Perioral dermatitis (POD) is a facial skin condition that causes rash. Though it may be less common, the rash may also occur around the eyes, nose, or genitals. Most often it is red and slightly scaly or bumpy. It could be irritating, hence the need for your search on how to cure perioral dermatitis fast.
Perioral dermatitis is really, very common in females between the ages of 16 and 45 years. Older people, males, and children can also have the condition, but this happens less frequently. Any itching or burning is mild.
It may spread up around the nose, and occasionally the eyes while avoiding the skin adjacent to the lips.
Perioral dermatitis may have more than one cause. One of the most common factors is the prolonged use of topical steroid creams and inhaled prescription steroid sprays used in the nose and the mouth.
Another common cause is the overuse of heavy face creams and moisturizers. Other causes include skin irritations, fluorinated toothpaste, and rosacea.
A dermatologist diagnoses perioral dermatitis by examination. No other tests are usually done. How to cure perioral dermatitis fast depends on the understanding of what to do first.
It is vital to discontinue all topical steroid creams, even non-prescription hydrocortisone. When the steroid cream is discontinued, the rash manifests and feels worse for days to weeks before it starts to improve. You should also stop the use of heavy cream on your face.
You may have to resist the temptation to apply any of these creams to the face when this happens. Conceder the face as a cream addict that needs to be rehabilitated and it should treat it as such.
Some Things to Avoid in The Cure For Perioral Dermatitis
While learning how to cure perioral dermatitis fast, the first thing to do is to stop scrubbing the affected area. It is better to use a mild soap or soap substitute, such as Dove or Cetaphil for washing. You may have to stop fluorinated toothpaste for stubborn cases.
Non-fluorinated toothpaste is available at health food stores. However, the most reliably effective treatment is oral antibiotics. These are taken in decreasing doses for three to twelve weeks. Modern antibacterial creams and lotions may also be used for faster relief. These can be continued for several months in order to prevent recurrences.
In some cases, perioral dermatitis may sometimes come back later even after successful treatment. Usually, the same type of treatment will again be effective to completely eradicate it.
Most cases when it comes back, it eventually turn into rosacea. Perioral dermatitis is a common skin problem, but fortunately, most people respond very well with proper treatment.
Causes of Perioral Dermatitis
Understanding how to cure perioral dermatitis fast starts with knowing the causes. Basically, there may be no underlying condition that causes perioral dermatitis, and it is not contagious. However, the exact cause is unknown, but the researcher’s opinion is that it may not be unconnected to the use of corticosteroids.
Topical corticosteroids are steroid ointments, creams, or gels that are used to treat skin conditions. These products are to be used for short-term treatment.
More so, most of them are not suitable for application on the face. Sometimes people use corticosteroids longer than they should use them, especially on their face. Consequently, this can cause damage to the skin.
A case study from 2017 deals the effects of the misuse of topical corticosteroids on facial skin. Researchers may have found that perioral dermatitis was one of the adverse effects.
Some additional possible causes of perioral dermatitis include:
- An allergic reaction
- Change in the bacteria on the skin
- Problem with the skin’s protective barrier
- Bacteria getting into the hair follicles
- Hormonal changes
- Irritation resulting from a skincare product or toothpaste
- UV light
- Taking a birth control pill
- Strong winds
What are the symptoms of perioral dermatitis?
Areas around the mouth and in the folds around the nose are usually the places where perioral dermatitis normally appears as a rash of red bumps
The bumps may be scaly in appearance. They can also appear:
- On the forehead
- In the area under the eyes
- Also on the chin
These small bumps can contain pus or fluids. They may resemble acne. Other symptoms may be burning and itching especially as the rash worsens.
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.
A skin culture test may also be carried out by the doctor to rule out a possible infection. At the time of this test, your doctor will swab a small patch of skin in the affected area. They’ll send the sample to a laboratory to test the skin cells for bacteria or fungi.
Your doctor may also perform a skin biopsy, especially if the rash doesn’t respond to standard treatments.
What are the treatment options for perioral dermatitis?
Still on how to cure perioral dermatitis fast. It is recommended by the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD) to stop the use of topical steroid creams. This also includes nasal sprays containing steroids, if possible. These products can make symptoms worse and are likely responsible for the symptoms.
However, it’s important to speak with your doctor before discontinuing any medications. Your doctor will determine your treatment based on the seriousness of your condition. The basic treatment options on how to cure perioral dermatitis fast are:
- Antibiotic Therapy
According to The University of Maryland Medical Center, the standard treatment for perioral dermatitis is prescription antibiotics. Oral doxycycline, tetracycline or minocycline are preferred.
Perioral dermatitis can be stubborn to respond to treatment and often requires extended use of the antibiotic over several months. Topical medication, such as metronidazole, erythromycin, benzoyl peroxide, tacrolimus, or clindamycin may help temporarily with the symptoms.
