What is perioral dermatitis? 

Perioral dermatitis is a chronic skin disease of the facial region. The disease is relatively common and not contagious. Young women between 20 and 30 years of age are most frequently affected. 

What are the manifestations of perioarial dermatitis?

Typical symptoms of the disease are two-dimensional, tense or burning redness with small inflammatory papules and pustules that form around the mouth (perirorally). However, these signs can spread even more and also affect the eyelids, chin, forehead as well as cheeks.

How is perioral dermatitis triggered?

The exact cause of perioral dermatitis is still unknown. However, it is suspected that excessive or frequently changing use of moisturizers or glucocorticoid creams is a trigger for the disease. As a result, the skin barrier is disturbed, the skin dries out and bacterial germs can multiply very quickly. In addition, other influencing factors such as sunlight, hormonal contraceptives, gastrointestinal disorders, increased sebum production, fluoridated toothpaste, fungi, bacteria and stress can also trigger or promote perioral dermatitis.

How is perioral dermatitis treated?

Since the disease is usually caused by over-care of the skin, zero therapy is an important part of the cure. In addition, consistent light protection (avoiding the sun, shielding the affected area with headgear, etc.), black tea poultices, and mask hygiene (avoiding the use of the same mouth-nose-protective mask for an extended period of time) can support healing.

Zero therapy against perioral dermatitis

With zero therapy, those affected must refrain from all skin care and makeup products. Initially, the skin condition may deteriorate further as the over-cared for and swollen skin layer dries out. However, this is the only way to deprive the harmful bacteria of their breeding ground and the inflamed areas begin to heal. After about six weeks, the skin usually regenerates completely. A light skin care routine can then be continued. 

What happens next? 

Once the skin has regenerated, you can continue with a light care routine. A light cream with natural oils and extracts such as wild rose oil, mallow extract, horse chestnut extract, algae extract or hyaluronic acid is very well tolerated and is therefore particularly suitable for mild care of your skin. We at Herbsom are happy to advise you on the composition of a mild care routine. With our skin analysis you can quickly and easily find out which active ingredients your skin really needs and how you can best care for it.

Sources: 

Plewig et al.: Braun-Falco's Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie. 7. Auflage Springer-Verlag 2018, ISBN: 978-3-662-49544-5.

Wollenberg et al.: Periorale Dermatitis. In: JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. Band: 9, Nummer: 5, 2011, doi: 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2010.07329_suppl.x.| Open in Read by QxMDp.422-428.

Altmeyer et al.: Periorale Dermatitis. Springer. Stand: 2021. Abgerufen am: 26.01.2021.

Strom, K., & Abeck, D. (2015). Periorale Dermatitis. In D. Abeck & H. Cremer (Eds.), Häufige Hautkrankheiten im Kindesalter: Klinik - Diagnose - Therapie (pp. 99–102). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-44980-2_17

Tilgen, W., Dill-Müller, D., Koch, P., & Reinhold, U. (2005). Periorale Dermatitis. Empfehlungen Zur Patienteninformation: Dermatologie, 15–16.

Lehmann, P. (2005). Periorale Dermatitis. In Fortschritte der praktischen Dermatologie und Venerologie (pp. 515–517). Springer.

Schaller, M. (2012). 8 Erkrankungen der Talgdrüsen. In Das Derma-Kurs-Buch (pp. 127–136). De Gruyter.