Our Best Tips and Tricks for Natural Perioral Dermatitis Treatment

By Laura Dolgy (see bio below)

Do you possibly suffer from a scaly or red bumpy rash around your mouth, nose or eyes? Got slight itching, redness or burning in that area as well? You may be suffering from something known as perioral dermatitis, a form of facial eczema. This week, we take a look at what perioral dermatitis is, as well as ideas for a natural perioral dermatitis treatment at home. 

Please keep in mind that although these what we discuss in this post can relieve your dermatitis, we are NOT medical professionals. If you’re experiencing severe skin symptoms like an infection, seek medical advice immediately.

What is Perioral Dermatitis?

Perioral dermatitis actually occurs most in women who are aged 16-45 years old. Episodes of this type of eczema can last weeks to months and can be extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing.

Although the cause of perioral dermatitis, like eczema is unknown, some dermatologists believe it is associated with rosacea. Others believe that these symptoms can be in reaction to use of strong topical steroids on the skin.

Perioral dermatitis symptoms include a bumpy rash that resembles acne. This is most commonly seen around the mouth and in the folds around the nose, but bumps can also appear under the eyes, or on the forehead and chin. Because this rash closely resembles rosacea or acne, it is very important to seek out a dermatologist or physician that can properly diagnose the skin condition.

How to Prevent Perioral Dermatitis

Although prevention and treatment should definitely be communicated with your doctor first, there are a few things you can do to prevent a flare up.

• Take inventory of the skin products you’re using. What ingredients are listed? There are many abrasive ingredients that can further harm sensitive skin. To get an idea of which ingredients you may want to avoid in your skincare, check out our blog post: 13 Skincare Ingredients & Eczema Irritants You NEED to Avoid Right Now.
• Ask your doctor or dermatologist if you can use something other than topical steroid creams. Use small amounts if you need to continue steroid use and always take the recommended break after two weeks of use. This misuse of topical steroid creams is prevalent and can lead to conditions like Red Skin Syndrome.
• Use a mild soap (like those we reviewed in our Best Eczema Soap post) and make sure not to scrub or rub the affected skin area.
• Many suggest to stop using fluoridated toothpaste, as to not trigger the sensitive area around the mouth. We like this toothpaste from Uncle Harry’s because it comes in a recyclable jar, unlike those typical toothpaste tubes that go right to the landfill.

Natural Perioral Dermatitis Treatment at Home Treatment

Although there is no perioral dermatitis cure, there are a variety of treatments that can help you find relief for both inflammation and itchiness. There are many oral antibiotics and medications you can take, but if you’d like to take a more natural route, there are many natural eczema creams you can use.

One of our favorite perioral dermatitis home remedies is to use this Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream on the affected areas. Because it only contains six ingredients (Manuka oil, manuka honey, beeswax, organic olive oil, grapeseed oil and filtered water) it can be used all over the body – including the face, mouth and lips. Not only is this cream amazing for dry skin, but it also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties as well. Many eczema sufferers have found amazing relief through this product. Check out the amazing reviews here.

There are also a variety of facial eczema products that can be used as an perioral dermatitis over the counter treatment. Bodyceuticals makes many natural skincare products that are gentle enough for sensitive areas on the face and include beneficial ingredients like aloe vera, calendula, and much more. For example, this Organic Aloe Vera Skin Soothing Spray is great for keeping your perioral dermatitis moisturized and hydrated. If your skin is also burning, this spray is a great option, as the aloe is anti-inflammatory and will reduce swelling and redness. Try popping it into the fridge for an extra cool treat and to further beat redness and the itch.

Another great perioral dermatitis facial treatment is this Organic Calendula Eczema Face Wash. Unlike harsher products on the market, this face wash features a mixture of calendula, seaweed and soothing herbs. Not only will your skin be hydrated, but the gel-like consistency calms red, inflamed skin. To keep skin well moisturized after using any type of face soap, you’ll need a rich and nourishing cream. Make sure to check out this Calendula Face Eczema Cream that contains rooibos leaf, which can provide anti-inflammatory effects and reduce allergic responses and histamine release. The cream also contains MSM which is know for helping skin repair, reducing hyper-pigmentation, as well as allowing moisture to deeply penetrate the skin. Using the two Calendula products together is a great for treating perioral dermatitis naturally.

Lastly if you’re experiencing dermatitis around your mouth and it is chapping your lips, make sure to check out this Organic Calendula Lip Balm. With its mixture of calendula, beeswax and vitamin E, this chapstick for perioral dermatitis will keep your lips feeling well hydrated and moisturized.

Get the Calendula products above at a bundled, reduced rate in this Eczema Face Moisturizer & Cleanser Kit.

Like mentioned previously, there is no perioral dermatitis cure, yet by working with your physician or dermatologist, there are many natural treatments that can be used to find relief.

Do you use a natural perioral dermatitis treatment? Let us know in the comments below!

Bio: Laura is a contributor and content developer for It’s An Itchy Little World. She is in no way a medical professional. Her comments, suggestions, and reflections are not intended to replace any medical advice. Always seek the help of a medical professional before undertaking any diet or lifestyle changes. Please see It’s An Itchy Little World’s disclaimer for information about affiliate links and more.