Perioral dermatitis guide

Perioral dermatitis treatment online in Virginia and West Virginia

This guide is for classic perioral dermatitis (small red papules or pustules around the mouth, sparing the lip border), not for eye or eyelid involvement, a severe or first-ever undiagnosed facial rash, or a skin infection.

Start online

Start a $59 online review for Perioral dermatitis.

Perioral dermatitis is a common facial rash of small red papules or pustules clustered around the mouth (classically sparing a rim next to the lips), sometimes around the nose or eyes. It is often triggered by topical steroids, heavy face creams, or fluorinated products. It is frequently a good online-photo condition, but eye or eyelid involvement, a severe or first-ever undiagnosed facial rash, or a skin infection should be seen in person.

If treatment is appropriate, your physician can send a non-controlled prescription to your pharmacy and provide portal instructions for the next step.

Start this visit See response times

Quick facts

You must be physically located in Virginia or West Virginia at the time of request.
Starts at $59
No insurance needed
No app download
Physician review around the clock
Non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy when appropriate
A work or school note can be included when medically appropriate
Response times apply 24/7, every day

Common symptoms

Small red bumps or tiny pustules around the mouth
A spared rim of skin right next to the lips
Sometimes around the nose or eyes
Mild burning or dryness; often after a steroid cream or heavy moisturizer

May fit online care

Adults & children 4+ (with a parent or legal guardian)
A typical perioral distribution around the mouth
No eye or eyelid involvement
Able to send a clear photo

Look for another care setting

Eye or eyelid involvement or eye redness, pain, or vision change
A severe, widespread, or pustular facial rash
A first-ever undiagnosed facial rash that does not clearly fit
Pregnancy or breastfeeding if an oral antibiotic is being considered

What to have ready

A clear, well-lit photo of the rash
What products you have used recently (steroid creams, heavy moisturizers)
Any medication allergies and current medications

What happens next

Standard

$59

Within 6 hours

Priority

$99

Within 3 hours

Rush

$149

Within 1 hour

Start the request on the website, answer a few questions to check that this visit fits you, and choose how fast you want an answer (the response window). If your concern still fits this service, a physician reviews it and sends you a secure update after you sign in. When appropriate, non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy, and a basic work or school note can be included at physician discretion.

Your physician

Every visit is personally reviewed by Ankur Fadia, MD. He is board-certified, has extra training in heart care (a cardiology fellowship), and is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, a medical honor society. He is licensed in Virginia and West Virginia, and your care is never handed off to someone else.

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What causes perioral dermatitis?

It is often triggered by topical steroids, heavy or occlusive face creams, and fluorinated products. Stopping those is the single most important step.

Why might my rash flare after stopping a steroid cream?

A short flare after stopping a topical steroid (a steroid cream or ointment) is common and expected before the rash gets better. Your clinician (a doctor or other health professional) can help you through it.

How is it treated?

Stop the trigger (the product that is causing the rash) and use an antibiotic-type cream on the skin (metronidazole or azelaic acid). Moderate cases may use a short course of doxycycline pills (doxycycline taken by mouth).

Other conditions we treat

Not quite what you have? Here are other conditions we treat.

Acne keloidalis nuchae Acne or breakouts Cold sores Dandruff or itchy scalp Eczema flare Eyelash growth