What is perioral dermatitis?
If you have red, scaly and irritated skin around your mouth and chin, together with itchy, burning and small inflammatory nodules, you may suffer from perioral dermatitis (POD). "Perioral" from Latin means "around the mouth". The symptoms of this rash are often similar to rosacea, neurodermatitis or acne. In this article, you will learn how to recognize perioral dermatitis, what the possible causes are, how best to treat mouth erysipelas yourself and how to get rid of it permanently.
How do you recognize perioral dermatitis?
Perioral dermatitis, also known as stewardess disease, most commonly affects young women up to the age of 45. Men and children rarely suffer from this skin disorder. The red rash around the mouth is often accompanied by small purulent blisters, pimples, papules or pustules. The unpleasant feeling of tension with burning and itching can also occur in an advanced stage in the area around the eyes (periocular), around the nostrils (perinasal) or on the forehead. A fine line around the lips stays typically unaffected by the rash.
You can usually recognize perioral dermatitis from the typical symptoms described. It is important to distinguish it from other skin diseases such as rosacea, acne or neurodermatitis. Rosacea is usually more extensive than perioral dermatitis and not just local. In contrast to acne, there are no blackheads. If you are unsure, it is best to consult a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.
What are the causes of perioral dermatitis?
The exact causes for the development of perioral dermatitis have not yet been clearly clarified. The following factors play a role:
- Over-treated skin
Over-treated skin occurs when you use too many and, above all, unsuitable care products and make-up. Your skin defends itself against the overwhelming "too much". There is no allergy to individual ingredients, but simply a temporary hypersensitivity to any skin care product in general. - Additives in cosmetics
There are thousands of cosmetic ingredients intended to optimize the application or effect of a product, to extend the shelf life or to improve the fragrance of a cosmetic. Not only are most additives superfluous for sensitive facial skin, they are even harmful. Fragrances can irritate the skin, alcohol, aggressive surfactants and emulsifiers attack the protective skin barrier, causing the skin to dry out more and more. When using cosmetics containing mineral oil, the horny layer also swells. Bacteria collect on the skin's surface, worsening the irritation and causing pus-filled pimples. Due to the defective skin barrier, the bacteria can no longer be repelled. - Other possible triggers of perioral dermatitis
Possible triggers of perioral dermatitis can also be cortinson-containing preparations (corticosteroids), which are often used by dermatologists to treat the symptoms of the skin disease. A disturbed intestinal flora can also be the basis of perioral dermatitis, because skin problems and intestinal flora are usually related. Another possible cause relates to the hormonal imbalance occuring from taking the pill and also after stopping it. Depending on the individual disposition, stress can also be a possible trigger or worsen the symptoms. Last but not least, frequent wearing of medical face masks aggravates the skin disease.
How to get rid of perioral dermatitis: The skincare zero therapy
The reddish, purulent bumps of perioral dermatitis aren't contagious, they're harmless, and they're not chronic—but an annoying cosmetic problem if you're affected. Your self-confidence will also be put to the test and will have to suffer. It is best to be open about your skin problem and tell your friends and colleagues about it. Hiding the symptoms or retreating into solitude would only add stress to you and would not improve your well-being. Either way, it takes a lot of patience and self-discipline to bring your skin back into balance. During this time you should consistently wash your face with water only, gently dab it with a clean towel, do not rub and keep it free of any moisturizers, oily care products and makeup.
An initial aggravation may occur in the first 2 weeks. The skin itches, tightens and flakes particularly badly during this unpleasant phase, while the swollen horny layer dries out and the breeding ground for the pimple-causing bacteria is withdrawn.
When the first symptoms subside, your skin will gradually regenerate. After about 6 weeks, the face has usually healed completely without scars, even if the healing can sometimes take longer, up to a few months.
What helps your skin heal
- Compresses with green or black tea, if possible from organic cultivation: The high tannin content, which green tea in particular has, has an astringent effect. The tannins reduce the unpleasant feeling of tension, pulling, burning and reddening of the skin. Let the tea bag steep in hot water for at least 10 minutes and then apply it to the affected areas of skin after it has cooled down for about 10 – 15 minutes.
- Healing earth mask: You can also apply pure healing earth as a mask about once a week. Mix they clay with cold water and leave it on your face for about 15-30 minutes. Then rinse the mask off with lukewarm water.
- Anti-inflammatory diet: Make sure you eat as wholesome a diet as possible, with lots of seasonal, regional fruit and vegetables from organic farming. Try to do without ready-made food with all the additives and instead cook fresh yourself. You should avoid coffee, black tea and spicy foods in this period, as well as alcohol and smoking.
What harms your skin
- Peelings, mechanical or chemical: they are not suitable for sensitive skin, increasing redness and weakening the skin barrier.
- Sunbathing: UV radiation means additional stress and aggravates the symptoms.
- Experiments with new products: stay consistent with your skin care zero therapy, don't try out any supposed new miracle cures and give your skin the time it needs to heal in peace - even if it's very difficult.
Minimalist skincare routine
Only after the affected areas have healed completely, you should gently introduce your skin to a minimalist care routine for sensitive skin. When changing your care routine, we recommend not using several new products at the same time, but testing one product after the other individually over several days. Give your skin enough time, as it takes about 28 days for skin cells to regenerate.
Opt for care products without unnecessary additives and with only a few ingredients rebuilding your skin barrier. Less is definitely more here! All myrto products are ideal for sensitive and highly sensitive skin, because they are free from additives such as fragrances and preservatives, alcohol and emulsifiers. The minimalist formulations with skin-like ingredients ensure optimal skin tolerance, so that you can look forward to long-term, healthy, balanced skin.
For the first time after the perioral dermatitis has subsided, we recommend rather light face serums with a lower oil content based on aloe vera with soothing active ingredients, adapted to your skin type, instead of richer face creams.
