You are here:

Perioral dermatitis

Definition

Perioral dermatitis is a skin disorder in which tiny red bumps form around the mouth.

Figures

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The exact cause of perioral dermatitis is unknown. It may occur after using face creams containing steroids for another condition.

Young women are most likely to get this condition.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Burning feeling around the mouth
Bumps around the mouth, may be filled with fluid or pus
A similar rash may appear around the eyes, nose, or forehead and may be mistaken for acne

Itching is not a common symptom.

Signs and tests

Your doctor or nurse can usually diagnose this condition by looking at your skin. Sometimes, tests are done to see if bacteria is causing an infection.

Treatment

Steroid skin creams should NOT be used to treat this condition.

Treatment may include skin medicines such as:

Metronidazole
Erythromycin
Benzoyl peroxide
Tacrolimus
Clindamycin
Pimecrolimus
Sodium sulfacetamide with sulfur

If the condition is severe, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics taken by mouth. Antibiotics used to treat this condition include tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, or erythromycin.

Expectations (prognosis)

Perioral dermatitis is difficult to treat effectively. It often requires several months of treatment.

Bumps usually return, particularly if you put skin creams containing steroids on your face.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you notice persistent red bumps around your mouth.

Prevention

Avoid using skin creams containing steroids on your face, unless specifically directed by your dermatologist.

Disclaimers

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.
A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.
Call 911 for all medical emergencies.
Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).