Former Patient of Yours

[millaw]

Hi Dr. Rockoff.  I am a former patient of yours living in LA.  I wrote to you a few weeks back and I have another question.  I am a 38 year old male.  One month ago, on the left bottom corner of my mouth, I had several pimples which emited blood and then there was crusting there and what looked to be small cuts. It hurt mildly to open my mouth because of the crusting there.  This "rash" went away on its own in about 2 weeks.  I saw a top Dermatologist out here in LA and he said it was not herpes.  One month later, the identical scenario has occured on the right bottom corner of my mouth. Exact opposite corner.  Several pimples and redness, hurt to open that side of mouth. Went to same derm. and he said not herpes but perioral dermatitis.  I know that this mostly affects women but can it affect men?  He gave me cream and it's almost all gone now but still noticeable after one week.  Redness and what looks to be little cuts and dry srusted skin.  Have not had blisters and Dr. said not herpes but does it sound like perioral dermatitis?  If not, what else can this be that is affecting both corners of my mouth at different times? Nervous here in LA.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It does not sound like herpes.  It does sound like angular stomatitis, which is a non-infected irritation which forms at the corners of the mouth, aggravated by saliva buildup while you're sleeping.  Whatever the dermatologist called it, he seems to have given you the right cream, which should be used as needed.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff