Hello, new here, struggling with perioral dermatitis!
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skin Care and Makeup Forum

Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:21 am

Hi everyone. My name is Emma and I'm so happy I found these forums. I'm in my final year of college and am student teaching these last two semesters! Hence the username. Smile

Well, I have been diagnosed with perioral dermatitis. This happened just a few months ago. My doctor put me on an oral antibiotic for the rash for two months. Within a few weeks my face was clear and the bumpy acne-like rash that was on my chin was gone!

Well, the two months are up. And guess what? My dermatitis is back! But it's on the other side of my chin. Should I call my doctor again tomorrow and see if I should go back on antibiotics? Or do any of you have any experience with this annoying skin problem? I'd love any and all support. Looking forward to speaking with all of you!

Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:17 am

Oh! I took a little look around the website and I found an old thread on here from 2007 called "perioral dermatitis - thoughts and suggestions please!"

and it looks to me like more treatment with oral antibiotics might be my only hope!

free skin care · Sun Oct 30, 2011 2:02 pm

Oh wow, this brings back a bad memory for me. I had this condition when I was in the 8th grade (or so). I already had acne, so this was a terrible ad on. It was summer when I had it. Cannot remember how it was treated though. Confused

However, once it was gone, for me, it was gone. Wishing you the best of luck treating this.

Sun Oct 30, 2011 2:42 pm

Oh no.. Hopefully mine goes away too! If anyone has any tricks, I'd love it. I heard somewhere violet extract helps?

free skin care · Sun Oct 30, 2011 4:13 pm

Well for me I get dermatitis from chlorinated water! It drives my skin crazy! I had to get a filter for my bathroom basin tap and try to only wash my face with that - it has made a huge improvement.

Be careful with antibiotics - what doctors dont tell us is that after paracetamol, antibiotics are the second leading cause of drug induced liver injury... google it... Wink

free skin care · Sun Oct 30, 2011 5:47 pm

How aggravating! I think some will agree that the Paula's Choice 2% BHA will eradicate it completely. You will notice a BIG difference.

free skin care · Sun Oct 30, 2011 6:13 pm

Perioral Dermatitis has been discussed before on this forum; you may want to take a look at these threads:

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=26581&highlight=perioral+dermatitis

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=40944&highlight=perioral+dermatitis

Here is a good article on the condition, including treatments and medications:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1071128-overview

HTH

Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:54 am

Thanks for all the replies!

I have been thinking hard about what might be CAUSING it, because I know that's what doctors and dermatologists have a hard time understanding.

When the rash started, it went away with antibiotics, but I just remembered I had started using Colgate toothpaste. I stopped using that toothpaste and used Crest instead because I liked the taste better. Well, I have been having tooth problems lately and bought Colgate Sensitivity toothpaste to help, and I've been using it for about a week! I wonder if this has something to do with the rash coming back!

free skin care · Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:59 am

Perioral dermatitis can be caused by toothpaste (fluoride or sulphate content that I know of), but can be aggravated by a host of other chemicals which touch the skin. Didn't your dermatologist go over this before offering prescription medication? Did they advise you to supplement with probiotics (beneficial bacteria) after the antibiotics?

Mon Oct 31, 2011 11:30 am

Firefox7275 wrote:

Perioral dermatitis can be caused by toothpaste (fluoride or sulphate content that I know of), but can be aggravated by a host of other chemicals which touch the skin. Didn't your dermatologist go over this before offering prescription medication? Did they advise you to supplement with probiotics (beneficial bacteria) after the antibiotics?

No.. they didn't go over any of that with me. I'm sorry if I am uneducated about all of this. I'm just looking for help, that's all. I do not have insurance, otherwise I'd be back in the dermatologist's office right now.

free skin care · Mon Oct 31, 2011 4:13 pm

I was actually just reading last night and discovered the fluoride can cause this and it makes sense to me now - I usually use a herbal fluoride free toothpaste but if I run out will use my husband's regular Colgate and that's probably when I have the most issues...

Years ago a dentist told me to up my fluoride and made me buy all these fluoride products and my skin went INSANE!!!!

free skin care · Mon Oct 31, 2011 4:25 pm

miss.meyer wrote:

No.. they didn't go over any of that with me. I'm sorry if I am uneducated about all of this. I'm just looking for help, that's all. I do not have insurance, otherwise I'd be back in the dermatologist's office right now.

