I’m writing because I have had a skin condition known as perioral dermatitis for eight years and have finally gotten rid of it. For those of you who don’t know, perioral dermatitis is a rash that normally appears around the mouth but can also appear in the nostrils and on the chin. It’s not acne, nor is it rosacea. In fact, it’s not even an allergic reaction, though it looks like one. The rash itself is red, flaky and bumpy, with tiny pus-filled blisters. It is extremely uncomfortable: my lips would chap easily, they would burn if I ate spicy food or drank coffee, and they would also burn if I used certain cosmetic products (including lipstick). My lips were so sensitive that they would hurt if I talked too much or smiled too much.
To be honest with you, perioral dermatitis was a real nightmare for me when I first got it at the age of 16. My dermatologist misdiagnosed me twice (I saw two different dermatologists), which was really frustrating because all I wanted was to get rid of this rash. My first dermatologist told me that I had a yeast infection on my face and prescribed me ketoconazole cream (also
If you are reading this blog post, I have a feeling that perioral dermatitis is not something new to you. You know what it is, and you probably know exactly how it feels to develop those red spots around your mouth and on your face.
Even though I was familiar with the condition (and had a very good idea of the cause), nothing could prepare me for the moment when I saw my own skin in the mirror. If you have been there too, then you know what I am talking about.
But don’t worry: help is at hand!
In this article, we will explore everything there is to know about perioral dermatitis: from how it develops, why people get it in the first place, and how to deal with its symptoms.
For a few years now, I have had a skin condition called perioral dermatitis. It was the worst when I was in my early teens and got better after that, but has never fully gone away. It is so rare that it’s not well known, and there is only limited information on the internet and even in medical textbooks. There are no known causes or cures, but this article tells you all the things I have found that help, and the mistakes I made along the way.
If you’ve never heard of perioral dermatitis before, it looks like this:
Let me start off by telling you all of the things that do not cause it. Perioral dermatitis is not caused by diet, stress or makeup (although all of these can aggravate it). It is not contagious or a sign of poor hygiene. You can’t get it from touching someone with it, or from them touching your face.
I was told by several doctors that perioral dermatitis is an “allergy to your own saliva” – but don’t believe them! This is a ridiculous theory that has no evidence behind it. It’s basically what doctors say when they don’t know what’s wrong with you.
I suspect there are many causes
Perioral dermatitis is a skin condition that can be caused by a number of factors including steroids, irritants and allergies. The condition may present as a red rash around the mouth and nose but it is not contagious. However, if it does not clear up within 2 weeks after taking over-the-counter medications, you should consult your dermatologist. The only way to effectively treat perioral dermatitis is to use prescription medications such as antibiotic creams, oral antibiotics and tetracycline.
Some people with perioral dermatitis may also have rosacea, which are small red bumps on the cheeks and nose. These bumps may be visible when you smile or laugh. Your doctor can determine whether you have rosacea by taking a close look at your face and how your skin responds to the light. If there is no response to light, then you probably do not have rosacea.
If you think you might have perioral dermatitis, you should get a complete physical examination and ask your doctor about any other health conditions that may be causing your symptoms. In some cases, the best treatment for perioral dermatitis is simply to avoid things that irritate the skin such as moisturizers that contain alcohol or fragrances
Perioral dermatitis is a very common facial rash. It is not easy to diagnose and it can be even harder to treat. Most people either have no idea what perioral dermatitis is, or they misdiagnose it as rosacea. Since I started this blog, many people have contacted me asking for help with their perioral dermatitis. I’ve had discussions with most of these people, and almost all of them had been misdiagnosed by their doctors in the first place.
I’ve had perioral dermatitis for more than 10 years now and I finally managed to get rid of it about 4 years ago. The illness was extremely frustrating and annoying, so whenever someone contacts me for advice on PD, I really want to help them!
My goal is to provide you with enough information about perioral dermatitis that you can easily determine if you have the condition yourself, or if your child has it. If you do think you have PD, then my goal is also to help you get rid of it as soon as possible!
The most common causes of perioral dermatitis are topical steroids, fluoridated toothpaste and ultraviolet light (e.g., sun exposure).
The most common cause of perioral dermatitis is the use of topical steroids on the face. Topical steroids are commonly used to treat eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions. These drugs reduce inflammation and itching. However, they also disrupt the skin barrier. When overused, they can cause a rebound effect and make the skin extremely vulnerable to external factors such as irritants, allergens, bacteria and fungus. This is why overuse of topical steroid is one of the leading causes of perioral dermatitis.
Fluoridated toothpaste is another common cause of perioral dermatitis. Fluoride is an irritant that can trigger inflammation in sensitive individuals. It can also dry out your lips and make them more susceptible to fungal infection. Toothpaste containing fluoride should be avoided if you are prone to perioral dermatitis.
Ultraviolet light from natural or artificial sources (such as tanning beds) can also trigger perioral dermatitis in sensitive individuals. In fact, many people find that their symptoms get worse when exposed to sunlight or artificial UV
Perioral dermatitis is a skin disorder that causes a rash around the mouth. It is also known as periorificial dermatitis or “sore face” in New Zealand.
Perioral dermatitis occurs most often in women between ages 16 and 45, but it can occur at any age. For example, it can occur in children who use a lot of topical steroid cream for eczema on the face and around the mouth. In older people, it may be more common in men. The condition is rare in people of African descent, and it does not appear to have any relationship with people’s skin color or ethnicity.
Perioral dermatitis is not contagious — you cannot catch it from someone else and you will not pass it on to other people through skin-to-skin contact.
Perioral dermatitis can be a mild problem that results in a few red bumps for just a few days, or it can become a severe, long-term problem that causes redness, scaling, and fine lines around the mouth.