skin care in patients with perioral dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis is a chronic facial disorder characterised by the presence of erythema (reddening), papules, pustules and sometimes oedema (swelling). It mostly occurs in young women. Common causes for this disorder are prolonged use of topical steroid creams on the face and overuse of face creams and moisturisers.

Perioral dermatitis requires medical / dermatological treatment. During the medical treatment phase, only topical products prescribed or recommended by the treating physician/ dermatologist should be applied. Topical steroids are contraindicated.

Skin cleansing
During the acute stage of the disease, no skin cleansing products should be applied to prevent further irritation of the skin.

Skin care
As the disease often develops because of overuse of moisturisers and face creams, the use of moisturisers should be stopped as far as possible. The use of topical steroids should certainly be stopped as well.
The healing process may take 6 - 8 weeks, and it may be very difficult to go without skin care products for such a long time, especially when the skin feels dry and itches or burns. If avoidance of all skin care products seems not possible for the patient, a moisturiser free from preservatives and fragrances may be used exceptionally, at times when the skin really feels tight, burns or itches. This application of skin care products should occur only after consultation with the treating dermatologist/ physician, though.