Help me with my **possible** perioral dermatitis

TYPO ALERT: I meant gentle NOT gentile. What a knob

Thanks Harry. I do have such interest in a lot everything you post here and I feel that you are incredibly kind. I guess I just need to take it in in smaller doses. My issue. Not yours.

Take Care

Wow. I am obviously still in my brain-fog.

I never post on these discussions but I wanted to share my recent experience with PD. A week ago I noticed what seemed like a rash near the right side of my mouth. The next morning I woke up and it was a bunch of small puss filled bumps (I freaked out). I looked it up online and self diagnosed PD. I only use pure black soap so I knew it was not my soap. After doing some research online, I quickly eliminated fluoride toothpaste and sulfate shampoos. The first few days I applied apple cider vinegar and bacitracin to it, did not see that much of a difference. Then I tried taking Zinc supplements and washed the area with only warm water and little soap and applied California Baby calendula cream (bought at whole foods, target sells it too). After 5 days, it has completely healed, still a little red but no bumps. I did not wear any makeup on the area and did not touch or pick at it. Hopes this helps someone because I was so stressed about this...

rachelinc1, Zinc based Creams are commonly used for skin irritation, and work well in situations where the skin has become damaged from irritation.

I would only use this if I know the root cause of the irritation (Self Tests) as the irritation itself is an indicator, and in some cases you can be just suppressing the Symptoms and ignoring the cause.

A Classic example would be Acne or eczema where the root cause is in the Gut and your GP is prescribing Creams and ointments. A bit like painting over a Damp patch on the Living Room Wall. I like (as Im not Vain) to keep the symptoms visible until I know EXACTLY what is causing them.

Its my belief that Dandruff is a Candida issue caused by Poor gut Flora, Why? Because since I took up this concept and promoted Optimal Gut Flora, my Dandruff Vanished.

I look at the Candida epedemic like this (This will help you understand why its a Long Possition, and should Never be Shorted)

Imagine your Gut (Intestinal Wall) as a Mosquito Screen. The Gut Flora (Net) is weakened by Anti Bacterial products and the Mosquitos (Candida Albicans) are able to breach the Net and fly into the Space which is usually difficult to access. If you manages to get in you are almost always exterminated by Security (White Blood Cells).

Ok, Imagine the Net now has Lots of holes in it, it now allows Larger flying insects through such as Flies and even Bees and Wasps. The Defence Team are overstretched (a Bit like the UK NHS) and Colonies are allowed to form and effectively defend themselves from the Security.

What do you do? (Surrender is NOT an option that I will accept)

TBC.

I've been doing a lot of fascinating reading on the internet about the skin-gut connection. If you google that you will find a wealth of information that supports Harry's thesis that healthy gut flora is the key to resolving chronic skin problems. One source that I read, from the US National Library of Medicine / National Institute of Health describes clinical studies conducted around 70 years ago that first established the gut-brain-skin axis and the critical role of probiotics. You can google that!! It is a long and clinical treaties, but there is a wealth of good information in there.

Just thought I'd share.

Hey Rachel,

So glad to hear that you are healing so quickly!

I remember reading about a few people on this site that have had good results with calendula cream as well. I wish that I had have paid more attention to that recommendation when it first appeared because I think it would have saved me alot of discomfort. I tried so many concoctions as well as applying ACV but all it did was burn my face.

I don't have children so I didn't even consider diaper creams and their common ingredient of zinc and how beneficial it can be to healing skin issues. I looked into it further and now I too take a zinc supplement and eat a diet high in zinc and other minerals and feel that is the key for me.

I had never posted on a site before this one either......so glad that I did because everyone was and is so helpful. It was such a tremendous relief to be able to share my frustrations and the contributions were invaluable to me as yours will be to someone else. I think the more people who list their "tried and true" recommendations, the better.

Fiona

jennifer74484, You are my Most Favourite Person of the Week!

So going back to my Last Post "What do You Do"

You Renew the Mosquito Net.... But then what about the Mosquitos, Flies, Bees and Wasps (Candida Albicans) that are STILL IN your space (Body) that have Colonised and are defending their position?

You build up your Defence by promoting your Intestinal Flora and eventually the White Blood Cells will get the upper hand.

If this sounds to Simple, its because it IS SO Simple Its SCARY!

Now DO NOT put anything in your Mouth that will KILL Bacteria, including toothpaste, Alcohol (Mouthwash) and DO NOT eat anything that is Processed. Chips, FORGET IT! SODA, Hello!

