Perioral Dermatitis

Perioral Dermatitis (POD) affects mostly younger women (ages 20 to 45) and is similar in appearance to common Acne and Rosacea. Incidence of the disease is estimated to be one case in 100 – 200 people. A popular variant of this skin condition can occur in children.

Symptoms

One common symptom of this skin condition is a burning sensation around the mouth. Itching is not usually a complaint. Reddish papules and/or pus-filled bumps are usually seen around the mouth, chin and nasolabial folds. Infrequently, this rash can also appear around the eyes or forehead. If whiteheads and/or blackheads are present, then the condition may be Acne.

Causes

The exact cause of this skin condition is not known, but there appears to be strong evidence to suggest that the use of topical steroids is linked to these outbreaks. Other factors that may be linked to the skin condition include:

• The use of fluorinated products such as toothpaste and skin care creams.
• UV light
• Candidiasis

In less severe cases, POD is often treated with non-steroidal topical medications (i.e. metronidazole, benzoyl peroxide, tacrolimus, etc.). Oral antibiotics are used in more chronic, severe cases.

The condition is not easy to treat, and noticeable results may not appear for several weeks after the start of treatment. The condition can reoccur, especially when the use of steroidal creams are reapplied to the face.

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