What is Perioral dermatitis ?

What is Perioral dermatitis ?

 Perioral dermatitis is a common facial skin problem in adult women. It rarely occurs in men. It may occasionally affect children. Groups of itchy or tender small red papules (bumps) appear most often around the mouth. They spare the skin bordering the lips (which then appears pale) but develop on the sides of the chin, then spreading to include upper lip and cheeks. The surrounding skin may be pink, and the skin surface often becomes dry and flaky. Perioral dermatitis

Often the skin around the nose is affected too, and sometimes that around the eyes (when it should more correctly be called ‘periocular’, or better still, ‘periorificial’ dermatitis.) Rarely, periorificial dermatitis may affect genital skin or the skin surrounding the anus. Perioral dermatitis

What causes Perioral dermatitis ?

The exact cause is not clear. However, in many cases the rash seems to be triggered by one or more of the following:

    - Steroid creams and ointments are a main trigger. See below for details. Perioral dermatitis

    - Make-up, cleansers and cosmetics applied to the area affected on the face. It may be that certain ingredients       of cosmetics may act as the trigger. For example, one study found that make-up foundation seemed to be a        particular provoking factor.

    -  Physical factors such as strong winds and ultraviolet (UV) light. Perioral dermatitis

    -  Fluorinated toothpaste has been suggested as a possible trigger.

   -  Yeasts and bacteria that live on the skin and in hair follicles have been suggested as a possible trigger. (However, perioral dermatitis is not just a simple skin infection.)

    -  Hormone factors may play a part as some women find that the rash becomes worse just before a period.             Perioral dermatitis

    -  The oral contraceptive pill may be a factor in some cases.

Recently, a study has found that some sun creams used on the face may be a trigger for perioral dermatitis in some children and adults. A liquid, gel or light milk sunscreen may be the best to use.

I hope you enjoyed this article about Perioral dermatitis .