Periorificial dermatitis: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.

Abstract

Periorificial dermatitis is a chronic papulopustular facial dermatitis. Despite being frequently encountered in clinical practice and associated with significant effects on quality of life, its etiology remains incompletely understood, and no therapies are specifically approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for its treatment. In this review, the current mechanistic understandings of periorificial dermatitis pathogenesis are discussed, including the role of inciting factors, skin barrier dysfunction, inflammation, and the microbiome. In addition, we review the diagnostic features of periorificial dermatitis and how to distinguish it from clinical mimickers. Finally, treatment is discussed, including skincare, topical, and systemic therapies.