These 3 Quick Tips Can Help Your Perioral Dermatitis Clear Up Quickly

Have you ever thought that maybe the “acne” around your mouth isn’t really acne? With over 200,000 people experiencing this condition in the United States alone, perioral dermatitis (PD) is fairly common. Although your symptoms of this skin condition may never completely go away, you can significantly reduce them with the right perioral dermatitis treatment.

What’s PD?

Perioral dermatitis is essentially a facial rash made up of small, red, pus-filled bumps, and it usually occurs in tandem with itchiness, dryness, and peeling. Most people who suffer from PD have the symptoms around their mouth, but many people also experience perioral dermatitis around their nose, eyes, and cheeks.

With its inflammatory properties, PD can make the skin appear red and blistered, often with a burning sensation. Although perioral dermatitis isn’t seriously harmful or life-threatening, it can still be frustrating and upsetting. If you’re insecure and embarrassed about your PD, here are some of the best steps you can take to help clear it up!

Tip 1: Do Your Research

Just like with any medical condition, before deciding on a treatment, it’s immensely important to do your research. With the influx of information available on the Internet, finding out more about your perioral dermatitis is easier than ever before, however, it’s not safe to diagnose yourself without the advice of a doctor. Although professionals in the medical field still haven’t figured out what exactly is the root cause of PD, many different things are possible culprits to your perioral dermatitis flare-ups.

Many doctors suggest that potent topical steroids are the most probable cause, but plenty of patients have found completely different causes—from fluoridated toothpaste to birth control pills. Other common possible causes of PD include bacterial or fungal infections, sunscreen, excessive drooling, and rosacea.

Because of this, it’s imperative that you speak with a trusted dermatologist to find out what is most likely causing your specific case of this skin condition. Without a proper diagnosis from an experienced and knowledgeable doctor, any random perioral dermatitis treatment you decide on by yourself could be ineffective or even harmful for your skin.

Tip 2: Use the Right Topical Products

Because certain products for external use have been known to increase symptoms of PD, take a moment to evaluate what products you use on a regular basis. Protecting your skin from the Sun’s harsh UV rays is critical, but your facial sunscreen might worsen the effects of perioral dermatitis. To combat this, use a product made for sensitive skin with a more gentle SPF. Other factors in skincare that might be affecting your PD are scented cleansers, makeup products, and abrasive face scrubs.

Our online skincare shop has a great selection of sunscreens to choose from, as well as cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliating products, and serums that are perfect for sensitive skin. Many people notice that their PD lessens when switching to a fluoride-free toothpaste, and some dermatologists also recommend not to use toothpastes with whitening properties.

Because toothpaste is bound to touch the area around your mouth, this can definitely be a factor of your PD, so it doesn’t hurt to try out a new toothpaste for a while to see if it makes a difference. Checking the ingredients on every topical product you use will help you find the ingredients that work for your skin and the ingredients that don’t.

Tip 3: Be Careful What You Consume

What you put into your body can also play a huge part in the severity of your perioral dermatitis symptoms. Although not all women have PD because of their birth control, this is definitely something to look into if you’ve noticed that being on the pill makes your perioral dermatitis worse.

Hormones can have various side effects on your body, and changing the pills you consume can make a difference in your skin. Some doctors also suggest limiting your intake of spicy foods, as well as cinnamon, as these can inflame your breakouts even further.

A close up of a container with birth control pills

Perioral Dermatitis Treatment at Miami Center of Dermatology

At Miami Center for Dermatology, we want to help you as much as we can with any skin conditions or concerns you have. Having a consultation with us is the best way we can do this for you, and talking to one of our incredible, well-versed dermatologists about what perioral dermatitis treatment best fits your symptoms will get you on the right track to beautiful skin!