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Suggest Treatment For Rashes Above Upper Lip

Posted on Mon, 31 Aug 2015

Question: Hello. My 8 year old son has had a rash on the area between his upper lip and nose since birth. We have been to an allergist for skin testing and to a dermatologist. The only answer has been excema but it never goes away. It is a series of small bumps. Many become red/purplish in color and sometimes a few even come to a head and erupt, almost like a pimple. His skin testing is not positive for any food allergies. If we use hydrocortisone for a few days in a row, it improves, but never will go totally away. It has been 8 years now and we're beginning to worry that he will have permanent scarring. Do you have any ideas? What could this be?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Perioral dermatitis; topical metronidazole gel and Oral doxycycline

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed the Image.

I suggest a possibility of Perioral Dermatitis.
I would suggest you to stop topical steroids i.e hydrocortisone cream, as it would only suppress it partially and stopping it would only cause a rebound flare.
I would rather suggest you to use a metronidazole 1% gel, twice daily along with Oral doxycyline Or tetracycline according to his age/ weight.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar