Dry skin rash on the face

A new cleanser, cosmetic, hair product, mask, or topical medicine can trigger contact dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis may cause itchy, dry patches, while psoriasis can produce defined scale. Heat rash and intertrigo may affect warm or folded areas. Ringworm can form a spreading, scaly border, and scabies often causes intense itch with symptoms in other areas. A drug rash may follow a new medicine. These patterns overlap, so a photo or examination may be needed.

Pause newly introduced or fragranced products and wash with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser. Apply a simple fragrance-free moisturiser, avoid scrubs and picking, and keep makeup off irritated areas when possible. Do not use prescription creams, strong exfoliants, or steroid products near the eyes without medical direction. Record when the rash began and what touched the face beforehand.

Book a medical review if the rash persists, recurs, spreads, becomes painful, develops scale or crust, or affects the eyelids or lips. Seek urgent help for facial swelling, breathing difficulty, eye pain or vision change, fever, blistering, rapidly worsening redness, or skin tenderness. A rash after a new medicine should be discussed promptly with the prescriber.

Could this be dermatitis, infection, psoriasis, or a reaction to a product or medicine? Which cleanser and moisturiser should I use? Is treatment safe near my eyes, and what changes require urgent review?