What makes perioral dermatitis flare up

Avoid steroid creams and ointments unless specifically directed by your doctor. If another medical practitioner prescribes a topical steroid, make sure to let them know you have perioral dermatitis.

Use the weakest possible one to treat the disease. Avoid using heavy cosmetics or skin creams. Ask your doctor about which moisturizers are acceptable to use. Try switching brands if you decide to continue to use cosmetics.

Switch to gentle cleansers and moisturizers. Ask your dermatologist for recommendations that would best suit your skin. Limit the amount of time your skin comes into contact with the elements. Some medications used to treat perioral dermatitis will also make your skin sensitive to the sun. There are many possible causes of an allergic reaction on your face. Food allergies can cause a rash or swelling around the lips. Seasonal allergies….

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What causes perioral dermatitis? What are the symptoms of perioral dermatitis? However, perioral dermatitis is not acne. Acne differs from perioral dermatitis as acne causes comedones whereas perioral dermatitis does not. The spots in acne also tend to be larger and deeper. There may be cysts and scars. Spots are usually on the jawline, cheeks and forehead. Perioral dermatitis does not usually cause scars in the same way that acne can but it can cause prolonged redness.

It is possible to have both acne and perioral dermatitis at the same time. Perioral dermatitis can sometimes be confused with rosacea. However, perioral dermatitis is not rosacea. The spots in rosacea are usually found on the central third of the face, including on the forehead, nose and chin.

The spots in perioral dermatitis are located around the mouth, around the nose and around the eyes. Rosacea will also cause flushing and redness. To confuse things, the spots in perioral dermatitis look a lot like the spots in rosacea when they are examined down the microscope. Also, It is possible to have both rosace and perioral dermatitis at the same time. Another name for eczema is dermatitis.

However perioral dermatitis is not eczema even though it shares a similar name. Eczema does not cause pimples. However, perioral dermatitis can occur in someone who is treating their eczema with steroid creams as a side effect. The causes of perioral dermatitis are not entirely clear. Problems with the skin barrier function appear to be a major issue in perioral dermatitis. The skin barrier is the top most layer of cells on the skin.

These are bound tougher by lipids fats such as ceramides. They are a bit like bricks and mortar. They form a barrier that keeps the outside out, and the inside in. The barrier stops irritants from disturbing the skin and also prevents dehydration and water loss.

It is very possible that when the skin barrier is not functioning properly, common things in the environment such as sun light, environmental pollution, cleansers, toners, sunblocks and other products may start causing an immunological reaction that leads to perioral dermatitis.

Fortunately there are very effective treatments for perioral dermatitis. These are the simple steps to follow:. The first step is to improve the skin barrier function.

Use a very gentle pH neutral skin cleanser and a non-occlusive moisturiser. A light moisturiser several times a day is better than a heavy moisturiser applied once.

In some cases of perioral dermatitis, a skin-care product or even a particular toothpaste may be the culprit, Lio says. The skin condition can affect anyone at any age, but children and women are most affected, Lio says.

He notes that most patients will first see their primary care doctor, but if the rash is not responding to treatment or the diagnosis is unclear, a visit to a board-certified dermatologist can be helpful. Nagler says. There is no specific FDA-approved treatment for perioral dermatitis, Lio says. Sometimes may clear up on its own. Yet some people will need the help of a healthcare provider. There are several approaches you can take to relieve symptoms.

Chien recommends taking mask breaks when appropriate, and if your line of work allows, choosing a face mask that has a lower chance of irritating the skin. Make sure your face masks are clean and that they fit properly, Chien says. Not only will this better protect you from COVID, but it will minimize irritation and breakdown in skin barrier.

Keep your skin-care routine simple. Sun care is key, too. Make sure to protect yourself by wearing SPF every day. Still, it is important not to resume the medication unless directed by your healthcare provider. Over time and with appropriate treatment, the rash usually improves. Perioral dermatitis is seen more frequently in fair-skinned people than in those with darker skin. Perioral dermatitis has also been reported in children with no significant difference seen in gender or race among kids.

Perioral dermatitis may also resemble acne, but there are usually some telltale differences, Chien notes. The AAD is the largest dermatologic association in the United States, with more than 20, member physicians. The website provides a robust number of resources on all skin conditions, including perioral dermatitis.

If you've just been diagnosed with the perioral dermatitis, the AAD offers a helpful guide on how to manage the condition. National Rosacea Society. Because perioral dermatitis and rosacea tend to overlap if you have both conditions, check out this website for information on symptoms , triggers , and how to manage unruly skin. Sarah James is a clean beauty blogger based in Oklahoma. In a recent blog post , she details her journey with perioral dermatitis, which she experienced for the first time at age Complete with before and after photos, her blog details what helped her get the condition under control, including a pared-down skin-care routine and stress management.

Girl Gone Green. Suzi is a former organic hairstylist who is now a full-time green beauty blogger who is devoted to examining the ingredients in skin-care and beauty products. On her blog , she shares her battle with perioral dermatitis and offers solutions for how she treated her condition naturally.