How to Treat Perioral Dermatitis

This condition causes small red or skin-coloured bumps, dryness, burning, or tightness around the mouth and sometimes the nose or eyes. It can resemble acne, but squeezing the bumps or layering acne products may irritate the skin further. A clinician may review creams, inhalers, cosmetics, toothpaste, and other exposures before choosing treatment.

Use lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, then pat rather than rub. Pause new cosmetics, scrubs, heavy creams, and fragranced products while the rash is active. Do not start or continue a facial steroid cream without medical advice; stopping one can require a planned approach. A clinician may recommend topical antibiotic therapy, another anti-inflammatory medicine, or oral antibiotics for acne when the rash is widespread or persistent. Follow the prescribed course and expect improvement to be gradual.

Arrange a dermatology review if the rash persists, spreads, recurs after treatment, or is difficult to distinguish from acne, rosacea, or contact dermatitis. Seek prompt care for eye pain, light sensitivity, vision changes, marked swelling, pus, fever, or rapidly worsening redness. These features need assessment because they may involve the eye or a different skin problem.

Ask whether a current steroid, inhaler, cosmetic, or dental product could be contributing; which cleanser and moisturiser suit your skin; how long to use the prescribed treatment; and what to do if the rash flares after a medicine is stopped.