Dry Skin Around Mouth Treatment

Red Dry Skin Around Mouth

Your lips may occasionally get irritated resulting in a dry red skin around mouth. This can be uncomfortable for most people and is often paralleled by an itchiness which ends up in more inflammation of the lips when you scratch the affected lips. Understanding the underlying causes of this problem will not only help you get rid of the inflammation but also prevent future occurrence of this condition. Treating dry red skin around mouth is as easy as eliminating the exposure to the allergen but sometimes good lip moisturizers may be required.

Applying a corticosteroid cream to the affected area and then covering the area with a wet dressing for 20 to 30 minutes is also a common treatment approach for this condition. Oral antihistamines can as well be used to treat red dry skin around the mouth especially if it is allergen-induced.

How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Perioral Dermatitis

Avoid topical steroids and face creams. See your healthcare provider as soon as possible after you notice symptoms of a rash around your mouth, especially if the rash causes itchiness and burning.

After the rash is gone, only use a mild soap or soap substitute when you wash. Dont go back to using products you used before the rash.

Skin Conditions That Cause Dry Skin

1. Perioral dermatitis This skin condition is caused by creams and inhalers that contain steroids. Various skin irritants, heavy creams and certain kinds of toothpaste can also cause this condition. When it occurs, the skin around your mouth can turn red, scaly and inflamed. Dealing with it can mean facing some burning and itching.

2. Eczema This can be another cause of dryness, cracking, bumps and some itching around your mouth. This is because you have come in contact with something that has reacted with your skin causing eczema.

3. Psoriasis and rosacea These common skin issues can also cause surface reactions around your mouth as a symptom.

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Health And Beauty Products

The use of heavy face creams and moisturizers may also cause perioral dermatitis. Those that contain certain ingredients, like paraffin and petroleum jelly, may be particularly problematic.

In children, high sun protection factor sunscreen may contribute to this lip rash.

Makeup, especially foundation, may also cause PD.

Some cleansers and shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate . This compound is known to irritate sensitive skin, which may lead to perioral dermatitis.

Finally, a few case reports have suggested a link between fluoride toothpaste and PD. Tartar control ingredients used in some toothpastes may also play a role.

What Is Flaky Dry Skin

Flaky dry skin is a condition that causes your skin to appear flaky and scaly. Its not a serious condition, but it can make you uncomfortable and cause itching.

Flaky dry skin usually develops on the soles of your feet and the tops of your hands. It can also appear on other parts of your body, such as your elbows or knees and around your mouth.

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What Are The Types Of Perioral Dermatitis

There is typical perioral dermatitis, and then there is granulomatous perioral dermatitis. Granulomatous is not a type perioral dermatitis, but an irregular version of it. If you have granulomatous dermatitis then youll see yellowish bumps instead of red ones. Children are more prone to have granulomatous dermatitis than adults.

Your Diet Consists Of A Lot Of Salty Or Spicy Foods

Big fan of snacks like pretzels or chips? They could be the reason for your peeling lips. Salty foods, particularly those that have a lot of salt on the outside that can end up on the lips, can definitely affect the skin there, Dr. Day says. Salt holds water, so it can absorb the water away from the lips and just dry them out, she explains. Another food trigger? Spicy snacks. They can also cause skin irritation and water loss, Dr. Day adds.

Treat it: Lay off some of the salty foods for a while and let your lips heal by using a paraffin wax-based lip balm.

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Your Medication Is Drying Out Your Lips

Certain medications can easily cause dry, peeling lips. Dr. Friedman says this is a common complaint for many of his clients using acne meds. I tell my patients who are on Accutane that thats the number one side effectdry, cracked lips, he says. I tell them that they should be using a lip balm so often that their friends should be asking them, What the heck is in that stuff that youre using it so much?

Its not just Accutane that can mess with your lips, though. These medications can also screw things up, according to Dr. Rodney:

• Chemotherapy drugs
• Some OTC pain meds

Treat it: First, talk to your doc about whether the meds your taking could cause dry lips. If that’s the case and you can’t stop taking your medication any time soon, make sure to follow Dr. Friedman’s advice to apply a moisturizing lip balm to combat the side effects. If the peeling gets more severe, a trip to your MD might be worth it to make sure you’re not allergic to something you’re using.

How Can I Help My Child Live With Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis has no cure. But it will usually get better or go away as your child gets older. There may be times when your child has few or no symptoms. And he or she may have times when symptoms get worse. This is called a flare-up. To help prevent flare-ups, make sure your child:

• Stays away from triggers. Common triggers include irritants such as wool, soap, or chemicals. Other triggers include allergens such as eggs, dust mites, or pet dander. Stress is also a trigger.

• Doesnt scratch the skin. Try to keep your child from scratching. It can cause symptoms to get worse. It can also cause infection.