You need to start and exercise, BUT not like the People that feel that they are going to become Bed ridden if they don't start running around the Park. Obese people (Im not saying that you are Obese, but if you are then I AM :-)) need to start on the Health regime I spoke about in my earlier posts (that weren't deleted) and wait until you loose your Obese weight before you start and do vigorous Exercise, this is because Your Cardio Vascular System may Fail you. I don't want you saying that I told you to Exercise even though you were 100kg overweight and you end up a Stroke victim...

Now there are lots of Good Fats out their (Im referring to food now on not People) and I encourage you to eat them. These Good Fats will help you rid your body of BAD (Highly Toxic) Fat. Visceral Fat is Fat that forms around your internal organs due to Bad Flora & Poor Nutrition is HIGHLY TOXIC. Your Body is ruthless at trying to Stay Alive, if you feed it Junk it will deal with the TOXINS and what it can't excrete it will store in Fat Cells and try and disperse them at a later date when you ease up on the Processed food. (Assuming that you DO..........)

Now there are LOTS of Great recipes online that can make a Carrot Juice, Apple Juice, Avocado, Cabbage, Kiwi Fruit etc. etc. Look and Taste GREAT. I can recommend a couple of Books but I believe that if you are reading my Posts You have the ability to Search the Net and find what Suits your Tastes, rather than eat what I recommend..

I went out with an Advanced Mountain bike Group today and Cycled 55km up and down some of the most challenging Hills in the Algarve. I feel like I could do it three times over and some struggled to Finish. Why? because of my Health discapline, the very same I have shared with you on this Forum.

I will say this once more, and I don't care what any GP tells you to the Contrary, 90% of all the Ailments presented to a GP are the result of POOR GUT FLORA.

Why do People go Crazy?

Parkinsons Desease

Hair Loss (Baldness)

Gout

Arthritis

MS

LOL! Ive just realised that on that I could Type all night.

As this site is sensitive to posting Hyperlinks, cut and paste the following paragraph to Google search and read Lawrence Wilson's Article on Gut Flora. The Google search will find his Article using the sequence of words I have taken from his page.

The human intestinal tract is a very complex internal environment. It is filled with various species of bacteria and yeasts that should assist digestion, kill harmful or pathogenic infections and even help produce many vitamins and other chemical substances needed for our health and long life.

Please read his article, and the Next time you see an Obese Person or someone Desperate for Help on this Subject (Nearly 90% of the World Population don't know this) Please spare the time to explain their Dilemma.

I have changed the way you view the Food you eat and the Chemicals you accept and put in your Bodies. I would like you to Help others that seek Help, just like you were when you visited this site.

Its the way forward if we are going to Halt this Cancer Epidemic, and you can feel good that You also have done the Best you could, by Helping the Human Race get back on the Healthy Track that All Humans deserve.

Humanity

In Lawrence Wilsons Article he refers to GB-3 to Help increase Stomach acid. Use ACV with the Mother as it is far superior and FAR cheaper also.

Have a Great weekend x

Harry A. Aubrey de Lavenu

French Huguenot (Before you ask) :-)

Hi all

It's been a while since my last post, my apologies to those who took the time to reply to me (Lisa in particular), I had a few work dramas.

Taking your advice Lisa along with a few new approaches, I am pleased to say that my PD has virtually gone. I have noticed, however, that when my IBS flares up, my PD does tend to get worse and, unfortunately, I think this will continue to be the case until I have a hold on my IBS.

I am now taking probiotics and a various other vitamins and have been for a month now. Within 2 weeks of taking the probiotics, my IBS symptoms had improved and my PD was drastically better. I have been taking boots own brand but will be switching to the Bioglan ones from Holland and Barrett soon since these are much stronger. I have also been taking the following:

Vitamin D (good for skin as well as bone health)

Aloe Vera (good all round but especially for gastrointestinal issues)

Zinc (good for immunity and thought might help with skin since zinc seems to have helped a few people here)

Vitamin B complex (good for immunity but also helps release energy from food- great for IBS sufferers

Evening primrose (good for balancing hormones and for controlling cortisol levels which are produced when stressed and can lead to weight gain)

I have discovered that coconut oil works as a great cleanser provided you take it off thoroughly with a hot flannel. I know coconut oil has been recommended for PD but never considered it as an oil cleanser. I used to use oil/ balm cleansers but had to give them up when my PD started. I just massage it into my skin and gently wipe it off with a hot flannel- I repeat this process if I have makeup on since it needs a double cleanse. You can also leave it on for half an hour or so as a mask. Great as a bath oil too and it smells good. Always go for the cold pressed, raw, organic variety. Holland and Barrett do one called Tiana and it's currently £13 for 500grams- the cheapest cleanser you will ever use. You can even use it as a hair mask or cook your chicken with it- possibilities are endless!!

