Perioral Dermatitis

This is a common condition that affects many people and usually presents as little red bumps, red scaly areas and/or larger red pustules around the mouth, nose or eyes. There can also be itching associated with this rash. Young women and children seem to be more prone to the rash and it can look similar to other common diseases like acne, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis. The cause of POD is usually unknown but topical steroid creams can be a cause. In addition to topical corticosteroids, several other factors have been proposed as potential contributors to POD, including hormonal fluctuations in women, fluorinated toothpaste, cosmetic products, makeups and oral contraceptive pills.

TREATMENT: Perioral dermatitis can sometimes go away on its own. However, it usually requires treatment to be cleared. Either topical creams or oral antibiotics such as minocycline are used. It is of good practice to be gentle with your skin, limiting soaps, makeup, and alcohol based cleansers whenever possible. After getting your face wet, always apply the medicated cream or an over-the-counter moisturizer. If a topical steroid was being used, it is important to stop this medication as this will only aggravate the disease with prolonged use. Your health care provider may decide to slowly stop the steroid over 1-2 weeks to avoid a rebound effect. It is very important to follow these instructions closely.

If this problem persists/worsens or you have problems with the medication, contact our office for a follow-up appointment. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call us.