The principle that “a lot helps a lot” does not necessarily apply to skin care either. On the contrary, the excessive use of various skin creams can cause permanent damage to people with sensitive skin. This is pointed out by the experts of the prevention campaign skin of statutory health and accident insurance.
Too much cream can cause harm
In particular, if the facial cream suitable for the skin type is not used, the care, which is often mixed with preservatives and fragrances, can lead to stubborn pustules and redness, especially around the mouth, but also in the entire facial area.
A narrow border usually remains immediately around the lips. The skin is somewhat swollen and red, and it burns.
Patients: Women in representative occupations
Dermatologists refer to the condition as “perioral dermatitis.” However, it is popularly known as “stewardess disease” because it primarily affects young women in prestigious professions. The female patients are between 20 and 50 years old and have a well-groomed appearance.
This affects flight attendants, but also saleswomen, trade fair hostesses or service personnel. The disease is by no means exclusively linked to a profession. Those who attach great importance to treating their skin regularly with various creams and cosmetics in their free time are just as frequently affected.
Causes of stewardess disease
“Perioral dermatitis probably has its cause in the fact that the normal microflora of the skin – one could speak of ‘pet bacteria‛ – is disturbed and pathogenic microorganisms can multiply there,” say Osnabrück dermatologists Prof. Nana Schürer and Prof. Swen Malte John.
By the wrong skin care an imbalance between the metabolism of the skin and that of the “domestic animal bacteria” develops. The skin often already becomes resilient again when this balance is restored.
Tips for treatment
The recommendation of the skin experts is therefore: a good consultation regarding skin care is important! In addition, attention should be paid to the pH value of the products: The surface of the skin has a pH of about 5 (slightly acidic), accordingly, the care product should be selected.
Especially important: Already at the first signs of a skin reaction, the respective creams should be discontinued and replaced by pH-optimized creams which, if possible, do not contain any irritating substances.
If the skin disease is more advanced, certain antimicrobial skin creams (for example, the active ingredients erythromycin or metronidazole) are suitable for therapy. “Cortisone” is unsuitable for the treatment however, so John. Hereby the illness is pushed back only briefly, in order to worsen afterwards only more, since the active substance cannot restore the disturbed equilibrium of the face skin.
