When it comes to aching red blisters and inflammation around the mouth, lack of care is probably not the reason – in fact, the opposite is true. Most likely it is perioal dermatitis, also called stewardess disease.
The stewardess disease, as the perioale dermatitis is popularly called, describes a non-contagious skin disease, which visually resembles the quite contagious shingles. That is why it is also called erysipelas. But how does the disease come about?
Stewardess disease is caused by over-caring for the skin. Excessive creaming or excessive skin cleansing dries out the skin and disturbs its natural protective barrier. It is then no longer able to produce lipids and fats itself – which causes many affected persons to only nurse more frequently. A vicious circle develops. The good news is that the disease is harmless and easy to treat.
Perioal dermatitis is also called "stewardess disease" because flight attendants often suffer from dry skin due to their work in the cabin and come into contact with cosmetics more frequently due to the duty-free stores. So the risk of irritating your skin with excessive care is high here.
Why does stewardess disease develop?
Why stewardess disease breaks out is not yet known. Doctors consider it to be a type of rosacea or couperose – both conditions that are associated with a constitutional disorder of the blood vessels. In addition to excessive skin care, other factors are suspected of triggering perioal dermatitis:
– Stress – Hormonal fluctuations – Gastrointestinal disorders – Infections with yeast fungi – Strong sunlight or artificial UV light
Symptoms of stewardess disease
Stewardess disease manifests itself around the mouth with a taut and dry skin sensation, followed by a burning sensation. An extensive, slightly scaly redness appears, which in advanced stages can even extend up to the nostrils.
Two-millimeter skin elevations or even small pustules filled with pus form in the affected areas. Especially typical here is a narrow border around the mouth, which is not affected by the stewardess disease.
In women, the symptoms of perioal dermatitis intensify around menstruation especially. The cause here lies in the hormonal changes in the body. Pimples on the chin can also indicate a hormone disorder.
Stewardess disease: treatment
In the past, patients affected by stewardess disease were advised to follow a so-called "zero therapy" – i.e. the immediate discontinuation of all skin care. The areas should be washed with water only. Today, doctors also use dermatologically effective medications to at least alleviate the discomfort of sufferers. In particularly bad cases, the administration of a mild antibiotic can be helpful. Nevertheless, a trip to the dermatologist is inevitable. This article contains only general information. May not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. It cannot replace a visit to the doctor, which is why we strongly advise you to see a specialist. Your GALA wishes you a speedy recovery.de team.
Home remedies for perioal dermatitis
The basic rule is: please do not treat yourself. Experts advise against trying to treat stewardess disease on your own. Therefore, one should also refrain from smearing over-the-counter cortisone creams on the affected areas, which can only worsen the extent of the disease after discontinuation.
What is allowed are poultices with black tea, which can provide short-term relief from symptoms. It is much more important to find the trigger of the perioal dermatitis. You know it: The entire cupboard is full of cosmetics. Freely after the slogan "much helps much" smear any product on your face. But exactly this can be your undoing. These tips will help you prevent stewardess disease:
Stick to one product: You have a favorite cream that has worked well in the past? Then you should not change them either! This also means that you should not try out every little product in the shopping bag.
Take care of your skin: Especially if you have particularly sensitive skin, you should also give your skin a break once in a while. This means washing only with water from time to time and also taking makeup-free days.
Be sparing: Your face does not need to be creamed several times a day. Morning and evening is usually quite enough.
Pay attention to the ingredients: Play it safe with pH-neutral care without fragrances and preservatives. They additionally suffer from impure skin? These home remedies for pimples can help. Plus, here's how to squeeze pimples without harming your skin.