Dermatitis describes any inflammation of the skin. It may not always appear as acne, but in the case of perioral dermatitis, or dermatitis around the mouth region, the appearance of a skin rash similar to acne is quite common. About one percent of the population experiences this condition, and women are affected more often than men. Although its exact causes remain a mystery, research suggests skin allergies, topical steroid creams and rosacea may be to blame.
Cosmetic Allergies
Dermatologist Dr. Audrey Kunin of DERMAdoctor.com says 90 percent of patients inflicted with perioral dermatitis are women who come from developed countries. Therefore, she believes that cosmetic ingredients, such as petrolatum, sodium lauryl sulfate, fluorides, cinnamon flavoring and tartar control ingredients may aggravate the surrounding skin of the mouth causing an increase in the appearance of acne.
Additionally, research published in the February 2000 edition of the “Austalasian Journal of Dermatology” found that the use of night cream and daily foundation in addition to a moisturizer also heightens the risk of acne around the mouth.
Steroid Creams
Often topical steroids are given as treatment for acne around the mouth; however, once the patient stops using these creams, the rash may flare up worse than before. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), the same effect occurs with over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams and moisturizers.
As people apply more cream to get rid of any rash that results, their skin may develop a dependency on the substance to keep the rash down.
Ultimately, the AOCD recommends quitting all facial creams cold turkey, allowing the resulting rash and acne to run its course. Instead of creams, use mild soap substitutes and avoid fluorinated toothpastes.
If the acne around the mouth refuses to let up after you stop all cream usage, then consider it to be caused by other sources, such as clogged pores and excess oil, especially if the acne around your mouth extends throughout your face.
Rosacea
Some dermatologists consider perioral dermatitis to be a derivative of rosacea, another skin condition where skin flares up into red bumps similar to acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), this condition tends to be cyclical, lasting only a period of weeks or months.
In other words, if the acne around your mouth comes and goes with time, it may be more likely to be caused by rosacea than perioral dermatitis.
