From the Guidelines
Perioral dermatitis is primarily caused by the overuse of topical corticosteroids, as they may cause perioral dermatitis and skin atrophy if used inadequately 1.
Causes of Perioral Dermatitis
The causes of perioral dermatitis can be multifactorial, including:
- Topical steroid use, which can lead to skin atrophy and perioral dermatitis if not used properly 1
- Other potential triggers such as greasy creams, manipulation of skin, and hot blow-drying of the hair, although these are not directly linked to perioral dermatitis in the provided evidence
Management and Prevention
To address perioral dermatitis, it is essential to:
- Discontinue the use of topical corticosteroids, although this may cause initial worsening
- Simplify skincare routines by avoiding heavy products
- Consider prescription treatments like topical metronidazole or azelaic acid
- In severe cases, oral antibiotics such as doxycycline may be prescribed, however, the provided evidence does not specifically support its use for perioral dermatitis 1 It is crucial to note that the provided evidence does not directly support all the potential causes and management strategies for perioral dermatitis, but topical corticosteroid use is a well-established cause of perioral dermatitis 1.
From the Research
Causes of Perioral Dermatitis
The exact causes of perioral dermatitis are not fully understood, but several factors have been implicated in its development. Some of the possible causes include:
- Topical corticosteroid misuse, which is considered the principal causative factor in the pathogenesis of perioral dermatitis 2
- Cosmetics and other topical products, which can exacerbate the condition 3
- Hormonal factors, as the condition is more common in young women 3
- Bacterial infections, such as fusobacteria, which may play a role in the development of perioral dermatitis 2
- Other factors, such as rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, which can have similar symptoms and may be related to perioral dermatitis 4
Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of perioral dermatitis is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve a combination of factors, including:
- Topical corticosteroid misuse, which can lead to rebound effects and exacerbate the condition 2
- Bacterial infections, such as fusobacteria, which can contribute to the development of perioral dermatitis 2
- Inflammatory responses, which can lead to the characteristic symptoms of perioral dermatitis, such as papules and pustules 4
- Hormonal factors, which can influence the development and severity of perioral dermatitis 3
Related Conditions
Perioral dermatitis can be related to other conditions, such as:
- Rosacea, which can have similar symptoms and may be related to perioral dermatitis 4
- Seborrheic dermatitis, which can have similar symptoms and may be related to perioral dermatitis 4
- Systemic lupus erythematosus, which can have similar symptoms and may be related to perioral dermatitis 4
- Acne vulgaris, which can have similar symptoms and may be related to perioral dermatitis 4