Brown marks developing in the corners of my mouth. Could this be a health problem or is it just a style and beauty priblem?

[mawbroon]

Pretty much as the title says. I am 43 and suspect it is probably a symptom of ageing.

Does anybody know?

[mawbroon]

Priblem? Wtf?

[Mrsmorton]

Are you on the pill?

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

Aren't you a doctor, mawbroon?!

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

Or am I confusing you with another poster with a similar name? Apologies, if so!

[ShootTheMoon]

Could it be angular cheilitis? I had this and it was horrible, but it only appeared when I got braces and disappeared when they were taken off.

[mawbroon]

No, not on the pill or any other contraception.

Definitely not a doctor lol

Off to google angular chelitis...... Back in a mo

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

Is it discolouration like melasma (not saying that is what is it, just is that the sort of thing it looks like?). Is it raised? Sore? Itchy?

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

Sorry about getting you muddled up with another poster. What a plum

[mawbroon]

Hey, no worries Squeezy.

Ok, definitely not angular whatsit. There are no lesions.

It is not raised or sore or anything. Just small patches which were not there before.

I am on some psychiatric drugs, but neither of the patient info leaflets mention this as a side effect

[mawbroon]

I am trying to take a photo but they are not turning out very well!

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

It's probably just hyper pigmentation as a result of ageing, as you suspect. Is it like the corners of your mouth (where your lips meet) are darkening? If there is any dryness or tiny cracks it could be the beginnings of peri oral dermatitis?

[mawbroon]

Yes, exactly that. The corners of my mouth are darkening.

No other symptoms like cracks or dry skin

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

Are you finding any other parts of your skin on your face / body is changing Any other patches of deepening pigmentation? The outer corners of your eyes or around your nostrils? Seems odd that just your mouth should darken and not other facial 'creases'.

[mawbroon]

No, I haven't noticed it anywhere else.

I have to go to work now, so I am not ignoring any further responses!

[Mrsmorton]

I get pigmentation around my mouth if I'm not absolutely 100% scrupulous about wearing SPF 25 every day of the year. It's more common if you're on the pill (which I'm not), not sure about ageing though, I'll have a look at my oral medicine text book!