This has been going on for a couple of years, but I always thought the source of my irritated face/neck/skin was mold, dust, dirt, inside my condo as I have always thought indoor air was dirtier than outdoor air, and I have severe allergies to mold. I've taken trips to Vietnam, Bali, South Korea, London and my problems usually went away immediately. I come back to Pattaya within a week it reappears.

Right now for the past week I've been relaxing in Koh Phangan. I've taken time to think deeply about my skin irritation problem. I Googled all sorts of related issues like breaking the skin barrier, how mold allergies affect the face, indoor pollution, outdoor pollution, etc. One light bulb moment came from when I rode my motorbike up to Suvarhbumi airport to pick up my lost tablet couple weeks ago. I had a brand new yellow shirt, and when I came back it was filthy. Aha, the outside air pollution is irritating the you know what out of my face!

Now I realize there's just too many tens of thousands of motorbikes, buses, cars, chugging all that pollution I wonder if I can live in Pattaya anymore. When I get back I'll try to take some steps to reduce exposure, wear a face mask, try different cleaning methods, but maybe it's time to move on. I guess it won't be too long before I find out either way.

Anyone else have this problem?

Move to Chiang Mai 😁

Where is the face irritation? ive been having it in the shaving area, so i put it down to that, changed blades etc etc, finally found out what it is, if I don't shave frequently enough the sweat and humidity is enough to cause a red inflamed area. As I'm out doing exercise my face is often sweating. Solution, shave Day 2 and anytime sweating, wash with water and dry. I also needed Fada B when it flared up for a couple days, otherwise shaving would just make it worse

Discuss with Gemini, you'll be amazed how helpful it is

Edited June 11Jun 11 by scubascuba3

28 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Where is the face irritation? ive been having it in the shaving area, so i put it down to that, changed blades etc etc, finally found out what it is, if I don't shave frequently enough the sweat and humidity is enough to cause a red inflamed area. As I'm out doing exercise my face is often sweating. Solution, shave Day 2 and anytime sweating, wash with water and dry. I also needed Fada B when it flared up for a couple days, otherwise shaving would just make it worse

Discuss with Gemini, you'll be amazed how helpful it is

It's my cheeks AND my neck where I shave. I've had zero problems with either since I left Pattaya for Koh Phangan last week.

When I get back to Pattaya I'm going to wear a mask when I go outside for a couple of weeks. If no irritation then I will go two weeks without a mask to see what happens. It's the only way to know for sure.

7 minutes ago, Furioso said:

It's my cheeks AND my neck where I shave. I've had zero problems with either since I left Pattaya for Koh Phangan last week.

When I get back to Pattaya I'm going to wear a mask when I go outside for a couple of weeks. If no irritation then I will go two weeks without a mask to see what happens. It's the only way to know for sure.

If it's where you shave, the answer for me was to shave more frequently. It's very humid currently which makes it worse, yes pollution may be a factor also

2 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

If it's where you shave, the answer for me was to shave more frequently. It's very humid currently which makes it worse, yes pollution may be a factor also

Thanks, it's definitely something to consider. For a long time I thought I had mold on my skin, which is rare but possible. And I thought my allergy to my skin mold was causing the rash. But if my theory was correct this would happen here in Koh Phangan but my skin has been great since I left 5 June.

If it turns out I can't live in Patts anymore I will consider moving down south..or maybe to Rayong.

Edited June 11Jun 11 by Furioso

6 minutes ago, Furioso said:

Thanks, it's definitely something to consider. For a long time I thought I had mold on my skin, which is rare but possible. And I thought my allergy to my skin mold was causing the rash. But if my theory was correct this would happen here in Koh Pangan but my skin has been great since I left 5 June.

If it turns out I can't live in Patts anymore I will consider moving down south..or maybe to Rayong.

I asked Gemini to summarise what i had which may relate to you

What the "Pattaya Rash" Actually Is

The symptoms point squarely to Seborrheic Dermatitis mixed with a touch of Folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles).

It isn't a traditional bacterial infection or a lack of hygiene. Instead, it’s an environmental overgrowth triggered by a very specific microclimate. Here is the science behind it:

The Culprit: Everyone has a harmless, microscopic yeast called Malassezia that lives naturally on their skin and feeds on sebum (the skin's natural oils).

