Dr Mumsnet, please can you help me diagnose this

[Frazzlerock]

I've no idea, thought it was acne of some kind, maybe? (he is 12). He said it is sore, but not itchy. He's been putting Sudocrem on every night (past week I guess) so not sure if the white bits are the cream or his skin.
Trip to GP? Or start of normal teenage skin?

Which bit are we supposed to be looking at? Just normal teenage skin as far as I can see.

Impetigo?

That's not acne. Looks more like eczema to me, or possibly impetigo. I think ask a pharmacist to have a look and tell you whether it needs a visit to the GP.

(Gorgeous eyelashes BTW.)

Try bland, oily moisturiser rather than Sudocrem.

I was thinking impetigo too, but having google imaged impetigo it's not as bad as that, and it doesn't appear to be getting any worse either.
He's just gone off to school so I hope it isn't impetigo!

Should I go and boil wash his bedding just in case?

Ha! Yes he does have pretty eyelashes, lucky bugger

That was me BTW, I can't get the hang of name changing 🙄

Sore dry skin. Does he use soap? I'd say he needs moisturiser, and possibly to stop using soap.

Shampoo can irritate the skin, too.

I get that if I don't use Eucerin 10%urea cream. If it flares up or looks blistery/weepy get to the GP asap in case it's impetigo.

It won’t hurt to get it checked. I wonder if it’s eczema...I notice it’s around nose and mouth where spit/mucous are about (sorry gross lol).

I'll ask him if he uses anything on his face. He uses Original Source shower gel on his body (he has a slight obsession with flavours!) and smothers himself in Lynx 🙄 (the house stinks of it) I'm going to take the photos to the pharmacy and see what they say.

I also wondered if it might be eczema. Though it isn't itchy. I've had eczema and know how crazy itchy it is 😖

Is it the red sore bit around the nostrils you're talking about?
It could be seborrhoic (seborrheic in the states) dermatitis ( a bit like cradle cap)

Yes the red blotchy bits. Sorry, I don't think the photos show it very well. I'll have a google for that, thank you

Ooooh... yes it does look like that! Will ask the pharmacist

That Original Source stuff is strong and irritating, I can't use it as I have sensitive skin but dh who has the hide of a donkey normally reacted badly to it. If your ds is getting it on his face that could be drying it out.

You could try applying a little bit of canesten cream to it, twice a day for three days. If it is the right stuff the itching will subside in after one day. It all seems to be in areas which could be moist. Wash his pillow slips daily, normal wash should do.

The smothering himself in Lynx thing is really not a good thing to do.
Inhaling too much of the stuff can seriously damage your health and has known to be fatal.

You are absolutely right Butterfly 🙂

Could be a bit fungal? A good calendula cream will work wonders.

Lynx allergy?

I hope so footle!

Is it red,itchy and scaly around the nose?
I have had this twice over a few years.
Mine was Rosacea and cream form the Docs cured it.

Perioral dermatitis?

Thanks all. The pharmacist said it’s not impetigo as it would be a lot worse by now. Said to put moisturiser on it. If gets worse, to go to GP.
I’ve bought him some tea tree/witch hazel face wash, exfoliator pads, and a blemish stick as I noticed the rest of his face it getting all “teenagy”. They were the most natural products I could find in Boots. May need a more specialised shop for proper natural products but these will do for now. Just gotta get him to use them!
I’m struggling to accept my little boy is developing into a teenager