u/Ok_Trainer_2525

For the past almost two years, every day I have had these red dots appear on my legs and sometimes on my forearms. I even wake up with them and then they will fade eventually, and new ones appear. They are not raised and do not itch, but last for hours once appearing.

I have an anaphylactic allergy to nuts and am very well aware of itching welts hives, which these are not.

I take Allegra and Pepcid AC each day for my allergies, but these spots seem to not respond to any type of antihistamine orally or cream.

Again, they don't bother me, as they are not itchy. But people will point them out, and as mentioned, I do have food allergies, which always makes my brain revert to am I having an allergic reaction. Curious if anyone has had anything similar?

For the past year I have experienced reoccurring flares of tiny, relatively uniform, white centered bumps on my face that look and behave differently than any acne I've experienced . Almost overnight I will get these large clusters of uniform in shape bumps, pus filled. They do not itch , burn, or hot to touch. Throughout the day they will multiply significantly or go away almost completely. They are predominantly on my inner cheeks, corners of my chin, and between my eyebrows.

I have been regularly seeing a dermatologist and have gone through the following diagnoses and treatment:

1 — Suspected papulopustular rosacea
\*\*Doxycycline:\*\* 50 mg orally once daily.
\*\*Ivermectin cream:\*\* Applied nightly.
\*\*Duration:\*\* Approximately 9 weeks.
\*\*Results:\*\* No substantial improvement in my facial bumps. Neither I nor my dermatologist noticed a significant difference.

2 — Suspected Malassezia (pityrosporum) folliculitis\*\*
My dermatologist reconsidered my diagnosis because my bumps were small and relatively uniform.
\*\*Fluconazole:\*\* One oral dose weekly for three weeks.
\*\*Topical sulfur:\*\* Sodium Sulfacetamide 8%
Sulfur 4% Topical Suspensen . Started as a leave-on treatment.
\*\*Results:\*\* I didn’t notice much improvement from the three fluconazole doses. My skin eventually began improving while using sulfur but still had few bumps.

3 — Sulfur and tretinoin combination\*\*
\*\*Sulfur:\*\* Continued using my topical sulfur treatment as well as sulfur face wash in the AM (sodium Sulfacetamide 9% •
Sulfur 4.5% Cleanser)
\*\*Tretinoin:\*\* 0.025% cream.
\*\*Routine:\*\* Alternated sulfur and tretinoin on different nights. Use cleanser daily in the morning.
\*\*Results:\*\* This was the first regimen that produced a substantial improvement. For much of September, my skin was smooth, even-toned, and almost completely clear, usually with fewer than 10 tiny bumps daily.

Current- Late September–October 2026 — Recurring flares\*\*
Despite continuing treatment, I started experiencing significant flare-ups again.
My face developed more background redness while using the treatments.
During a trip, I simplified my routine to primarily gentle cleanser and moisturizer.
After several days, my redness improved and I experienced fewer new bumps, although my skin wasn’t completely clear.
I’ve since started having more bad skin days than good ones again.

\*\*Other relevant symptoms\*\*

I am 25 year old Female

The bumps do not itch, hurt, or burn.

Bumps respond to sulfur out of any treatment I have tried.

Bumps can remain from 1- 3 days, meanwhile new ones appear. Some may even be gone same day.

I have a history of sensitive skin and acne.

I occasionally experience sudden facial flushing, primarily affecting my lower cheeks and ears. Sometimes it extends to my neck and chest. These episodes resolve relatively quickly and don’t appear to coincide with my facial bumps.

Even on my best skin days, I can expect to have a few of these bumps on my face.

I’m continuing to work with my dermatologist, but I’d appreciate hearing about similar experiences or other conditions worth discussing with her. Desperate for any advice or recommendations. Thank you.