Dry Skin and Missing Hair Patches on Neck

[Mcnosbig]

Since last year I began having severe flaking around mouth and nose area. In addition I was missing a small patch of hair on my neck. I was given topical steroids for the dryness and creams for my neck. The face condition cleared up but I began getting red bumps around my eyes and mouth sometimes and my scalp is itchy. Round Red spots are on my armpits, chest and groin. I was given creams for all these but they just come back. My face isn't bad but the rest doesn't seem to be getting better. The shampoo they gave me doesn't seem to control it that great. The patches on my neck have grown almost entirety to my right side of the neck and a spot on my chin. This all started at the same time, I don't know what else to do about it.

[cjane2009]

Question...my daughter is 19, a beautiful dark brunette.  Twice we have had a doctor look at the hairy patch on the side of her neck.  There have been no findings, even with a sono of her neck.  It's about 2 inches under her ear, measuring about 2 " by 2 ".  The hair is slightly darker and longer there on her neck, much like the hair on her head, and it appears that she has some fatty tissue under it.  My daughter just deals with it, though it is very personal and embarrassing as a female, especially when someone notices and comments.  She is afraid to shave it...for fear it may come back darker or more coarse.  We have been assured it's not a tumor or medically serious, but has anyone ever seen something like this? None of our docs have.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This could be perioral dermatitis. Perioral dermatitis, a condition related to acne vulgaris, consists of red papules that may appear microvesicular that typically affect the nasolabial folds, perioral area or perioccular area. It usually affects women between the ages of 20 and 45.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perioral_dermatitis

It is commonly caused by the use of fluorinated topical glucocorticoid steroids to this area.

It is treated in a similar manner to acne vulgaris with tetracycline antibiotics or erythromycin but, without the use of topical steroids.

Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been reported to be helpful, although large studies have not yet been performed.

Let us know if you need any other information.

Regards.