Dry patches of skin around your mouth can cause pain while you're eating or talking. A variety of reasons can cause this condition. Certain conditions can be easily treated while other conditions may require a bit more care and a prescription medication. It's important to have a proper diagnosis so you can properly treat the condition.
Identification
Depending on the cause, you may have red bumps along with dry patches of skin around your mouth. The bumps may cause additional irritation as well as itching. When scratched, the bumps and dry skin may ooze pus, which will lead to crusting. Crusting occurs when pus dries on the skin. The crust may cause further skin irritation.
Types
A variety of conditions may cause dry patches of skin, such as perioral dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and skin cancer. Perioral dermatitis tends to affect those who have oily skin, according to DermNet NZ, the official website of the New Zealand Dermatological Society. The exact cause of the condition is unknown. Seborrheic dermatitis is a form of eczema that typically affects your scalp and face. Certain medications may also cause dry patches of skin to form around your mouth. If you're a woman, makeup can dry out your skin, causing dry skin around your mouth.
Prevention/Solution
Seek medical attention from your health care provider for a proper diagnosis. Depending on the cause, your health care provider may recommend that you moisturize the area throughout the day to rehydrate your skin or he may prescribe an anti-fungal cream or a topical antibiotic to clear any infection. Your physician may also provide you with specific skin care instructions, such as how often to wash your face and whether you should continue to use any cosmetics. If the skin condition is caused by a medication, he may recommend that you discontinue the medication until the dryness clears up.
Considerations
As soon as you begin to notice dry skin, take note of when it began to occur and whether it has affected other areas of your face, such as your forehead, cheeks or nose. Do not try to self-medicate your skin as certain lotions or other over-the-counter products may cause additional dryness and irritation.
Warning
Do not scratch or pick at the dry skin around your mouth. Picking, scratching or touching the dry skin may cause it to spread to other areas of your body, especially if a fungus or bacteria is causing the condition. Do not continue to use old makeup brushes as this may cause the condition to worsen or come back once it has cleared up.
