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Every year around allergy season, or really just whenever my nose is runny, the area all around my nose turns a really bright red- not cute at all! I affectionately call this look my Crackhead Nose. This is actually normal due to all the nose blowing and tissue rubbing I do. It is even expected.
What is not expected is a bright red, dry, scaly area on the skin surrounding my nose that burns when you touch it. What is also not expected is for said patch of grossness to appear in the middle of summer and not go away.
I made an appointment with my dermatologist when I got back from vacation and finally got in to see him yesterday. This crazy Crackhead Nose has been bothering me since about mid-July and I had just about had it. I’m sure he thought I was crazy when he walked in because there I was…hair done, eyes done, no powder on with this crazy red Rudolph nose. It looked bad yesterday.
His initial thought was it could be Rosacea but when he found out I take Flonase every night before bed he knew exactly what it was…Perioral Dermatitis. Perioral Dermatitis is a chronic rash that forms around the nose/mouth of women and children. Men get it too but it’s rare that they do. PD is often confused for Rosacea or even really bad acne because it can cause acne breakouts.
Perioral Dermatitis is caused by some sort of corticosteroid coming into contact with your face chronically. Mine just happened to be Flonase. This is not to say that Flonase causes PD, mine happened because I take my Flonase before bed and I sleep on my left side. Apparently some of the Flonase was dripping out of my nose and getting on my face on the same spot every single night.
The solution? Use my Flonase in the mornings instead of at night so I won’t have that problem anymore. I was also prescribed an antibiotic/antimicrobial gel/cream to put on the skin around my nose twice a day. I’m supposed to use it every day for two months and fingers crossed it will clear up.
Since I have had Perioral Dermatitis once I will always be prone to get it so I need to watch out for any corticosteroid use on my face.
This topic may be considered gross to some people and I get that, but I thought it was important to talk about since it happened to me and can be treated easily. If you have any signs or symptoms of Perioral Dermatitis you need to go get checked by your dermatologist. It won’t go away on its own and can actually get really bad really quickly if left untreated.
Have you ever had Perioral Dermatitis??
Ugh so sorry about your PD. I’ve got rosacea and it sucks. I’d love for their to be a way for my rosacea to go away. Ugh.
I seriously thought this was Rosacea after dealing with it for a couple months and it not going away. I have a special place in my heart for people with Rosacea now!!
I glad you got to the Dr to figure out what it was. I hope the medicine works quickly.
Thank you! Me too!!
oh :( sorry for your PD. i also have very often this kinds of problems but what can u do :(
Wow, I would have never guessed that would be the cause. At least you’ve found a solution now!
It’s crazy, right? No more Flonase at night!!
I was going to ask you to play Rudolf in the Christmas play . . . Just kidding! OMG – I’m so glad you found out what was causing the redness. And thanks for passing on the info, because I would have never guessed what was causing it. Hope you are better soon.
So glad you found out the cause of it and found a solution that works for you. I think my mom may have the same problem so I’ll have to let her know about this.
Informative post! Thanks for sharing such a personal story about a common problem!
I have never heard of this before! I am glad that you found a solution that looks like it would be painful especially during allergy season!
Oh man. That looks painful and I am so sorry you have to deal with it. I am glad you went to the doctor and they were able to give you some answers.
This is a very informative post. We really need to differentiate perioral dermatitis with common acne breakouts so we can immediately consult a dermatologist.
I thought it was very interesting because I’ve had the same problem before. I didn’t know the reason though. I use Flonase as well. Looks like I’ll be switching to morning as well. Thanks so much!
You’re welcome!! I hope you don’t get it as bad as I did!! Switching to mornings has already helped!!
Oh wow – who would have knew that you can get a skin rash reaction like this from medication getting on the nose. That is so very interesting!
Right?? Crazy!!
I’m sorry you have to deal with this, but at least you’ve found a way to manage it! I get a milder version of crackhead nose (haha) in the winter, and I also have Flonase in hand, so I’ll be watchful. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing. I know it’s tough to share things you might think are uncomfortable but that’s how we all educate ourselves. Sorry you’re having to go through this!
Thanks girl!! I had never heard of this and so I thought may I could help someone who might be going through the same thing!
It’s good to know that they were able to figure out what it was. I was supposed to use Flonase but it gave me headaches so I stopped. I had no idea this condition could occur.
Oh wow, that’s terrible, but yet thank God your doctor knew right away how to help you. How did you know to go to a skin doctor? I would’ve went to a regular doctor. Oh well, the point is you know and now you know how to fix it. So glad for you. HUGS
I had an appointment for a skin cancer check and while I was there I was like “by the way…” and he took care of me!
It’s my first time to hear about Perioral Dermatitis. I’m glad it was easy to determine what it is and easy to treat as well.
I’m dealing with this now I believe. Every since March I thought I randomly had eczema by my mouth, since then it’s come and gone. The past week or 2 I started having it under my eyes and now my nose! I had switched from Zyrtec to allerg ra around March, and also started Flonase at some point too. I use Flonase usually in the mornings, and allergra at night. Just read can use organic vitamin e oil , so I’m trying that starting today, and am going to switch back to Zyrtec and try to quit the Flonase.
Any update from you?
Mine cleared up after about a month of switching my Flonase to morning time and using an antibiotic cream. Good luck to you!!
I have too been using Flonase at night and that is the only thing I can correlate to the “PD” I am currently experiencing under my nostrils. I have been trying to find a connection between the two, Flonase and PD and I finally found someone with the same thing! Thank you SO much for sharing your uncomfortable experience with us as your experience has helped me tremendously!
I’m glad I could help!! I switched my Flonase to mornings only and my nose has cleared up considerably!!
Wow, thank you. I’ve got this going on right now – it’s even spread around my eyes! Started after an upper respiratory infection, but then I started Flonase and it got way worse….I don’t see this listed as a possible side effect in their pamphlet, but after combing the Internet, I’m convinced it’s related. I was afraid I would have to choose between allergies and skin, but I’ll try your morning suggestion to hopefully not sacrifice a thing!
Yes! I still use my Flonase in the morning only and haven’t had a problem since…it did take a couple weeks for everything to heal up though!
Exactly the same thing happened to me! Now I don’t use it. I am too paranoid.
I am having such a hard time. I am glad I found this article. My 11yo son has asthma. He uses QVAR and Flonase. He must have PD. We have been to his pediatrician, allergist, dermatologist. They have put him on antibiotics, numerous creams. It has been hell. He has dealt with it foe 4 years now, since the start of his asthma diagnosis. I am going to talk to his doctor about this. Thank you so much!
Glad I could help! Mine is back again so I am laying off the Flonase again. Dang allergy season!!