OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Unexpected Forehead Rash Seeking Advice

6/18/2025, 9:50:29 AM•Male•25-34

**Age:** 25 **Gender:** Male **Height:** 6'1" **Weight:** 185 lbs **Ethnicity:** Caucasian **Duration of Symptoms:** One week **Affected Area:** Forehead and upper face **Current Health Conditions:** No significant medical issues identified. **Medications:** Not currently taking any. I've recently developed a sudden and painful rash on my forehead that I initially presumed to be acne. However, this type of breakout is quite unusual for me. Some discussions online have suggested that it might actually be a rash. I'm reaching out to gather opinions from others; your insights would be greatly appreciated. Just a note, I don't have health insurance at the moment, which adds to my concern. 😩

FibromyalgiaCOPDInternal Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

6/18/2025, 9:50:54 AM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you're dealing with an uncomfortable and concerning rash on your forehead. The sudden appearance of a rash can be unsettling, and I'll help you understand potential causes and what steps you can take.

Main Points:

  1. Your forehead rash could be due to several factors, such as irritation, allergic reactions, or infections.
  2. It’s important to take steps to soothe your skin and avoid worsening the condition.

Explanation:

Since you've noticed this rash for about a week, it may not be typical acne, especially since you mentioned that breakouts are unusual for you. Rashes on the forehead can sometimes result from:

  • Contact dermatitis: a reaction to a skin irritant or allergen (like a new skincare product).
  • Folliculitis: inflammation of hair follicles, which could be mistaken for acne.
  • Seborrheic dermatitis: which can cause red, scaly patches, often in oily areas.

The pain you're experiencing may indicate that your skin is irritated or inflamed.

Next Steps:

  1. Avoid Irritation: Refrain from using harsh skincare products, scrubs, or any new cosmetics. Stick to gentle cleansers.
  2. Keep the Area Clean and Dry: Use a mild soap to wash your face regularly, and gently pat the area dry.
  3. Cold Compress: Applying a clean, cold compress to the rash can help reduce inflammation and soothe discomfort.
  4. Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in the rash, such as spreading, changes in color, or increasing pain.
  5. Consider Over-the-Counter Treatments: If the rash appears itchy or inflamed, an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream may provide relief. Make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging.
  6. Document Product Usage: If you suspect a product caused the rash, note what you’ve recently used to help identify a possible allergen.

If the rash does not improve after a week of self-care, or if it worsens, consider low-cost clinics or community health resources for further evaluation, as they may provide affordable options for care.

Please remember, it's important to take care of your skin and listen to your body. I'm here to help if you have further questions or concerns!

Related Questions

Concerns About Persistent Cough: Is It Cardiac Related?

Greetings everyone, I’m a 20-year-old male weighing 320 pounds, which qualifies as overweight. Having dealt with asthma for the majority of my life—although it’s generally mild—I typically rely on a nebulizer during occasions of typical chest colds. For some context, I came down with a cold around January 9th. Being on a college campus frequently means exposure to a variety of illnesses, and I suspect I contracted bronchitis, given the lasting cough and breathlessness I experienced for a couple of weeks afterward. However, I believed I had fully recuperated and moved on. Recently, since about Monday, I have noticed a return of my breathlessness along with a persistent cough and a sensation of fluid in my chest and throat. I find myself coughing as I attempt to clear my throat. This comes and goes, but it tends to intensify in the mornings right after I wake up and at night when I try to sleep. Additionally, I spend time with friends who smoke on occasion, and I initially thought that secondhand smoke might be a contributing factor. My concern has grown, and I’m unsure what to think. So, I’m reaching out for guidance: could this be residual effects from my cold in January, or should I be concerned that this might indicate a more serious issue related to my heart?

AsthmaCOPDInternal Medicine
Male • 25-34
2 minutes ago

Hernia Diagnosis Without Follow-Up: A Conflicting Situation

A 22-year-old male recently visited the emergency room due to discomfort in his lower abdomen. Upon examination, the medical team was indecisive about whether he was experiencing an oblique muscle problem or a hernia. Surprisingly, they opted against performing a CT scan or ultrasound and did not schedule any follow-up appointments. To the best of my knowledge, hernias typically do not resolve themselves with merely the use of ace bandages or over-the-counter pain medication; surgical intervention is usually necessary for proper treatment. Is there a specific rationale behind their reluctance to pursue further diagnostic testing or surgery?

