Periorificial Dermatitis
Type: Symptom
Definition
A severe, blistering, and crusted skin rash centered around the bodily openings.
Clinical Details
Because zinc is vital for wound healing and epidermal integrity, its absolute absence causes the skin to literally disintegrate in areas of high friction or moisture. The infant develops agonizing, sharply demarcated, weeping red plaques heavily concentrated around the mouth, eyes, nose, and anus. These raw lesions are highly susceptible to severe secondary bacterial and candida infections.