free skin care · Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:07 am

Well I am really p@$#ed off!!

My rash is not going away. It did calm down a bit, I applied nothing but Cerave for about a week (really miss all my actives)

It was still not gone, very scaly looking and bumpy.
Well, tonight I decided to try just a little of my DIY Vit C (tetra C, jojoba oil, argan oil, co Q10) and now a couple of hours later it looks worse again. I am beginning to think I am allergic to something in this serum? So disappointed.

What am I going to do, I am really annoyed Crying or Very sad

free skin care · Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:12 am

Bermie2 wrote:

Well I am really p@$#ed off!!

My rash is not going away. It did calm down a bit, I applied nothing but Cerave for about a week (really miss all my actives)

It was still not gone, very scaly looking and bumpy.
Well, tonight I decided to try just a little of my DIY Vit C (tetra C, jojoba oil, argan oil, co Q10) and now a couple of hours later it looks worse again. I am beginning to think I am allergic to something in this serum? So disappointed.

What am I going to do, I am really annoyed Crying or Very sad

Since it is going on so long maybe see your GP or even a derm to find out just what is going on and get some real medicine to help?

free skin care · Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:37 am

Since the cortisone and the antihistaminic didn't have any effect, I would go see a dermatologist. Maybe you need some kind of antibiotic cream.

free skin care · Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:47 am

Bermie2 wrote:

Well I am really p@$#ed off!!

My rash is not going away. It did calm down a bit, I applied nothing but Cerave for about a week (really miss all my actives)

It was still not gone, very scaly looking and bumpy.
Well, tonight I decided to try just a little of my DIY Vit C (tetra C, jojoba oil, argan oil, co Q10) and now a couple of hours later it looks worse again. I am beginning to think I am allergic to something in this serum? So disappointed.

What am I going to do, I am really annoyed Crying or Very sad

((hugs)) I've had contact dermatitis many times so feel for you - actually irritant CD is far more common than allergic CD. The simple solution is to let your skin barrier heal before adding in actives or using any product containing known irritants. Once the barrier is damaged anything can irritate, even chlorine and fluoride in tap water. Seven days is simply not long enough especially when you still have visible signs of irritation. Since you had a function I assume you wore make up and/ or used hair styling products so exposed your skin to a long list of chemicals there. Our skin is simply not evolved to deal with that so really it is amazing it tolerates what it does. Confused

free skin care · Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:04 am

thanks for the reassurances!

The problem area is looking a little better, I have been reading up a lot and I do think it is dermatitis, just wish I knew what triggered it. I think it may be the COQ10 I put in my DIY serum (there's a waste of ingredients and money!)

Anyway for the past two days I have actually used Paula's Choice Dry Treatment cream which seems to be helping with the scaliness. Also twice a day I have just been using a light layer of hyrocortisone cream.

I am actually going to the cosmetic clinic tomorrow for a follow up so I will ask him to have a look and see what he thinks.
I find it so hard to stay away from my creams and potions...lol

free skin care · Tue Jun 05, 2012 7:17 am

Bermie - I had dermatitis on my arms from a mix of topicals I had been using there. It turned into a nasty rash that spread over most of my upper arms. A derm prescribed a Rx strength cortisone cream AND told me to use CeraVe on it. I had to do that for 10 days (no longer) and used the cream 2X/day. (I believe the instructions for an over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams might be 3X/day FYI.)

I also think it's a good idea to use anti-hystimines for a few days and the OTC hydrocortisone w/ the CeraVe. If that doesn't show signs of improvement in 3 days time, then see your Dr. A Rx strength one might be warranted. BUT - you have to use the cortisone creams with caution. Using for too long can thin the skin. Also, make sure nothing else touches it, like DragoN advised. And choose a gentle cleanser. I believe CeraVe's is mild. I'm using Keys Soap right now and it is a very mild one. I bought some of their products when I was having that issue on my arms. They're worth re-ordering (very good stuff).

free skin care · Tue Jun 05, 2012 9:44 am

Bermie2 wrote:

thanks for the reassurances!

The problem area is looking a little better, I have been reading up a lot and I do think it is dermatitis, just wish I knew what triggered it. I think it may be the COQ10 I put in my DIY serum (there's a waste of ingredients and money!)

Anyway for the past two days I have actually used Paula's Choice Dry Treatment cream which seems to be helping with the scaliness. Also twice a day I have just been using a light layer of hyrocortisone cream.

I am actually going to the cosmetic clinic tomorrow for a follow up so I will ask him to have a look and see what he thinks.
I find it so hard to stay away from my creams and potions...lol

Great to hear the rash is on its way out!

Whist you may have one culprit, you may also have a combination of culprits. With the benefit of hindsight in many cases my rashes have been down to over-exfoliating and/ or cleansing with a sulphate surfactant wash or bar soap. I once went through SIX hypo-allergenic moisturisers in a row to find one I was not 'allergic' to ... but I was applying them to already irritated skin.

Isn't the Green Cream 9 the strongest they offer, maybe that played a role? Is it possible you made an error calculating or measuring something for your DIY serum, or picked up a wrong container? I've worked in pharmacy and laboratories so I know how easy that is to do! Confused

free skin care · Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:10 am

Went back to the cosmetic clinic today. The doctor there had a look at the rash and said it is contact dermatitis. It is much better, he said to apply the hydrocortisone cream about 3 to 4 times a day and it should be fine.

It definitely is improving, just taking time I suppose.

@firefox, I do wonder about the Green Cream #9, I have used a bit on my neck since with no problems but not game to put it on my face just yet!
With the DIY Vit C I really think it might be the CoQ10. I haven''t used that again either. I returned the new make up I had used.

Also just to add, the doc was very impressed that I use Copper Peptides. I have never actually seen much about copper peptides over here in Australia. He said to keep using them as they are wonderful!

free skin care · Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:57 pm

Bermie2 wrote:

Also just to add, the doc was very impressed that I use Copper Peptides. I have never actually seen much about copper peptides over here in Australia. He said to keep using them as they are wonderful!

That's very cool to hear!

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:21 am

I know foxe, I was very happy, his face was quite shocked, in a good way!

He was very surprised, asked what brand I used and said not many people really know about them in everyday life here.

It's funny cos I was going to take a break from them (although I find it really hard to not use them)but not now!!

oh ETA..the rash is much better, about 70%, so just going to keep taking it slow.

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:16 am

You know, when I think about what I might have used to cause my rash> I believe it was from using Tazorac AND a 40% Urea cream on my arms to get rid of some KP bumps that had popped up. Too much all at the same time, apparently. And my derm said it's normal for KP bumps to come and go on their own. My bad on trying to get them to 'go' a little too fast!! And, to add insult to injury - I originally thought I had a yeast infection and was also using Tea Tree Oil and anti-fungals on my arms. No wonder it spread!! Note to self - no more self-diagnosis.

Glad to hear your rash is doing much better.

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