Periorificial dermatitis in children and adolescents.
BACKGROUND
There has been very little evaluation of the history, morphology, or disease course of perioral/periorificial dermatitis in children.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to elucidate the clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes in this condition.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review with telephone follow-up was used to study 79 children and adolescents.


RESULTS
Patients ranged from 6 months to 18 years of age. The average duration of the rash at presentation was 8 months. Seventy-two percent had a history of topical, inhaled, or systemic steroid exposure. Seventy percent of patients had perioral involvement, 43% perinasal, and 25% periocular involvement. A perivulvar rash was reported in 1% of patients. Treatment with topical metronidazole was associated with clearing on follow-up examination.


CONCLUSIONS
This is a retrospective study without case controls and is subject to interviewer and memory bias.


CONCLUSIONS
Perioral dermatitis appears at all ages in childhood and adolescence and may be associated with topical corticosteroid use. It may be responsive to topical metronidazole in children and adolescents and is more appropriately termed periorificial dermatitis.
Nguyen
Victoria
V
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA.
Eichenfield
Lawrence F
LF
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000150:complications; D019557:Dermatitis, Perioral / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D004917:Erythromycin