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What are Different Types of Perioral Dermatitis Remedies?

D. Jeffress
D. Jeffress

Perioral dermatitis is a fairly common skin disorder that causes small bumps and rashes to break out around the mouth. The condition is usually painless, but it can be frustrating and cause a person to worry about his or her appearance. Fortunately for sufferers, there are several effective perioral dermatitis remedies. Most people with minor skin problems find relief with simple home care techniques such as washing with warm water and avoiding irritating soaps, cosmetics, and moisturizers. Prescription perioral dermatitis remedies include topical and oral antibiotics that can help many patients who have chronic, severe outbreaks.

Dermatologists can help their patients choose the best perioral dermatitis remedies by finding out the underlying cause of their symptoms. Many cases are due to the use of potent steroid creams for other skin problems. Even when a topical steroid is used elsewhere on the body, it can be transferred to delicate skin around the mouth on a person's fingers. Doctors usually suggest avoiding steroid creams altogether if possible, or taking care to wash the hands thoroughly before touching the face or eating.

Some sunscreens contain ingredients that can aggravate perioral dermatitis.
Some sunscreens contain ingredients that can aggravate perioral dermatitis.

Some people have perioral dermatitis outbreaks because of irritants in the products they use on their faces. Soaps, makeup, acne products, lotions, and sunscreens can all potentially cause skin irritation. Problems often clear up in a few weeks when a person stops using such products. It is still important to keep the skin clean, and warm, soap-free water seems to be the best way to prevent further irritation. Extreme temperatures and the elements can also worsen a case of perioral dermatitis, so a patient may be advised to stay indoors during very hot, cold, or windy weather.

The fluoride contained inside toothpaste may cause perioral dermatitis.
The fluoride contained inside toothpaste may cause perioral dermatitis.

Some people continue to have skin problems despite trying at-home perioral dermatitis remedies. Chronic or frequently recurring rashes often occur because of bacteria on hair follicles and skin cells around the mouth. Oral antibiotics such as tetracycline and doxycycline are usually effective at killing bacteria and restoring skin to its normal condition in about six weeks. Topical antibiotic ointments can also be used, though applying them to the sensitive area may inadvertently make irritation worse.

Perioral dermatitis remedies may include oral antibiotics.
Perioral dermatitis remedies may include oral antibiotics.

Photodynamic therapy is one of several experimental perioral dermatitis remedies that is gaining the attention of many dermatologist. The same types of light therapy that help people with severe acne have shown to be effective against perioral dermatitis in clinical trials. The procedure is not yet widely used, but it may become a mainstay of treatment for chronic skin problems in the near future.

Discussion Comments

anon960992

Mederma Scar Gel cleared up my perioral and periocular dermatitis in less than a week. I massaged the gel onto cleansed skin a few times a day. You have to rub it in or the Mederma won't work. At first, the rash got slightly redder and itchier. But then the bumps dried up and flaked off. After months of dealing with PD, I found my personal "cure".

anon944669

Wow, when I read that "treatment is easy" I couldn't help but think 'easy for some.' Ever since my doctor misdiagnosed some small spots on my face as being related to my psoriasis and gave me a topical steroid (which I have long since discontinued) I have had a recurring problem with perioral dermatitis, like for three years now.

I don't want to take oral antibiotics indefinitely as I live in a climate where sensitivity to sunburn is an issue and I don't particularly go for the tooth-discoloration as a long-term side-effect either. However, the minute I'm exposed to some new cleaning product, or someone wearing hairspray brushes against me, (or any other of countless little real-life moments that you don't even notice at the time) I get huge clusters of angry red sores around my mouth, nose and - even worse - eyes!

People often say "what happened to your eye?" and are amazed that this is the end result of perioral dermatitis, which they assume must be easy to treat. If only they knew how hard it can be! For the most part I avoid alcohol and follow a careful diet, but life's too busy to find a way to avoid everything that can trigger it.

turquoise

@ddljohn-- I have not tried this myself, but I've read good things about apple cider vinegar for treating perioral dermatitis. Diluted tea tree oil can also help if you have blisters.

ddljohn

@feruze-- You're lucky that your perioral dermatitis disappeared quickly. I've been dealing with it for the past six months. I've done everything I was supposed to. I stopped using steroid cream, cheap face products and makeup. I only use a natural and gentle moisturizer. I even changed my toothpaste to an organic brand. But the rash is still there.

My doctor prescribed several different ointments for it but none of those helped either. I don't know what to do. I can't even go outside anymore because the rash looks so bad.

Is anyone else in this situation? Are there any natural remedies for perioral dermatitis?

bear78

I had perioral dermatitis last month. I had a rash develop around my mouth practically overnight. I actually guessed that it was caused by my face wash that I had just recently bought. I stopped using it but saw my doctor about the rash anyway.

He told me to stop using my skin care products and suggested getting chemical and dye free, hypoallergenic face cleanser and lotion. I did this and the rash disappeared in a little over a week. I guess I was allergic to something in the products I was using before.

This condition is very embarrassing but the good part is that perioral dermatitis treatment is easy. It just requires avoiding the products that trigger the rash.

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    • Some sunscreens contain ingredients that can aggravate perioral dermatitis.
      By: Antonioguillem
      Some sunscreens contain ingredients that can aggravate perioral dermatitis.
    • The fluoride contained inside toothpaste may cause perioral dermatitis.
      By: Monkey Business
      The fluoride contained inside toothpaste may cause perioral dermatitis.
    • Perioral dermatitis remedies may include oral antibiotics.
      By: brankatekic
      Perioral dermatitis remedies may include oral antibiotics.
    • Doxycycline may be used to kill bacteria.
      By: Nik_Merkulov
      Doxycycline may be used to kill bacteria.
    • Topical antibiotics and steroids may be used to treat perioral dermatitis.
      By: agephotography
      Topical antibiotics and steroids may be used to treat perioral dermatitis.
    • It's important for someone to wash their hands after using a topical steroid cream.
      By: Deyan Georgiev
      It's important for someone to wash their hands after using a topical steroid cream.
    • There are several perioral dermatitis remedies still being tested in clinical trials.
      By: Leah-Anne Thompson
      There are several perioral dermatitis remedies still being tested in clinical trials.
    • Signs of an allergic reaction to doxycycline, which may be used to treat perioral dermatitis, can include hives.
      By: Rob Byron
      Signs of an allergic reaction to doxycycline, which may be used to treat perioral dermatitis, can include hives.