Periorificial dermatitis

Periorificial dermatitis. This eruption consists of erythema or sometimes discreet red papules with or without scale located on the eyelids, in a paranasal and paraoral distribution. In my experience, it most commonly occurs around the nose and mouth. The cause of this remains unknown, though it can be induced by use of topical fluorinated products, such as topical corticosteroids. The best single treatment is to use tetracycline, 500 mg twice daily, or minocycline, 100 mg twice daily. Other therapies that sometimes work include topical antibacterials such as Sulfacet-R twice daily, and/or non-fluorinated topical steroids such as 1% hydrocortisone cream applied twice daily. In severe periorificial dermatitis it takes at least one to two months to see definite resolution.