Itchy rash around my mouth I've had for five years.

Hi,

I remember ever since shaving a spot on my face and then putting savlon on overnight ( bad idea ), I've had a rash around the left side of my mouth that won't go.

I've had the rash for around five years and It's hardly noticeable by others but it's very clear to me when looking in the mirror. At random times in the day I get an itch on the rash and it makes me very self conscious.

I've tried lots of different things, I even went to the doctors who couldn't really see my rash but gave me this steroid cream which probably made it worse. I feel because it doesn't strike out it's very hard for anyone to take me seriously about it. It's more the itch which keeps reminding me it's there. I've attached some pictures of it.

My self diagnosis leads me to think it's maybe blood vessels that are more prominent than normal. I hope someone can give me some direction.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9894/70081381.jpg
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/964/35027286.jpg
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/130/78465164.jpg

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Welcome to the Dermatology Expert Forum!

I looked closely at pictures you published and was able to see only discrete redness, possibly with hyperpigmented hue (could be post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) in left nasolabial fold. I was not able to see prominent blood vessels.

Main differential diagnoses are Seborrhoic dermatitis (in addition to redness, itching and scaling are common symptoms) and Perioral dermatitis (usually symmetric lesions). Rosacea should be considered too (telangiactasia often present).

The best way to approach this is to stop with application of all topical products for two weeks and then visit a dermatologist for evaluation. Medical history (especially of skin changes), and physical exam (with further focus on skin lesions) may lead to application of other diagnostic tools.


Wishing You Optimal Health,
Dr Jasmina Jankicevic