The Trigger: When you combine Pattaya’s high humidity with facial hair growth, the hair acts like a greenhouse. It traps sweat, salt, and sebum right at the base of the skin.

The Explosion: This warm, oily, salt-heavy "swamp" causes the yeast to multiply rapidly. The yeast breaks down the trapped sebum into fatty acids, which irritates the skin, causing that distinct itchy, angry redness.

The 3-Step Solution You Can Share With Him

You can tell him that trying to "rest" the skin by shaving less frequently is actually the trap. It just makes the greenhouse denser. Here is the exact protocol that saved your face:

1. The Shave Schedule (The Most Important Step)

Shift to a strict Day 2 or Day 3 shaving interval.

Do not let the facial hair grow long enough to create that greenhouse effect. Shaving every 48 to 72 hours physically vents the skin, strips away the trapped sebum, and lets sweat evaporate naturally instead of pooling at the follicle base.

2. The Right Tooling

Use a traditional Safety Razor (like a Rimei) with a sharp blade (like a Feather), and use zero pressure.

Multi-blade cartridge razors scrape the skin and cause micro-tears that the yeast can infect. A single, sharp safety razor blade cuts the hair cleanly at the skin level without dragging or clogging, keeping irritation to an absolute minimum.

3. The Afternoon "Salt Clear"

Wipe the area with cool water in the afternoon and pat completely dry.

In the high-humidity season, salt and sweat build up by midday. Rinsing the face with cool water clears the salt before it can ferment, and patting it completely dry ensures you aren't leaving moisture behind for the yeast to grow in.

A Quick Note on Medication for Him:

If his face is currently flaming red and itchy, he needs to reset the baseline first. A dual-action cream containing a mild topical steroid and an antifungal (like Fada-B, which is easily available in Thai pharmacies) applied twice a day for 3 days will put the fire out. But emphasize to him that the cream is only a temporary fire extinguisher—the Day 2 shaving schedule is the permanent shield.

18 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I asked Gemini to summarise what i had which may relate to you

What the "Pattaya Rash" Actually Is

The symptoms point squarely to Seborrheic Dermatitis mixed with a touch of Folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles).

It isn't a traditional bacterial infection or a lack of hygiene. Instead, it’s an environmental overgrowth triggered by a very specific microclimate. Here is the science behind it:

The Culprit: Everyone has a harmless, microscopic yeast called Malassezia that lives naturally on their skin and feeds on sebum (the skin's natural oils).

The Trigger: When you combine Pattaya’s high humidity with facial hair growth, the hair acts like a greenhouse. It traps sweat, salt, and sebum right at the base of the skin.

The Explosion: This warm, oily, salt-heavy "swamp" causes the yeast to multiply rapidly. The yeast breaks down the trapped sebum into fatty acids, which irritates the skin, causing that distinct itchy, angry redness.

The 3-Step Solution You Can Share With Him

You can tell him that trying to "rest" the skin by shaving less frequently is actually the trap. It just makes the greenhouse denser. Here is the exact protocol that saved your face:

1. The Shave Schedule (The Most Important Step)

Shift to a strict Day 2 or Day 3 shaving interval.

Do not let the facial hair grow long enough to create that greenhouse effect. Shaving every 48 to 72 hours physically vents the skin, strips away the trapped sebum, and lets sweat evaporate naturally instead of pooling at the follicle base.

2. The Right Tooling

Use a traditional Safety Razor (like a Rimei) with a sharp blade (like a Feather), and use zero pressure.

Multi-blade cartridge razors scrape the skin and cause micro-tears that the yeast can infect. A single, sharp safety razor blade cuts the hair cleanly at the skin level without dragging or clogging, keeping irritation to an absolute minimum.

3. The Afternoon "Salt Clear"

Wipe the area with cool water in the afternoon and pat completely dry.

In the high-humidity season, salt and sweat build up by midday. Rinsing the face with cool water clears the salt before it can ferment, and patting it completely dry ensures you aren't leaving moisture behind for the yeast to grow in.

