Perioral Dermatitis Treatment
Advanced Treatment for Perioral Dermatitis in the San Diego Area
Dr. Melanie Palm is a nationally recognized dermatologist and expert in the treatment of cosmetic and medical skin conditions. Dr. Palm is a noted leader in her field and offers effective treatment options for perioral dermatitis. Her offices are located in Solana Beach, CA just north of San Diego.
What is Perioral Dermatitis?
Perioral dermatitis is a skin eruption occurring around the mouth as red, scaly, and pimple-like lesions. When it occurs around the eyes and mouth, the condition is referred to as periorificial dermatitis. The condition is unique, but has some overlapping features of rosacea, acne, and eczema. Sometimes a history of topical or inhaled steroid use is found. Perioral dermatitis occurs in children as well as adults. It can be easily treated with a combination of topical and oral prescription medications.
What Causes Perioral Dermatitis?
The exact cause is unknown however the use of certain topical and/or inhaled medications have been known to trigger an eruption. These include:
- mild-to-potent topical steroid creams applied to face
- inhaled steroids
- topical tacrolimus ointment applied to face
It is not contagious.
What are the Symptoms of Perioral Dermatitis?
The most common symptoms of perioral dermatitis are small red bumps (often pus-filled) and mild peeling and redness of the skin. It appears most often around the mouth however it an also appear around the eyes, cheeks, nose, and forehead.
What are the Treatment Options for Perioral Dermatitis?
A number of treatment options exists for perioral dermatitis depending on the severity of the condition. Eliminating exposure to possible triggers is usually the first step, followed by a 6 to 12 week course of antibiotics, usually doxycycline or minocycline. For mild cases of perioral dermatitis topical antibiotic creams are usually sufficient while oral antibiotics may be needed for moderate to severe cases. In cases that appear to have been triggered by topical steroid usage, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory cream such as pimecrolimus (Elidel) or tacrolimus (Protopic) is particularly effective.
If you are looking for a dermatologist to treat perioral dermatitis in the San Diego area, call Dr. Melanie Palm at 858.792.SKIN (7546) to schedule an appointment to discuss your treatment options.
