eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Diseases of the Adnexa
Perioral Dermatitis: Follow-up
Updated: Oct 23, 2009
Follow-up
Further Inpatient Care
- Perioral dermatitis (POD) is almost exclusively treated on an outpatient basis.
Further Outpatient Care
- Care includes an assessment of the effectiveness of systemic therapy.
- Topical therapy should be adapted in accordance to the condition of the skin and the severity of the disease.
Inpatient & Outpatient Medications
- Systemic treatment includes antiacne medications such as doxycycline, tetracycline, minocycline, and isotretinoin.
- Topical treatment includes antibiotics such as metronidazole13 and erythromycin. Antiacne drugs such as adapalene18 and azelaic acid19,20 have been used in noncontrolled studies. Pimecrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, has been successful in vehicle-controlled clinical trials.16,17
- The use of potent topical steroids is strictly contraindicated. However, in some cases, the initial use of a low-potency corticosteroid (eg, hydrocortisone cream) may be appropriate.
- The use of cosmetics, cleansers, and moisturizers should be avoided during treatment.
Deterrence/Prevention
Complications
- Although perioral dermatitis is limited to the skin and not life threatening, emotional problems may occur because of the disfiguring character of the facial lesions and the possibly prolonged course of the disease.
- An initial rebound effect frequently occurs during the weaning of the steroid. This phenomenon is rare when no underlying cause can be evaluated.
- A chronic course is not uncommon.
- The development of a lupoid dermal infiltrate is considered to be a feature of the maximal variant of the disease.
- The diagnosis is made on the basis of the yellowish discoloration after diascopy.
- This entity is called lupuslike perioral dermatitis.
- Scarring may be a problem with the lupoid form of perioral dermatitis.
Prognosis
- Perioral dermatitis is not a life-threatening disease.
- However, unexpectedly long period of treatment may be required to achieve a cosmetically satisfactory skin condition.
Patient Education
- Reassurance and education about possible underlying factors and the time course of the disease are critical. These measures help the patient to cope with the disfiguring character of the disease and help to minimize the risk of recurrences.
- Patients have to be aware that initial deterioration may occur, especially if they previously used a topical steroid.
- The use of all topical preparations, including cosmetics, should be avoided except the prescribed medication.
- The patient should be advised that remission might not occur for weeks, despite correct treatment.
Miscellaneous
Medicolegal Pitfalls
- Failure to inform the patient about a possible rebound at the initiation of therapy
- Prescribing potent topical steroids
Special Concerns
- In pediatric patients, as well as pregnant women, only topical therapy should be administered because systemic drugs may be contraindicated.
More on Perioral Dermatitis |
| Overview: Perioral Dermatitis |
| Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Perioral Dermatitis |
| Treatment & Medication: Perioral Dermatitis |
Follow-up: Perioral Dermatitis |
| References |
| « Previous Page |
References
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Further Reading
Keywords
perioral dermatitis, POD, rosacealike dermatitis, periorificial dermatitis, light-sensitive seborrheid, chronic papulopustular facial dermatitis, papulopustular facial dermatitis, granulomatous perioral dermatitis, lupuslike perioral dermatitis
Follow-up: Perioral Dermatitis