What is it about ?
In perioral dermatitis, small pimples appear around the mouth. They can be accompanied by redness and a burning sensation. The skin may also peel (peeling of the skin). The condition has the characteristic of presenting a thin border without lesion around the red lipstick. Skin lesions often occur in the fold of the skin between the nose and the lips, then they can affect the area around the mouth and sometimes the eyes as well.
It is not yet clear what can cause perioral dermatitis. We know that applying cortisone creams to the face or taking cortisone medications (in tablets or inhaled, for example in asthma) can cause or worsen the condition. Cosmetic products (moisturizers, foundation or night creams) could also contribute.
What is its frequency?
The affection mainly affects young women, between 15 and 45 years old.
How to recognize it?
You notice small pimples around the mouth and sometimes around the eyes as well. The pimples sometimes have a reddish, scaly background. They can also make you sting and itchy. Sunlight, soap, or contact with water can make the problem worse.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of perioral dermatitis is easy to make thanks to the very characteristic places of the buttons and their appearance. It is not necessary to do any additional examinations. However, the doctor must distinguish it from other conditions such as acne (characterized by black dots) or rosacea (which affects slightly older people with visibly dilated blood vessels).
What can you do in consultation with the doctor?
Stop using cortisone creams on the face. This measurement can be difficult for many people because without this cream, skin problems often get worse. It is important that the doctor explains to you why it is better to stop using this cream. You can possibly temporarily use a weaker cortisone preparation, to be reduced gradually. Do not apply cosmetics to the affected areas for a while.
If, despite the measures, the skin condition does not go away, a prolonged course of antibiotics with tetracyclines may be indicated.
Want to know more?
- Corticosteroids for the skin – CBIP – Belgian Pharmacotherapeutic Information Center
- Inhaled corticosteroids – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
- Corticosteroids – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
- Corticosteroids for the skin (low potency preparations) – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
- Tetracyclines – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
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