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Perioral Dermatitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

What is perioral dermatitis?

If you have a rash around your mouth, you may have perioral dermatitis.

This rash often looks like small, red, acne-like breakouts in people with light-colored skin and skin-colored breakouts in people who have skin of color.

Whether red or skin colored, this rash can itch. Sometimes, the rash causes a burning sensation.

It’s also possible that you won’t have any itching or burning. You’ll likely have dry and flaky skin where you have the rash, though.

Is perioral dermatitis contagious?

No matter where this rash appears, the mouth or even the genitals, you cannot catch this rash. It’s not contagious.

What causes perioral dermatitis?

It’s not entirely clear what causes this rash. Something may be irritating your skin, such as a skin care product or toothpaste. It’s also possible that you’re allergic to something that’s touching your skin.

Many people develop this rash when they apply a corticosteroid medicine to their skin for too long. That’s why it’s so important to follow the directions for taking medications. Be sure to follow the directions on medications that you can buy without a prescription and your doctor’s instructions for using all medications.

What can get rid of perioral dermatitis?

You may be able to get rid of this rash on your own. To clear perioral dermatitis, you must stop applying all corticosteroids, including hydrocortisone cream, to your skin.

This means that if you’re applying a:

Hydrocortisone cream without your doctor’s knowledge, stop using it

Prescription corticosteroid, ask the doctor who prescribed it if you can stop applying it

If your doctor tells you to keep using a corticosteroid, ask if you can use another medication.

When you stop applying a corticosteroid or hydrocortisone cream, the rash can worsen. If this happens, it can be tempting to start using the cream or ointment again. Don’t. Using it again will only bring temporary relief. Each time you stop applying it, the rash can flare.

It’s also possible that if you continue to apply the corticosteroid medication, it will eventually cause the rash to worsen each time you apply it.

Is perioral dermatitis contagious?

No matter where this rash appears, the mouth or even the genitals, you cannot catch this rash. It’s not contagious.

What causes perioral dermatitis?

It’s not entirely clear what causes this rash. Something may be irritating your skin, such as a skin care product or toothpaste. It’s also possible that you’re allergic to something that’s touching your skin.

Many people develop this rash when they apply a corticosteroid medicine to their skin for too long. That’s why it’s so important to follow the directions for taking medications. Be sure to follow the directions on medications that you can buy without a prescription and your doctor’s instructions for using all medications.

What can get rid of perioral dermatitis?

You may be able to get rid of this rash on your own. To clear perioral dermatitis, you must stop applying all corticosteroids, including hydrocortisone cream, to your skin.

This means that if you’re applying a:

Hydrocortisone cream without your doctor’s knowledge, stop using it

Prescription corticosteroid, ask the doctor who prescribed it if you can stop applying it

If your doctor tells you to keep using a corticosteroid, ask if you can use another medication.

When you stop applying a corticosteroid or hydrocortisone cream, the rash can worsen. If this happens, it can be tempting to start using the cream or ointment again. Don’t. Using it again will only bring temporary relief. Each time you stop applying it, the rash can flare.

It’s also possible that if you continue to apply the corticosteroid medication, it will eventually cause the rash to worsen each time you apply it.

(04/08/2021)
by AAD

More Information: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/perioral-dermatitis

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