Getting Sores On Face Due To Environmental Hazards. How To Get Rid Of It?

Posted on Tue, 11 Dec 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 Answered on

Wed, 2 Jan 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : i get sores on my face from working on an industrial powdered paint line, any idea how to keep them from getting more infected? stuff like extra strength antibiotic cause my skin to peel even more. they start as an irritated whitish greasy mass around the pore of a hair on my beard and they seem to get infected easily when i pop then and the infection seems to expand from the center, rather than "pop up around my face from touching it"
the sores grow a solid scab as long as i don't constantly use antibiotics or Vaseline on them, but they seem to fall off from showering and washing my face after work.

Answered by Dr. Neelam Ashish Vanjari (3 hours later)

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
From the clinical history you gave, it looks like either allergic dermatitis or folliculitis.
Two are different conditions. One question that differentiates between two is- is this first time after you have come across paint?
If answer is yes then it is allergic dermatitis.
In case of allergic dermatitis, main thing is keeping skin moisturised by using emolients like emolene cream or aloe vera gel.
If you have itching, anti-histaminics can be started. Try to avoid skin contact with allergen.
If pus keeps coming out, you need to consult dermatologist to get orl antibiotic prescribed.

In case of folliculitis, lesions will be seen around hair follicles only. Here we need to use anti-bacterial face wash and apply antibacterial lotions.
So if lesions get worsened over the period of time, consult dermatologist.
I hope I have answered your query. In case of doubt, please revert back.
Best regards,
Dr. Neelam.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar