Perioral Dermatitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Dermatitis is an inflammatory condition of the skin in which a rash forms. If it shows up around the mouth, it is then referred to as perioral dermatitis. There are many different causes of it, ranging from the use of topical corticosteroids to hormonal changes. Treatment for perioral dermatitis varies, depending on what’s causing it. However, something as simple as steering clear of the root cause is often enough to put an end to the problem. If it refuses to go away, a dermatologist may recommend antibiotics or a topically used medication that controls the immune system.

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Keep on reading to know more about perioral dermatitis. Don’t forget to share this article on social media afterwards to get your family and friends acquainted with this skin condition, too.

Causes

The good news is perioral dermatitis is not due to an underlying medical condition. In addition, it is not a skin infection that can be passed from one person to the other.

Health authorities primarily blame the use of topical corticosteroids for the development of perioral dermatitis. This is most especially true if the gel, cream or ointment is used for dealing with another inflammatory skin condition near the mouth. The use of nasal sprays containing steroids may also trigger the development of perioral dermatitis. More often than not, the risk of suffering from perioral dermatitis increases the longer the steroid-containing product is used.

There are a few other things that may bring about this skin condition. Sometimes it can be due to the use of toothpaste or any other beauty product that contains harsh or irritating ingredients. It can also be caused by an allergic reaction or bacterial infection.

According to skin care specialists, perioral dermatitis may also be brought about by hormonal changes and the intake of birth control pills. At times it can be due to strong winds or excessive sun exposure.

Perioral dermatitis is more common in women, especially those who are between 16 and 45 years of age. However, it’s possible for the skin condition to also affect men, children and older adults.

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Signs and Symptoms

At first look, it can be easy for perioral dermatitis to be mistaken for pimples. However, experts confirm that the said skin condition is not the same as having pimples.

Perioral dermatitis is primarily characterized by the presence of small bumps around the mouth. Some people get a few bumps only, while others tend to have a lot. Sometimes those bumps to be the same color as the skin of the individual, but it’s possible for them to appear pink or red especially among people with light-colored skin.

Generally speaking, perioral dermatitis does not cause pain. However, it’s possible for the rash to burn a bit or cause the affected area feel taut. Sometimes it may feel itchy, too.

By the way, aside from the area around the mouth perioral dermatitis may also affect areas near the nose and eyes. In rare instances, it may also cause rash to form around the genitals. Aside from bumps, sometimes perioral dermatitis may cause the skin to appear scaly as well.

Treatment

If the cause of perioral dermatitis is the use of topical corticosteroids, then stopping their usage can put an end to the skin problem. However, it’s not really a good idea to suddenly quit the use of medications most especially if they’re prescription ones. What needs to be done is to approach the doctor and report the problem so that an alternative medication may be recommended.

If the problem refuses to go away on its own after some time, it is a good idea to pay a dermatologist a visit. In some cases, the treatment for perioral dermatitis involves the use of oral or topical antibiotics.

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