Question: I have had a rash located on my lower right cheek and along my jaw line. The rash is red and small pustule bumps appear. It does not itch or burn. This rash comes and goes monthly and has been present the past year. It worsens with heat. I tried tanning but it made the rash appear again while making it worse and more irritated.

On April 9, I went to the dermatologist who said that this is a case of folliculitis. On this day my rash was described as a follicular erythematous bumps and one pustule. At this time they took a culture of my nose to test for MRSA. I work in a school so they thought this could be the cause. The test came back positive for MRSA so I was prescribed bactroban 2% topical and was told to put this inside my nostrils daily. Also, I was already using Aczone but I was avoiding the rash because I thought it could make it worse, however, the dermatologist told me to put it on the rash as it may help the rash.

The rash came back again on May 9 about a month after my last appointment. So I went to the dermatologist again. They took a culture of my skin where the rash was to test. However, the test showed normal skin flora. I was prescribed clindamycin lotion 1% and doxycycline (150 mg).

I had a follow up appointment on May 14 and the rash was still healing. My skin was very dry and irritated so I was prescribed epicerum. I was told to continue taking doxycycline and putting Aczone on the rash.

Then a week later, on May 22, this rash appears again.

Please help!

Dr. Kumar-

Thank you for your response. Is there any type of "cure" for this infection? Heat is a huge trigger for this rash so I am nervous since summer is coming up.