What are the initial symptoms of hormone-dependent dermatitis?
Disease description:
Recently, my face has been consistently red and warm, with a burning sensation. It stings when applying skincare products, and small rashes have appeared. I suspect it might be steroid-dependent dermatitis. I'd like to ask if these are the initial symptoms?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Perioral dermatitis typically occurs after prolonged or improper use of topical medications containing hormones. Initial symptoms may include skin thinning, where the skin at the site of hormone ointment application becomes thinner and smoother than the surrounding skin.
Redness is one of the most common early symptoms, particularly in the central facial area, such as the forehead and nasal wings, where the skin may appear reddened due to local capillary dilation. The surface blood vessels of the skin may become more noticeable, forming a network of visible red veins.
Patients may experience skin itching, especially after discontinuing the use of hormone creams, with the itching possibly intensifying. Inflammatory reactions cause abnormal skin proliferation, forming small raised bumps called papules, commonly distributed on the face, which may be accompanied by varying degrees of swelling and pain.
The stratum corneum becomes thinner, losing its normal protective function, leading to accelerated epidermal cell renewal and flaking. This is commonly seen on the face but may also spread to the neck and upper chest.
These symptoms may appear individually or simultaneously, and medical attention should be sought promptly upon their occurrence.