A Quick Note on Medication for Him:

If his face is currently flaming red and itchy, he needs to reset the baseline first. A dual-action cream containing a mild topical steroid and an antifungal (like Fada-B, which is easily available in Thai pharmacies) applied twice a day for 3 days will put the fire out. But emphasize to him that the cream is only a temporary fire extinguisher—the Day 2 shaving schedule is the permanent shield.

I will give these suggestions a go. I definitely buy into the Pattaya microclimate hypothesis.

Thanks a million Scuba!

I wish you would consult a skin specialist, perhaps even a Doctor. 🤔

28 minutes ago, Olmate said:

I wish you would consult a skin specialist, perhaps even a Doctor. 🤔

I have seen the top dermatologist in Thailand

34 minutes ago, Olmate said:

I wish you would consult a skin specialist, perhaps even a Doctor. 🤔

Gemini is smarter, definitely worth exploring before seeing a specialist then you will have a better understanding

I'd consider the possibility of changing laundry detergents, too. Especially if it goes away when you're not at home sleeping in your own bed.

1 hour ago, impulse said:

I'd consider the possibility of changing laundry detergents, too. Especially if it goes away when you're not at home sleeping in your own bed.

Definitely not a bad idea, I've changed detergent before but I could always go to something even more mild or just get laundry service

As I sit here in Koh Phangan, I almost dread going back to Pattaya/Jomtien. The air pollution and motorcycle noise is off the charts. Here on the island it's literally a breath of fresh air. I don't know if I'll be able to fix my skin condition(I give it about it 35 to 45% chance) but a lot of signs are telling me it's time to move on to cleaner pastures.

23 minutes ago, Furioso said:

Definitely not a bad idea, I've changed detergent before but I could always go to something even more mild or just get laundry service

As I sit here in Koh Phangan, I almost dread going back to Pattaya/Jomtien. The air pollution and motorcycle noise is off the charts. Here on the island it's literally a breath of fresh air. I don't know if I'll be able to fix my skin condition(I give it about it 35 to 45% chance) but a lot of signs are telling me it's time to move on to cleaner pastures.

Humidity has dropped in Pattaya from around 80% to 70% so feels fresher

On 6/12/2026 at 10:46 AM, Furioso said:

Thanks, it's definitely something to consider. For a long time I thought I had mold on my skin, which is rare but possible. And I thought my allergy to my skin mold was causing the rash. But if my theory was correct this would happen here in Koh Phangan but my skin has been great since I left 5 June.

If it turns out I can't live in Patts anymore I will consider moving down south..or maybe to Rayong.

If you have skin issues that you attribute to mould, have you considered that the mould might actually be inside you - and the skin issues are actually a manifestation of your body trying to expel the mould as your liver and kidneys - your detox organs - are backed up? Mould often accumulates in your nose / nasal passage and can also take up residence in your gut. Herbal antifungals and herbal nasal sprays containing the likes of oregano oil, tea tree oil, horopito, thyme etc can kill the mould at which point the skin issues resolve.

We spend 3 months in our condo in Jomtien ever year - my 2 best purchases are water filers on the shower and bathroom taps and an air purifier - I use to get scratchy scalp before the filters - they solved it.

3 hours ago, SBNZ said:

If you have skin issues that you attribute to mould, have you considered that the mould might actually be inside you - and the skin issues are actually a manifestation of your body trying to expel the mould as your liver and kidneys - your detox organs - are backed up? Mould often accumulates in your nose / nasal passage and can also take up residence in your gut. Herbal antifungals and herbal nasal sprays containing the likes of oregano oil, tea tree oil, horopito, thyme etc can kill the mould at which point the skin issues resolve.

It's funny at the beginning of my journey to fix my face I thought I had roseacea and that it was caused by Demodex mites on my face. I saw a video where a guy applied a mix of Tea Tree oil and Emu oil as a base. I wasn't about to use Emu oil as they have to kill the bird..so I found out I could just as easily use coconut oil as the base. It was pretty strong stuff, it felt like an antiseptic on my skin. I tried one side for a week and I could see a noticeable difference but ultimately it's now a year and a half later and it seems like the air pollution mixed with salt air that's the majority of the problem.

