Facial skin condition
I'm 21 years old, male, going to school. I have a skin condition on my face
that I can't seem to make go away, and it has been affecting all areas of my
life, the most important of which is my confidence and sociability.
In the areas of the face where most people blush, which would be around the
cheeks and below the eyes and to the sides of the nose, I have developed
permanent red patches or blotches. Around my cheeks, they look like a soft
permanent blush, but next to my nose (near the nostrils), there is such a
distinct discoloration between the redness and the whiteness of my skin that
it looks like some skin disorder. What's worse is that I am already a
"blusher", been one for as long as I can remember, so when I get flushed all
over, those red patches on my face get extremely red and unsightly. After
the source of distress (embarrassment, exertion, etc) is gone, the intensity
of the redness will die down and the patches will return to that soft blush
state.
Another strange symptom of this condition is that I can't perspire in those
areas anymore. I used to be extremely active during high school and one of
the places I most sweat from was the face. However, now not one drop of
sweat. The only moisture seems to come from around my forehead and scalp.
Aside from getting really red, those patches burn a little sometimes.
I only began noticing this condition after high school while I was attending
junior college. During that time, I recall I was blushing more than usual,
and more intensely. Although I have always had a slight blush on my skin all
over, it was especially pronounced in my face. Now, a few years later, my
condition seems bad enough. I don't know if it gets worse, and I hope it
doesn't.
For financial reasons, I have only been able to visit one dermatologist,
which was last year. During that time, my skin wasn't so bad and the man
didn't find anything wrong. However, we had a hard time communicating
because he didn't speak English very well and also he seemed to want me out
of there.
What I believe I have is a less severe case or form of rosacea. Whatever it
is, it's adversely affecting my life. I rarely go out now, except on
necessary occasions or those I can't get out of. I'm so self-conscious now
that I can't concentrate on school and my grades have really suffered. There
have been times I've considered suicide, but I know that at the moment of
truth I would falter. I'm moody and depressed.
You'll need to see another dermatogist you are more comfortable with as you
won't be able to treat the condition yourself. More importantly, talk to one
of your school's counselors with how you are feeling as it sounds like you
definitely have depression which needs medical attention immediately.