Reasons Women Break Out Around the Mouth
Breakouts around the mouth are common complaints in adult women. Hormonal fluctuations, irritation, and lifestyle factors can all cause pimples, redness and acne in the delicate skin surrounding the lips. Understanding the potential triggers can help women prevent and treat frustrating perioral breakouts.
Causes of Breakouts Around the Mouth
Some of the most common reasons women experience acne around the mouth include:
- Hormonal fluctuations - Periods, pregnancy, menopause and other hormone changes increase oil production and inflammation.
- Cosmetics - Heavy creams, lip products and makeup lacking non-comedogenic ingredients clog pores.
- Occlusion - Masks, lip balms, chin rests, and phones trap sweat, oil and bacteria against the skin.
- Saliva - Drool and contact during sleep allows digestive enzymes and bacteria to irritate skin.
- Stress - Stress hormones like cortisol trigger increased oil and inflammation.
- Medications - Some drugs like corticosteroids alter hormone levels and provoke breakouts.
- Friction and pressure - Rubbing from licking lips, wiping mouth, playing instruments, stroking chin.
- Sun exposure - UV radiation generates free radicals that damage skin.
Less commonly, underlying conditions like perioral dermatitis or fungal infections contribute to mouth breakouts. Checking with a dermatologist helps identify causes.
Characteristics and Location of Breakouts
Breakouts around the mouth often consist of:
- Papules and pustules (whiteheads)
- Nodules and cysts (painful red bumps under skin)
- Small red bumps
- Itchy, flaky patches
- Burning or stinging sensation
Problem areas typically include:
- Corners of the mouth
- Above upper lip
- Sides of chin
- Jawline around the mouth
- Lower cheeks next to mouth
- Skin adjacent to nose and mouth
Take note if breakouts worsen around the menstrual cycle or with changes in medications, diet and skincare products.
Self-Care Tips to Improve Breakouts
Before resorting to prescription acne medications, women can try these self-care remedies to clear up mouth breakouts:
- Remove makeup thoroughly before bedtime.
- Cleanse skin gently with a hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic facial wash.
- Avoid lip balms and products that feel greasy or heavy.
- Apply a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment to problem areas.
- Use oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer suited for acne-prone skin.
- Avoid touching or picking at the breakouts.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Take an over-the-counter antihistamine to reduce inflammation.
- Use a clay mask weekly to draw out impurities from pores.
However, if at-home care doesn't adequately control breakouts after a few weeks, seeing a dermatologist is recommended. Prescription treatments are often needed to clear stubborn adult acne.
Medical Diagnosis for Acne Around the Mouth
To get to the root of breakouts around the mouth, a dermatologist will perform a physical exam and ask about your full medical history. Potential questions include:
- Where exactly are you breaking out?
- For how long have you had symptoms?
- Do you pick at or touch the area frequently?
- Have you changed skin care products, makeup or dental care products recently?
- Have you started any new medications in the past few months?
- Do you play musical instruments that contact the skin?
- Do you wear masks or equipment for sports/work?
- Any changes in stress or hormonal medications?
This helps rule out triggers like new cosmetics and identify relevant factors like hormone changes. Tests like bacterial cultures or skin scrapings may be done to check for infections.
Common Mouth Breakout Diagnoses
Based on the evaluation, the dermatologist may diagnose:
- Perioral dermatitis - Red bumpy rash around the mouth, often from topical steroid overuse.
- Contact irritant dermatitis - Allergic reaction to skin care ingredients, lip products.
- R
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment