While treating rosacea, one may see a rosacea-like eruption around the mouth area. Known as peri-oral dermatitis, peri-oral refers to the facial area around the mouth while dermatitis pertains to inflammation, redness or irritation of the skin. Topical steroid use and fluoridated toothpaste are the most common culprits. Perioral dermatitis appears mainly in women between the ages of 15 and 40. The symptoms of peri-oral dermatitis are generally characterized by an uncomfortable burning sensation around the mouth but do not affect the lips. Itching is also a common symptom. Most often, patients are primarily concerned with the cosmetic appearance of skin lesions. In most cases, one may observe discrete papules (bumps) and vesicopustules (fluid- or pus-filled bumps) are seen around the mouth. Rarely, a similar rash may appear around the eyes, nose, or forehead.This condition may be wrongfully thought of as acne while others believe it to be a manifestation of their rosacea.
Peri-oral dermatitis is often aggravated by fluoridated or tartar-control toothpaste, chapstick, the ingredients in lipstick, and mouthwash. Peri-oral dermatitis is a common skin problem that mostly affects young women, however, occasionally men and children are affected by it.
The easiest first step for improvement is the prevention by eliminating those factors mentioned above so that the affected perioral dermatitis area may heal. It may be described as small red papules or pustules without the occurrence of spider veins. Peri-oral dermatitis symptoms characteristically involve the mouth area, but generally do not affect the lips themselves. You may also notice flaking of the skin at the site of occurrence. Many times if the flaking is isolated to the lip area it may be mistaken for chapped lips. Often the skin around the nose is affected too, and sometimes it can affect the area under and around the eyes.
When peri-oral dermatitis expands to include the eye area, it should more correctly be termed "peri-ocular", or even, "peri-orificial" dermatitis. Peri-ocular dermatitis consists of similar flaking and redness with or without the appearance of small papules or pustules.
The most common causes of peri-oral dermatitis are topical steroid use and fluoridated and/or tartar control toothpaste. Discontinuing the use of fluoridated or tartar control toothpaste for six months may help reduce the symptoms of peri-oral dermatitis.
Sufferers of peri-oral dermatitis tend to have oily skin. Some people are more susceptible to peri-oral dermatitis than others, and recent research indicates the occurrence may be related in part to a proliferation of bacteria in the hair follicles.
Peri-oral dermatitis tends to be aggravated by the following conditions or circumstances:
It can take many weeks for the condition to clear. In severe cases treatment may consist of application of a steroid cream, which you then taper off of by using less, or a weaker strength of in the following days.
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