Hundreds of skin colored bumps on chin/upper lip

[Milkman95th]

Hello,

For years now I have had what seems to be hundreds of flesh colored bumps on my chin. They are nearly invisible, the only way I can see them is if I look in a mirror up close and stretch my skin. There is a similar phenomenon on my upper lip. The problem is that I shave all of my facial hair, but because of the bumps, I never get a clean shaven look. Physically, the skin in these areas feels like fine sandpaper (even after a shave). Visually, it always looks like I have a shadow mustache because the razor can only get the hair above the bump. Even after a shave, if you look closely, you can see a very small piece of hair in each bump. Its as if the hair penetrated the skin, entered the bump, and then needs to leave the bump to be out. Sometimes this causes the hairs on my chin to become ingrown or develop a small puss filled like pimple.

I have tried all sorts of exfoliating techniques and topical treatments (AHA, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, lactic acids, etc…) and nothing ever gets rid of the bumps. By the way, the bumps do not disappear temporarily and come back, they never go away (the same bumps are in the same location all the time).

What do you think is causing these bumps? What are these bumps? How do I get rid of them?

Thanks for your help,

Joe

Here are some possible issues related to this problem:

My upper lip tends to sweat
The hair on my upper lip and chin is very coarse/inflexible
I Have Keratosis Pilaris on my upper arms & legs and I have mild Keratosis Pilaris Rubra Faceii
More than likely I have Trichostasis Spinulosa on my nose

[chinbumps]

Hey man. I have the same exact problem. However, mine is more isolated to the chin area, I dont have it above the lip. I think this is KP, as opposed to folliculitis. Its not inflamed, and doesn't really spread, the bumps are always in the same spot. I've been dealing with this for over a year, and have only been able to acheive slight improvement through aha and exfoliation. These things occur at the hair follicle for sure, but folliculitis is just a whole nother animal. No docotr has really been able to assist me with this, and its damn frustrating.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like clogged pores or folliculitis only especially if they are having a hair in them. Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing or blockage of the follicle. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).

Please keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful. In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[Milkman95th]

Here are two pictures of my chin and upper lip. Hopefully, this help to get a better grasp for what is going on. I have started using a 40% urea cream, so I will see if that helps.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy61/Joe_from_Washington/0103110101.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy61/Joe_from_Washington/0103110100.jpg

Thanks,

Joe