It looked like things were healing. Then last night before I went to bed I noticed a couple of small white spots on my lips again. Woke up this morning to the worst outbreak yet.

PCP had no available appointments today so I went to Urgent Care, which is actually a different office of the same practice. By the time the doctor there saw me, the pustules (what a gross word) were drying out. She said it's not viral and it looks like an allergy -- perioral dermatitis. She gave me an Rx for a low dose of prednisone. (So I'm in for several more weeks of bloating -- between the steroids and perimenopausal hormone swings, I haven't been able to fit into most of my clothes for more than a month now.)

My allergist is out of town so the earliest available appointment with him is Oct 2. The urgent care doctor suggested that I follow up with a dermatologist, so I have an appointment there in two days. I took more photos of my lips this morning so I can show them what's going on.

As for possible causes -- who knows? If it's food, I had orange juice last night and also had some on Saturday. I had an oatmeal raisin cliff bar yesterday and I think I had one on Saturday. I was out all day yesterday helping at our club's century ride, in the sun on and off throughout the day. My forearms were red and itchy during the afternoon which I figured was a manifestation of the chronic hives. Stress has been high lately due to a situation at my job.

I'm kinda tired of playing "what am I allergic to now?" I'm sure many of you can relate.

The corners of my lips are now very dry and cracked from this latest episode. I don't want to use Vaseline on it. The doctor today said that I could use a very small amount of hydrocortisone cream.