Perioral Dermatitis Workup

  • Author: Hans J Kammler, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 9, 2011
 

Laboratory Studies

The diagnosis is made clinically. No laboratory abnormalities can be expected.

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Other Tests

Clinical criteria, prick tests, and specific IgE testing against a mixture of aeroallergens has been used to test for skin barrier disfunction. In a German study,[10] Perioral dermatitis patients experienced significantly increased transepidermal water loss compared with rosacea patients and a control group, which indicated a skin barrier function disorder. This type of testing is not routinely used.

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Histologic Findings

Histologic findings are similar to those of rosacea, but the signs of actinic skin damage are generally less intense and vary according to the patient's age. Thus, a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with perifollicular localization can be expected in all stages. A marked granulomatous inflammation and, occasionally, perifollicular abscesses may be present when pustules and papules are the dominant clinical findings. Caseating granulomata are characteristic features of granulomatous perioral dermatitis.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Hans J Kammler, MD, PhD  Head of Licensing Unit for Dermatology, ENT, Ophthalmology, and Respiratory System, German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM)

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

James Fulton Jr, MD, PhD  Center for Cosmetic Dermatology; Consultant, Vivant Pharmaceuticals, LLC

James Fulton Jr, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Dermatology Foundation, International Society of Cosmetic and Laser Surgeons, and Skin Cancer Foundation

Disclosure: Vivant Pharmaceuticals Grant/research funds Consulting

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey Meffert, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio

Jeffrey Meffert, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  2. 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].

  3. Chen AY, Zirwas MJ. Steroid-induced rosacealike dermatitis: case report and review of the literature. Cutis. Apr 2009;83(4):198-204. [Medline].

  4. 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].

  5. 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].

  6. 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].

  7. 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].

  8. 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].

  9. 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].

  10. Richey DF, Hopson B. Photodynamic therapy for perioral dermatitis. J Drugs Dermatol. Feb 2006;5(2 Suppl):12-6. [Medline].

  11. Smith KW. Perioral dermatitis with histopathologic features of granulomatous rosacea: successful treatment with isotretinoin. Cutis. Nov 1990;46(5):413-5. [Medline].

  12. 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].

  13. 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].

  14. Wollenberg A, Oppel T. Scoring of skin lesions with the perioral dermatitis severity index (PODSI). Acta Derm Venereol. 2006;86(3):251-2. [Medline].

  15. 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].

  16. Jansen T. Perioral dermatitis successfully treated with topical adapalene. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Mar 2002;16(2):175-7. [Medline].

  17. 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].

  18. 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].

  19. 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].

  20. Hafeez ZH. Perioral dermatitis: an update. Int J Dermatol. Jul 2003;42(7):514-7. [Medline].

  21. Katsambas AD, Nicolaidou E. Acne, perioral dermatitis, flushing, and rosacea: unapproved treatments or indications. Clin Dermatol. Mar-Apr 2000;18(2):171-6. [Medline].

  22. 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].

  23. Hall CS, Reichenberg J. Evidence based review of perioral dermatitis therapy. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. Aug 2010;145(4):433-44. [Medline].

 
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