Perioral Dermatitis Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Nov 13, 2020
  • Author: Hans J Kammler, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

Facial demodicosis (infestation with Demodex follicularis) clinically resembles perioral dermatitis (POD) and should be excluded, [9] especially when anti-inflammatory therapies fail and if the patient is immunosuppressed. [10]

Patients who are prone to acne or rosacea may experience worsening while undergoing topical therapy with topical immunomodulators (eg, with tacrolimus ointment). [11]

Haber syndrome, or familial rosacealike dermatosis with intra-epidermal epitheliomas, keratotic plaques, and scars, is a rare genodermatosis that begins in childhood.

Granulomatous periorificial dermatitis manifests most commonly in prepubertal children as yellow-brown papules limited to the perioral, perinasal, and periocular regions with perineal involvement described. The condition is self-limited and is not associated with systemic involvement. [12]

Sarcoidosis can also present with papular facial lesions revealing noncaseating granulomas on histology.

Differential Diagnoses