When dry skin is evident around the mouth, it could be something other than xerosis or having naturally dry skin. If the dry skin only appears around the oral area, it may be an indication of a skin condition called eczema or dermatitis.
Although doctors have long known about the existence of this disease, no one really knows what causes eczema. However, studies have already shown that eczema, in most cases, affects the facial area; this, of course, includes the mouth. When you have eczema, you will notice that in addition to having dry skin, the affected areas also appear red or swollen. These areas are also particularly sensitive and are most of the time itchy. In the worst cases, the affected skin can crack, crack, or even bleed.
SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS
Another disease that could cause dry skin around the mouth is seborrheic dermatitis, a kind of eczema. This type of dermatitis occurs when the skin is especially rich in sebum or oil. It may sound counterintuitive that excess oil causes dry skin. However, medical experts have already established this connection.
A person can suffer from seborrheic dermatitis due to the existence of malassezia, a type of yeast, on the skin. While many people are not bothered by its presence, some people may develop skin problems due to it. Such irritation occurs due to sudden or extreme changes in the weather, increased stress levels, or excessive scratching.
CONTACT DERMATITIS
Another type of dermatitis, contact dermatitis, is caused by an irritant or allergen. When the skin comes into contact with such an irritant or allergen, it becomes particularly sensitive. Naturally, the best way to treat contact dermatitis is to find out what caused it. By correctly identifying the allergen, the person suffering from it can avoid future contact with it.