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Rash On Head, Hard, Oozing Sticky Liquid, Doctor Suggested Folliculitis. How To Treat?
Question: Since moving from western canada to the middle east I started developing a painful rash / bumps on the sides of my head above and below the frames of my glasses, mostly on the left hand side. Breakouts can be rare or frequent, but usually start with a hard little bump which spreads laterally. Scratching them as sometimes happens results in expelling of a clear, somewhat sticky liquid followed by a short scab and immediate flatness of the previous hard bump. I went to a doctor here and he suggested growing my hair (not really an option) and thought it might be folliculitis...
I am bald on top, shave my head to a zero on the sides.
I am bald on top, shave my head to a zero on the sides.
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
The painful skin lesions that you have often suggest an infection which may be in addition to some baseline lesion.
The key to taking care of this problem is identifying the underlying lesion and dealing with it. The underlying lesion could be any of the following:
a. An allergy to the frame that you are currently using. This is possible even if you did not have any problem with this frame before
b. A photosensitivity reaction
c. An infection like folliculitus, prurigo mitis ( a kind of chronic dermatitis) or viral sores
I would like to know if your lesions get worse on exposure to sunlight and whether removing your glasses for a few days helps.
Additionally, I would suggest that you insist that your physician start you on local antibiotics to control the infection ( if he suspects its follicultis). Once the infection is controlled, we can take a scraping of the lesions to know the nature of the problem.
Awaiting your reply
Thanks for writing in.
The painful skin lesions that you have often suggest an infection which may be in addition to some baseline lesion.
The key to taking care of this problem is identifying the underlying lesion and dealing with it. The underlying lesion could be any of the following:
a. An allergy to the frame that you are currently using. This is possible even if you did not have any problem with this frame before
b. A photosensitivity reaction
c. An infection like folliculitus, prurigo mitis ( a kind of chronic dermatitis) or viral sores
I would like to know if your lesions get worse on exposure to sunlight and whether removing your glasses for a few days helps.
Additionally, I would suggest that you insist that your physician start you on local antibiotics to control the infection ( if he suspects its follicultis). Once the infection is controlled, we can take a scraping of the lesions to know the nature of the problem.
Awaiting your reply
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
Hi,
a. I ruled out allergy to frame by replacing glasses I was wearing with the most inert frame I could imagine (rubber XXXXXXX Hilfigers)... I thought it had improved, but no change at the end of the day.
b. Yes, I think exposure to sunlight makes it worse... in fact, this may be the root of the problem if you consider moving from Canada (rain) to Dubai (sun.)
c. Viral sores has been a suspect of mine for some time. I do get very bad cold sores sometimes (and they don't like the sun)... and similarly they excrete a clear viscious liquid that feels a bit sticky.
They don't seem to get better with antibiotics (we go on them all the time in the middle east...) so viral actually makes sense... is there a cure if that's the case?
Many thanks for your very professional response...
a. I ruled out allergy to frame by replacing glasses I was wearing with the most inert frame I could imagine (rubber XXXXXXX Hilfigers)... I thought it had improved, but no change at the end of the day.
b. Yes, I think exposure to sunlight makes it worse... in fact, this may be the root of the problem if you consider moving from Canada (rain) to Dubai (sun.)
c. Viral sores has been a suspect of mine for some time. I do get very bad cold sores sometimes (and they don't like the sun)... and similarly they excrete a clear viscious liquid that feels a bit sticky.
They don't seem to get better with antibiotics (we go on them all the time in the middle east...) so viral actually makes sense... is there a cure if that's the case?
Many thanks for your very professional response...
Thanks for providing details.
Virals usually won’t last longer unless complicated. And as you have photosensitivity for it, it may probably be an immunological disorder like say lupus like disease.
Visit a rheumatologist for lupus work up. If it is normal, a skin biopsy may help to check further details.
Thanks, wishing you a faster diagnosis and recovery.
Virals usually won’t last longer unless complicated. And as you have photosensitivity for it, it may probably be an immunological disorder like say lupus like disease.
Visit a rheumatologist for lupus work up. If it is normal, a skin biopsy may help to check further details.
Thanks, wishing you a faster diagnosis and recovery.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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