No need to apologise, hun, just trying to figure out where your knowledge is at: I assumed you had seen a dermatologist as you mentioned them in your earlier post. I have atopic eczema and contact dermatitis myself, but have a few too many years 'headstart' on you. Wink

Skincare-wise consider quitting using any product containing sulphate surfactants (sodium laureth sulphate, ammonium lauryl sulphate etc.) as these are proven irritants for dermatitis even in very small amounts. Unfortunately these are in most shampoos, shower gels, foaming face washes, toothpastes, dish soaps, hand washes, some aqueous creams ... so it might take you a while to use up what you have in stock.

You may want to consider every chemical that touches your skin - cosmetics, skincare, haircare, fabric detergent - bearing in mind your hair brushes your face and you may unconsciously sit with your chin in your hands. Be sure to wash your bed linen, towels, wash cloths and make up brushes frequently. Either do not exfoliate or only gently and occasionally, because you want to encourage the skin's protective acid mantle to do its job. For cleansers and moisturisers you might try products designed for rosacea or plain, non comedogenic (will not block pores) plant oils. I learned the hard way to choose products with a single or very few ingredients, so I limit exposure to possible irritants or allergens.

Finally consider your diet and lifestyle. Alcohol, prescription meds, recreational drugs, caffeine, smoking, sugar and white/ refined carbs, larger portions of animal protein, poor sleep patterns, life stress, sedentary, obesity or underweight are all physically stressful and encourage inflammation. Diet-wise long chain omega-3s from oily fish, nine portions of fruit and veg a day and only low glycaemic index carbs all reduce stress and inflammation. You might also consider a freeze dried acidophilus supplement (friendly bacteria) to repopulate your gut after the antibiotics.

HTH and good luck with your teaching practise! Smile

free skin care · Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:51 am

Information here on Earth Clinic may help: http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/dermatitis.html

I love Earth Clinic because it's real information from real people that have tried things that have really helped. Wink

From reading a few pages of this thread basically no dont get anymore antibiotics as it's probably adding to the issue by exacerbating Candida.

Wed Nov 02, 2011 3:39 pm

Thanks for all your replies. I bought new toothpaste and we'll see what happens with that. I wash my face with simply warm water because otherwise the dermatitis gets worse! I will look into buying soap, shampoo and conditioner that don't contain SLS.. I think that's a good idea!

I rarely wear makeup, if I do it's mascara and concealer under my eyes, and the dermatitis is under my mouth/on my chin, but for when I use bronzer I will go buy something gentle/natural and see if that helps as well.

free skin care · Wed Nov 02, 2011 3:47 pm

Good luck and do let us know how you get on! Wink

Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:00 am

I've never written a post before in my life, but after suffering from POD on and off for many years, I figured I had to give back after finding out so much information from these types of helpful boards. My first outbreak of POD was a few years ago, just a small isolated area under my mouth, but it grew and ended up looking like herpes. Terrible for my self esteem, and it took more than a year of treatment with antibiotics, and topical creams from my dermatologist. It had subsided and I hadn't had a recurrence until recently. I think it was prompted by the use of an SPF.

Over the years, I've gotten more involved in natural solutions for ailments, so I decided to try a different route this time. Initially, I did go to the dermatologist, and he put me on a course of minocycline, and clindamycin (topical), as well as Protopic. The clindamycin made my skin worse, so I stopped that, but I tolerated the antibiotic and Protopic fine. I hate being on antibiotics though, so after a month and half I went off it. My symptoms seemed to come back, but I didn't want to go back on it, so I started my own routine. It's quite labor intensive, and to be honest, I'm not sure what exactly got my skin back to normal, but I think it's a combination of everything. Here is my daily regime:

Start off the day with a good probiotic as I do feel that skin problems (I have eczema as well) are a gut problem. I'm alternating b/t Dr. Ohhira's Professional Line and Jarro-Dophilus EPS, as Dr. Ohhira is quite expensive. I'll take about 3 throughout the day. I make a green smoothie every morning, filled with kale, romaine, an apple, pear, celery, and some lemon. This is just my personal opinion, but I do think that the more leafy greens you eat, the clearer your skin and whole system. Also, I've taken out dairy and eggs completely. I had eliminated meat from my diet already, but excluding dairy and eggs seemed to help clear the POD.

Try and eat as many fresh raw vegetables, and fruits as possible throughout the day. And lots of water, and green tea! I stopped drinking coffee, b/c I think that definitely messes with my skin. Also, I eat lots of fish, and twice a day, I have a tsp of Raw Manuka honey, and a tsp of organic hemp oil.

