Hence, they do not tolerate drying agents well and the rash can be worsened by them.Perioral dermatitis is also known by other names including rosacea-like dermatoses, periorofacial dermatitis and periorificial dermatitis. Unlike rosacea which involves mainly the nose and cheeks, there is no telangiectasia in perioral dermatitis. Rosacea also has a tendency to be present in older people. Acne can be distinguished by the presence of comedones and by its wider distribution on the face and chest. There are no comedones in perioral dermatitis. Causes
The cause of perioral dermatitis is unclear. The use of topical steroids and cosmetics have the most important role. Although light exposure has been discounted as a causal factor, some reports of perioral dermatitis have been made by some patients receiving Psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy. Corticosteroids
Perioral dermatitis often happens after the use of topical steroids on the face, and is more likely to occur the greater the strength of topical steroid used. Discontinuing the steroids often initially worsens the dermatitis, and dependency on the steroids can occur as people believe the steroids were initially controlling the condition. Inhaled corticosteroids may also trigger perioral dermatitis. Perioral dermatitis has a tendency to occur on the drier parts of the face and can be aggravated by drying agents including topical benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin and lotions with an alcohol base. Immunosuppressants
Reports of perioral dermatitis in renal transplant recipients treated with oral corticosteroids and azathioprine have been documented. Cosmetics
Cosmetics play an important role as causal factors for perioral dermatitis.
Prognosis
Perioral dermatitis is likely to fully resolve with short courses of antibiotics but if left untreated it can persist for years and take a chronic form.Improvement with tetracyclines is usually seen after 4 days and significantly so after 2 weeks. Epidemiology
Most commonly in women between the ages of 16 and 45 years, perioral dermatitis also occurs equally in all racial and ethnic backgrounds and include children as young as three months and is increasingly reported in men. In children, females are more likely affected. It has an incidence of up to 1% in developed countries. See also
Childhood granulomatous periorificial dermatitis
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Eczema herpeticum, condition that primarily manifests in childhood


== References ==