Perioral dermatitis is a widespread inflammatory skin rash on the face, which affects women more frequently than men.
It predominantly manifests as a skin rash with redness and pimples around the mouth (perioral), but can also affect other areas of the skin or the entire face. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, sufferers initially assume they have blemishes and rarely associate the papules and pustules with perioral dermatitis.
In addition to many small, sometimes inflamed blemishes, common accompanying symptoms include a feeling of tightness, redness, and sometimes an itchy or burning sensation in the skin.
What are the causes?
One of the most common causes of perioral dermatitis is "over-caring" for the skin, i.e., the excessive use of various, incompatible skincare products. However, skincare that is not suited to the skin type, irritating ingredients, fragrances, or switching skincare products too frequently also disrupt the skin's natural barrier function and can cause inflammatory skin rashes. Furthermore, perioral dermatitis can be exacerbated or even worsened by stress, hormonal imbalances, intolerances, contact allergies, dry skin / drying products, intense UV radiation, artificial UV radiation, mechanical irritation (too frequent and intensive exfoliation), and corticosteroid creams.
Even though many sufferers are prone to sensitive skin, allergies, or atopic skin (neurodermatitis), this does not mean that they must have a noticeable allergy or neurodermatitis. Often, this tendency can also develop on otherwise healthy skin through the use of incorrect, excessive, or harsh cosmetics.
If the skin is cared for excessively and incorrectly, the natural skin barrier can no longer maintain its protective function, moisture can no longer be stored sufficiently, the skin dries out and reacts irritably. If the barrier function is disrupted, the skin is no longer sufficiently protected against the penetration of microorganisms/bacteria/pathogens, and inflammation processes and skin infections occur more easily.
Wearing a face mask also promotes the development of perioral dermatitis. Since the mask, especially when worn multiple times and for long periods, creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms, it should be changed regularly and not worn for too long. The German Society for Hospital Hygiene recommends changing a medical mask after a maximum of 2 hours of wear time.
What helps against perioral dermatitis?
First, one should opt for a "zero diet" and radically stop using all previously used cosmetics before stabilizing the skin barrier and restoring the skin to a healthy balance with mild skincare products tailored to the skin type. Initially, there may be a temporary worsening before the symptoms usually subside completely within a few weeks and without scarring.
Cosmetics with fragrances, drying alcohols, and irritating ingredients should be avoided to specifically activate the skin without overtaxing it. In addition, the list of ingredients should be as concise as possible.
Products with soothing, moisturizing, and barrier-strengthening ingredients such as panthenol, oats, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and plant oils are also recommended. The use of active ingredients that are very similar to skin physiology is also beneficial, as they can be optimally absorbed by the skin and are considered very well tolerated.
Depending on the severity and duration of the symptoms, and if no improvement occurs with a zero diet, a doctor should be consulted to differentiate the skin irritation from acne or other skin diseases such as neurodermatitis or rosacea.
As a rule, no further treatment is necessary for perioral dermatitis. In rare severe cases, where the symptoms persist for years without treatment, it is possible that the doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory or antibiotic creams. However, a zero diet and a subsequent change in skincare should take precedence.
If short-term therapy with prescription products is unavoidable, this should also be followed by a mild, balancing, and barrier-strengthening skincare routine.
The disease flare-ups can recur – especially if old habits of excessive cosmetic use are resumed. It is best for sufferers to clarify individually in their dermatologist's office which makeup or creams are optimal in their case. To this end, it is recommended to take the skincare products with you to the dermatology practice to have their compatibility checked.
