what the hell is going on with my face?!

[dartmouthparker]

This is beginning to really get me down, so advice would be appreciated!

My skin has always been pretty straightforward - perhaps prone to dryness and sensitivity (weirdly it seemed more sensitive when I was younger) but generally very manageable and clear.

About two months ago I developed a crop of spots on the right side of my chin/jawline. They weren't big throbbing ones, or whiteheads, but small red bumps that seemed 'dry' on top. I put it down to cold weather/festive excess and didn't think much of it...but they just aren't going away! PLUS, I've now developed a similar collection of spots just under my left eyelid (really not a place one would usually get a breakout!) and the chin ones seem to be spreading towards the other side - I look awful! 😩

Nothing seems to be helping. Got my skincare right back to basics - mild cleanser and moisturiser - products I've always used and never had a problem with. Don't think it's hormonal (late 40's and have been on HRT for several months). Not using any new makeup or products or eating anything new. Not drinking as doing dry Jan.

Has anyone experienced a similar mystery and what helped you out of it? x

I had similar and did the NHS diagnosis online

Suggested it’s cold sores

I brought the cream and they went.

Try it - bloody stings though!

Try topical aciclovir.

Do they sting and tingle???

Could be impetigo
You'd need antibiotic cream if it is

Do you have redness too?

Thanks so much for speedy replies!

@GoldilockMom and @declutteringmymind - in my teens and twenties I usually got one or two coldsores a year - always on my bottom lip, but never on my face. These don't really look coldsores to me - the ones on my chin look more like small acne spots, although the ones below my eye are more rashy and almost look like small blisters...it's really strange (and unsightly!) They do sting and tingle a bit - certainly the ones below my eye, but not sure if that's because it's such a sensitive area.

@ofwarren it doesn't look like impetigo from googling...thanks though x

@CoQ10 - the irritated areas are a bit red, particularly after washing. But it doesn't really look like that type of redness one gets with rosacea, if that's what you're thinking - saying that, my mum did develop rosacea in her 40s, and I think it can be genetic. At this point it really doesn't look like rosacea though.

Are you blonde?

I would see a doctor and ideally a dermatologist. I developed rosacea and it started with spots like you describe.

I was 40s, it started after my kids were born and was awful for about 5 years.

Apparently blondes are more prone!

I can recommend some creams if necessary

Sounds like perioral dermatitis, which I also developed last year and have been trying to get rid of it for months now. It is associated with rosacea, but pretty poorly understood. Don't let anyone give you steroid cream for it, it will make it worse. Google it and see if you agree with the diagnosis but sounds like that to me.

@CoQ10 - I am blonde! Interesting. So when you say your rosacea started similarly - do you mean the chin spots or the under-eye rash? Maybe it could be the beginnings of it....I would love to hear what helped you, thank you. I already use the Balance Me rose oil and have done for years - it's apparently great for rosacea.

@Cegbee - the spots on my chin aren't very close to my mouth, BUT it does look a bit like mild peri-occular (rather than peri-oral) dermatitis. What has helped you?

You really need to go to a GP/derm to get a diagnosis as it could be a couple of different things with various different solutions.

It does sound to me like PD, if so they'll give you a course of lymecyline.

Can I ask what helped your rosecea CoQ10?

Place marking interested to hear more. My skin is a bit haywire. Rash along with Angular cheilitis.

Hi
Yes I had rosacea on chin and across each cheek / under eye.
Lots of pustules - it was grim.
Previously I had perfect skin. Even during puberty I didn't really suffer so this was a shock. My skin is also naturally dry.

Funnily enough I think I looked on Mumsnet and searched for rosacea. Someone had recommended this stuff so I asked my GP for a prescription. Over time it got rid of the spots. I also took astaxanthin (from Higher Nature) - whether it helped I don't know.

I don't have pustules at all anymore. Just some redness which comes and goes. I use makeup to cover it. Funnily enough sun helps my skin which is against a lot of advice. The more tanned I am, the less the rocasea is visible.

Does that help?

I would see your GP for sure and get a referral to a specialist if you can.

My sons dermatologist said angular cheilitis can be caused by a lack of zinc and advised supplements. It worked.

It could be folliculitis, that manifested as bumps under the skin and went with topical antibiotics. You do really need to see a doctor as a lot of skin conditions look the same to people without training

My skin is exactly the same, small red spots, that dont come to anything but occasionally have a small white head but not proper squeezy...but skin is dry at the same time. Also aggravated and a bit sore when I wash my face. I'm wondering if it hormonal? They aren't sore like a normal spot, but the area is very raw feeling if that makes sense? I've stripped back skincare and am trying not to muck about too much in the hope it goes away...

I’d say perioral dermatitis too. I get flare ups when the weather changes. Usually a thin covering of dermalex rosacea cream takes it down.

Could it be molloscum? DD has very similar on her arms and I had them on my face a few years ago which I initially thought was rosacea.

It does sound like peri oral dermatitis which you can get around the eyes as well as your mouth. I use dermol cream which seems to sort it quite quickly. It was recommended by a pharmacist. You can use it for washing and as a moisturiser. Mine first started when I reacted to a moisturiser I'd been using for ages that must have changed its formula. Don't use steroid creams, they will make it worse!

Thank you so much for all your helpful replies. I will definitely see my GP and get a referral to a dermatologist if necessary.

@CoQ10 - thank you. We do sound similar in terms of our skin history so maybe this is the beginnings of rosacea. My mum had it and I know it can be hereditary...hopefully I might be able to stop it in its tracks! I don't have redness or spots on my cheeks (so far anyway)... I have heard soolantra cream is excellent though.

@DurdleSnore (and others suggesting peri oral dermatitis) - very possible that's what this could be also, particularly as this all seemed to happen when the cold weather started.

@ofwarren - interesting! I googled angular cheilitis and actually I did have a crack on one side of my mouth that took ages to heal...again, I put it down to the weather and being quite run down. I wonder if they are all connected? I will get on the zinc supplements....

@Retrievemysanity - My kids had molloscum a few years back - it's definitely not that...but thanks anyway!

I have started using one of those led vibrating thingies on my face (I had developed odd red bumps on my forehead after always having perfect skin) and it’s really helped.

I also think it sounds like peri oral dermatitis. Google skin mites, they can cause a reaction around the eyes as well. Also rosacea. You need to see a dermatologist. If you do have it Soolantra works for many people (you have to use it for 6 to 8 weeks though). Topical antibiotic cream works for some. Mine only clear with oral antibiotics unfortunately.