Any medics or skin specialists (or other knowledgeable people re skin)

[MeridasMum]

I wonder if anyone recognises this skin condition? It’s causing DH a lot of pain, irritation and embarrassment.

He is currently under GP care but, they are having no success and it’s only getting worse.

This started as cracked skin in the corners of his mouth. Talking, smiling, etc made it worse. At that point, he was given Fucidin cream which made no difference.

He went back and was given Daktacort (hydrocortisone cream) but this didn’t help either.

Then she tried him on a short course of antibiotics. Again, this did nothing.

It has now spread to his chin (and looks like maybe his neck). It’s sore, irritated and unsightly and causing him distress and affecting his confidence, especially at work. GP has given him rosex gel for the treatment of acne rosacea (but GP says he doesn’t have that).

If anyone has seen this and could recommend something that he could speak to the GP about, it would be greatly appreciated. She is at a loss!

Something folliculitis I think. Basically a beard rash. Not sure if its caused by a bacteria like staphlacoccus?

Not an expert but it does look a bit like my acne rosacea did on my cheeks. Rosex gel, in fact anything topical, never touched it. I was prescribed a long course of antibiotics - I think oxytetracycline?? I'd take them for a month for a flare up and they usually had an effect within a few days. I took them occasionally for years, honestly, and then about eight years ago I changed jobs and have never had a flare up since! In retrospect I do wonder whether it was how my stress came out.

If the GP has already tried several things that haven't worked I'd request a referral to dermatology. Probably be quite a wait though.

I had something similar recently and it was a bacterial infection. Took a good few weeks of antibiotics to clear up

If the GP doesn't know what it is they need to refer him to a dermatologist.

Thanks all, some good suggestions for discussion with GP

Wash with Australian body care skin wash (it's tea tree so antimicrobial) and if you haven't already try an anti fungal cream like clotrimazole (canestan).

And as others have said - as the GP has tried a few things ask for a referral.

My husband has exactly the same and has had a diagnosis of seborrhoic dermatitis. He manages it with steroid cream when it really flares up and moisturiser called salcura bio skin zeoderm 2. Also washes his face with nizoral twice a week.

Has he throughly disinfected his razor? It's possible that he could be reinfecting himself when he shaves or trims the hair? Maybe worth considering?

dermnetnz.org/topics/folliculitis-barbae

A quick update:

DH finally has a stronger steroid cream and the 'rash' is lifting after just 2 days.
He took a list of options from all suggestions on this thread to his GP. This cream is the last resort before a long course of antibiotics, but hopeful they won't need that now.

She had sent a pic to Dermatology at the local hospital. They have said it's Contact Dermatitis (I think that's something they say when they don't know what it is!)

Anyway, thank you for all suggestions!