HomeAnswersDermatologyskin rashWhat could cause skin infection in face, neck, and ear in a cardiac patient?

My mom has skin infection around her face, neck and ear. Please help.

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Vinodhini J.

Published At May 20, 2020
Reviewed AtJanuary 13, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My mother is 57 years old and she is a cardiac patient. She is having skin infection around his face, neck, and ear area. For the past two days she is taking the following medicines for this infection. She uses Surfaz- SN ointment (Clotrimazole, Beclomethasone Dipropionate, and Neomycin sulfate cream), takes Zenflox- OZ (Ofloxacin and Ornidazole) and Allegra 120 mg. Please suggest.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the picture. (attachment removed to protect patient identity). This is herpes zoster. The following medicines are required for this condition. Take Tablet Valcivir 1 g thrice daily for seven days, Fusidic acid cream twice daily, and tablet Dolo 650 mg (as required for pain). Is there any hearing loss or ringing voices inside that side of ear? Any face palsy? (for this you can send front facing a picture of your face with both eyes wide open).

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

No, she is not having any hearing loss or ringing voices inside that side of the ear and also no face palsy. Please find the attachment.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have recommended the medicines for her problem already and it is a safe medicine. However, since she is a cardiac patient, it is advisable to take the advice from your cardiologist before starting these medicines.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

My mother has taken the medications recommended by you and she has completed her dosage for 7 days and also applying the cream at the infected area. Although the pain has reduced significantly, still there is a little pain and redness. I am attaching the picture of the current condition of infection around his face area. Kindly advise whether we should further continue the medicine with same dosage and for how long?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have seen the picture. (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Good to know she is feeling better. Now you can stop taking Valcivir. However, some infection is left on the face and for that, she should continue Fusidic acid cream twice daily for ten days. In addition, if the open wounds show any pus or infection, she can start antibiotic like tablet Pulmocef (Cefuroxime Axetil) 500 mg twice daily for five days. It is generally a safe antibiotic. Please give her tablet Dolo 650 (Paracetamol) as per need, for pain.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

The wound has dried and the upper crest after peeling off is leaving red skin behind (there is no blood or pus) and itchy. She is using neem leaves infused with warm water for cleaning the infected area, whether it is safe to use or not?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is fine you can skip oral antibiotics. She can use neem but do not keep it wet for a long time. Just wash with this water and dry off.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am glad to convey that my mother's skin infection (herpes zoster) is quite better now, thank you for your timely advice and treatment, without which it would not have been possible. I have two other queries now:

1. The skin area which has been cured is having itchiness, please advise to reduce this.

2. For a few years my mother is having small growths all over her face, nose, and ear (a picture for the same is attached) and it seems increasing. Kindly let us know what is this and how it can be treated.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Good to know that your mother is feeling well now.

1. For occasional itching, she can take tablet Levocetirizine 5 mg as per need. Along with it, Sarna lotion can be applied once or twice daily.

2. These small growths seem to be sebaceous hyperplasia. These are harmless but for cosmetic reasons, if she wants to get rid of them, visit your dermatologist and he will quickly remove them via cautery.

Using sunscreen regularly twice daily will prevent or reduce their further growth.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor, thank you so much for your detailed response.

My mother was insisting me to enquire about the below query also:

The area which has been cured is leaving a black spot. Will it fade away with the passing of time or not? Kindly suggest a suitable ointment for this.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I suggest you not apply anything over the dark areas at present as it may do more harm than good. For some people, dark spots may be left. Depigmentation creams can be used after one month, depending on the type of marks left at that time, if any. In some patients, some dark spots may be left permanently.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

This is in continuation to my mother's case in which she was completely cured of Herpes Zoster with the medicine suggested by you. Thank you so much for that.

Also as discussed earlier about the dark spots on the affected area on her face. Even after two months, the dark spot has not yet lightened. We have used the depigmentation cream suggested by you, but there is no improvement. (Picture of the current status is attached).

Could you kindly suggest any specific depigmentation cream or any other medicine to get rid of these dark spots?

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I suggest you use Melapik Plus (Fluocinolone, Hydroquinone, and Tretinoin) or Triglow cream (Fluocinolone, Hydroquinone, and Tretinoin) once daily at night over dark spots. Do not use it for more than one month and use it only over the affected area.

Please continue to use sunscreen twice daily at 8 am and 12 pm over the whole face.

Could you tell me which cream you are using currently for depigmentation?

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have shared the image of the face cream we are using.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is fine. Please continue the medications as described above.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Jyotisterna Mittal
Dr. Jyotisterna Mittal

Dermatology

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Read answers about:

herpes zosterskin rash

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Dermatology

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy