Is this folliculitis? (Log in to see photo.)

[David5872]

Can anyone recommend how to get rid of it?

[CalamityJane]

Welcome to SC David --

I've no idea what that is, except that it needs some treatment. There's obviously inflammation there, and perhaps some infection. If you can't get to a doctor for a proper diagnosis, ask the Pharmacist what they recommend.

It is just confined to that one area, and the rest of your skin is clear?

Jane

[CazAngel]

 I'm with Jane on this. You should really ask a pharmacist or see a doctor. Oh and welcome.

[Bamawing]

It might be foliculitus... but there's a bunch of other things it might be, too. It looks itchy and painful.

GPs, bless them, have no idea what they're doing when it comes to skin. You'll need to see a specialist to really get help.

Good luck, and come back and rant/question/hang out all you need to. Welcome to Skincell.

[David5872]

GP said it was folliculitis and prescribed 500mg of flucloxacillin, 4 times a day for 1 week.

No effect.

GP then referred me to dermatologist.

Dermatologist today took one look, said it was probably perioral dematitis and has prescribed 100mg of doxycycline, which he said was the "best" antibiotic for this sort of thing, to be taken once a day for 5 days, each time a new bout appears.  28 capsules, ie about 6 1-week courses, which he said should be enough to last me for several years.

Any comments welcome, as these so-called expert GPs and dermatologists seem to give the impression they are not bothered - or guessing - and prescribing whatever happens to be their favourite antibiotic to 'please' their patients.

I hope I won't have to take antibiotics long term, as I hear they can mess with the liver and the immune system, and it surely shouldn't be necessary to keep putting these unnatural drugs into your body when you are otherwise fit and healthy.