Dry skin around jawline

[WinterSong]

This is the second time this has happened over the past 2 months. I've developed some very dry skin that starts at the base of one ear and wraps down/under/around my entire jawline. It's not my entire neck - it mostly wraps in a line around my face. My makeup/brushes never touch that area and I haven't changed facial products recently, so I'm totally puzzled as to what I could be doing that caused this. I'm wondering if anyone has ever gotten a similar reaction due to food intolerances/allergies? 

(Background: I've been diagnosed with Celiac Disease for several years and am very strict about the diet. Sensitive to soy. No other known food allergies/intolerances)

[Mireille]

Hi, WinterSong. What a lovely screen name!

I don't know if what I have to share will be at all useful to you, but I often get areas of what is known as seborrheic dermatitis on my face and neck. They are common in front of my ears and around the chin - as well as in the folds near the nose and at the base of the neck. These patches are rougher than my normal skin, which is rather light and sensitive. These patches can appear whitish or pinkish in tone. I can get little flaky areas around my brows or even eyelashes that look almost like dandruff also. I seem to get these when I am eating more sugar than usual (i generally eat no to very little sugar) or when I have let up on my water drinking or am experiencing undue stress.

The most effective method (for me) to address these patches is a combination of drinking lots of water and washing the areas with (believe it or not) dandruff shampoo; I was told to make a thick application of it and leave it on the areas for one to three minutes before rinsing thoroughly. It usually takes several applications over several days, but so far the protocol has cleared these patches, every time. I am recognizing and treating them sooner now.

Your general physician or dermatologist could likely diagnose your trouble and suggest treatment for you, based on the diagnosis. Seborrheic dermatitis is fairly common and doctors may have other specific treatments as well when that is the diagnosis. I use good skincare products (gluten-free!) and find that ensuring that my skin is clean and well-hydrated, morning and evening, also helps avoid or treat flareups, which can be bothersome.

I hope this information will be helpful to you in some way, WinterSong. Best to you!

Mireille

[WinterSong]

Thank you so much for your advice! I'll try some of your suggestions. Unfortunately, I think I'll be skipping the dermatologist if I can manage. Super high deducible means i'd be paying out of pocket

[Giraffegirl]

Hi there I have this exact same thing.. however I don’t have celiac that I know of.. I found this when google searching for what the heck is wrong with my face.  I was wondering if you ever found out.. or if it just went away. Thanks

[Waveback]

Hi,

Over the last year or so I have had dry skin along my jawline; not always but enough to notice. Also, the last few years I've had breakouts on the backs of my arms up near my shoulders. I have noted that the breakouts occur when I eat anything with sugar in it, even one banana, or other fruit. I also have had both my underarms (at separate times) form a red ring around them. When I googled this, it came up as a sign of Candida. This made sense to me because Candida loves sugar. Years ago I went on a Candida diet after seeing a Naturopath. It really was very good for me, as I was lacking energy before that, and often feeling lethargic like Chronic Fatigue. As a result of what I have already experienced, and the googled armpit rings, I certain I've got an overproduction of Candida. Have a look at your tongue and if it is coated in white, then you're likely to have an overproduction of Candida. Since discovering this, I've stopped all sugar, including fruit and even sweet potato, pumpkin and carrots, and no beetroot either. Eating lots of broccoli, and other leafy greens. I eat really well normally with organic vegetables etc. I don't eat Dairy and have been grain free for a year or so. Already I can feel my skin is healing up. Candida can take a few months to get under control, so you have to be committed, but it is worth it. I've also got to the Dr and got some Nilstat, which is an anti-fungal medication. If you suspect you have Candida you need to seek medical advice on that for yourself. When I finish the Nilstat, I'm going to be taking a good probiotic to restore my gut health. You could try biofeedback. This is what the Naturopath used about 20-years ago that diagnosed me with Candida problems back then. In the last year I've been on a better diet; however, for a few years before that I was eating lots of ice-cream, chocolate, and even lollies. My system doesn't like sugar, so I'm getting healthy. Good luck to you all. It is worth it to look after your health.