In short
- Perioral dermatitis is a rash around the mouth that often looks like small acne-like bumps, can itch or burn, and leaves the skin dry and flaky, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
- The exact cause isn't known. The AAD links it to irritating skin products or toothpaste, allergies and, in many people, using corticosteroid creams on the skin for too long.
- DermNet's treatment advice starts with stopping facial cosmetics and topical products, and says occlusive creams and ointments can make the rash worse.
- No study has looked at mouth tape and perioral dermatitis, so the sensible approach is to keep adhesive off an active rash and ask a dermatologist.
- The rash tends to clear slowly. The AAD says it can take a few weeks or a few months, and DermNet says treatment usually lasts 4 to 8 weeks.
- Cleveland Clinic says perioral dermatitis can come back, so restart mouth tape gently once your skin is clear and watch for early bumps.
If you have perioral dermatitis, give mouth tape a break until the rash has cleared. Adhesive sitting on inflamed skin every night is the opposite of what dermatologists suggest while this rash heals, which is to leave the area alone. The good news is that this is a pause, not a full stop. Once your skin settles and a dermatologist is happy, most people can ease back in.
What is perioral dermatitis?
Perioral dermatitis is a rash around the mouth that often looks like acne. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) describes it as small, red, acne-like breakouts on lighter skin and skin-colored breakouts on skin of color. It can itch or burn, though it doesn't always, and the skin underneath is often dry and flaky.
It doesn't stay strictly around the lips. The AAD says it can also appear around the eyes or nose, which is why dermatologists sometimes call it periorificial dermatitis, meaning a rash around the body's openings. It isn't contagious.
DermNet, a dermatology reference written by doctors, says it's slightly more common in lighter-skinned women and usually affects women aged 20 to 45, though it's also seen in young children. Cleveland Clinic puts the highest-risk group at women aged 25 to 45 who use topical steroids or face creams, and notes that men and children can get it too.
What causes perioral dermatitis?
Research: limited (what this means)Nobody knows exactly what causes perioral dermatitis. The AAD says something may be irritating the skin, such as a skin care product or toothpaste, or you may be allergic to something that touches it. It adds that many people develop the rash after applying a corticosteroid medicine to the skin for too long.
Cleveland Clinic lists 13 possible causes. Along with steroid creams and inhaled steroids, they include moisturizers and heavy face creams, fluorinated toothpaste, gum chewing, dental fillings, hormonal changes and a weakened skin barrier. DermNet adds that heavy, occlusive emollients such as paraffin or petroleum-based products can over-hydrate the skin, and that UV light, heat and wind seem to make the rash worse.
There's no research on mouth tape and perioral dermatitis. No study has asked whether tape triggers it, worsens it or has no effect. So what follows is our reading of what dermatology sources say about treating the rash, applied to tape. We aren't claiming tape causes it.
Why keep adhesive off an active rash?
The first step dermatologists recommend is to simplify everything that touches the skin. DermNet's "zero-therapy" approach tells patients to stop all facial cosmetics and topical products, including sunscreens and emollients, to wash with warm water alone until the rash clears, and to avoid occlusive creams and ointments because they can worsen it. Cleveland Clinic's advice is similar: stop face creams, makeup and other products that might be behind it.
A strip of tape isn't a cream, but it does three things that fit poorly with that advice. It covers the skin for hours, which traps warmth and moisture. Its adhesive is one more substance in contact with already irritated skin. And peeling it off each morning pulls on the area. Cleveland Clinic's mouth taping article already lists redness, irritation and allergic reactions on the lips and skin as possible side effects of taping, before any rash is involved.
There's a practical reason too. If you keep taping, you won't know whether a flare came from the rash, the adhesive or both. Taking tape out of the picture makes it easier for you and your dermatologist to see what's actually going on.
Is it perioral dermatitis, acne or tape irritation?
These can look alike, which is another reason to get the rash checked. Here's a rough guide to the differences, based on the sources above. It isn't a diagnosis.
| What you notice | Could point to | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Small red or skin-colored bumps around the mouth, often with dry, flaky skin, sometimes near the nose or eyes | Perioral dermatitis | Pause tape and see a dermatologist |
| Redness only where the tape sat, matching its shape | Irritation from the tape or peeling | Give skin a few nights off and check your removal technique |
| Itchy rash where the tape touched that worsens with each use | Possible allergic reaction to the adhesive | Stop that tape and see a doctor |
| Breakouts across the face, not just around the mouth | Possibly acne | See our guide to acne and mouth tape |
| A rash that appeared after using a steroid cream on your face | Steroid-linked perioral dermatitis | Don't stop a prescribed cream without asking; see your doctor |
Our guides to mouth tape skin irritation and whether mouth tape can cause acne cover the other rows in more detail.
What should you do while the rash heals?
See a dermatologist or your doctor. Cleveland Clinic advises getting checked as soon as you notice a rash around your mouth, especially if it itches or burns.
If you've been using hydrocortisone or another steroid cream on your face, raise it at that visit. The AAD says clearing the rash means stopping all corticosteroids on the skin. If you're using hydrocortisone without your doctor's knowledge, it says to stop. If a doctor prescribed the cream, ask them before stopping. It also warns that the rash can flare when you stop, and that going back to the cream only brings temporary relief.
Treatment varies. The AAD says some rashes clear on their own, while others need an antibiotic such as tetracycline or erythromycin, or a change to a mild, fragrance-free skin care routine. DermNet says treatment usually runs 4 to 8 weeks and that the rash can come back if treatment stops too early.
