Perioral Dermatitis Treatment & Management
- Author: Hans J Kammler, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD more...
Medical Care
Anti-inflammatory systemic and/or topical therapy is required. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been reported to be helpful for perioral dermatitis (POD),[11] although large studies have not yet been performed.
Treatment should be adapted to the severity and extension of the disease.
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.
Consultations
Consult a dermatologist to evaluate provoking factors and to determine the individualized treatment.
Diet
As with all inflammatory skin conditions and rosacea, substances that dilate dermal blood vessels should be avoided. Examples include alcohol and hot foods.
Activity
In general, physical activity is not restricted; however, vasodilation of dermal vessels due to strenuous physical exercise may worsen subjective symptoms.
Kihiczak GG, Cruz MA, Schwartz RA. Periorificial dermatitis in children: an update and description of a child with striking features. Int J Dermatol. Mar 2009;48(3):304-6. [Medline].
Guarneri F, Marini H. An unusual case of perioral dermatitis: possible pathogenic role of neurogenic inflammation. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Mar 2007;21(3):410-2. [Medline].
Chen AY, Zirwas MJ. Steroid-induced rosacealike dermatitis: case report and review of the literature. Cutis. Apr 2009;83(4):198-204. [Medline].
Beacham BE, Kurgansky D, Gould WM. Circumoral dermatitis and cheilitis caused by tartar control dentifrices. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jun 1990;22(6 Pt 1):1029-32. [Medline].
Karincaoglu Y, Bayram N, Aycan O, Esrefoglu M. The clinical importance of demodex folliculorum presenting with nonspecific facial signs and symptoms. J Dermatol. Aug 2004;31(8):618-26. [Medline].
Abeck D, Geisenfelder B, Brandt O. Physical sunscreens with high sun protection factor may cause perioral dermatitis in children. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. Aug 2009;7(8):701-3. [Medline].
Antille C, Saurat JH, Lübbe J. Induction of rosaceiform dermatitis during treatment of facial inflammatory dermatoses with tacrolimus ointment. Arch Dermatol. Apr 2004;140(4):457-60. [Medline].
Dirschka T, Tronnier H, Folster-Holst R. Epithelial barrier function and atopic diathesis in rosacea and perioral dermatitis. Br J Dermatol. Jun 2004;150(6):1136-41. [Medline].
Lucas CR, Korman NJ, Gilliam AC. Granulomatous periorificial dermatitis: a variant of granulomatous rosacea in children?. J Cutan Med Surg. Mar-Apr 2009;13(2):115-8. [Medline].
Richey DF, Hopson B. Photodynamic therapy for perioral dermatitis. J Drugs Dermatol. Feb 2006;5(2 Suppl):12-6. [Medline].
Smith KW. Perioral dermatitis with histopathologic features of granulomatous rosacea: successful treatment with isotretinoin. Cutis. Nov 1990;46(5):413-5. [Medline].
Boeck K, Abeck D, Werfel S, Ring J. Perioral dermatitis in children--clinical presentation, pathogenesis-related factors and response to topical metronidazole. Dermatology. 1997;195(3):235-8. [Medline].
Miller SR, Shalita AR. Topical metronidazole gel (0.75%) for the treatment of perioral dermatitis in children. J Am Acad Dermatol. Nov 1994;31(5 Pt 2):847-8. [Medline].
Wollenberg A, Oppel T. Scoring of skin lesions with the perioral dermatitis severity index (PODSI). Acta Derm Venereol. 2006;86(3):251-2. [Medline].
Oppel T, Pavicic T, Kamann S, Brautigam M, Wollenberg A. Pimecrolimus cream (1%) efficacy in perioral dermatitis - results of a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study in 40 patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Oct 2007;21(9):1175-80. [Medline].
Jansen T. Perioral dermatitis successfully treated with topical adapalene. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Mar 2002;16(2):175-7. [Medline].
Jansen T. Azelaic acid as a new treatment for perioral dermatitis: results from an open study. Br J Dermatol. Oct 2004;151(4):933-4. [Medline].
Schwarz T, Kreiselmaier I, Bieber T, et al. A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study of 1% pimecrolimus cream in adult patients with perioral dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jul 2008;59(1):34-40. [Medline].
Del Rosso JQ. The use of topical azelaic acid for common skin disorders other than inflammatory rosacea. Cutis. Feb 2006;77(2 Suppl):22-4. [Medline].
Hafeez ZH. Perioral dermatitis: an update. Int J Dermatol. Jul 2003;42(7):514-7. [Medline].
Katsambas AD, Nicolaidou E. Acne, perioral dermatitis, flushing, and rosacea: unapproved treatments or indications. Clin Dermatol. Mar-Apr 2000;18(2):171-6. [Medline].
Hengge UR, Ruzicka T, Schwartz RA, Cork MJ. Adverse effects of topical glucocorticosteroids. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jan 2006;54(1):1-15; quiz 16-8. [Medline].
Hall CS, Reichenberg J. Evidence based review of perioral dermatitis therapy. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. Aug 2010;145(4):433-44. [Medline].

