Red dry skin around mouth chin

[MHFuser]

I would like to know if anyone could tell me what issue I've been having with my face for sometime now (few months+) and any medications I might have to get from a doctor and any other remedies.

I've been starting to have dry, red skin on both sides of my face which seem to be centralized on the area just to the side of the corners of my mouth, and then directly downward and slightly inward above the chin - sort of like a "U" formation. Basically on the sides of my upper chin but underneath the the horizontal line drawn by the lips.

The problem began about a year ago only on the left-side of my face but has jumped over to the right-side (and apparently gotten worse) since Christmas time.

As far as shaving is concerned, I've always had problems along my neckline with ingrown hairs and such, but never any problems around the lower sides of my mouth. The area also becomes super dry and even "scaly" and chapped at times.

I really don't notice that I am having ingrown hairs but more like small red bumps which appear to be associated with the hair-follicles where the hair shaft is trying to break-through to the surface - but again, the hair doesn't seem to be growing back in.

I've recently improved the quality of the shaving cream I use (quality cream from Italy) and even started using pre-shave oils, and vitamin after-lotions but this hasn't seemed to work.


I've included four photos, one of which was taken about a 1.5 years ago showing no real problem in this area, and the other taken this morning. Then there are two sides photos taken this morning after the skin had dried, stretched-out and no lotion or moisturizer was applied.

Could this be a treatable fungus or bacteria or ??

Thanks for any insight.

[Janiegunn]

I have been having white head type pimples right at the left corner of my mouth right next to my lips. I have been reading all the comments above and since I do have excema on my hands and have for a long time, I’m guessing I may have that around my lips too. However, it looks completely different. I have fiddled with and squeezed these areas too much and think I better see my dermatologist! I hate this!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to 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.
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.