A very mild, over the counter corticosteroid cream may be recommended while you are weaning off your prescription-strength product.
- Alternative Options
It is basic that perioral dermatitis usually responds to antibiotic therapy. However, in stubborn cases, you may decide to use natural medicines to achieve speedier results.
Essential oils such as tea tree and lavender have anti-bacterial properties. Mixing several drops with a carrier oil like grapeseed and applying sparingly to the rash may quicken healing. Internally, vitamins A, E, C, and zinc improve skin integrity.
Although the rash may itch, you may seriously need to resist the temptation to touch your face. Your pillow cases and face towels need to be washed frequently in hot water. If you are out in the sun, protect your skin with a hypoallergenic, mineral-based sunscreen.
Cut out offending products, if you can
To speed up the clearing process of the rash may simply require cutting down on what you put on your face.
This is because some beauty products are a major threat to the skin and strong perioral dermatitis causes. According to a dermatologist, Dr. Tareen, “A ‘skin detox’ is often an effective strategy on how to cure perioral dermatitis fast,”
Stopping all products and just using a gentle cleanser and very light, unscented moisturizer may help.” Dr. Tareen also stated that the most common culprits are fluoridated toothpaste, lip balm, or scented or flavored topical products.
Be wary of topical steroids
Topical steroids may work for a while and it can also become a problem in the long run. Dr. Adigun said, “Topical steroids can suppress the rash, and consequently the eruption may flare when the steroid is discontinued,” “Eventually, the eruption will not respond to the topical steroid, and may even worsen with the persistent application.”
Try a sulfur mask
If you are considering a home treatment for perioral dermatitis, you may need to try a spa. It can really help to clear up the skin with a mild session. A consumer could try a topical sulfur mask to help.
Prescription medications
Some of the medications your doctor may prescribe on how to cure perioral dermatitis fast are:
- Relevant antibiotic medications, such as metronidazole and erythromycin.
- Immunosuppressive creams, such as pimecrolimus or tacrolimus cream
- Topical acne medications, such as adapalene or azelaic acid
- Oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline, tetracycline, minocycline, or isotretinoin, for more severe cases
Diet and lifestyle
Proper diet and lifestyle can be valuable in treating perioral dermatitis. Adopting good lifestyle changes can help prevent it. The following may be considered:
- You have to get rid of harsh face scrubs or perfumed cleansers. Instead, use only warm water during flare-ups. Once healed, only use mild soap and don’t scrub your skin.
- Avoid steroid creams — even nonprescription hydrocortisone.
- Stop using or reduce your use of makeup, cosmetics, and sunscreen.
- Frequently wash your pillowcases and towels in hot water.
- Limit overly salty or spicy foods. They can irritate the skin around the mouth.
- Risk factors
- Some people will be more prone to or at risk of developing perioral dermatitis than others. Risk factors include:
- Sex (females are more likely to develop this condition than males)
- Use of steroid creams or ointments on the face
- Age (teenagers, young adults, and middle-aged adults are most likely to be affected)
- A history of allergies
- Hormonal imbalances
Home remedies
The following home remedies and lifestyle changes may help to manage the symptoms:
- Avoiding topical steroids
- Washing the face with warm water alone
- Using fragrance-free skin care products
- The avoidance of sun
A 2018 study notes that coconut oil is a safe and effective skin moisturizer. Research suggests that it can benefit the skin by:
- Reducing inflammation
- Fighting bacteria
- Promoting wound healing
- Repairing the skin barrier
Due to these properties, coconut oil may be the answer to your question on how to cure perioral dermatitis. However, researchers need to carry out more studies into its effectiveness as a treatment for this skin condition.
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 cleansers that are applied to the affected or irritated area, which can make flare-ups worse
- Birth control pills
- Fluorinated toothpaste
What’s the long-term outlook?
Perioral dermatitis is difficult to treat and can last for months. According to the AOCD, even after a few weeks of treatment, the condition can get worse before it improves.
In some people, perioral dermatitis may become chronic.
How Can Perioral Dermatitis Be Prevented?
Since the causes of perioral dermatitis vary and the cause isn’t completely known, there isn’t a specific way to avoid getting it.
There are some things that can be done to help cure it or to keep it from getting worse:
- Avoid topical steroids
Avoid steroid creams and ointments unless specifically directed by your doctor. If another medical practitioner prescribes a usual steroid, make sure to let them know you have perioral dermatitis.
In general, it’s more likely to occur with stronger topical steroids than weaker ones. Use the weakest possible one to treat the disease.
- Use cosmetics with caution
Avoid using heavy cosmetics or skin creams. Ask your doctor about 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.
- Protect your skin
Limit the amount of time your skin comes into contact with the elements. The sun’s ultraviolet (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.
When to see a doctor
If you have perioral dermatitis that does not go away when you stop using usual steroids, you should speak to your doctor. Because your doctor may have a different approach to what we have here, and that may be the answer to your question how to cure perioral dermatitis fast.
