Rash on the chin usually occurs as a symptom of perioral dermatitis. It is a harmless skin condition that can be triggered by inappropriate or excessive skin care. Reducing the use of cosmetics and skin care products will help heal a rash on the chin.
What is rash on the chin?
Rash on the chin describes a condition in which blisters a few millimeters in size, small nodules and skin redness appear on the chin. Rash on the chin describes a condition in which blisters a few millimeters in size, small nodules, and skin redness appear on the chin. In some affected individuals, scales form. The rash often spreads in a ring-like pattern to include the area around the mouth, the cheeks, and the nose area. Characteristically, the rash leaves a narrow border around the lips. In rare cases, the rash spreads to the eyelids and forehead. The so-called perioral dermatitis triggers a feeling of tension in the affected areas. The skin burns and itches. The symptoms intensify under the influence of hormonal fluctuations, UV light and mechanical stimuli, such as those caused by cleansing procedures. The skin disease is popularly known as erysipelas or stewardess disease. Rash on the chin is not dangerous.
Causes
What causes the rash on the chin is unknown. However, medical experts suspect that excessive and/or improper skin care triggers irritation of the skin, which can lead to perioral dermatitis. This is often the case when the sufferer has sensitive skin that is prone to allergies. With inadequate or excessive skin care, the skin then loses its function of retaining fluid. As a result, the skin dries out and tends to flake. Pathogens can attack the skin more easily, leading to infections. If the affected person reacts with an additional intensification of skin care, he or she worsens the rash on the chin. Erysipelas is the most common cause of the rash on the chin. Other causes can be a heat rash, cradle cap, certain childhood diseases such as measles and chicken pox, side effects to medications, neurodermatitis, acne, a contact allergy or rosacea. What these causes have in common, however, is that they do not just cause a rash on the chin. They cause additional rashes on other parts of the body. Perioral dermatitis is limited to rash on the chin and surrounding areas.
Diseases with this symptom
- Mouth rose
- Acne
- Rosacea (rosacea)
- Cradle cap
- Neurodermatitis
- Rubella
- Measles
- Chickenpox
- Ringworm
Diagnosis and course
A doctor often diagnoses the rash on the chin as erysipelas just by looking at the affected areas of the skin. The pattern with which the rash spreads on the chin and around the mouth area and the recessed region around the lips indicate perioral dermatitis. To confirm the diagnosis, he asks the affected person about his skin care habits. He can thus assess whether incorrect or exaggerated skin care has promoted the development of the rash on the chin. Once treatment has begun, erysipelas usually heals within a few weeks without leaving scars. If other diseases are suspected, such as acne, neurodermatitis, contact allergy or rosacea, the doctor performs blood tests. He examines skin areas of the entire body to rule out perioral dermatitis. Furthermore, he may take skin samples to make an accurate diagnosis.
Complications
A rash on the chin is a completely harmless condition of the skin, usually underlying “overgrooming” of the skin. Cosmetics and skin care products should be reduced to a large extent, this will greatly assist healing. Nevertheless, a rash on the chin is unpleasant, vesicles and redness of the skin may appear. Often the rash on the chin spreads in a ring-like manner, so that it can affect the region around the mouth, the nose and the cheeks. In this case, the skin burns or itches and a feeling of tension is felt. The rash on the chin is completely harmless, if the cleansing procedures are stopped or reduced, the rash disappears by itself.Where the rash on the chin actually comes from is fairly unknown, but the wrong skin care is definitely responsible. Especially for sensitive skin, excessive skin care is downright criminal, because it loses its actual function, which is to store fluid. Thus, the pathogens can easily penetrate the skin, which in turn leads to the reactions. Of course, “childhood diseases” can also cause a rash on the chin, and side effects of certain medications cannot be ruled out either. However, sometimes it is an allergy or a scratchy sweater. Usually the rash on the chin is completely harmless, but if the doctor finds acne or neurodermatitis, the patient is treated for these diseases. A blood count will bring clarity.
When should you go to the doctor?