I am continuing to use my pimecrolimus cream every evening- apparently Elidel is only available from dermatologists and I had yet to be referred. I hope to wean myself off this- will let you know how my skin reacts....

I am hopefully about to embark on some cognitive behavioural therapy so that I can manage my stress more effectively and hopefully keep both my IBS, PD and insomnia at bay- I will update you as this progresses.

Thanks for all your advice/ tips and I hope the above is useful!

Michaela

One thing You need to be aware of is that Carbon-Dioxide Kills Bacteria, therefore ANY Carbonated Drink will also Kill Gut Flora and will make taking probiotics pointless.

They don't tell you that, do they ;-)

Hi again everyone, and welcome to Harry!

Harry....I wanted to ask a few questions. I have been really interested in what you have been writing. Leaky gut is something I have explored alot since i came off antibiotics, but I have to say that I didn't do much internally except changed my diet to a candida cleanse. Not sure if that helped much.

I'm definitely going to try your suggestions. I am going to buy the probiotics you recommended. Why is it these that you recommend? Just out of curiousity. I couldn't see a strain number on them (every other product has e.g. 6 billion).

My second question is, are enzymes essential to be taken with probiotics or something which is helpful and will speed up the results? The reason I ask is because I'm not sure I can afford both products. I have two bottles of ACV (with the mother) already. So I would have ACV and probiotics. But is it pointless without the enzymes? I live in the UK and all together it would cost way more than I can afford, even at a stretch!

I suppose it is a financial commitment, including everything else. Organic food and mineral water for example, cost a lot in the UK and I couldn't afford to consume only organic food and mineral water. I will do my best within my means, but would this deem the whole thing redundant if it isn't followed strictly?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions. I have really loved reading all of your posts and having done countless research on leaky gut syndrome, I am fairly certain that helping it can do no wrong. As well as dermatitis (which is now gone) I do have countless other skin problems; mainly acne, as well as IBS and Raynaud's Syndrome (very very poor circulation all over). I would love to try something which would help these.

Thanks so much and great to hear from everyone- I read each and every post when I get a notification email!

Emily

Hi Emily,

I believe I've read all the posts on this forum but all the info has become a bit jumbled in my brain. I'm just curious how you were able to clear your dermatitis. Did it go away on its own? You mentioned antibiotics - did those help?

Thanks for a recap.

Jennifer

Well, I have been doing alot of thinking and a bit of research on Harry's info and it is making me want to delve deeper into it all (she says begrudgingly)

It is quite a life-style change and I was hesitant to commit but I suppose it's like anything else....you get used to it and then it become second nature. I just wish that it could be a little more simple.

Thanks Harry

Hi Jennifer!

Don't worry- there is A LOT to read; I'm not surprised it has become a bit confusing!

I mentioned anti biotics because I am almost certain they gave me PD in the first place. I took them for an infection in a wound after surgery, and sure enough they cleared it up. But only a few weeks later i got crazy peeling on the sides of my nose which eventually developed into PD. I never took antibiotics after that, to treat the PD, because I was worried it would make it worse. I did use topical antibiotic though, with Zinc (zineryt in the UK) and one called Duac. They helped quite a lot, but I'm not sure they cured it alone.

For my PD, there were a few things I tried that seemed to help. One being apple cider viengar- held on the area for about five minutes on a cotton pad. I felt this did help, and dried it out nicely. On top of that I used a product called Avene Cicalfate which is a zinc based cream. This helped a lot to keep it from going dry! But if you read above, many in this forum have tried lots of zinc based products and this seems to be a topical that pretty much helps everyone! Lastly, I tried a sulphur soap (Anti fungal) which also helped to dry the area. I felt that this helped alot too.

In the end, it just sort of went away. It seemed to happen very quickly...as in, within a week. The pustules eventually dried out, and I was left with a lot of redness (which is still sort of there, faintly) and flaking. I continued to use the cicalfate to get rid of the flaking, and it sort of just went away. Fingers crossed, its gone for good- or at least a long time!

I think, taking Harry's approach (Lots above!), it is useful to look at the causes from the inside. But topicals area great start, if only to ease the uncomfortable itchiness and soreness as well as the cosmetic side of things. Keeping it both comfortable and less noticeable definitely reduced my stress levels, which can only be a good thing!

Good luck Jennifer How is yours doing? Keep us updated!