Perioral Dermatitis
Get the treatment you need at Riverchase Dermatology.
Perioral dermatitis overwhelmingly affects young women between the ages of 16 and 45, although men can get it. It tends to appear more often in those who have darker skin and those who are prone to eczema (a form of dermatitis). Children between the ages of 7 months and 13 years old may also be affected. The condition is more common in developed countries, including the United States.
Perioral Dermititis FAQs
Sometimes mistaken as acne, perioral dermatitis causes small, firm pink bumps that break out around the mouth and may be filled with fluid. The rash may cause an uncomfortable burning feeling around your mouth and create scaling skin. The disorder also may appear around the eyes, nose and forehead. It can come and go over a period of time.
While the exact cause is not known, it is thought to be a variant of rosacea, another rash-causing skin disorder. Unlike the chronic (long-term) nature of rosacea, perioral dermatitis usually responds well to treatment and can be completely cured. Be patient though; it may take a month or two to see marked improvement. Oral diseases such as perioral dermatitis are not contagious but may recur in some people. Another round of treatment usually works to clear the rash.
Treatments for Perioral Dermatitis
If you suspect that you have perioral dermatitis, you can prevent or minimize a breakout with a few simple lifestyle changes:
- With your doctor’s permission, stop using medications, especially topical or oral corticosteroids, including hydrocortisone or prednisone. A different type of treatment that does not trigger the condition may be prescribed instead.
- Switch brands of cosmetics, toothpaste and mouthwash products, since these may act as triggers.
- Use a hypoallergenic or non-soap cleanser when washing your face.
If your rash does not respond to self-care after about four to six weeks, make an appointment to see a Riverchase dermatologist, who can diagnose and a treat this oral disease at one of our conveniently located Florida locations. If you notice symptoms in your child, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation of this and any unidentified, long-lasting skin rash.
A Riverchase dermatologist can probably diagnose the rash by examining your skin, although sometimes a skin culture may be required to rule out infection. If another type of condition is suspected, your dermatologist may remove some of the skin’s affected cells to study under a microscope or may order a blood test or biopsy to rule out other skin disorders.
Some treatments that often work for rosacea can also be effective for healing your oral disease. These include topical medication creams or oral antibiotics.
