Tight skin

When I was 5 During a snowy winter the skin around my nose and chin felt tight and uncomfortable and not knowing how to ease it I used to wet my fingers and rub the area which wasn't a great idea seeing as it created a horrid rash round my nose chin and mouth, this got so uncomfortable I couldn't bear it, my mum tried every cream and old wives tale she could think of from vasaline, nivea,e45 and the list goes on I am now 30 and still suffering, I no longer have the red rash but I cannot go more that 30-60 min without applying moisturiser as the skin still feels tight, the skin is not dry or tight to look at, I'm using oilatum now and have been for 3 years thus gas been the best cream I've tried as it's not oily and keeps the skin moisturiser fir longer but even with this I cannot last more before it getting uncomfortable, this greatly effects my life because I'm arranging my wedding and panicking as to how I'm gonna cope not being able to have my cream, I do not wear makeup as it makes my face feel dry and tighter, and with constantly touching my face putting cream on causes me spots, I've tried many types of cleanser and washes etc and nothing helps, one gp suggested I had a mild form of scleraderma and one said perioral dermatitis, I'm in acne tablets to help with the spots and have been for 6 months but they are not really making a difference. I can deal with the spots but I woul like to be rid of the tight skin so I don't need to put cream on all the time, it's been 25 years now

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to perioral dermatitis or eczema skin. 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. 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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.