Perioral Dermatitis Treatment

Although it’s not a particularly harmful condition, the symptoms of perioral dermatitis can persist for months or years if left untreated. Proper skincare and management are required to improve your rashes and reduce the occurrence of flare-ups. Here are some of the recommended treatment options for perioral dermatitis:

Topical Medications

A dermatologist may prescribe the use of topical medications to help control perioral dermatitis. Depending on the severity of your skin condition, you may need to use the topical medications for 6 to 12 weeks or until its symptoms get better. The most common topical treatments are:

• Erythromycin gel
• Metronidazole cream
• Azelaic acid
• Tacrolimus ointment
• Clindamycin lotion
• Pimecrolimus cream
• Topical ivermectin

If you have severe perioral dermatitis, oral antibiotics may be an effective treatment to help manage skin inflammation. Some of the oral medications that you may need to take are:

• Tetracycline
• Minocycline
• Doxycycline
• Low-dose isotretinoin
• Oral erythromycin

The word perioral literally means around (peri) the mouth (oral) which refers to the common areas affected by this skin problem. Dermatitis is a general term that describes the irritation and redness of the skin. This condition is also sometimes referred to as periorificial dermatitis which means around an opening or orifice.

If you have perioral dermatitis, you’d normally see small red bumps, mild peeling, and pus bumps around the mouth, nose, lips, and even the chin. The areas around the eyes and cheeks may also sometimes be affected. This skin disease can look a lot like acne, although its symptoms can be accompanied by mild itchy skin or a burning sensation.

There’s no set timeline on when the skin clears after starting treatment. It can take weeks to months for the skin condition to improve. Some patients notice an improvement within two months of taking oral antibiotic medicines.

Perioral dermatitis may last for months to several years without proper skin treatment and management. The topical and oral medications can help improve its symptoms, although it is possible that the condition will recur.

Recurring perioral dermatitis may lead to persistent inflammation and cause acne scarring and skin discoloration in the affected areas. Some cases of perioral dermatitis may also return and develop into rosacea.

For mild cases of perioral dermatitis, the rashes can clear up permanently with the help of topical and oral treatments. However, if you don’t follow proper skin care practices, the symptoms will reappear over time.

The good thing about perioral dermatitis is that it is not contagious. Almost all types of dermatitis are not harmful and cannot be spread from one person to another. However, it is important to know your potential triggers to avoid having active perioral dermatitis.

It’s unclear what exactly causes perioral dermatitis. Some dermatologists believe that it’s a form of acne, eczema, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis worsened by sunlight. It’s possible that this condition occurs due to a problem in the skin barrier function. The skin barrier is the top layer that protects against harmful irritants and toxins that may damage the skin.

When the skin barrier is not working properly, external factors like UV exposure, environmental pollution, and the use of topical face products may lead to perioral dermatitis. Some of the common factors that may trigger a perioral dermatitis breakout are:

• Topical corticosteroid creams
• Prescription steroid spray or oral inhaler
• Heavy cosmetic products
• Excessive application of moisturizer, cleansers, or acids on the skin
• Use of sunscreen
• Toothpaste with fluoride
• Skin infection
• Immune system problems
• Hormonal changes from menstruation or use of oral contraceptives
• Stress
• Chewing gum
• Frequent wearing of masks which encourages the development of ‘maskne’

There are no medicines that can completely stop and prevent perioral dermatitis. Since it’s a chronic skin inflammation disorder, its symptoms may disappear and return from time to time. The only way to manage this condition is to know and avoid what causes it.

Certain lifestyle modifications can help prevent the flare-ups of perioral dermatitis:

• Here are some of the best tips that can help improve skin health and reduce your risk for perioral dermatitis:
• Avoid putting strong corticosteroid creams and topical steroids on the face.
• Change your skincare routine and use mild cleansers and light moisturizers.
• Minimize the use of exfoliating products such as acids, peels, and masks.
• Don’t apply thick layers of sunblock, makeup, and other facial creams. Let your skin breathe every once in a while to manage perioral dermatitis.
• Wash and clean your face with warm water until the rash clears.
• Limit the use of heavy cosmetics even after the rashes have disappeared.
• Switch to a fluoride-free toothpaste and avoid those with cinnamon flavoring or tartar control ingredients.
• Avoid eating too much spicy or salty food since it can irritate your skin around the mouth.
• Wash your dirty bed linens, pillowcases, and towels with hot water frequently.