Does perioral dermatitis go away?

Perioral dermatitis can go away with the right treatment. It can also go away without treatment, but it might reappear later.

Perioral dermatitis overview

You may never have heard of perioral dermatitis before, and that’s understandable. It is not as famous as other skin diseases like eczema or acne. Perioral dermatitis can cause a red rash to appear around your mouth, appearing out of nowhere. It typically causes flaky, dry skin, and may also come with itching, hence why it’s often confused with eczema. Perioral dermatitis is hard to treat and may go on for months. Even after a few weeks of therapy, the condition may get worse before it starts getting better.Here’s how you tell the difference—plus what you should do if perioral dermatitis actually is your issue.

What is perioral dermatitis?

How to deal with perioral dermatitis

It is an inflammatory rash on the skin surrounding the mouth. This rash can grow up to the nose or even the eyes. In such a case, it’s referred to as periorificial dermatitis. It manifests as a scaly or red bumpy rash around the mouth that may have a clear fluid discharge. Redness, slight itching, and burning can also happen. Perioral dermatitis can even appear around your genitals.

Despite where it is, the rash start in a pretty localized spot, like the corners of your lips, then spread from there. Also, while these bumps on your perioral dermatitis rash may be filled with fluid or pus, they don’t come to a pale, ready-to-burst head the way acne often does. Instead, if the bumps contain any fluid, the liquid is likely to be evenly spread throughout, like in a blister. Without the correct treatment, cases of perioral dermatitis can go away but may come back later. Episodes can last weeks and even months. In a few people, perioral dermatitis may become chronic.

Symptoms of perioral dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis appears as a rash of red bumps around the lips and in the folds around the nose. The bumps can be scaly in appearance. They can also appear:

These small bumps may contain pus or fluids and can look like acne. As the rash worsens, you may experience symptoms such as burning or itching.

Causes of Perioral Dermatitis

No underlying disease triggers perioral dermatitis, and it is not contagious. Although the precise cause is still unknown, researchers think it may be associated with the use of topical corticosteroids.These are steroid ointments, creams, or gels used to treat skin conditions. These products should be used for a short while, and most are not suitable for use on the face. Sometimes people apply corticosteroids for longer than they need to or use them on their face which can result in skin damage. A study done explored the effects of the abuse of topical corticosteroids on facial skin and found that perioral dermatitis was one of the adverse effects.

Additional potential causes of perioral dermatitis include:

Use cosmetics with caution. Avoid using heavy cosmetics or skin creams. Speak to your doctor about what kind of moisturizers can be used. Try switching brands if you want to continue using cosmetics. Switch to gentle cleansers and moisturizers. Also talk to your dermatologist for recommendations that would best suit your skin.
bacterial or fungal infections
constant drooling
using fluoridated toothpaste
taking birth control pills
exposure to allergens
having rosacea
an issue with the skin's protective barrier
a mutation in the bacteria naturally present on the skin
bacteria getting into the hair follicles
hormonal changes
ultraviolet light

How is perioral dermatitis diagnosed?

A doctor can diagnose whether you have perioral dermatitis by simply looking at your skin. They may also perform a skin culture test to rule out a potential infection. Your doctor can also do a skin biopsy, especially if the rash doesn’t respond to standard treatments.

Perioral Dermatitis: Other Possible Diagnoses

In most cases, particularly after discontinuing the use of steroid cream, perioral dermatitis goes away on its own. In case you or your child's rash does not subside, see a dermatologist or your health provider to rule out other similar conditions, including but not limited to:

Impetigo: This highly contagious skin infection is common among school age children. In case your child has red, oozing sores around their nose or their mouth, they may have impetigo.

Seborrheic dermatitis: In case the rash extends into the creases around your child's nose and results in flaking behind the ears and eyebrows, they may have seborrheic dermatitis.

Angular cheilitis: Inflammation and swelling at the corners of the mouth can be associated with iron deficiency.

Lip licker's dermatitis: Kids frequently suck their lower lip with their upper lip or just lick their lips, particularly during the winter. As the skin around their lips gets dry and irritated and dry, your child may develop a rash. In case treated with steroids, it can progress to perioral dermatitis.

How to treat perioral dermatitis?

It is recommended to cease the use of topical steroid creams or nasal sprays that contain steroids, if possible. These products can trigger or worsen symptoms. However, it’s necessary to speak with your doctor before stopping any medication.

Your doctor can help determine your treatment course based on the severity of your rash. In some instances, using mild soaps and terminating the use of heavy skin creams and fluoridated toothpaste can ease symptoms. Medicine can also speed healing up.

