ASK DR ZOE
I’ve had a rash on my forehead for months – it’s really itchy and people have started commenting on it
Dr Zoe Williams helps a reader who is worried about a rash
Q) I’VE had a rash on my forehead for six months. For the first couple, I used a steroid cream but was then told not to any more as it could damage my skin.
I switched to moisturising cream and calamine lotion.
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The rash is noticeable and people have commented on it. It can be really itchy and, when I think it’s cleared up, it will come back again.
A) Initially, I thought of the most common conditions that may affect the forehead area, such as seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.
But the image you sent of your skin helped me to rule these out as the distribution and appearance of the rash was not typical for either.
I see redness, inflammation and a bumpy appearance of the skin across the entire forehead, with no scaliness or rash in the hairline or eyebrows.
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There are multiple potential causes to consider.
Contact dermatitis is an allergic response to something the skin has had contact with.
This could be products used on the face or hair (such as shampoo, which may run on to the forehead) or even a hat.
Rosacea is a skin condition that affects three times more women than men, but its impact on men must not be ignored.
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In men, it most typically appears on and around the nose, but it can appear on the forehead, too.
Autoimmune conditions such as lupus can also cause rashes, sometimes exacerbated by the sun.
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Inquire if there is a GP at your surgery with a special interest in dermatology.
Sometimes, if treatments are not effective, a skin biopsy can aid diagnosis. This would require a referral to a specialist.
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