4 yrs, 10 mths ago

Spots, but not as we know them

Ok beauties, I need to tap into your collective wisdom.

In the past few weeks I have broken out in spots on my face and neck, but (mostly) they’re not spots in the general ‘acne’ category, or at least not as I’ve ever experienced them.

They feel like blind pimples but are much smaller and are raised like I have persistent goose bumps (there are that many and they’re that close together). My forehead is the worst and the skin is sensitive to touch. They’re also highly concentrated on my temples and under my chin. It’s like every hair follicle is having a freak out in those zones.

Even my cheeks, where I’ve never had a zit in my life, are covered with the spots.

My face is also redder than normal. All the time, not just when I’m hot.

Very few of the spots/bumps have a head (white if they do), but the worst bit is that I seem to scratch them in my sleep and end up with several scabs each morning. I suddenly look like a pimply teenager at 45!

I’ve exfoliated, cleansed, toned (which is new for me) and moisturised, but nothing seems to help.

Thoughts on cause and solutions very, very, very welcome.
Thanks
MerryGoRound

30 comments 32 voices

Replies

  • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

    We have a winner! Thank you all so much for helping me work this out.

    I thought I’d thought of everything, but Yohanna’s suggestion about foods rang true. So I’ve been eating only raw foods or simple foods I’ve prepared entirely from scratch with known ingredients and ⭐️hazzaaa⭐️ spots and oversensitivity have disappeared.

    Not sure what it is exactly that I’ve been eating (a common flavour additive maybe, as some also give me asthma) that caused it, but now I have resolution of the pain at least. And it gives me more motivation to cook meals on the weekend and freeze them to eat through the week.

    Thanks most of all to Yohanna, you rock!

    ❤️✊

    • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

      Hey MGR,

      Sulphites cause asthma and hives- big time!

      Avoid! Avoid!

      Anything 220+ inc dried fruits, ciders, processed foods etc.

      • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

        Ah yeah, I already avoid obvious and high dose sources of sulphites as they do trigger my asthma. But maybe some sneaky sources,

      • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

        Yeah, same!

        Best stick to fresh whole foods!

    • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

      Oh, great news, Merry!

      Foods can do the darnedest things, sometimes! I can`t eat many leafy greens (even broccoli & cauliflower) because they`re migraine triggers! I know it`s weird & it`s a real pain in the neck having to read ingredients labels at the supermarket.

      Now, you just have to identify your specific triggers.

  • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

    It looks like it is food related. Some foods do not agree with your skin. And now finally reacting. Takes time for body to say….ouch…and show it on the skin as eliminatory organs struggle to process the stuff.

    Other thing under suspicion:
    (except skincare that can cause reactions) is new washing detergents/softeners. Pillowcase reacting with the skin. I had my whole torso reacting with t-shirt years back (work one, made in China and made of plastic aka polyester. Had probably huge dose of formaldehyde to keep it from wrinkling). Had red bumps everywhere in t-shirt shape. Looked funny and it was itchy as …terrible allergic reaction.

    • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

      That is actually very possible Yohanna, as I get older my stomach is less tolerant of many foods, so it would make sense for my face/skin as well. Will have to watch for any matchy matchy patterns in tummy reactions and face flare-ups.

  • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

    I’m clearly a sh!t photographer

    • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

      Glad you took a photo MerryGoRound, because these look like the sort of spots I get when I react to a certain skincare product. I start breaking out in these weird under-the-skin white-looking bumps on my face. I know it`s not acne, and it normally stops once I stop using the product. I don`t think I go red when I get the bumps, but then again, I wouldn`t really know as I have a bit of redness on my face already.

      The last time it happened was with a kakadu plum-based serum (Rohr Remedy`s one…can`t remember its name). I stopped using it for a little while, then re-introduced it, only to discover the same problem. Maybe you have reacted to something in your skincare regimen.

    • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

      Have you considered taking an antihistamine?

      • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

        Unfortunately medically i am unable to take antihistamines, so it does make things like this much harder to tolerate 🙁

      • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

        Hi again MerryGoRound,

        Oh no!

        If it is an allergic reaction and you are able to tolerate it, something like Nasonex or its generic can work in place of regular antihistamines.

        That said, you should definitely chat to your GP or dermatologist and for now, stick to a simple fragrance-free skincare regimen.

        Have a fab weekend!

        ❤️

      • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

        Hey … totally changing the topic here, but how did you get an emoji in there?

        Is this a new thing for forum posts?

        I’m going to try ❤️

      • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

        It seems only the ❤️ works so far! 😉

      • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

        OK, wow, so it let me have the heart, but not the other symbol (crossed fingers). Interesting.

  • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

    Do you want to post a picture up of your spots?

  • 4 yrs, 10 mths ago

    Sounds awful, MerryGoRound, and I sympathise. Have you used a new shampoo and/or conditioner? Have you used a new product or a new bottle of a product you’ve used previously? Sometimes something new can have a greater concentration of ingredients than something you’ve used for ages.

