So, you may not know that if you suffer from a rash that appears around your mouth, but can also spread up to your nose and even the eyes, then you may be suffering from a type of eczema called Perioral Dermatitis.
The most common way that it likes to present itself is a red bumpy rash and sometimes can ooze colorless liquid, be slightly itchy and give you some burning sensations.
Perioral Dermatitis is most commonly found in women between the ages of 20 to 45 but it is not just confined to that group. It can also be found in all ages, races and ethnicities. Sometimes it has even been known to happen to children.
Without the right treatment, cases of perioral dermatitis can disappear, but then reappear at a later date. So it is better to deal with the symptoms while they are present rather than allowing it to subside on its own. Episodes of perioral dermatitis can last weeks, if not months, when it is not treated.
What Causes Perioral Dermatitis?
The actual cause for this kind of condition is not clear. To be honest, most classify the cause as unknown. However, experts suggest possible causes include:
- Topical Steroids
- Nasal sprays that contain corticosteroids
- Steroid Inhalers
Certain ingredients in some cosmetics have also been linked to the possibility of perioral dermatitis. Heavy skin creams that contain petrolatum or a paraffin base could worsen the condition.
There are a few other factors that may also be linked to the potential of increasing your chances of getting perioral dermatitis like, bacterial or fungal infections, drooling, birth control pills, sunscreen, fluoridated toothpaste and rosacea.
What Are Some Symptoms of Perioral Dermatitis?
The most common ones to be found is a red bumpy rash around the mouth and in the folds of the nose area. These bumps may come across rather scaly in appearance. Other areas that can be affected are under the eyes, on the chin and on the forehead.
The rash may also contain lumps of pus or fluids which are most commonly referred to as looking like acne, for anyone who may be struggling to picture the image in their minds. Burning and stinging are two the most reported symptoms of perioral dermatitis and can get worse if a rash develops. Itching is not often reported as a symptom.
How To Diagnose This Condition
Most of the time it is done by a visual exam done by your doctor or a dermatologist, and they will look into your medical history to see if there are any recurring issues regarding your skin. They may also want to perform a skin culture test to rule out the possibility of there being an infection present.
This test is easily done by taking a gentle swab of the site where perioral dermatitis is present and then send the sample off to a lab to get tested for bacteria or fungi. Your doctor may also want to perform a skin biopsy. This is usually done if your skin is not reacting as it should to any prescribed treatment they have recommended.
What To Avoid To Lower Your Chances of Perioral Dermatitis
- Look into your current diet and lifestyle to see if any changes can be made
- Check the ingredients of your face cleaning products; remove any with harsh chemicals
- Avoid steroid cream
- Stop using cosmetics to see if that lessens the reaction
- Use hot water when washing your pillowcases and towels
All of these may help to lower your chances of getting this condition, but it is not guaranteed, so please consult your doctor before undertaking any sort of skin treatment if you suspect you have perioral dermatitis.
Is Perioral Dermatitis Contagious?
No! This type and any other type of dermatitis is NOT contagious so there's no need to worry about someone close to you ending up with perioral dermatitis. This is a pretty common question because like most people, when they realize they have some type of skin condition, they worry about spreading it. Luckily, you don't have to worry about this when you have any kind of dermatitis.
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