In the evening, I do the oil cleansing method with hemp oil. It's the only oil that I would use, I think all the other types clog pores and may make things worse. Then, I make a mask of Greek Yogurt and about a tsp. of turmeric (great anti-inflammatory) and put that on my face for about 30 minutes. Wash it off, and then after that I make another mask of Queen Helene's Mint Julep mask, and add some Manuka honey to that. Don't use regular honey from the little bar container, always use Raw organic, and if you can Manuka. I sit for another 30 minutes (watch tv, read, whatever), and then wash that off with a mild cleanser. Sometimes I tone my skin with Thayers Rose Water Witch Hazel. I finish with David Hosking's Hypoallergenic Face & Body Balm. I was skeptical b/c the website looks so antiquated, but this has really helped with my eczema and my face feels so soft.

I also drink half a glass of kombucha that I brew, per day, which helps as well. I realize this is a crazy list of things that I do, but it helped and I just wanted to share b/c I know POD is such a stressful, emotionally draining ailment to have. Oh, last but not least, I do still use Protopic. That is the only medication I'm using, and just a little spot treatment here and there. I know that POD is a draining thing to have, so I hope some of this information helps. Good luck!
Very Happy

Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:00 am

I've never written a post before in my life, but after suffering from POD on and off for many years, I figured I had to give back after finding out so much information from these types of helpful boards. My first outbreak of POD was a few years ago, just a small isolated area under my mouth, but it grew and ended up looking like herpes. Terrible for my self esteem, and it took more than a year of treatment with antibiotics, and topical creams from my dermatologist. It had subsided and I hadn't had a recurrence until recently. I think it was prompted by the use of an SPF.

Over the years, I've gotten more involved in natural solutions for ailments, so I decided to try a different route this time. Initially, I did go to the dermatologist, and he put me on a course of minocycline, and clindamycin (topical), as well as Protopic. The clindamycin made my skin worse, so I stopped that, but I tolerated the antibiotic and Protopic fine. I hate being on antibiotics though, so after a month and half I went off it. My symptoms seemed to come back, but I didn't want to go back on it, so I started my own routine. It's quite labor intensive, and to be honest, I'm not sure what exactly got my skin back to normal, but I think it's a combination of everything. Here is my daily regime:

Start off the day with a good probiotic as I do feel that skin problems (I have eczema as well) are a gut problem. I'm alternating b/t Dr. Ohhira's Professional Line and Jarro-Dophilus EPS, as Dr. Ohhira is quite expensive. I'll take about 3 throughout the day. I make a green smoothie every morning, filled with kale, romaine, an apple, pear, celery, and some lemon. This is just my personal opinion, but I do think that the more leafy greens you eat, the clearer your skin and whole system. Also, I've taken out dairy and eggs completely. I had eliminated meat from my diet already, but excluding dairy and eggs seemed to help clear the POD.

Try and eat as many fresh raw vegetables, and fruits as possible throughout the day. And lots of water, and green tea! I stopped drinking coffee, b/c I think that definitely messes with my skin. Also, I eat lots of fish, and twice a day, I have a tsp of Raw Manuka honey, and a tsp of organic hemp oil.

In the evening, I do the oil cleansing method with hemp oil. It's the only oil that I would use, I think all the other types clog pores and may make things worse. Then, I make a mask of Greek Yogurt and about a tsp. of turmeric (great anti-inflammatory) and put that on my face for about 30 minutes. Wash it off, and then after that I make another mask of Queen Helene's Mint Julep mask, and add some Manuka honey to that. Don't use regular honey from the little bar container, always use Raw organic, and if you can Manuka. I sit for another 30 minutes (watch tv, read, whatever), and then wash that off with a mild cleanser. Sometimes I tone my skin with Thayers Rose Water Witch Hazel. I finish with David Hosking's Hypoallergenic Face & Body Balm. I was skeptical b/c the website looks so antiquated, but this has really helped with my eczema and my face feels so soft.

I also drink half a glass of kombucha that I brew, per day, which helps as well. I realize this is a crazy list of things that I do, but it helped and I just wanted to share b/c I know POD is such a stressful, emotionally draining ailment to have. Oh, last but not least, I do still use Protopic. That is the only medication I'm using, and just a little spot treatment here and there. I know that POD is a draining thing to have, so I hope some of this information helps. Good luck!
Very Happy

Fri Dec 09, 2011 3:34 pm

nomnom,

Thanks for such a detailed and helpful reply. Do you do the OCM and masks every night? Also, do you steam your face after ocm? Thanks a bunch, and from one newbie to another, welcome to the board!

Laurie

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