3 replies to this topic

[awshucks]

My face is mainly clear except for the area around my mouth and chin. Over the last year or two, I've started getting these little clusters of a dozen tiny white bumps on each side of my mouth area. Now it seems to be spreading to my cheeks so I definitely want to stop the spread and get rid of them.

 

These bumps rarely come to a head. They are tiny and sometimes not even noticeable until I stick my tongue underneath that spot. They don't go away on their own nor do they get bigger (except for the rare one which will become a typical whitehead). I've taken to sterilizing a needle and extracting the white gunk out of a few of them but since they're so tiny, it's really hard to get at them and give them a good squeeze to get everything out.

 

What exactly is this? How can I get rid of them, and how can I prevent new ones from forming?

 

Edit: I should add that when I am able to squeeze stuff out, it's white and stringy.

Edited by awshucks, 07 February 2013 - 12:17 PM.

[lifeinfaith]

Hi! Were you able to find out what this was or something that would resolve it? I literally have the EXACT same thing that started about 3 months ago. I went to a derm and she told me it was clogged pores and prescribed me differin, but said it would take 2-3 months to see significant results. I have also been to an aesthetician a couple of times and they do a few extractions but no real significant difference, I think they don't feel that most of the little bumps are extractable or are too small. If I try and do it myself it usually ends up making a swollen scabby red mark. You can really only see them if light hits my face a certain way, or if I poke my tongue under them like you were saying. They are near my mouth/under nose, jaw and up through my cheeks and cheek bones. They started around my mouth at the very first. I started using grapeseed oil on my face thinking my face was getting dry and breaking out (winter in Colorado) but that really just seemed to make it worse and spread. The derm and aesthetician have since told me that oil is a big NO NO for those with oil prone skin like me, so I am now using an oil free moisturizer.

 

It has been about 3 weeks with differin and I haven't seen any real improvement other than the little white bumps seem to be coming closer and closer to the surface and more visible...not sure if they will all just dissolve gradually or eventually come out on their own with little prodding, but I was hoping maybe you had discovered something/or seen improvement? I know I probably just need to have patience, but I am a little scared the differin is not going to clear it up. 

[Jabberwocky80]

I have developed little clusters of bumps from the right side corner of my mouth down to my chin.  Through some research I believe my issue is called "perioral dermatitis" and is somewhat related to acne.  I used white vinegar thinking that it would help, but that just inflamed the area like crazy.  I read online that violet oil would help, so I went to my local vitamin and health food store.  They didn't have violet oil in stock, but suggested something called Miracell Skin Relief.  It has helped calm the inflammation down, but a few bumps remain.  My derm gave me a script for an antiobiotic cream or gel but I would rather try something more natural at this point in time.  I continue to use this Miracell, and although it is made up of several different oils it does not clog my pores or contribute to further breakouts.

[a.p.]

The flesh colored bumps that are not inflamed are called closed comedones. They are very stubborn but respond well to retinoids. The retinoids will bring them to the surface and that's when your derm or doc will prescribe clindamycin or maybe an oral antibiotic.


Salicylic acid and bp or sulfur topical regimen will take care of these as well.