Skin rash around the mouth

Definition

Women are particularly affected by this condition: the skin around the mouth area suddenly turns red and burns, tightens uncomfortably and small pimples and blisters form. Within a few days to weeks the rash can sometimes spread to the chin, the skin becomes dry and flaky. No moisturizing cream or lotion can help, but rather it makes the whole process worse. However, those affected are not the only ones with these complaints, but a serious clinical picture is involved: perioral dermatitis, also known in the vernacular as mouth rose or stewardess disease.

Causes

Science has not yet succeeded in identifying the specific triggers of perioral dermatitis. Conspicuously often, however, people who regularly use cosmetics in the facial area are affected. The common theory is that perioral dermatitis is caused by the skin cells in the mouth area losing their ability to produce fatty sebum secretion.

This secretion contains lipids, which the skin itself needs to remain resistant and supple. If these lipids are now missing, the skin becomes increasingly dry and cracked and begins to flake. This causes many affected persons to apply additional moisturizing care products to the face, which only irritates the skin and upsets the cell’s own balance.

The reddening around the mouth worsens, the cells become inflamed and the familiar small red blisters form around the dandruff. A vicious circle of too much care and thus irritation of the skin. Other possible causes discussed are physical or emotional stress, skin fungal infections, certain toothpastes or special microorganisms that can cause inflammation. However, the theory of excessive care is the most common one.

Diagnosis

In order to diagnose perioral dermatitis, the symptoms that have occurred must be described and examined in detail, as the appearance of dermatitis is not dissimilar to that of various other skin diseases and there is a risk of confusion. The temporal development and the course of the symptoms are also important here. Also characteristic is a small narrow strip of skin directly around the lips, which is not affected by the rash. However, experienced family doctors are very familiar with this clinical picture, so that false diagnoses are rare. An allergic reaction or other local irritations in the mouth area should be excluded in any case before the diagnosis is made.