I noticed riot my 3 year old has recently been getting rims of reddish brown stuff around his eyes. It comes off when I wipe it. Theres some on his nose to. I do not notice any symptoms of anything...?
Hmmm, in that 2nd picture, it also looks like there might be some on his bottom lip, or has he always had those spots?
I'm wondering if he is getting into something and snuffling or digging so that he's accidentally throwing it onto his face? (just wild guess, really)
Is he acting strange or in any way out of the ordinary? Does he go outside, or do you have any potted plants or anything indoors that he could be getting into? I honestly have no idea, because it doesn't look like it's from weepy eyes.
Hopefully someone else will come along who might have some ideas.
This isn't really my area, but I have a feeling this is a mild allergic reaction. My boy does have some similar eye discharge and it isn't uncommon.
It would not hurt to wash the area with a warm saline solution. It doesn't matter if a little of the solution goes into his eyes.. in fact I think it isn't a bad idea as it tends to go in the eye and out through the nose, gently washing the sinuses/nostrils. I have to say that this is just my opinion and way of dealing with this.
You would obviously watch out for things like obvious eye discomfort, which can lead to conjuntivitis. If you are concerned or there are other symptoms, then a vet's visit would be the way to go.