Perioral dermatitis is a complicated condition, with sometimes obscure causes, but it's not primarily a fungal condition.

Perioral dermatitis is the name given to a bumpy, inflamed, persistent rash that occurs around the mouth and nose. While perioral dermatitis is sometimes associated with yeast infections, it isn’t always entirely clear what causes the skin to break out in the first place, which means it can be difficult to get rid of.

Sometimes one type of rash (a fungal infection, for example) can become aggravated by treating it with topical corticosteroid creams, and end up as a lingering case of perioral dermatitis. Or, in another instance, someone prone to perioral dermatitis can be vulnerable to fungal or bacterial infections because their skin barrier is already compromised.

So there’s a correlation between the two issues, but perioral dermatitis is not in itself a fungal condition, and sufferers may not have any success treating it with antifungals.

Most dermatologists now agree that perioral dermatitis can be triggered by topical steroids, hormonal changes, and other triggers such as irritant ingredients in toothpaste or cosmetics, and that treatment is primarily about avoiding the triggers that cause the rash to flare up.

For more information about managing the condition, see our article How To Treat Perioral Dermatitis.

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