I've not only had problems with my faceand neck but my arms and legs have had some bumps and itching. I've taken a total of 6 trips away from Pattaya since Jan 2025 and everytime I took a trip my problems disappeared, almost overnight.

3 hours ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

We spend 3 months in our condo in Jomtien ever year - my 2 best purchases are water filers on the shower and bathroom taps and an air purifier - I use to get scratchy scalp before the filters - they solved it.

Very interesting, I do have the air filter but never thought about getting water filters. I'm installing them when I get back!

38 minutes ago, Furioso said:

I've taken a total of 6 trips away from Pattaya since Jan 2025 and everytime I took a trip my problems disappeared, almost overnight

I'd be tempted to stay elsewhere in Pattaya as a test to see whether it's your condo. I'm assuming you use AC the same in Pattaya as you do on your trips.

Stress can also cause rashes on neck etc

Edited June 15Jun 15 by scubascuba3

On 6/11/2026 at 11:59 PM, Furioso said:

This has been going on for a couple of years, but I always thought the source of my irritated face/neck/skin was mold, dust, dirt, inside my condo as I have always thought indoor air was dirtier than outdoor air, and I have severe allergies to mold. I've taken trips to Vietnam, Bali, South Korea, London and my problems usually went away immediately. I come back to Pattaya within a week it reappears.

Right now for the past week I've been relaxing in Koh Phangan. I've taken time to think deeply about my skin irritation problem. I Googled all sorts of related issues like breaking the skin barrier, how mold allergies affect the face, indoor pollution, outdoor pollution, etc. One light bulb moment came from when I rode my motorbike up to Suvarhbumi airport to pick up my lost tablet couple weeks ago. I had a brand new yellow shirt, and when I came back it was filthy. Aha, the outside air pollution is irritating the you know what out of my face!

Now I realize there's just too many tens of thousands of motorbikes, buses, cars, chugging all that pollution I wonder if I can live in Pattaya anymore. When I get back I'll try to take some steps to reduce exposure, wear a face mask, try different cleaning methods, but maybe it's time to move on. I guess it won't be too long before I find out either way.

Anyone else have this problem?

Yeah, it's a fungal infection ......... the spores will be all over your sheets and shirts, so hard to stop.

You can use Clotrimazole cream to treat it over several months, or some Sporoxyl tablets (30 days)

Edited June 15Jun 15 by BritManToo

Doubt its air quality, the air in Pattaya is very good at the moment.

35 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Yeah, it's a fungal infection ......... the spores will be all over your sheets and shirts, so hard to stop.

You can use Clotrimazole cream to treat it over several months, or some Sporoxyl tablets (30 days)

Yes, same as the Fada B i mentioned further up. I asked Gemini what they thought of your advice as it is different to what I'm doing. Worth reading:

this is classic internet forum advice: a mix of a correct general observation and some highly dangerous instructions regarding medication.

The person who wrote this means well, but their advice on how to use that specific cream is a medical disaster waiting to happen. Here is the breakdown of why you should tread very carefully with what they are suggesting.

1. The Cream: A Dangerous Recommendation for "Several Months"

The user in 1000402636.jpg recommends using Canasone C.B. (Clotrimazole + Betamethasone) "over several months."

This is a massive red flag.

What it is: Canasone C.B. is the exact same class of medication as your Fada-B. It is a combination of an antifungal (Clotrimazole) and a potent topical steroid (Betamethasone).

The Danger: You should never use a potent steroid on your face for several months. Doing so causes topical steroid-induced skin atrophy (severe thinning of the skin), permanent spider veins (telangiectasia), and can trigger an even worse condition called perioral dermatitis.

The Reality: Combination creams like Canasone C.B. or Fada-B are strictly meant to be "fire extinguishers"—used for a maximum of 3 to 7 days just to knock down acute inflammation.

If that forum user has been rubbing a strong steroid on their face for months, they are destroying their skin barrier, which ironically makes them more susceptible to the "Pattaya swamp" flare-ups long-term.

2. The Tablets: Sporoxyl (Itraconazole)

They also mention Sporoxyl tablets for 30 days.

