If pimples appear around the nose and lips, they cannot always be dealt with by changing the foundation or adding a new acne remedy to the routine. When the cause of the rash is perioral dermatitis, such products can only do harm. We will tell you why this disease develops and how to keep it under control.
What is perioral dermatitis
This is a chronic skin condition that manifests itself as multiple small rashes in the form of red bumps 1–2 mm in diameter, sometimes with redness and scales. In addition to the rash, other symptoms may also occur:
-
Itching or a burning sensation develops. The folds between the nose and mouth are most affected.
-
The skin around the rash becomes dry and flaky.
-
Rashes may appear around the eyes, nose and genitals.
Perioral dermatitis cannot be contracted or passed on to anyone else . It is thought to be caused by a skin reaction to certain ingredients in facial care products or even fluoridated toothpaste.
This disease affects 0.5-1% of people in developed countries each year, 90% of whom are women aged 16 to 45. But sometimes perioral dermatitis occurs in children and the elderly.
Why does perioral dermatitis occur?
The exact cause is unknown . Perioral dermatitis can occur after using facial creams with steroids that are used to treat another condition, such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Risk factors also include hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy, before menstruation, or while taking oral contraceptives.
The occurrence of perioral dermatitis can be provoked by the use of the following products :
-
Topical steroids, such as hydrocortisone cream.
-
Medicines containing corticosteroids, regardless of the form of release: inhalers for asthma, sprays for allergic rhinitis, tablets.
-
Skin care creams and sunscreens: The likelihood of developing dermatitis increases when using night and day moisturizers in combination with foundation.
-
Toothpaste with fluoride.
-
Oral contraceptives.
What diseases can perioral dermatitis be confused with?
Rash, redness, and sometimes itching are not unique symptoms of dermatitis. Other diseases can manifest themselves in a similar way. It will not be difficult for a doctor to distinguish them from each other: each disease has a characteristic sign that helps to distinguish it from other similar ones.
Rosacea
This is a chronic skin disease characterized by pimples and redness. It differs from perioral dermatitis by telangiectasias, or, as they are also called, spider veins, which are dilated small blood vessels in the skin.
Rosacea can also affect the eyes, causing itching, dryness, and vision problems.
Atopic dermatitis
In this disease, skin inflammation develops from early childhood, often between the ages of 2 months and 5 years. It is accompanied by redness and severe itching, which is not as pronounced in perioral dermatitis.
The localization also varies: with atopic dermatitis, most often not only the skin of the face is affected, but also the neck and folds of the arms.
Acne
This is a condition that is primarily accompanied by various rashes: pimples, blackheads, cysts or painful red nodules. They can appear on the skin of the face, upper back, chest and arms, and not just around the mouth, as in perioral dermatitis.
Seborrheic dermatitis
This chronic skin disease occurs due to a disruption in sebum production. Seborrheic dermatitis, unlike perioral dermatitis, affects men more often. And the rash is usually localized in places with the greatest accumulation of sebaceous glands: in the hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, nasolabial folds and on the skin of the ears. Red spots with yellow scales appear there , and the affected areas itch very badly.
How to Help Skin with Rash Around the Mouth
If the doctor has determined that the cause of the rash is perioral dermatitis, he or she may recommend the following:
-
stop using all types of face creams, including decorative cosmetics and sunscreens;
-
wash only with warm water, not cold or hot;
-
change your skin care routine – switch to a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and don’t rub your face when washing;
-
Avoid using creams and ointments containing steroids.
An important nuance: when you stop taking medications that contain corticosteroids and hydrocortisone, the rash may get worse . You need to endure this period, even if you are tempted to start using steroid creams or ointments again. In Russia, this approach to treatment with the cancellation of trigger medications is called zero therapy. Sometimes it is quite enough, and the rash goes away in two weeks.
But if there is no noticeable effect, the doctor may supplement the treatment.antibacterial drugs – for example, metronidazole, erythromycin, clindamycin or benzoyl peroxide. Each of them is selected individually depending on the skin condition and severity of the disease. On average, such products are recommended to be used from 6 to 12 weeks.
In most cases, the rash does not return after treatment . However, there is a risk that the rash will recur if you continue to use creams with corticosteroids. Therefore, it is better to avoid such products without special recommendations and instructions from your doctor.