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What Causes Rust Colored Discoloration On Face And Hands?

Posted on Sat, 30 May 2015

Question: I have discovered a rust colored substance on my face ....around the eyes and down the side of my face. It happened a couple of days ago and it happened again today. It never appears on my hands. Do you know what this could be?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please Upload an image

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

Please upload a good quality image of the rust/lesion to comment accordingly.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (16 hours later)

There is nothing to photograph now....I have wiped it all off with witch XXXXXXX It's more of a yellowish rust color that keeps appearing on different parts of my face. It's not like I have touched something and then touched my face....there is nothing on my hands. It's happened twice so far.
I'm not crazy. I have two Masters Degrees and am very sane but this has happened twice so far. It seems to happen mid afternoon.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possible impetigo

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

I am sorry for your distress.

Though an image would have been helpful , based on your description, it could likely be impetigo. Treatment would involve topical antibiotics such as mupirocin. If the topical are not effective then oral anti staphylococcal antibiotics such as dicloxacillin or cephalexin can be prescribed in consultation with your doctor.

Thanks.

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

No, I know what impetigo looks like. There is no "sore" involved....no lesion. The areas just turn yellow, which is removable with running alcohol. I have never seen anything like this. I am waiting to see if it happens again today. Again, it is not something on my hands which I rubbed on my face......my hands are clean. It comes off on a witch XXXXXXX pad if I scrub very hard, and it is a bright yellow on the pad.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need more information

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

The rust colored substance on your face and around your eyes that you described must have a trigger that sets in the reactive or inflammatory response.

Kindly answer the following to have a better idea

Is there pain associated with appearance of this substance in the region of the face and around the eye
Do you use any topical medication and have you used a topical medication in the recent past i.e near the period when the symptoms started
What medications are you currently taking
Do you have any specific food or drug allergies

Thanks

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D