Perioral dermatitis

What is perioral dermatitis?

Perioral (sometimes written as peri-oral) dermatitis is a skin condition that causes small bumps, redness and inflamed skin to appear around your mouth. The affected skin often appears as scaly patches, which can burn and be itchy.

The skin where the rash forms is often dry, and can become flakey. It’s not contagious, but can be uncomfortable for anyone that has it. Unlike other dermatological conditions that can appear anywhere on your body, perioral dermatitis typically appears on the skin surrounding your mouth. The word peri means “around” while “oral” relates to the mouth, which is where the name for the condition comes from.

Who gets perioral dermatitis?

Anyone can get perioral dermatitis, but women are more at risk of developing the condition. Specifically, women aged between 20-45 are the most likely to be affected by it.^[1]

It can also affect children aged between 7 months and 13 years old.

How common is perioral dermatitis?

Although it’s hard to say just how common perioral dermatitis is, it’s clear that it tends to affect young to middle-aged women more than it does anyone else. The reason behind this isn’t known.

It’s also more likely to affect women who are light-skinned.^[2]

What causes perioral dermatitis?

It’s not clear why people develop perioral dermatitis. The use of steroid creams is thought to be behind a lot of cases. Although the rash initially responds well to topical corticosteroids, it tends to come back once treatment has stopped. There have also been reports of perioral dermatitis breakouts after using inhaled corticosteroids and nasal sprays.

The rash could also be caused by something irritating your skin. This might be a skincare product you use often, a toothpaste, or something you’re allergic to that often comes into contact with the skin around your mouth.

It might be helpful to find out if you have any triggers. If you establish what’s causing your skin irritation, avoiding it can speed up the healing process.

What are the symptoms of perioral dermatitis?

The most common sign of perioral dermatitis is a red rash around your mouth and surrounding your nose. The rash can be scaly in appearance, and it typically forms red bumps that are sometimes filled with pus (known as pustules).

The rash often looks like acne, but if the irritated skin is mostly around your mouth then it could be perioral dermatitis. The affected area might also itch, burn, and feel sensitive to touch. You should avoid scratching the irritated skin as it can make the rash worse and could cause an infection.

Can perioral dermatitis lead to other problems?

Perioral dermatitis won’t develop into any life-threatening illnesses or long-term health problems, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken seriously. The rash around your mouth might not heal properly if left untreated, and the inflamed skin can be constantly sore and itchy if you don’t manage the condition in the right way.

Having a rash on your face also has the potential to impact your mental health. Skin conditions like acne, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis have been linked to depression, anxiety and other psychological problems.^[1] If you feel like perioral dermatitis is affecting how you feel about your appearance, then getting the right help will mean you can avoid any unnecessary stress.