Red & White Bumps Around Mouth For Months

Just a little background. I'm 24 years old. I've been monogamous with the same man for over a year. 4 months ago I broke out around my mouth (the right corner), with one bump on the top of my lips and the other on the bottom. It started as a tiny red bump, & when I tried to pop it, it began bigger (but never did discharge anything). It's been 4 months, & I still have purplish scarring in those areas, but now it seems like red & white bumps have appeared all around the left side of my face. They are not really clustered, & I have checked out tons of pictures of herpes because I've been scared. I haven't found anything that looks similar to what I have. I do not have insurance at the moment otherwise I'd have been to the dr. by now. Any advice will be VERY appreciated!

[lovelife_]

I have something similar to the original poster.  I have some sort of skin irritation that causes pimple-like bumps around my mouth.  It only affects the area around my mouth, especially in the little dip directly under my lower lip.  It never actually "breaks out" on my lips, just around.  I'm pretty sure it's not acne, at least not the regular acne, partly because it's only around my mouth and partly because there's no pus, the liquid inside is watery and clear-ish.  The "outbreaks" usually consist of one or two bumps, not clusters; the bumps range from tiny, almost indistinguishable, to 2mm diameter.  It's been a perpetual problem though, new bumps appear before old ones finish healing.  I usually get no more than a day or two of completely clear skin.  In fact, the actual skin in the area under my lower lip is slightly darker, I assume from constant irritation.

Pharmacists have not been able to give me an answer as to what it is, what its from, or what fixes it.  I have not seen a dermatologist because I can't afford it.  I attached a picture of my latest "friends", these are almost done healing.  Any insight, even a name for the condition, would be helpful.  Thanks.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
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.

If the symptoms are not controlled by topical antibiotics, then oral antibiotics may be needed. Please consult your dermatologist and discuss this with him.

I hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.