What it is: Sporoxyl is a brand name for Itraconazole, a potent, systemic oral antifungal medication.

When it's actually used: Doctors prescribe oral antifungals for severe, deep-seated fungal infections (like severe fungal nail infections or widespread body ringworm) that topical creams can't reach.

The Catch: Itraconazole is processed heavily by the liver. Taking it for 30 days requires strict medical supervision, and doctors often run blood tests to monitor liver enzymes. Popping these casually based on a forum post to fix a localized facial rash—before even trying a routine change like a Day 2 shaving schedule—is total overkill and risky.

3. The "Spores on Sheets and Shirts" Panic

The poster claims the spores are "all over your sheets and shirts, so hard to stop."

This is a bit of a misunderstanding of how Malassezia (the yeast behind seborrheic dermatitis) works. This yeast is already permanently present on 100% of human beings. You cannot escape it by boiling your sheets or throwing away your shirts.

The issue isn't that you are catching "spores" from your laundry; the issue is that the Pattaya heat and humidity create an environment that allows the yeast already living on your skin to overgrow. Keeping sheets clean is great for general hygiene, but obsessing over sterilizing your clothing won't fix a greenhouse environment on your face

Edited June 16Jun 16 by scubascuba3

On 6/11/2026 at 11:59 PM, Furioso said:

but I always thought the source of my irritated face/neck/skin was mold, dust, dirt, inside my condo as I have always thought indoor air was dirtier than outdoor air, and I have severe allergies to mold.

But you waited long time enough to check if you actually had mold inside, right?

7 hours ago, Furioso said:

Very interesting, I do have the air filter but never thought about getting water filters. I'm installing them when I get back!

We have an inline one in the shower that just screws in from the bathroom tap to the shower attachment and installed in seconds. And were so impressed with that and the way the smell came out of the water that we went to Home Pro and bought one to install under the bathroom sink that has an inline charcoal filter - we only come for 3 months a year so they are fine. If I lived there permanently I would strongly consider some form of filtration for all the water that you use in the kitchen and bathroom other than flushing the loo or watering the garden and that probably includes laundry as well. We live in View Talay 2A and I think it's not just the water coming into their tanks but al;l the chemicals they use to stop it having bacteria. It's the single best thing we have done that improves our lives for not much more then 5k baht. My scalp stopped itching and my wife is delighted in every respect.

5 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

But you waited long time enough to check if you actually had mold inside, right?

Yes I checked for mold, I actually found a little and removed it. Also I've lived in several different condos and always have the same problems since I've been here.

3 minutes ago, Furioso said:

Yes I checked for mold, I actually found a little and removed it. Also I've lived in several different condos and always have the same problems since I've been here.

Ok, that changes everything. So for a couple of years, you thought it was standard to have mold in all Thai units.

1 hour ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

We have an inline one in the shower that just screws in from the bathroom tap to the shower attachment and installed in seconds. And were so impressed with that and the way the smell came out of the water that we went to Home Pro and bought one to install under the bathroom sink that has an inline charcoal filter - we only come for 3 months a year so they are fine. If I lived there permanently I would strongly consider some form of filtration for all the water that you use in the kitchen and bathroom other than flushing the loo or watering the garden and that probably includes laundry as well. We live in View Talay 2A and I think it's not just the water coming into their tanks but al;l the chemicals they use to stop it having bacteria. It's the single best thing we have done that improves our lives for not much more then 5k baht. My scalp stopped itching and my wife is delighted in every respect.

Im totally sold, the hard water could be a major factor as I've had rashes on my arms and hands as well. Thank you!

.

Edited June 16Jun 16 by scubascuba3

6 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Ok, that changes everything. So for a couple of years, you thought it was standard to have mold in all Thai units.

You get mould if you don't use AC enough or don't use dehumidifiers

14 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

You get mould if you don't use AC enough or don't use dehumidifiers

I chased my mold theory for a long time. At first I thought it was the air conditioner. Then I thought it was in the sinks, down in the pipes, then I looked underneath all the cabinets and any dark place I could find in the condo. But I didn't have all the other allergy symptoms that usually come with molds, like runny nose, watery eyes, breathing issues. I was chasing a phantom.