Sides of nose redness - what's going on?

[Selks]

I'm hoping that you knowledgeable folk here in S&B can tell me what is going on with my nose. I think it is either seb derm or rosacea but don't know which..did think it was seb derm but not sure.

Around the sides of my nose in the crease at the sides of my nostrils the skin is red, and is often a bit inflamed. I get horrid pustules in that area, around two a day, and the skin is a bit flaky. It also produces lots of oil.
I'm in my late forties and have had this for most of my adult life but it seems to be gradually getting worse, i.e. I didn't have the pustules until a few years ago and the oil seems to be getting worse.

I use alternate daily applications of sudocreme, an anti-fungal cream (as heard seb derm could be fungal related) and bathing with dilute Hibiscrub. I can get it to settle a little for a couple of days but then it flares up again.

It doesn't look truly hideous (although I hate getting the pustules) and can be covered with foundation but would like to get an idea of what the actual problem is. It feels a bit trivial to go to the Drs with.

Any ideas?

This sounds exactly like the seb derm I had a few years ago. The thing that fixed it in my case was sunlight helpful but I think it can sort of run in families, my dad gets it too and he was given Nizoral cream I think, or you can try an OTC hydrocortisone. It is fungal so you could try other anti-fungals, like an athlete's foot cream. Or just see your GP?

Sounds like seb derm as this is where oil accumulates in the nose area. I have rosacea and my entire nose turns red :/
It's not trivial, see your doc.

Thank you. That pretty much confirms my thoughts that it is seb derm. So it is worth going to the docs? What can they do for it?

Yes, your GP can prescribe Nizoral/another anti-fungal cream, or refer you to a dermatologist. Or you could just use something like Daktacort and see how you get on.