Trust us when we say perioral dermatitis can be cured. Let us help to transform you and get rid of your perioral dermatitis once and for all. The following in depth article explores the symptoms of perioral dermatitis and the various treatments available (including our own wonderful ProSkin Eczema cream). We are so confident in ProSkin Eczema and all of our other products we have a sixty day money back guarantee even if you have used the entire product.

See Lauren H’s full six day transformation using our ProSkin Eczema on this blog post. After two weeks her PD is completely gone.

                             Day 1 using ProSkin Eczema                                       Day 6 using ProSkin Eczema

What are the treatment options for perioral dermatitis?

Your doctor or dermatologist will determine your treatment based on the severity of your condition. In some cases, using mild soaps and discontinuing the use of heavy skin creams and fluorinated toothpaste may ease symptoms. Medication may also speed healing.

Your doctor or dermatologist may prescribe and/or recommend the following;

Prescription medications

• topical antibiotic medications, such as metronidazole (Metrogel) and oral antibiotics such as erythromycin
• immunosuppressive creams, such as pimecrolimus cream
• topical acne medications, such as adapalene or azelaic acid
• oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline, tetracycline, minocycline, or isotretinoin, for more severe cases

Some patients prefer to try natural remedies in addition to or in place of prescription medications which are not working.

There are countless scientific studies showing the efficacy of natural ingredients.

Natural Topically Applied Treatments

• Natural topically applied creams such as ProSkin Eczema are proving more popular as they provide a safe, natural approach that is also extremely effective.
• Pure aloe vera is also widely used in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions like perioral dermatitis. Aloe will help to restore the pH balance of your skin and relieve the itching sensation as well as skin irritation.
• Vitamin E oil is a natural product that promotes quicker skin healing and also provides significant relief from itching and inflammation. This product can be rub/massaged directly onto the PD rash, once or twice per day.
• apple cider vinegar (watch this may sting and is drying!!! probably better diluting it with water)
• green tea
• Other effective natural remedies include coconut oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil and calendula.

Natural and alternative remedies

These include:

• taking vitamins A, E, C
• taking zinc supplements
• blue light treatment
• TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Diet and lifestyle

Part of treating perioral dermatitis is diet and lifestyle changes that can help prevent it. Some possible actions include:

• Get rid of harsh face scrubs or artificially perfumed cleansers. Instead, use only warm water during flare-ups. Once healed, only use mild soap and don’t scrub at the skin.
• Avoid steroid creams, even non-prescription hydrocortisone.
• Stop using or reduce use of makeup, cosmetics, and sunscreen.
• Wash your pillow cases and towels in hot water frequently.
• Limit overly salty or spicy foods.

How can I prevent perioral dermatitis?

Since the causes of perioral dermatitis vary and the cause is not completely understood, there isn’t a foolproof way to avoid getting it. However, there are some things you can do to help alleviate it or to keep it from getting worse:

• Avoid steroid creams and ointments unless specifically directed by your doctor. If another medical practitioner prescribes a topical steroid, make sure to let them know that you have perioral dermatitis. In general, it is more likely to occur with stronger topical steroids than weaker ones, so use the weakest possible one to treat the disease.
• Avoid using heavy cosmetics or skin creams. Ask your doctor which moisturizers are acceptable to use. Try switching brands if you decide to continue to use cosmetics.
• Switch to gentle cleansers and moisturizers. Ask your dermatologist for recommendations that would best suit your skin.
• Limit the amount of time your skin comes into contact with the elements. UV rays, heat, and wind can aggravate perioral dermatitis. Some medications used to treat perioral dermatitis will also make your skin sensitive to the sun. Be sure to protect your skin if you’ll be in the sun for prolonged periods. 

Common triggers

There are several common triggers that can result in a perioral dermatitis outbreak. These should be avoided as much as possible.

These triggers include:

• using a steroid cream on the face
• makeup and harsh cleansers that are applied to the affected or irritated area, which can make flare-ups worse
• exposure to ultraviolet light
• exposure to strong winds
• birth control pills
• fluorinated toothpaste

Risk factors

Some people will be more prone to or at risk of developing perioral dermatitis than others. Risk factors include:

• gender (women are more likely to develop this condition than men)
• use of steroid creams or ointments on the face
• age (teenagers, young adults, and middle-aged adults are most likely to be affected)
• presence of an autoimmune disorder
• a history of allergies
• hormonal imbalances
• environment (those who are more frequently exposed to strong winds are more likely to develop this condition)

What is perioral dermatitis?

Perioral dermatitis is an inflammatory rash involving the skin around the mouth. The rash may spread up to the nose or even the eyes. It usually appears as a scaly or red bumpy rash around the lips. There may be a clear fluid discharge. Redness and slight itching and burning can also occur.

Perioral dermatitis is more common in women between the ages of 16 to 45 years, but can be seen in all ages, races, and ethnicities. When it occurs in children, it tends to affect younger children with an average age of 6 years. Without the right treatment, cases of perioral dermatitis go away but may reappear later. Episodes of perioral dermatitis can last weeks, months and sometimes even years.

What causes perioral dermatitis?

The cause of perioral dermatitis is unknown. However, research suggests that it can occur after the use of strong topical steroids on the skin, which may be prescribed to treat another condition. Nasal sprays containing corticosteroids can cause perioral dermatitis as well.

There is also evidence that certain ingredients in cosmetics can cause perioral dermatitis. Heavy skin creams that contain petrolatum or a paraffin base may cause or worsen this condition.

Other factors that may trigger this condition include:

• bacterial or fungal infections
• constant drooling
• fluorinated toothpaste
• sunscreen
• rosacea
• hormonal changes due to the oral contraceptive pill
• hormonal changes due to the menopause
• hormonal changes due to monthly cycles

How is perioral dermatitis diagnosed?

Your doctor or dermatologist can often diagnose perioral dermatitis with just a visual examination of your skin, along with your medical history.

Your doctor may also perform a skin culture test to rule out a possible infection. During this test, your doctor will swab a small patch of skin in the affected area. They will send the sample to a laboratory to test the skin cells for bacteria or fungi. Your doctor may perform a skin biopsy, especially if the rash doesn’t respond to standard treatments.

The video below shows how Blue Light Treatment can be effective for PD. 

The information above is for educational purposes only. We do not advocate the use of any products recommended in this article except our own and we are firmly against products containing artificial ingredients, those which are tested on animals, and those produced by companies who still carry out animal testing outside of the EU. 

Please always seek advice from your doctor before undertaking any new treatment.