How Can You Treat Dry Skin Around the Mouth?

In order to effectively treat dry skin around the mouth, you first need to understand the underlying cause and different causes require different treatments. Here are some common causes of dry skin around the mouth you should know about:

• Perioral dermatitis: Perioral dermatitis is a skin condition that develops as a rash around the mouth and can also spread to the skin around the nose and eyes. This condition often appears as a red, scaly, or bumpy rash with mild itching or burning. Perioral dermatitis has a variety of different triggers, including the long-term use of topical steroid creams or steroid inhalers. This condition can come and go for years and can be treated by using mild soaps, oral antibiotics, or topical antibacterial creams.

• Allergic contact dermatitis: Allergic contact dermatitis is a skin condition that develops as a red rash with itchiness and scaling as a result of coming into contact with an irritating substance. It can be difficult to predict which substances will trigger this condition, but it can be effectively treated through steroid creams or oral medications.

• Irritant contact dermatitis: Irritant contact dermatitis is a skin condition that develops as red patches on the skin, dry and scaly skin, or blisters that may itch or burn. This condition occurs as a result of exposure to harsh and irritating substances. For example, drooling or licking your lips can result in irritant contact dermatitis.

• Atopic dermatitis: Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a skin condition that develops as an itchy rash, cracked skin, scaly skin, and dry skin patches with a reddish-brown color on the cheeks, arms, and legs. The cause of this condition isn’t well-understood, but it typically develops during childhood and can be managed by certain creams, medications, and light therapy.

• Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that develops as dry, red, or scaly patches that may be itchy, painful, peeling, or discolored. Affected areas usually involve the face, scalp, palms, soles of the feet, knees, elbows, and lower back. Like atopic dermatitis, the exact cause of this condition isn’t known but it can be managed by topical treatments, oral medications, and light therapy.

• Rosacea: Rosacea is a skin condition that develops as redness and swelling around the nose, mouth, cheeks, and eyes. This condition tends to come and go over time, with flare ups occurring every so often. The exact cause of rosacea remains undetermined, although treatments involving topical drugs, oral antibiotics, and laser therapies have proven effective.

• Sun exposure: While the sun provides us vitamin D and can help boost our mood, it can also do harm if you’re not careful. Over time, sun exposure can negatively affect your skin and lead to issues like dryness, wrinkles, and dark spots. It’s important to limit your sun exposure and protect yourself from the sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays by regularly applying SPF.

• Cold or windy weather: Colder weather often means lower levels of moisture in the air. Dry air can easily dry out the sensitive skin around the mouth -- this is especially true if wind is also involved. It can be difficult to protect the skin around your mouth from the elements as winter gear such as scarves, hats, and earmuffs don’t cover the mouth.

• Overwashing: Our skin produces its own natural oils to keep our skin moisturized. Sometimes, our faces produce too much oil that can lead to shiny skin and blemishes. Many people wash their face to eliminate that oil, and while that seems like a good idea in theory, it might not be the best thing to do. You see, when you wash your face too much, you can strip it of its natural oils, leading to dry skin around the mouth.