Skin Discoloation Around Mouth

[rrm2010]

Hello,

I am African American and have noticed lately that the skin around the corners of my mouth and the skin below my bottom lip is getting noticeable lighter. The skin is very smooth as if a layer of it has been removed. Sometimes it is a little itchy. The only thing I can think of that is on that part of my mouth is toothpaste. Could that be the problem or some other condition? Thanks so much in advance!

[rrm2010]

Thank you SO much for your response! It helps a great deal!! I was just reading about tinea versicolor today and I am really starting to believe that might be what it is. I began to notice these lighter areas after my trip to Costa Rica, where it was very humid. I have made an appointment with my dermatologist so that I be examined to determine exactly what it is.

I also read about Melasma and the article stated that it was common in lighter skinned black women and Southeast Asian women, I am a lighter skinned black woman and I am also of Southeast Asian descent so I found that to be very interesting. Either way, I will go see my doctor as you suggested.

Again, thank you so very much for taking the time to respond to my comment...I truly appreciate it!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Two possibilities are there for such depigementation. Firstly, it can be due to tinea versicolor. Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus that lives in the skin of almost all adults. Factors that can cause the fungus to become more visible include high humidity and immune or hormone abnormalities. Treatment involves topical and oral antifungal medicines.

Second possibility is of vitiligo. It is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Diagnosis can be confirmed by external examination, blood tests to check skin cell count for melanocytes and biopsy of the skin patches.

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.