Perioral dermatitis and cinnamon

Introduction to perioral dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis is common skin condition that causes a red, bumpy, and scaly. Perioral dermatitis actually takes its name from the location which it commonly affects and that is the mouth — you know what "oral" means, and "peri" means "around", so around the mouth. The skin around the nose, chin, and even forehead can also be affected, however, as perioral dermatitis spreads.

Perioral dermatitis affects women much more than it affects male persons and it often occurs in women who are between 25 and 45 years old — something that may be connected to the fact that birth control pills are also a known trigger for the condition, due to the hormones involved. Teenagers are also affected, as are people with hormonal imbalances.

The rash associated with perioral dermatitis can easily be characterized as an "in between thing" as well; a cross between eczema and ordinary acne.

Different people are affected by perioral dermatitis in different ways. Some experience more acne-like symptoms, some others experience more eczema-like symptoms, while a third group of people experience symptoms of both conditions equally.

Red blemishes, rough to the touch and often sensitive, and scaling are common symptoms for those who suffer from perioral dermatitis. Patients also commonly experience burning sensations and itching at the site of the affected areas of the skin.

Another problem with perioral dermatitis is that people often tend to confuse it with another medical condition which is called rosacea.

The exact causes of perioral dermatitis are largely unknown, but certain scientific studies claim that the environment can be associated with the development of the condition. Over the counter steroid creams (corticosteroids) may seem like a good an easy way to clear up an inflammatory rash of this type, but it actually appears that steroids can make perioral dermatitis more severe, or even bring on an episode.

There are also certain theories which claim that toiletry products and cosmetics may also be involved, so that explains why the condition usually occurs more in women than in men. One should avoid tartar control ingredients, cinnamon flavoring, Isopropyl myristate, sodium laurylsulfate, fluorinated toothpastes, paraffin and petrolatum in order to reduce the risk of the development of perioral dermatitis.

How can perioral dermatitis be treated?

A person who suffers from perioral dermatitis usually needs to visit a regular physician before being referred to a dermatologist. If you think you could be suffering from this particular skin rash or just have a persistent rash around your mouth, do seek medical attention. A localized skin rash may seem like a minor problem, but it can cause a lot of discomfort as well as confidence issues.

Some physicians may be tempted to prescribe topical steroids of high potency in order to treat this medical condition. These steroids are known for being highly efficient, but each time the person withdraws from them, the rash flares up, and sometimes this flare-up can happen even right after someone starts using steroids creams

Antibiotics, which can be topical or systemic, creams that suppress immune system activity, and treatments typically used for common acne are the better treatment options when it comes to managing perioral dermatitis.