What does perioral dermatitis look like?

Perioral dermatitis is red, slightly scaly or bumpy, and typically occurs around the mouth. It may spread around the nose and up toward the eyes, but it usually avoids the skin adjacent to the lips, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.

Perioral dermatitis is rarer in men and children, says the AOCD. One of the common causes is prolonged use of topical steroid creams or inhaled steroid sprays. Diagnosis is typically by dermatologist examination alone. Once diagnosed, the patient stops using creams on the face. Oral antibiotics are the most reliable treatment. Topical antibiotics are also used, and may be continued for several months to prevent recurrences.