Prescription Medication for Perioral Dermatitis

Taking topical antibiotic medications, like metronidazole (Metro gel) or erythromycin. Using immunosuppressant creams, like pimecrolimus or tacrolimus creamapplying topical acne medication, like adapalene or azelaic acidtaking oral antibiotics, like doxycycline, tetracycline, minocycline, or isotretinoin, for very severe cases

Perioral Dermatitis: Diet and lifestyle

Part of healing perioral dermatitis is assimilating lifestyle changes that can help prevent its occurrence, like: Stop using harsh face scrubs or perfumed cleansers. Use warm water during flare-ups. Once healed, use mild soap and avoid scrubbing the affected area.

How long does perioral dermatitis last?

If perioral dermatitis is not treated, perioral dermatitis may last for months to years. Even if treated, the problem may recur several times, but typically, the disorder does not return after successful treatment.

Perioral Dermatitis: Home Remedies

Here are some home treatments you can try to soothe your perioral dermatitis.

Apple Cider Vinegar

It has natural anti-inflammatory properties, making it an effective remedy for relieving dermatitis. ACV is also antibacterial and works to eliminate microbes in and on the skin. Apple cider vinegar has a high concentration of vital vitamins and minerals that replenish the health and vitality of the skin. Strong anti-inflammatory qualities help provide fast relief from the inflamed, blotchy red skin and rash.

How to use Apple Cider Vinegar

Dilute raw, unfiltered ACV with an equal amount of distilled water. Soak a piece of cotton and dab it gently on the affected area. Rinse off the solution after 20 minutes, then moisturize with some olive or jojoba oil. Do this 2 to 3 times a day for about 1 or 2 weeks.
You can also drink ACV water; add 1 to 2 teaspoons of organic ACV to a glass of lukewarm water, once or twice a day to help your skin heal from the inside out.
For very sensitive skin, dilute the vinegar even more before using it on your face.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extract is an effective treatment option for a variety of purposes. The extract works as an effective skin cleanser, removing toxins and bacteria from the face. The oil is also antibacterial, so it eliminates infection from the skin and body and treats the condition from the inside out.

Grapefruit seed extract is a great natural treatment for perioral dermatitis. It is a powerful antifungal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent that eases the painful symptoms linked with perioral dermatitis. It also helps purify the skin from deep within and combats microbes.

How to use Grapefruit Seed Extract

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a natural anti-inflammatory compound. As such, aloe vera works to calm and soothe the skin. When used daily, aloe vera relieves the skin and prevents additional redness. Aloe vera is a good remedy for many skin problems, including perioral dermatitis. Because of its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial traits, aloe helps soothe irritation and inflammation. Also, this natural sealant eliminates dry skin linked to perioral dermatitis. It also balances your skin’s pH balance to help prevent more breakouts.

How to use Aloe Vera

Yogurt

Plain yogurt, with sugar or artificial sweeteners, can also be utilized to soothe the symptoms of perioral dermatitis. Yoghurt is rich in good bacteria known as probiotics, which works as a powerful antibacterial agent that helps eliminate bad It has soothing and cooling properties that help calm inflammation, redness, and pain.

How to use Yogurt

Simply apply a layer of yogurt onto the affected skin and let it dry. Then, rinse it off using some cool water. Repeat this two to three times a day for a couple of weeks to see any improvements.
Alternatively, you can add 1 teaspoon of honey to 2 tablespoons of yogurt and combine well. Apply it onto the affected area, wait 15 minutes and then rinse it off with water. Repeat it about twice a day for a few weeks.
Also, include yogurt rich in probiotics in your regular diet to help boost your immune system to fight microbes.

Perioral Dermatitis: Risk factors and Triggers

Females have high chances of getting perioral dermatitis, particularly between the ages of 16 and 45. Those people with a hormonal imbalance or record of allergies are more at threat of getting the skin problem, and the use of topical steroids can also increase the risk. In addition, the following factors may trigger the condition:

How can I prevent perioral dermatitis?

Because the causes of perioral dermatitis vary and the cause is not entirely understood, there is no foolproof way to avoid contacting perioral dermatitis. But there are some measures you can take to help alleviate the illness or to keep it from getting worse:

Avoid topical steroids - Avoid steroid oils, creams, and ointments not unless specifically directed by your doctor or physician. In case another medical practitioner recommends a topical steroid, ensure you let them know you have perioral dermatitis. Generally, it is more likely to develop with stronger topical steroids than weaker ones. Use the weakest possible one to cure the disease.

Use cosmetics with caution - Do not use heavy cosmetics or skin creams. Ask your practitioner about which moisturizers are acceptable to use when treating perioral dermatitis. Try switching brands in case you decide to continue to use cosmetics. Switch to mild cleansers and moisturizers. Ask your dermatologist for recommendations that would be suitable for your skin.

Protect your skin - Restrict the amount of time your skin is exposed to the elements. The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, heat, and wind can flare up perioral dermatitis. Some treatments used to treat perioral dermatitis will also make your skin sensitive to the sun. Make sure you protect your skin if you will be in the sun for prolonged periods.