Be patient with the timeline. The AAD says the rash tends to clear slowly, over a few weeks or a few months.
How do you keep breathing through your nose in the meantime?
You can keep working on nose breathing without tape on your face. Clearing a stuffy nose before bed helps; our guide to unblocking your nose before bed covers saline rinses and steam. A nasal strip sits on the nose rather than around the mouth, so it may be an option, though perioral dermatitis can appear around the nose as well. Check with your dermatologist first and skip it if the rash is there. See nasal strips for mouth breathers for more.
Daytime habits help too. Our guide on how to stop mouth breathing during the day has simple practices that don't involve anything on your skin.
How do you restart mouth tape after perioral dermatitis?
Restart once the rash has fully cleared and your dermatologist agrees. Cleveland Clinic notes there's no reliable cure and the rash can return, so the aim is to come back slowly and spot trouble early.
Start in the daytime. Wear the tape for a short session while you're awake, as in our daytime mouth taping guide, and check your skin afterward. If it stays calm for a few days, try a night. Put the tape on clean, dry, bare skin, without a heavy balm underneath; DermNet lists petroleum-based emollients among the possible risk factors. Our article on lip balm and mouth tape explains how to time balm so it isn't trapped under the strip, and your dermatologist can suggest a product that suits your skin.
Peel the tape off slowly in the morning rather than ripping it. Our guide on how to remove mouth tape has the technique. Cleveland Clinic also says that once your rash clears, you shouldn't go back to the products you used before the rash, so review your whole routine, from face creams to toothpaste, with your dermatologist.
Stop and check in if small bumps come back. Catching a flare early is much easier than treating a full rash.
What does the research say about mouth tape itself?
Mouth taping research is small and early. The most cited study, published in Healthcare in 2022, looked at 20 mouth breathers with mild sleep apnea. Each had a home sleep test, then a second test a week later on a night with their mouth taped. Thirteen of the 20 cut their snoring index by at least half, and the median snoring index fell by 47%.
A 2025 systematic review in PLOS One found 10 studies with 213 patients in total. Two showed significant improvements in sleep apnea measures, others found no difference, and the authors raised concerns about safety, especially for people with a blocked nose. None of these studies looked at people with perioral dermatitis, so there's no data either way on taping with this skin condition.
When should you see a doctor?
See a dermatologist or doctor for any rash around your mouth that doesn't settle within a few days of stopping tape, keeps coming back, itches or burns, or appeared after using a steroid cream. Don't stop a prescribed steroid without asking.
Separately, check with a doctor before taping if you snore loudly and also stop breathing, gasp or choke in your sleep, or feel very tired in the day. The NHS lists these as signs of sleep apnoea. Don't tape if your nose is blocked; try our nose test first. If you're pregnant, ask your midwife or doctor before trying mouth tape. We don't recommend mouth tape for children.
Check this first. Skip mouth tape and see a doctor if you snore loudly, wake up gasping, have been told you stop breathing in your sleep, or can't breathe comfortably through your nose. More on safety
Read next
- The best mouth tape for sensitive skin
- Mouth tape and your skincare routine
- The best mouth tape for acne-prone skin
Common questions
Can I use mouth tape if I have perioral dermatitis?
Not while the rash is active. No study has tested mouth tape on perioral dermatitis, but dermatology advice is to strip back what touches the skin around the mouth while it heals, and DermNet says occlusive products can worsen it. Pause the tape, see a dermatologist, and restart only once your skin has cleared.
Can mouth tape cause perioral dermatitis?
There's no research showing that mouth tape causes it. The cause of perioral dermatitis isn't fully understood. Known links include steroid creams, heavy face creams, toothpaste and some cosmetics. Tape adhesive can cause irritation or an allergic reaction on the lips and skin, which is a different problem but can look similar early on.
How long does perioral dermatitis take to clear?
Usually weeks to months. The American Academy of Dermatology says it may take a few weeks or a few months to clear completely, and DermNet says treatment usually lasts 4 to 8 weeks. Stopping a steroid cream can make the rash flare at first, which is expected.
Should I see a doctor for a rash around my mouth?
Yes, it's worth getting it looked at. Cleveland Clinic advises seeing a healthcare provider as soon as you notice a rash around the mouth, especially if it itches or burns. A dermatologist can confirm what it is, since acne, rosacea and tape irritation can look similar, and plan treatment.
When can I go back to mouth tape after perioral dermatitis?
Once the rash has fully cleared and your dermatologist agrees. Start with short daytime sessions on clean, bare skin, then try a night. Cleveland Clinic notes the rash can come back, so stop at the first sign of new bumps and check in with your dermatologist.
Is perioral dermatitis contagious?
No. The American Academy of Dermatology says you cannot catch this rash from someone, wherever it appears. It's an inflammatory skin condition, not an infection you pass on, so sharing a bed with someone who has it is not a concern.
Sources
- Red rash around your mouth could be perioral dermatitis
- Periorificial dermatitis (perioral dermatitis)
- Perioral dermatitis
- Mouth taping: is it safe to use?
- The impact of mouth-taping in mouth-breathers with mild obstructive sleep apnea: a preliminary study
- Breaking social media fads and uncovering the safety and efficacy of mouth taping in patients with mouth breathing, sleep disordered breathing, or obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review
- Sleep apnoea
About this article
- Research
- 7 published sources, listed above.
- Evidence
- Limited. How we rate it
- Last checked
- November 2, 2026
- Funding
- Paid partner of Titan Recovery. Their ads are labeled.
- Found an error?
- Tell us. We log fixes on the corrections page.
* This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your health.