    Clutching at straws and I’m sure you are. It is possible to set up a reaction to products you’ve used for ages without apparent reason. Good luck – I’d definitely have it checked out if it doesn’t settle soon.

    • 4 yrs, 10 mths ago

      This is so true.

      That’s why dermatologists recommend only using fragrance free skincare.

      Fragrances both synthetic and natural become sensitising over time…

  • 4 yrs, 10 mths ago

    Oh, I just saw that you stated you have redness on your face.

    It could be keratosis pilaris rubra…

    https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/410006

    I’m not a doctor but I find skin conditions fascinating.

  • 4 yrs, 10 mths ago

    It could be keratosis pilaris; if it is, try using a cream with lactic acid, salicylic acid or
    urea.

    It could also be a case of folliculitis .

    I would recommend something like Azclear for its anti-inflammatory properties but some people find it irritating.

    Try going fragrance free and look for dermatologist recommended skincare such as: La Roche Posay, Cetaphil or CeraVe.

    If it doesn’t clear, speak to your GP or dermatologist.

  • 4 yrs, 10 mths ago

    I agree with mis8 , skip the toner and don’t exfoliate for a couple of days either. I know it will be very tempting but from the sounds of things your skin is stressed, exfoliating may cause further irritation.

  • 4 yrs, 10 mths ago

    Hormones? That’s what I’m thinking. I can’t think if anything specific to get rid of them.
    Maybe a visit to your doctor would be a good idea if they don’t go away after trying topical solutions.

  • 4 yrs, 10 mths ago

    Strewth, MerryGoRound! Sounds nasty! This sounds like some kind of allergic reaction to something you’re using.

    I had a similar, but MUCH milder, zit-like reaction when I used makeup wipes with rosewater. I’ve never had a skin reaction to roses before & my skin is very tough – not sensitive in the least – however, I always avoid rose in products because the scent is a migraine trigger. I rationalised that they must be a skin trigger too. (?) Anyway, when I stopped using the rosewater wipes, my skin went back to normal.

    You’re not getting these on your body, are you? What about your neck?

    Toning is new for you, you said? I’d quit using the toner for a few days & see how you go. Fingers crossed that that will solve your issues. Good luck!

    • 4 yrs, 10 mths ago

      Hi MerryGoRound,

      This is what Keratosis pilaria rubra faceei looks like:

      • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

        Hmm, interesting. Might look into this some more. Thanks Lucy, never heard of it before, but it’s not dissimilar to some areas on my face.

        EDIT: Nope, now that I look at the photos of my skin I don’t think my spots are as defined. Mine are more like bumps when compared with this.

    • 4 yrs, 10 mths ago

      Thanks for your thoughts m8,

      The toner has just been a new thing after nothing else seemed to help with the spots … in fact they do seem to have reduced a little overnight after the full exfoliate, cleanse, tone, moisturise regime. But I won’t go too hard/often with it or the exfoliator as I know they’ll irritate the sensitive skin too much.

      I hadn’t thought about it being a reaction to something I’m using—will go through and see what is new in my arsenal.

      No, not on body, just face and neck, although the neck ones are also decreasing so maybe my hormonal zits (that’s their normal location) just got exacerbated by whatever it is that triggered the face outbreak.

      Thanks again m8, your expertise and quick response is very much appreciated.

      • 4 yrs, 10 mths ago

        OK, so your new regimen is slowly improving the condition; but, what`s the cause?

        I just had a random thought that it could be a face mask you`ve used. As Trish said, something you`ve previously used might have changed formulation. In fact, you can develop an allergy to something you`ve used safely for years!

        I`d go through all the products you`ve used on your face since just before this rash/outbreak started -including hair products & makeup. Another random thought: bronzer? That`s something most people use on their forehead, chin & a little on their cheeks. You`ll need to write out a list of products.

        Next, do skin tests. Use any soft skin on your body, such as the inner upper arms; inner elbows; inner forearms; inner thighs; behind ears; behind knees; if you don`t wear a watch or bracelet, you could use the inside of both wrists; even the soft flesh under your breasts. You can test multiple products at once, providing you`re systematic. Write down what product you`re testing where: eg foundation inside left elbow, cleanser behind right knee, night cream on back of left hand, finishing powder behind right ear, &c. Use the same product in the same place, twice a day for a few days. If nothing triggers, allocate new, untested products to the various test spots on your body, in the same manner. I`m convinced you`re having an allergic reaction to something.

        Final thought: do you clean your makeup brushes/sponges regularly? Hopefully yes – so, what do you use to clean them? Do a skin test on this, too!

      • 4 yrs, 9 mths ago

        No make-up, therefore no make-up brushes, etc. Other than the toner (which wasn’t in use when issue started) i’ve got nothing new in my arsenal but i might spend the long weekend doing patch tests to rule out a new allergy to something old.

      • 4 yrs, 10 mths ago

        I work with raw botanicals and developed contact allergy to cinnamon.

        Not pleasant!

        IMHO, fragrances, whether essential oils or synthetic, have no place in skincare…

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