Perioral dermatitis (POD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by papulopustular eruptions primarily affecting the perioral, perinasal, and periorbital regions. It is commonly observed in young women but can occur across all ages and genders (Lipozen膷i膰 et al., 2020).
馃搶 Recommended Article :
Dental Article 馃斀 Oral Dermatitis Treatment: A Complete Guide for Dentists in 2025 ... Oral dermatitis, though relatively uncommon, presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for dental professionals.Since its clinical presentation overlaps with other dermatoses such as acne vulgaris, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis, establishing a clear differential diagnosis is critical for effective treatment and prognosis.
Advertisement
✅ Differential Diagnosis of Perioral Dermatitis
➤ Acne Vulgaris
Acne typically presents with comedones, nodules, and cysts, which are absent in POD. The involvement is more generalized across sebaceous areas (face, chest, back).
➤ Rosacea
Rosacea commonly affects the central face with telangiectasia, erythema, and ocular involvement, features not typical in POD.
馃搶 Recommended Article :
PDF 馃斀 Allergic manifestations to local anaesthetic in pediatric dentistry: Prevention and management ... Allergic reactions to local anesthetics in pediatric patients are not frequent, but we must take the necessary preventive measures and know how to manage hypersensitivity to anesthetics.➤ Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis presents with greasy scales and erythema on seborrheic areas (scalp, eyebrows, nasolabial folds). POD lacks the greasy scale distribution pattern.
➤ Allergic or Irritant Contact Dermatitis
This condition often has well-demarcated erythematous patches with pruritus and a direct correlation to allergen exposure. POD is more chronic, papular, and less pruritic.
馃搳 Comparative Table: Differential Diagnosis of Perioral Dermatitis
| Condition | Key Features | Differences from Perioral Dermatitis |
|---|---|---|
| Acne Vulgaris | Comedones, nodules, cysts in sebaceous areas | POD lacks comedones; distribution limited to perioral region |
| Rosacea | Central facial erythema, telangiectasia, ocular involvement | POD spares central face and vermilion border; no ocular signs |
| Seborrheic Dermatitis | Greasy yellowish scales on scalp, eyebrows, nasolabial folds | POD presents with papules and pustules, not greasy scales |
| Contact Dermatitis | Well-demarcated erythema, itching, acute or chronic reaction | POD less pruritic, more chronic, with papules instead of plaques |
馃挰 Discussion
The overlap of symptoms between POD and other facial dermatoses often leads to misdiagnosis. The absence of comedones distinguishes it from acne, while sparing of central facial zones separates it from rosacea. Seborrheic dermatitis and contact dermatitis present with different morphological characteristics. Recognizing these subtle differences is essential for clinicians to prevent corticosteroid misuse, which can aggravate POD (Tan et al., 2022).
馃搶 Recommended Article :
Video 馃斀 What is CANKER SORES? - All you need to know ...Canker sores are small painful lesions that can appear anywhere on the oral mucosa. They are white or yellowish in color and surrounded by a red area.✍️ Conclusion
Perioral dermatitis requires a careful differential diagnosis to avoid unnecessary or harmful treatments. Differentiating POD from acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis involves clinical evaluation of lesion morphology, distribution, and symptomatology. Early recognition and proper management improve patient outcomes and reduce recurrences.
馃摎 References
✔ Lipozen膷i膰, J., Pusti拧ek, N., & Ljubojevi膰 Had啪avdi膰, S. (2020). Perioral dermatitis: An update. Clinics in Dermatology, 38(2), 193–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2019.10.004
✔ Reid, C., & Powell, F. C. (2018). Perioral dermatitis: A review. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 32(10), 1682–1689. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15011
✔ Tan, E., Martinka, M., & Crawford, R. I. (2022). Clinical pitfalls in the management of perioral dermatitis. Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 26(1), 41–47. https://doi.org/10.1177/12034754211031234
馃搶 More Recommended Items
► Perioral Dermatitis in Children — A Parent’s Guide
► Oral lesions related to dentures
► Stomatitis in children - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment