Itchy, scaly, oozing skin on lips and face. What is it?
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free skin care · Thu Mar 10, 2011 10:50 pm

Hey everyone, I'm hoping y'all will be able to help me figure out what kind of skin condition I have and what I can do about it.

Two autumns ago I got what looked like a small rash on the side of my face and lips. It started out looking like a red mark and then a few hours later started itching. After that, it quickly progressed into a scaly, scab like thing which oozed/crusted yellow fluid (sorry, gross I know Confused

).

The first time I had it, it lasted for over a week, but I eventually figured out how to get it to go away sooner with a combination of Aveeno anti-itch cream (for my face), frequent exfoliation, and Aquaphor (face and lips).

Since then it's cropped up a few more times and I think it's linked to stress or when I'm sick. It also only seems to crop up around fall and winter. Maybe it's immune system/virus related?

If anyone has any suggestions as to what this is and how to prevent it or make it go away sooner, I'd appreciate it.

free skin care · Fri Mar 11, 2011 12:39 am

I think that's something you should show and ask a doctor about. It could be so many things... from poison ivy to stress-induced. Definitely get it checked out especially if it has returned more than once

Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:47 am

I agree with the advice to see a doctor, but it does sound like a herpes infection (i.e., cold sore or fever blister). There are meds to keep those from recurring.

free skin care · Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:03 pm

Ok yikes

I didn't realize it could be that serious. Thanks.

free skin care · Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:26 pm

I agree with the others. Please see your doctor or dermatologist.

free skin care · Sat Mar 12, 2011 4:02 am

Lemon wrote:

Ok yikes

I didn't realize it could be that serious. Thanks.

It may not be terribly serious but you need a doctor/derm to determine exactly what it is and then it can be treated properly! Smile

free skin care · Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:22 am

Sounds like herpes infection to me....cold sores are the worst. Go see your Dr. and have them prescribe you Valtrex and Zovorak. Valtrex are pills that you take when you feel an onset or tingling sensation. They usually help to reduce the severity of the breakout and the frequency. Unfortunately, herpes will never go away. The Zovorak is a topical cream to help sooth and heal them when there is an outbreak.

Just remember to always keep your hands clean and avoid touching the area at all costs. Use a Q tip to apply any creams or treatments and wash your hands right away should you touch it. This can be spread to other parts of the body if you are not keeping your hands clean.

I find peroxide helps to dry it out too.

free skin care · Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:31 pm

oasisjc wrote:

I think that's something you should show and ask a doctor about. It could be so many things... from poison ivy to stress-induced. Definitely get it checked out especially if it has returned more than once

Yup,
was going to say have you seen a doctor or more then one doctor.

Sometimes you go to a doctor and they are so clueless, that you have to go to several more to just get an answer.
Unfortunately I seem to end up dealing with the lazy doctors here more then I'd like.

A few years ago I was bitten by a spider or insect on my leg. ended up getting a referal to a derm...and waiting list was 1+ year.
by the time I had my apt my leg looked better.
how useful.

in the meantime my leg looked like it had a very bad burn and was extremely red and felt like it was burning.
went to a medical clinic..and doctor first tells me to stop scratching my leg?? when I had not even touched it and was actually icing it.

I ended up getting a prescription for antibiotics and I had a potenitial blood infection and cellulitis on my leg.
I was ok after a few weeks,my skin still has some scarring though.

If I had waited 1+ year just to go to the derm...I could have been in big trouble from that.

So I would maybe go to 2 doctors just to see if they say different things.
or maybe if you think the first doctor is right that is good too.

or maybe go to 1 doctor and then research what they say, then decide if to see someone else.

Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:21 am

As others have said..see a Doc and do it while it is "active" so they can actually see what it is. Should it be HV, it can also show up in other forms through out the body. Having it checked out now will help you later on also. And be sure to change your pillow case every day and wash them in hot water as not to spread it any further.

free skin care · Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:59 am

I would see a Dr. as well, but it does sound like a cold sore as well.

free skin care · Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:57 pm

I suggest you get ABreva at the drugstore--it's over the counter and really works for herpes which I'm pretty sure you have. I have been suffering with it since age 11.

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