• Always has short fingernails. Trim or file your childs nails to keep them short and prevent scratching.

• Takes baths or showers with warm, not hot, water. Air dry or gently dry the skin afterward.

• Uses moisturizers. Put creams or ointments on after bathing.

• Wears soft clothing. Dont dress your child in wool or other rough fabric.

• Keeps cool. Try to keep your child as cool as possible. Getting hot and sweating can make him or her more uncomfortable.

• Doesnt get the smallpox vaccine. Its not a common vaccine, but people with atopic dermatitis should not get the smallpox vaccine.

Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about other ways to help your childs skin condition.

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How Is Perioral Dermatitis Treated What Medicines Help

First, you must stop using any products that might be causing your perioral dermatitis. Stop the following:

• Topical and inhaled steroids. This includes both over-the-counter and prescribed steroids. If your healthcare provider has prescribed a steroid, ask if you can switch to a different medication.
• Face creams, including moisturizers.
• Fluorinated toothpaste .

Your perioral dermatitis might flare up after you stop a topical steroid. Some experts recommend going back on a topical steroid that is not as strong as what you may be using. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Your perioral dermatitis may get worse before it gets better.

There are several medications that can help your perioral dermatitis. Unfortunately, these medications may not fix the problem for weeks or months. Your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following:

Topical medications:

• Erythromycin gel.

• Oral erythromycin.
• Oral low-dose isotretinoin.

You Have Actinic Cheilitis

With this condition, the skin has been damaged from chronic sun exposure so much so that it cant repair itself, Dr. Friedman explains. Actinic cheilitis is more common among older individuals.

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It’s this sort of long-term sun damage and inflammation on the lips that can lead to skin cancer. “In this kind of dry, cracked area, its very easy for skin cancers to emerge, and so we do see a lot of squamous cell carcinomas in older individuals on the lower lip because of that,” Dr. Friedman notes. Actinic cheilitis is characterized by dryness and scaly patches or plaques, typically on the lower lip, as mentioned.

Treat it: Treatment involves what’s called topical field therapy or photodynamic light therapy to either produce an immune response or kill off damaged skin cells. But first, your doctor will need to diagnose you via a skin biopsy.

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Apply Coconut Oil To Your Face And Mouth Every Night Before Bedtime

Coconut oil has been shown to be very effective in combating dry skin around the mouth, so adding some coconut oil into your nighttime routine is definitely worth trying out.

Just rub some coconut oil onto your face and around your mouth before bedtime so that it can absorb into your skin overnight. This will help restore moisture back into the area while you sleep.

Lets How We Can Get Rid Of The Dryness With Some Simple Home Remedies

1. Gently cleanse the area daily

Washing your face with very cold or hot water could result in dry skin. Also, using soaps or face-washes with fragrances, artificial colors, or alcohol could dry out the skin even more. Use gentle soaps and face-washes and always wash your face with gentle finger movements!

2. Exfoliate dry skin Every month or so, our body undergoes a natural cycle new cells appear, allowing old cells to die. When these dead cells get stuck to the surface of our skin, it can clog the pores making it difficult for our skin to absorb moisture and nutrients, leading to dry patches.

Exfoliation helps! By removing the dead skin cells, exfoliation can let our skin pores breathe. The skin is able to absorb the natural oils, moisture and the nutrients from the moisturizers. This improves the skins health and texture, bringing out your inner glow! We should cleanse our faces every day and carefully exfoliate every few days. Remember, exfoliating every day can irritate or harm the skin!

3. Moisturize!

This could be the single most important tip for all kinds of skin problems. Moisturize your skin! Because you deserve it! If cold weather is causing your mouth region to become dry and flaky, apply a daily moisturizer and a soothing lip balm to keep the moisture intact. Be sure to use both overnight for maximum hydration.

Always choose the right moisturizer depending on your skin type. Use natural oils or good moisturizers that keep your skin hydrated!

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Get Rid Of Flaky Dry Skin Around Mouth And Chin

The lips constitute an important focal point when engaging in conversations. However, having a dry skin around mouth is a problem that afflicts many people, sometimes leading to lower self-confidence. In some instances the skin around mouth itches and looks red and inflamed and in some severe cases, it may even bleed. What causes a dry skin around mouth and how can it be treated? Read on to find out.

How To Treat Dry Skin Around The Mouth

Dry skin around the mouth can often be treated effectively with the right hydrating products. When managing dry skin, avoid using products with a high oil content and strong scents as these may further irritate the skin.

Moisturizers have multiple functions and while many formulas help to improve the appearance of skin and help it retain moisture, some can deteriorate the skins condition and weaken the outer layer. This is why its important to know which ingredients are in your skin care products.

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Lifestyle Changes To Avoid Rash Around Mouth

Lifestyle changes may also help treat and prevent a rash around the mouth. The following tips may alleviate symptoms of redness, swelling, and pain.

