Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns of HealingSigns of WorseningTreatmentWhat Affects Healing?Management Plan
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs of Healing
Signs of Worsening
Treatment
What Affects Healing?
Management Plan
When related to topical steroid use, the perioral dermatitis rash may worsen when you stop using the cream before it gets better. This can be troublesome to those with the skin condition as it seems like it is not healing. This article will discuss the healing stages of perioral dermatitis, its causes, and treatments.
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How to Tell If Perioral Dermatitis Is Healing
In rebound cases, there can be more redness,scaling, and bumps. Symptoms can worsen for a few days or weeks. After the worsening phase, symptoms should subside, and the skin will heal.
If your perioral dermatitis is related to topical steroid use, your healthcare provider may recommend reducing the strength of the cream or how often you use it rather than discontinuing it completely. This may help reduce or avoid a rebound flare.
If perioral dermatitis develops due to a different irritant (such as a cosmetic or moisturizer), it should begin to heal when the use of the irritant is stopped.
Signs of Worsening Perioral Dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis due to topical steroid use can be a difficult-to-treat skin condition. The possible rebound effect of worsening before getting better can lead people to believe that they are not making any gains.
Outside the rebound stage of perioral dermatitis, there are signs that the skin is not healing properly. This can be due to aninfectionor another skin condition occurring simultaneously with perioral dermatitis.
Any new signs of an infection, like swelling or discharge from sores, would indicate that there may be abacterial infectionthat needs to be treated.Talk to a healthcare provider if you have these signs.
Ways to Get Rid of Perioral Dermatitis
To get rid of perioral dermatitis it’s important to identify what is causing the rash and remove it. For many people, this is topical steroids,nasal steroids, heavy cream moisturizers, or fluoride toothpaste.
Once all topical steroids and other irritants have been stopped, those with mild perioral dermatitis may be treated with topical antibiotics like metronidazole andclindamycin. Healing generally takes three to eight weeks.
Those with moderate to severe perioral dermatitis not responsive to topical treatment may need oral antibiotics. Treatment may take four to eight weeks.
What Affects Perioral Dermatitis Healing?
Since perioral dermatitis can worsen when topical steroid cream is stopped, some people have difficulty seeing their face get worse and restart the steroid cream. This continues the cycle and hinders healing.
Triggers like heavy facemoisturizers, makeup, face oils, andhormone changescan also affect healing.
Finding a Management Plan for Your Symptoms
The bestmanagement planfor perioral dermatitis symptoms should come from a healthcare provider. They will be able to customize a plan for your unique circumstances and symptoms. Parts of the plan can include prescription medications, and avoiding topical steroids and skin irritants.
Skin Care and Sun Protection
At-home self-care techniques to manage perioral dermatitis symptoms include:
Summary
Perioral dermatitis is a skin condition that causes a rash around the mouth. Topical steroid cream use, toothpaste, heavy facial moisturizers, or other skin irritants can cause it. Treatment is focused on removing the trigger and, if necessary, treating it with an antibiotic.
Perioral dermatitis due to topical steroids can get worse when you discontinue the use of them before it gets better.Contact a healthcare provider for specific treatment guidance for fast healing.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Perioral dermatitis.DermNet.Periorificial dermatitis in children.Mount Sinai.Perioral dermatitis.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Perioral dermatitis.DermNet.Periorificial dermatitis in children.Mount Sinai.Perioral dermatitis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Perioral dermatitis.DermNet.Periorificial dermatitis in children.Mount Sinai.Perioral dermatitis.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Perioral dermatitis.
DermNet.Periorificial dermatitis in children.
Mount Sinai.Perioral dermatitis.
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