Who do I see to sort the skin on my face out?

[Fhee]

For regular facials? For advice/products?

I have had dry patches either side of my chin for ages, related to face masks and cold weather I think. It has never happened before.

I have been using some intense hand cream stuff (Neutrogena wotsit) and it has helped with the discomfort but it hasn’t fully gone away. When it got really bad I used some old steroid cream DH used to use for eczema and it helped really quickly, but don’t want to use it regularly.

It’s not really a GP thing I think, but I’d like someone fairly professional to look at it and tell me what to do. I don’t want to have a ‘relaxing’ facial, iyswim?

I am 42, it’s probably hormonal 🙄

See a pharmacist ?

Are you sure it's not perioral dermatitis? I'd see a Dr first. I get this (started when inturned 40!) And some people say certain toothpastes and stuff cause it.

Some people treat it with antibacterial stuff, for others antifungal treatment is best.

Have you used any hydrocortisone cream? That often sets it off?.

Probably not a good idea to use hand cream on your face as it may add to the problem.

Well, it is perioral dermatitis, as that just means inflammation of the skin near the mouth.

I think it was hydrocortisone that I used which helped, but it was definitely there before I used it.

I have tried fungal cream and it didn’t help. Maybe antibacterial

Pharmacist is a good call.

Having said it was perioral dermatitis I have googled and most definitions include bumps or spots which I don’t have. It’s more like flat, eczema type dry rash, which is why I tried the steroid cream.

My perioral dermatitis starts if as the tiniest little bumps, like tiny, tiny spots (sometimes just one!) And then it goes really dry.

The hydrocortisone can often seem to help. It's the worst thing you can use on it though, so I'd stop that for sure. I use a steroid nasal spray in the summer and that can set it off.

And with the fungal cream you have to keep on using it. It can be very stubborn and very difficult to treat. Often a combination of the 2 treatments are best. For me, the antibacterial stuff does not help at all.

Have you tried CeraVe cream?

Sounds like you could do with a better skincare routine I wouldn’t advise using hand cream on your face. Superdrug own brand is very reasonable and good quality. I like the naturally radiant and the vitamin E products. I have very dry and sensitive skin.

Would also recommend Lush Full of Grace serum it’s a solid bar you warm up in your hands before using. It’s very gentle and effective, I use it overnight usually when my skin is misbehaving. Smells lovely too 😊

That’s interesting - I just started using a nasal spray a few weeks ago, could definitely be since then that it started.

I don’t really understand the problem with using hand cream on my face. I don’t lather it all over, just on the areas that are affected. I have used all sorts of other moisturisers, without much improvement. The hand cream has helped.

Definitely a pharmacist.
Ideally a dermatologist but that requires a referral and that will take time.
In the meantime, I'd get a small tube of LaRoche-Posay cicaplast baume B5 cream online or in Boots. It really is the best for misbehaving, irritated, reactive, and/or inflamed skin. It's extremely healing.

See an esthetician? Maybe can help?

They will likely say you need a routine to cleanse, moisturise and Spf

Dermatologist

Ah, there you go! Do you still need the nasal spray?

I haven’t used it the last couple of days and was thinking I might stop completely, but I definitely will now!

There is a great aromatherapy online company called Amphora and they do a brilliant lavender barrier cream. I have similar sounding dry patches (which I suspect are due to the cold) and the cream has really helped.

@JuneOsborne

Ah, there you go! Do you still need the nasal spray?

Just coming back to say thanks to @JuneOsborne - a few days without the nasal spray and the redness has gone completely! Still a little dry but that’s on its way out too I think. Would not have made the connection without you at all so very grateful. Will be on the lookout for it reoccurring if I have to use the nasal spray again, it’s only ever a short term thing so should be manageable.

Also @DoodleBelle, I’ve ordered a bunch of Superdrug naturally radiant stuff as they were buy one get one free. I thought it was time I gave my skin a bit more care in general 😊

@Fhee ah lovely hope you like them and glad your skin is improving already

Ah @Fhee, I'm so glad you're sorted and it's clearing up. Also glad I posted now!

This is really good for Perioral Dermatitis and dry skin in general.

www.lyonsleaf.co.uk/Perioral-dermatitis-cream/zinc-and-calendula-cream

Go to your gp for a proper diagnosis, I wouldn't be using steroid cream until you know what it is as can trigger other conditions even if it seems to help in the short term.