• Clean the affected area with cool water by using a patting motion rather than scrubbing the area.
• Gently pat the skin around the mouth when washing the face.
• Use sunblock protection on face and lips.
• Avoid licking the lips at all times.
• Use non-fluorinated toothpaste, available at health food stores.
• Eat with small bites to prevent overstretching the mouth and surrounding skin.
• Avoid high temperature food and beverages.
• Avoid spicy and salty food and alcoholic beverages.
• Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Use relaxation and yoga techniques to relieve stress.
• Do not peel the dry, flaky skin.
• Stop using any new skin care product that may have triggered the rash.
• Do not use products with an alcohol base, steroids, or harsh chemicals.
• Use hot water for washing towels and bed sheets.

Rash around mouth episodes can be unsightly and quite painful at times, particularly if the sores have been disturbed and infection has set in.

The various types of facial rashes share similar red bumps or sores with some common causes. These may include environmental irritants, allergens, and harsh chemicals found in skin care products.

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Is It Normal To Have Dry Skin Around The Mouth

No. It is not normal to have dry skin around the mouth for a prolonged period. Ayurveda believes that the health of the skin reflects the internal health of the body. As per the Ayurvedic concept of tri doshas, any skin problem can be an indication of the derangement of vital life energies: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas in the body, which may also lead to other diseases in the body eventually.

When it comes to dryness around the mouth, it can be linked to the aggravation of Vata dosha, which can sometimes be an indication of colon-related issues , says Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix.

She further adds, Ayurveda focuses on treatments that bring balance to the agitated Vata dosha in the body, which in turn, corrects the related disturbances in the body along with dry skin around the mouth.

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What Causes Dryness Around The Mouth And How To Treat It

Among the many skin concerns we have, dry skin around the mouth is quite common. While most people blame harsh weather conditions for it, thats only one of the reasons for the dryness around your mouth. Certain skincare and lifestyle habits are also responsible for this.

For some people, this problem can be temporary, whereas, for others, it might be recurring. No matter which category you belong to here are all the reasons that cause dryness around the mouth and how to deal with it.

Skin Care Product Preservatives

Cleansers, toners, lip balms, toothpastes and moisturizers often contain preservatives that can cause redness, sensitivity and extremely dry skin around the mouth. Some products can also trigger eczema and contact dermatitis. The following ingredients may irritate the skin and should be avoided:

• Sodium laureth sulphate

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Treatment And Medication Options For Perioral Dermatitis

There is no specific FDA-approved treatment for perioral dermatitis, Lio says. Sometimes may clear up on its own. Yet some people will need the help of a healthcare provider. There are several approaches you can take to relieve symptoms.

If wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic are the culprit, Dr. Chien recommends taking mask breaks when appropriate, and if your line of work allows, choosing a face mask that has a lower chance of irritating the skin. Cotton or polyester blends tend to be a little more gentle on the skin, she says. Something thats more smooth in texture will minimize that friction and breaking down of the skin barrier.

Causes Of Cracks In The Skin

• Most cracked skin is found on the feet, hands or lips.
• Feet. The soles of the feet are most commonly involved. Most often, cracks occur on the heels and big toes. This is called tennis shoe dermatitis. Deep cracks are very painful and can bleed. The main cause is wearing wet or sweaty socks or swimming a lot.
• Hands. Cracks can develop on the hands in children. The main cause is washing the hands too much or washing dishes. Can also occur from working outside in winter weather. The worse cracks of the fingers occur with thumb sucking.
• Lips. The lips can become chapped in children from the sun or wind. If the lips become cracked, it’s usually from a “lip-licking” habit. The skin around the lips can also become pink and dry. This occurs especially in children who suck on their lips.

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Causes And Risk Factors Of Perioral Dermatitis

Using steroids around the mouth including inhaled steroids for asthma is a common trigger in children, Dr. Lio says.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, dermatologists have seen a rise in perioral dermatitis as a result of face masks. Generally, dermatoses, or rashes, associated with masks have gone up in our practice over the last year or so, says Anna Lien-Lun Chien, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Theres a number of different rashes that can occur and perioral dermatitis is one of them.

Unfortunately with the mask in place, it creates a different environment, she continues. It changes the barrier of the skin in that area. Especially for an individual whos more sensitive or prone to this inflammation they can start developing those breakouts.

In some cases of perioral dermatitis, a skin-care product or even a particular toothpaste may be the culprit, Lio says.

The skin condition can affect anyone at any age, but children and women are most affected, Lio says.

What Causes Atopic Dermatitis In A Child

The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is not known. But some things are linked to it. They include:

• Genes. This skin problem can be passed on from parents to a child.

• Immune system. An immune system that isnt fully developed may affect how much protection the skin can give.

• External factors. These include being in winter weather, using hot water for bathing, using soap, and being in dry, hot temperatures.

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