Why is around my mouth red

Experiment to find the right amount. Facial moisturizers are available for purchase online. Dry skin around the mouth can result from routine activities. Smoking can be one cause, and quitting could help clear up the issue. Mouthwash, toothpaste, and facial products — including makeup, moisturizers, cleansers, and soaps — can also dry the skin in the area, so trying new products with more natural ingredients could resolve the issue.

Spending too much time in water, in general, can have this effect. According to the American Academy of Dermatology , showers and baths should last only 5—10 minutes, in order to promote healthy skin. Chronic dry facial skin is often the result of exposure to dry air. Winter weather and continuous air conditioning and heating remove a lot of moisture from the air, which can dry out the skin.

If dry skin around the mouth is a recurring issue, a person may consider using a humidifier in the winter and limiting their exposure to air conditioning or central heating.

Humidifiers are available for purchase online. A dermatologist can often diagnose the cause of dry skin around the mouth. They usually do so after carefully examining the affected area and discussing personal and family medical histories. Identifying dry skin around the mouth is fairly simple, but understanding the root cause may take an experienced eye. Consider seeing a dermatologist if the dry skin persists.

To prevent dry skin around the mouth, avoid habits that trigger dryness or irritation. This may involve:. Regularly moisturizing, gently cleansing, and occasionally exfoliating the skin around the mouth can often help prevent dry patches from forming.

People can often treat dry skin using home remedies and by making changes to their routine. Anyone with chronic dryness may benefit from receiving a professional diagnosis and treatment. There are a range of home remedies for dry skin available, including coconut and other oils, oatmeal, and honey. Which ones are effective and how…. Dry indoor air is a common problem that can exacerbate respiratory symptoms, cause dry skin and hair, and even make snoring worse.

Perioral dermatitis is more common in women between the ages of 16 to 45 years , but can be seen in all ages, races, and ethnicities. It also occurs in children of any age. Without the right treatment, cases of perioral dermatitis go away, but may reappear later. Episodes of perioral dermatitis can last weeks and even months. The cause of perioral dermatitis is unknown. However, experts suggest that it can occur after the use of strong topical steroids on the skin. These may be prescribed to treat another condition.

Nasal sprays containing corticosteroids may cause perioral dermatitis as well. Certain ingredients in cosmetics may cause perioral dermatitis, too. Heavy skin creams that contain petrolatum or a paraffin base may cause or worsen this condition. Perioral dermatitis usually appears as a rash of red bumps around the mouth and in the folds around the nose. These small bumps can contain pus or fluids. They may resemble acne. You may experience symptoms such as burning or itching , especially as the rash worsens.

Your doctor or dermatologist can often diagnose perioral dermatitis with just a visual examination of your skin, along with your medical history. Your doctor may also perform a skin culture test to rule out a possible infection.

During this test, your doctor will swab a small patch of skin in the affected area. Perioral dermatitis looks and behaves differently than eczema: While both conditions do result in a rash, eczema can manifest as a dry, itchy rash made up of red or brownish-gray patches; thickened, cracked, scaly skin; or small raised bumps that leak liquid and crust over when you scratch them.

Instead, if the bumps contain any liquid, the fluid is more likely to be evenly spread throughout, the way it is in a blister. Many people with perioral dermatitis get it when they use a corticosteroid medication on the area for too long, the AAD says. But exposing your skin to them for too long can have repercussions.

Though corticosteroids are the main culprit here, a wide range of things that irritate your skin can cause perioral dermatitis, Joshua Zeichner , M. That could be your skin-care products, toothpaste, and allergens that upset your skin, the AAD says. If your doctor prescribed the cream, consult with them to see if you can stop using it, the AAD says.

Given the new coronavirus outbreak, we know it might not be possible to see your doctor IRL, but consider having a phone call or making a tele-health appointment. The rash can get worse when you first stop applying the corticosteroid. So if you have a mouth rash, you know what to do now.

And you know what triggers to look out for, so you can figure out what's causing it. The first step in preventing and healing your rash is to stop using products that might be irritating you. This includes topical steroids, creams, and fluoridated toothpaste. Also, use warm water and mild soap to clean your face until the rash goes away.

Remember that if any other symptoms present, make sure to contact your doctor or dentist right away. With all of this info, you're bound to heal your rash in no time! So go ahead, and take steps today for a rash-free tomorrow. This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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