Tight collection of puss filled lumps on face

[Cloudy1]

I keep randomly getting weird lumps on my face -

They start with an itchy bit of skin and I can feel the lumps coming up
The next day there are lots (5-15) of tiny shiny lumps on my face, all closely contained in one patch
The skin gets really tight, and goes kinda shiny
If I squeeze them lots of water/puss comes put but its really runny, not like normal puss from spots.
I've learnt from experience that squeezing them only makes them makes the patch take longer to heal (although doesnt make it spread more which leads me to think it isn't an infection)
The whole patch takes about 3 weeks to heal.
It doesnt spread to any other part of my body/face even if I do touch it (which I now don't)

Nothing seems to trigger it and I cant find anything on the internet that looks similar....

I've been to see my docs, first time he said it was impetigo but anti-b's did nothing (he didnt see it)
He has told me to go back when I have it but I can never get an appointment when it starts and have ended up going when it starts to crust and he doesn't know what it is.....

HELP!

[kira000]

Might be a silly question, but do you ever get it after, ahem, getting stubble rash from someone?

It sounds rather like a fungal infection, which you can get on your face quite easily if your skin gets broken (or has been in the past), and bacteria that usually live on the surface get in.

I got it after an ex gave me stubble burn, it came up in little itchy bumps, then gradually formed a crusty scab.
I didnt know what it was, went to the pharmacist in boots who told me to use an antifungal cream on it, and it cleared up.

I did get it once more, only the (different) pharmacist wouldnt sell me antifungal cream for use on my face, so your choices are either dont tell them thats what it is for, or ask your GP to prescribe one.

Good luck!

[wolf63]

Could it be impetigo?

http://tray.dermatology.uiowa.edu/Impetigo004. htm

[Cloudy1]

Actually the stubble rash makes sense - total 'light bulb' moment.

Thats me off to Boots then!

Thank you!

[kira000]

Glad to be of help.

Just bear in mind, on your face, the creams should be used twice a day and no more, and dont use too much.

Another thing, is if stubble rash is what brings it on, then its due to the bacteria o yourother halfs face being a bit incompatible with you! So depending on how understanding your partner is, it might be worth getting him to use a tea tree face wash (or other anti bacterial face wash) before umm, the stubbling occurs, and that should help to prevent it too!

Hope it works for you, let me know!!

[Cloudy1]

I took your idea to the docs and managed to see a really good one this time!

She seemed to agree as she's seen it before.

Got some jolly good cream which has shifted it really fast and also bought the other half some nice face wash (bought the expensive stuff so he just thought I was being generous)

Thank you so much for your advice!

x

[kira000]

Great news!
Pleased that its doing the trick for you and I'm glad i could be of help!

Good luck with the fella!

K

[alka5eltzer]

Hi there,
can you remember what the cream was called?

Thanks loads :-)