Eczema around mouth and slight weeping

[Jayneyre]

I have eczema on the  skin around my mouth and even on my lips. Nothing seems to work. I recently noticed that after eating anything with tomatoes, even ketchup, causes my eczema around my mouth to get worse than it already is. So I have eliminated it from my diet for almost a year now. I have even started using organic toothpaste without fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate. Yet, I still get some weeping from my lips and the skin surrounding it after applying moisturizing products such as: cerave, vanicream, aquaphor, or vaseline. The weeping looks like tiny droplets of liquid, and sometimes the skin or lips may be raised or have tiny little bumps. I've been to many dermatologists and nothing seems to be really effective. I've tried protopic and even elidel because I don't want to use steroids on my face. I stopped using elidel because I developed cold sores on the areas around my mouth that I put the elidel on. Every morning I wake up and the skin around my mouth is tight and dry. After I wash my face with cerave cleanser, I pat my face dry and apply vanicream and then vaseline around my mouth. Then I usually see some droplets of liquid forming. I soak it up with tissue paper and try to let it dry out, eventually it goes away until hours later when my skin gets so itchy and dry that I have to put vaseline on again. Then I see the slight weeping and redness again. The cycle never ends. Could I be allergic to all the creams because everything I use has the same effect?

[mtaylor21]

Hello, it’s just a shot in the dark but I have a similar rash around my mouth that comes and goes and drives me nuts for the week or so while it’s there. After research I am leaning towards perioral dermatitis however it could be something else. I am going to try a combination of organic raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, miracle oil, jojoba oil, and colloidal silver cream/gel.

[Tarryn123]

Hi
I have the exact same thing, havent found anything myself yet that has helped it but one thing i did find was to stop using vaseline as vaseline blocks skin pores and with eczema your skin has to breathe, it made my skin feel very sensitive and sore...so i'm using a natural cocoa butter dry skin stick, it helps soothe my red irritated skin and helps get rid of my dry skin quicker, just make sure it doesnt have vaseline in.

Hope this helpes
Regards
Tarryn

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Firstly, It can be due to vit B deficiency. Take some vitamin B complex for some days and see if your symptoms improve.
Secondly, it can be due to atopic dermatitis or eczema("Atopic" refers to a group of diseases where there is often an inherited tendency to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever). Cheilitis(Inflammation of the skin on and around the lips)is often seen in atopic dermatitis.Diagnosed by blood test like RAST. Treatment is by topical steroids or oral therapy of corticosteroids in severe cases. Topical creams like tacrolimus ointment (Protopic) and pimecrolimus cream (Elidel) are also useful.
Since Protropic and Elidel have not benefitted you, topical steroids may have to be used. I suggest you to consult a dermatologist and get topical etroids prescribed for some time. Then the dose can be tapered off.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Jah9]

I found this response very thorough . I too have had a skin condition that sounds very similar and have lived with it on n off sometimes worse than other times for years now. I've been backwards and forwards to docs and dermatology appointments but still feel non the wiser.   Im definitely a skin sufferer as I also try to keep the skin on my hands well.  In the cold weather my skin can easily crack. I find it interesting that the original patient who posted discovered tomato was a trigger. I think there can be several elements.  Lifestyle, diet and maintenance are all key factors of course. My sympathies go out to people who have these skin conditions . They can get you down as you feel like your fighting a losing battle although it is not a life threatening disease it can  still be uncomfortable to mind and spirit.   This ladies advice and suggestions sound accurate and reassuring . I am currently awaiting results from a dermatologist after photos were taking to hear either a diagnosis or further appointments required.