What is clown eczema? And how can you treat it?

Clown eczema, also called perioral dermatitis, is a common skin condition that manifests itself around the mouth, nose and eyes. With my son Armaan, I almost always see that his skin becomes red and irritated in those areas when he has a cold. He literally looks like a clown. This got me thinking: is this condition really caused by his cold, or is there something else going on? To understand this better, I did some research. In this blog I will take you through what clown eczema exactly is and what possible causes and solutions can be.

What is Clown Eczema?

Clown eczema is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by small red bumps, scaling and sometimes pimples around the mouth. These bumps can also spread to the nose and the skin around the eyes. Although it looks like eczema, clown eczema is a separate condition that is often caused by external factors, such as the use of certain skin care products, hormonal fluctuations or a weakened skin barrier. The latter is especially relevant for people with atopic eczema, who therefore have an increased risk of developing clown eczema. Because eczema is associated with a disrupted skin barrier, the skin is more sensitive to external stimuli and inflammation. When the skin barrier is weakened, the skin offers less protection against irritants, which makes conditions such as clown eczema more likely to develop.

I always thought that clown eczema was the first sign of an eczema flare-up on the rest of Armaan's body. But although the condition is a stand-alone condition, it is actually logical that when the skin is triggered and an eczema flare-up starts under the skin, clown eczema becomes visible more quickly.

Causes of Clown Eczema

There are several factors that contribute to the development of clown eczema:

1. Use of corticosteroids
Long-term use of corticosteroid creams or ointments can weaken the skin and cause inflammation. So in addition to the already weakened skin barrier in people with eczema, the use of hormone ointments during eczema flare-ups can also trigger clown eczema. It is a double challenge for people with eczema, because the treatment for their skin condition can trigger this annoying reaction.

2. Hormonal fluctuations
Hormonal changes, such as those during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, can worsen clown eczema. These fluctuations can make the skin more susceptible to inflammation, leading to outbreaks of clown eczema.

3. Irritation from skin care products
Certain cosmetics, toothpastes with fluoride or strong cleaning products can irritate the skin and contribute to the development of clown eczema. That is why it is important to pay close attention to your skin and recognize signals.

For example, I notice with Armaan that he brushes his teeth enthusiastically, but often forgets to rinse the toothpaste off his face. As a mother, I always have to make sure that the corners of his mouth are clean, because toothpaste can cause irritation there, which contributes to the development of clown eczema.

4. Weakened resistance
A weakened immune system plays a major role in the development of clown eczema. When your resistance is low, such as with a cold, your body is less able to fight off inflammation and infection. This makes the skin more sensitive to irritants and environmental factors, which can lead to more inflammation and outbreaks of skin conditions such as clown eczema.

This made me realise that a cold, together with a weakened immune system and symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes and dry skin around the mouth, are actually the ingredients for the development of clown eczema.

Symptoms of Clown Eczema

• Red bumps or pimples around the mouth, nose and eyes
• Flaky or dry skin in the affected area
• Burning or itching sensation
• Sometimes pus-filled bumps can develop, similar to acne

The main distinction from other skin conditions is that clown eczema is usually limited to the areas around the mouth and eyes.

How seasonal changes and weakened immune systems can worsen clown eczema

The transition to fall and winter can also have a big impact on the skin. Colder temperatures and lower humidity can dry out the skin, making it more susceptible to inflammation.

In addition, a weakened immune system can be an important factor during this period. If your immune system is weakened, for example due to stress, insufficient sleep, poor nutrition or a recent illness, this can increase the risk of clown eczema. A strong immune system helps to keep inflammation under control, but with a weakened immune system, your skin has more difficulty defending itself against irritants and inflammatory reactions.

Treatment of Clown Eczema

Treating clown eczema requires patience and careful attention to skin care. Here are some steps that can help:

1. Stopping corticosteroids : If you are using corticosteroid creams, it may be necessary to reduce or stop using them altogether. This should always be done in consultation with a dermatologist, as it is important to follow a tapering schedule. Stopping suddenly can cause eczema flare-ups, which will make the situation worse.
2. Avoid irritating products : Use mild, non-irritating cleansers and avoid harsh cosmetics or toothpastes containing fluoride, which can irritate the skin and aggravate clown's eczema.
3. Strengthen your resistance : A healthy lifestyle helps to improve your resistance, which can also have a positive effect on the skin. Make sure you have a varied diet with enough vegetables and fruit, get enough sleep, take pure vitamins and reduce stress. This helps to strengthen your immune system, making you more resistant to skin conditions.
4. Antibiotic use : In some cases, topical or oral antibiotics may be necessary to reduce the inflammation. These are prescribed by a doctor and can help to bring the clown eczema under control more quickly.
5. Moisturizing and soothing creams : Use creams with natural ingredients that soothe, nourish and form a protective layer on the skin. This helps to keep the natural skin flora in balance and strengthen the skin barrier. Rivaana 's daily maintenance cream is a good, skin-friendly choice that is suitable for babies, children and adults.

With my son Armaan I notice that when I use the maintenance cream from Rivaana, his skin immediately becomes less red and calms down. After a few days, the places where the clown eczema was are calmer, and the irritated skin peels off. Then a soft, healthy layer of skin appears.

Conclusion

Strengthening your immune system and taking good care of your skin are crucial to controlling clown eczema and keeping your skin healthy. Do you suffer from clown eczema or do you have tips to relieve the symptoms? Feel free to share them in the comments! We are also very curious whether the Rivaana products have helped your skin to minimize clown eczema. By sharing our experiences, we can grow together and support each other. In this way, we can still offer clown eczema a cheerful solution!

- Anisha Biharie, Founder Rivaana Skincare