Rash on the chin is often due to excessive skin care. In this case, it is quite possible to speak of over-care of the skin. This phenomenon is also known as stewardess disease. Therefore, it can already help to reduce the arsenal of skin care and cosmetic products. Typical in the rash on the chin are tiny vesicles, nodules, as well as redness of the skin. Occasionally, scaling of the skin is observed. In case of rash on the chin, there is a risk of it spreading further over the face. Unpleasant in addition is the burning and itching of the tense skin. It makes sense to consult a doctor in case of a rash on the chin. The family doctor is a suitable contact for analyzing the cause. In addition to the possible triggers mentioned, he can consider whether, apart from a general skin irritation, there is possibly an allergy to certain substances, hormonal fluctuations lead to it or it is acne. A rash on the chin can also be related to neurodermatitis. Especially in children, childhood diseases such as chicken pox or measles should also be considered. Occasionally, medication side effects also result in a rash. Depending on the findings, the primary care physician may take over treatment of the rash himself or refer the patient to a specialist such as an internist, dermatologist, allergist, gynecologist or pediatrician.
Treatment and therapy
Since the exact causes of the rash on the chin are unknown, the therapy is individualized. First, the doctor performs a zero therapy. This allows the skin to get used to resuming its functions on its own again. Over a period of several weeks, the affected person abstains from any form of skin care products. Ointments containing cortisone should be avoided, as well as washing lotions, cosmetics and skin creams. Zero therapy leads to an initial aggravation before the rash on the chin heals. If the affected skin areas are severely inflamed, a doctor may prescribe medical preparations for skin care as well as medications. If perioral dermatitis occurs in conjunction with a bacterial infection, the doctor administers antibiotics in the form of ointments and/or tablets to the affected person. For other conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and acne, a doctor usually prescribes medications and ointments to treat the rash. This includes proper basic skin care and anti-inflammatory measures. In the case of contact allergies, an attempt is made to identify the triggering allergen so that the affected person can avoid it in the future. Hyposensitization is a suitable measure to gradually reaccustom the immune system of the affected person to the allergy-causing substance.
Outlook and prognosis
In many cases, no special treatment is necessary for a rash on the chin. Very often, this rash occurs only temporarily and disappears again on its own. In this case, allergic reactions or intolerances often occur. The rash on the chin then disappears again when the ingredient has been completely broken down in the body. This can take several days. In some cases, the rash on the chin also occurs due to poor hygiene. In this case, washing more frequently and using creams and conditioners for the face will help. However, if the rash on the chin is prolonged and also associated with pain, a doctor should be consulted. It may be a case of an as yet unrecognized intolerance or allergy. The patient should then avoid the food in question. In most cases, the treatment is carried out with the help of medication and can last up to several weeks. However, it usually leads to success, only very rarely does the rash on the chin remain for a longer period.The rash on the chin can greatly reduce the quality of life. There is often a feeling of shame. Therefore, in case of pain and long-lasting rashes, a doctor should always be called.
Prevention
To prevent rash on the chin, a dermatologist advises to determine the particular skin type. Daily care should then be adapted to the particular skin type. In general, minimal use or complete avoidance of cosmetics has a preventive effect. After the rash on the chin has been cured, the affected person should not resume his usual skin care, but find out the optimal, individually adapted care in cooperation with a doctor.
What you can do yourself
The self-help measures indicated for a rash on the chin depend on its causes. If the rash is the result of food intolerance, the affected person should consistently avoid all suspicious foods until the symptoms subside. As a precaution, high-proof alcohol and nicotine should also be avoided. Such skin lesions may, however, be covered with make-up. If the rash is the result of a contact allergy, the affected skin area should only be cared for with cosmetics that are labeled as hypoallergenic. If a so-called erysipelas (perioral dermatitis) is present, one thing above all applies: do not scratch. The nodules and blisters typical of the clinical picture must not be opened under any circumstances. A connection between perioral dermatitis and permanent stress is suspected. Affected patients should therefore learn relaxation practices and avoid stressful situations as far as possible for the duration of the disease. It is also important to pay attention to regular digestion, to which a high-fiber plant-based diet contributes. Self-treatment with cortisone ointments is not advisable, as this usually only makes the erysipelas worse in the medium term. The affected areas of the skin should also not be treated under any circumstances with preparations other than those prescribed by the dermatologist. If the erysipelas is to be concealed with the aid of decorative cosmetics, the attending physician must be consulted beforehand.
