Redness & pimples around the mouth and nose? Over-cared for skin is a serious condition

You don't care for your skin until you can and still suddenly have pimples and redness around your mouth and nose? This could indicate perioral dermatitis.

N / A? Have you had a few extra minutes for your skin care lately? Have you experimented a lot with masks and new skincare products and suddenly irritation around your mouth and nose? This could indicate a so-called "rose in the mouth". In technical jargon, this skin disease is called perioral dermatitis - and it has exactly ONE cause: over-care. So more is not always MORE when it comes to skincare. Women who use a lot of products, keep changing and wearing a lot of make-up are particularly affected. That is why people talked about the "stewardess disease" for a long time. The Viennese dermatologist Dr. Kerstin Ortlechner.

What are the typical symptoms of oral rose - perioral dermatitis?

Ortlechner: It is a skin disease mainly around the mouth area, whereby the inflammation does not border directly on the lips. An area of 5 millimeters up to 1.5 centimeters is typically symptom-free. Papules and pustules can also appear around the nasal area (especially in the nasolabial folds), but they usually occur in combination with pimples around the mouth (perioral dermatitis). The skin around the eyes can also be inflamed (periocular dermatitis). Dermatitis is the umbrella term for inflammation of the skin.

What are the causes of perioral dermatitis?

Ortlechner: The cause is usually the overcare of the skin. In the past one also spoke of the "stewardess disease". Women who wear a lot of makeup and use a lot of personal care products can be affected. Models, bloggers and influencers, for example, are at risk. You tend to try many different products in a short period of time. The disease can also be viewed as a kind of "skin burnout". The skin is simply overused. But the hormones also play a role. Many suffer from perioral dermatitis during pregnancy. In some cases, an imbalance in the gastrointestinal flora is also responsible for the disease. Massive local cortisone abuse is also a possible trigger. The exact origin of the disease, the etiology, has not yet been scientifically clarified. The mentioned triggers are very likely.

What treatment methods are there for the so-called "rose in the mouth"?

Ortlechner: Very classic: You use zero therapy here. This means that those affected completely stop using any care / make-up products for a few weeks. So everything that is too much for the skin - all serums, creams, masks, peelings, etc. These should also not be used on the forehead or cheeks - even if the skin there is not affected by the inflammation. Patients have to wean themselves of their care habits. As a result of this over-care, the skin has lost its balance and the ability to heal itself. Under no circumstances should cortisone be used.

Perioral dermatitis: how to cleanse the skin

Ortlechner: The skin should only be cleaned with water or with products with very reduced ingredients. For this purpose, La Roche Posay developed the Toleriane line and scientifically tested it - we can warmly recommend it. For many sufferers, the skin can dry out and become tight during this zero therapy. Thermal water sprays or creams from the Toleriane line ("Toleriane ultra") can help here.

How long should one go through the zero therapy?

Ortlechner: You have to reckon with a period of at least 6 to 8 weeks. The skin regenerates approx. Every 28 days. Make-up should not be worn during this time. This is often hardly feasible for models. In markedly severe cases, adequate medical means can be used.

Which means would speed up the healing process?

Ortlechner: There are special preparations that have shown good results. For example “Skinoren” (azelaic acid). Or "Protopic" or "Elidel" (calcineurin inhibitors) can be used. A specialist should of course be consulted for this. If none of this helps anymore and patients have been suffering from it for months, there is also the option of using antibiotics systemically. By the way, the reason for this disease is not mainly the bacterial load, but actually the over-care. Many mistake the clinical picture for acne, go to the beautician or squeeze on the pimples themselves. Of course, you shouldn't do that under any circumstances.

What diseases is perioral dermatitis often confused with?

Ortlechner: As the name suggests, perioral dermatitis affects the area around the mouth. Redness on the cheeks and nose, on the other hand, is more indicative of rosacea. Here you can often see the typical vessel drawings (telangiectasias). In the event of complaints, a dermatologist should be consulted in any case.