Is Perioral Dermatitis Contagious?

Is perioral dermatitis contagious? This is the question most people ask when they first encounter dry, flaky skin bumps on their face. The skin around the mouth can look like it has been scratched or scuffed. Many people experience it at some point when they are growing out their hair.

In fact, it is the source of many of the symptoms we associate with aging. The dry, flaky skin is actually just the surface of the skin.

Not a typical type of dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis is an irritated red rash that typically circles the mouth. Your skin may also be oily, scaly and dry with inflamed, bumpy papules known as papules. It is not a typical type of dermatitis, which means that it is probably not contagious. However, it does tend to flare up more frequently than other forms of dermatitis due to its unusual pattern of development.

In general, this form of dermatitis tends to be seasonal in nature, mostly appearing around the time of the cold or flu seasons.

Oral antibiotics

Oral antibiotics such as tetracycline are commonly prescribed to treat perioral dermatitis. If you have any suspicion that you may have it, do not take these doses. Tetracycline is often prescribed in cases of severe eczema, psoriasis, and acute allergic reactions to shampoo, detergent or soap.

Tetracycline is also likely to cause gastrointestinal irritation, so make sure you are not allergic to it before starting a course of tetracycline.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are prescribed as topical steroids in milder forms of perioral dermatitis. These are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce the redness of lesions caused by psoriasis. These prescription treatments can cause severe side effects in some people. It is very important that you understand the risks of using them if you are prescribed them.

Chronic vulvovaginitis

In the case of perioral dermatitis caused by infection with yeast, the causative agent is the same as for chronic vulvovaginitis (a chronic skin condition characterized by vulvovaginitis and pustules). The difference is that the Candida species cause the latter condition. Rosacea is characterized by redness, itching, flushing, and burning.

Some of the causative agents found in the skin of those with rosacea include the herpes simplex virus (HSV), the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and a group of Streptococcus bacteria. However, as of yet, there is no specific medication for Rosacea.

Topical steroids

When it comes to topical steroids, it is important to know what they are and the possible side effects. Topical steroids such as ketoconazole and erythromycin are used to treat both perioral and dermatitis.

They are available without a prescription and come in various strength levels depending on the severity of the condition. The type of steroids used will depend on how severe the perioral infection is.

Other treatment options

If you have a strong perioral dermatitis infection, your healthcare provider may consider other treatment options such as topical medications and oral medications such as erythromycin and penicillin. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe antibiotics to help treat the bacterial infection that occurs with perioral eczema.

In severe cases, antibiotics are administered to kill off all the bacteria. Topical medications are applied directly to the skin, while oral medications are taken orally.