Rashes on the face spreading to the neck and shoulder. Do not want to take antibiotics. Any other treatment?
Patient: i am growing and not feeling the way i use to feel. i have this rashes on my face that started in 2011 and refused to go. i went to the hospital and i was put on docicycline for  three months which i refused to take cos i felt the antibiotics will dry my blood. earlt this year the rashes decended to my neck and upper part of my body. what can i take to make me get back to shape. Doctor: HiThanks for your querySeems like you have developed Acne vulgaris and Corporis lesions..Sometimes acne lesions can occur over the face and body esp upper back, chest and upper armsAcne vulgaris is a common human skin disease, characterized by areas of skin with seborrhea (scaly red skin), comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules (pinheads), pustules (pimples), nodules (large papules) and possibly scarring. Acne affects mostly skin with the densest population of sebaceous follicles; these areas include the face, the upper part of the chest, and the back. In your case, you seem to develop acne lesions only over chest and upper arms,..This is a common condition especially in adults,...Some general advise : Avoid using any kind of moisturising creams/ lotions or oils over the affected area. Wear cotton clothes as much as possible Do not use any liquids like dettol/savlon over the affected area You can however continue to use antibacterial soaps You might need to apply some antiacne medications like Clindamycin gel over the affected area in the morning along with another anti acne agent like benzoyl peroxide 2.5% at night. But if inspite of the above measures, you continue to develop the lesions, then you might need a course of oral antibioticsOral antibiotics have very good results in acne patients esp in those not responding only to topical agents.So i would recommend that you visit a dermatologist in that case for proper examination and treatment wishing you speedy recoveryDr Geetika Paul