ArthritisCrohn's DiseaseInternal Medicine
Male • 25-34
2 minutes ago

Experiencing Wheezing During Deep Breaths

Greetings, everyone! I'm seeking your insights on a particular issue I'm facing: I experience a wheezing sound only when inhaling deeply. Interestingly, it's noticeable on one side, and it's audible to others as well. I've never used tobacco or any other substances, nor do I consume alcohol. My weight falls within a healthy range, and I do not have asthma. Additionally, my oxygen levels are normal, and I don’t struggle with breathing; this situation is more of an irritation than a serious problem. I’ve recorded the noise, but I’m unable to share it here; it honestly resembles the sound of a rubber chicken. I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions! Thank you in advance!

AsthmaCOPDInternal Medicine
Male • 25-34
2 minutes ago

Unexplained Episodes of Abdominal Discomfort

Age: 28 Gender: Female Weight: 194 lbs Height: 5’7" Current Medications: Vitamin D, Fish Oil, B Complex Vitamins, Birth Control Pills, Vyvanse 30 mg Health Background: Asthma, Eczema, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Since August 2025, I've experienced three occurrences of intense abdominal discomfort that necessitated visits to the emergency room for pain management. These episodes usually strike at night, escalating to unbearable levels within around 30 minutes. None of the sitting positions seem to provide relief, and gastrointestinal medications have proven largely ineffective. Only strong pain relievers seem to alleviate the suffering. After the peak of the pain subsides, my abdomen remains sensitive for more than three days. I can accurately identify the location of the discomfort, which appears to be between the midepigastric area and near the gallbladder. The pain is difficult to articulate, yet it presents as a severe burning and aching sensation. Interestingly, there does not seem to be any specific food intake related to these pain episodes. I underwent an H. Pylori breath test that returned negative results. Additionally, I had an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Although the biopsies were also negative for H. Pylori, they did reveal residual liquid in my stomach and a small section of intestinal metaplasia. My complete blood count (CBC) and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) results were normal, except for elevated LDL levels, which I’m already aware of. My gastroenterologist has recommended a gastric emptying study (GES) to evaluate the functionality of my stomach. If results indicate no issues, we will then investigate the gallbladder. Are there alternative explanations for my symptoms? Should I be worried about autoimmune metaplastic atrophic gastritis (AMAG)? While I have been diagnosed with GERD, this pain feels distinctly different from the GERD-related discomfort. I am not entirely sure it is gastroparesis, even though I occasionally regurgitate if I eat too quickly; I do not experience nausea or malnutrition. I have researched extensively, and my symptoms align with biliary colic. However, I am anxious about the possibility of gallstones not appearing in the ultrasound. My gastroenterologist is not particularly concerned about the intestinal metaplasia, but being only 28 years old, I find this worrying. As a medical student, these painful episodes significantly hinder my studies and academic progress.

AsthmaFibromyalgiaCrohn's Disease
Male • 25-34
12 minutes ago

Understanding Lymph Node Sensitivity

A 32-year-old female with a BMI of 28 poses a concern about potential lymph node activity. Over the past three months, she has noticed tender areas coinciding with her menstrual cycle. She has detected slight lumps, but is careful not to press deeply into the tissue to avoid further discomfort. Initially, in December, the sensitivity was localized to the left side of her breast. In January, she observed similar tenderness in her inner left thigh, and by February, both areas and the region above her armpit were affected. Additionally, she has been experiencing fluctuations in her hormonal balance lately. The discomfort in her left breast has persisted for most of this time since December. She wonders whether this is a typical response from lymph nodes due to hormonal changes or if it would be advisable to consult her general practitioner for further evaluation.

Thyroid DisordersInternal MedicineEndocrinology
Male • 25-34
42 minutes ago