Rash Above Upper Lip

Hello Everyone.

I've had this prob since 2005 and all I've been told is that it's "Eczema" I have Eczema in other areas and THIS does NOT act like Eczema.

If I put ANYTHING on it (CeraVe, Aveeno, Aquaphor, Vasaline) it turns bright red and burns. If I put any of these things on the area PREEMPTIVELY it turns red and burns even though the skin looked fine 5 min. prior.

The ONLY thing that makes it go away /feel better is a prescription .01% steroid cream. I put a ting layer on following my lip line and go right above it. The rash then goes away within a few hours.

As so the cycle begins: Rash, Steroid cream, my skin is fine all week, and then almost a week to the day later the rash starts, MORE steroid cream...blah blah.

I put steroid cream on it weekly for the past 6 years, I put Aveeno and Cerava on it after my shower, and during the day at work I put Burt's Bees on it just because I can't be putting lotion on it every hour.

I'm not allergic to any foods. I'm allergic to dust/pollen/cats. I'm 23 now, this started when I was 17 after a bad cold.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me! I've been using Steroid Cream to fix this for WAY too long, but the Derms. don't give me anything else to use even though I've TOLD them I've been using it weekly for 6 years.(they tell me "well...that's all you can do for it")

I'm afraid it may be misdiagnosed and the doctors just say it's Eczema because it's easy to say that and then hope I don't come back.

Attached is a photo of the area while it's red. It's not the best quality...but you can see what it's like. You can't tell but it has flakes all over it.

Please help me.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be perioral dermatitis. Perioral dermatitis is a chronic papulopustular and eczematous facial dermatitis. Treatment consists of oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. A mild soap or soap substitute, such as Dove or Cetaphil should be used for washing. Scrubbing should be avoided.
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 dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Dustin19]

I have the same problem and I am beginning to think that it could be a reaction to metal more specifically nickel. Do you find that you get a flare up a day after you shave? It could be a reaction to the metal blades. I think my rash comes from tweezers. The Dr. calls it contact dermatitis. I have yet to find a cream or medicine that works. When it is at that burning stage I find that it is soothing to dip a piece of gauze into some cold milk and place it on the rash for a few minutes.

[Neonglow]

No, I don't shave my lip. I'm a girl lol
There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it.
I'm thinking it might be steroid induced perioral derm. since I have been using steroids around my mouth for the past 6 years.
Any thoughts?