Help me with my **possible** perioral dermatitis

Fiona- me, too! I mentioned leaky gut/ candida before I think, but it wasn't something I had really stuck at because as you mentioned, its a huge commitment- not least financially! Obviously if it works, its worth every pennny and effort. But having tried so many other things (admittedly topical), I think I have become quite hesitant to commit to new things. BUT this is very different i suppose- a complete overhaul of your body's health. I am going to try it, but want to do it right or not at all! (hence my questions to Harry!)

oooooohhhh its all very stressful! I know it shouldn't be, but it is...

Oh Hi, Emily. Didn't see your post until after I sent mine. Good to hear from you!

Yes, it was you that mentioned the leaky gut/candida link now that I think about it. You summed my feelings up....If you are going to do it then it can't be done in halves! Oh well...ANOTHER ball in the air to juggle.

Take Care Emily and All

P.S. At the risk of repeating myself... thanks again Emily, for starting this whole discussion in the first place. PD was a blessing in disguise for me...finding your first posts all those months ago lead me to other discoveries that helped me change quite a few things for the better.

Fiona

Jennifer....your "spreadsheet" comment made me laugh and also reinforce my feelings about all of this. I realize that everyone is different but why did I get rid of PD using the zinc before I even stopped eating gluten? That is my big question. I definitely agree with the idea that everything starts from within but I and others have been able to get it under control without all this tearing down and rebuilding of our diet...just can't wrap my head around that one.

Your Strength comes from Good Intestinal Flora. Your Intestinal Flora comes from Good Bacteria.

Where does Good Bacteria come from? You Breathe it in, It's grown on your teeth and in your mouth.

The Best bacteria is inhaled out in Natures Gardens, Organic Bacterias.

So where do you think Bad Bacterias come from?

Bad bacteria is prevalent in most homes especially when you start up the Hoover and vacuum the carpets etc.

Getting out of the House or walking through a Botanical Garden is such a Joy anyway, but has some Hidden Health Benefits that most people don't even know about.

Ok it doesn't have to be a "Botanical Garden", but you know what I'm getting at.

Ok Emily,

With regards to How long will it take to reach optimal flora..... Antibiotics can Permanently Damage your intestinal wall and this is why they recommend you take them with food (to limit the Damage)

Infants born to women given antibiotics during pregnancy, or the 30% of children delivered via cesarean section, may be starting life with a significantly altered and insufficient level of friendly gut flora. This is a serious concern because lack of diversity in friendly gut bacteria has been shown to contribute to a large number of diseases and complications. This is also why Breast Feeding is recommended, the Breast Milk contains the Mothers Flora and important Enzymes.

I have used several Enzyme Brands over the last 4 Years and have found that TwinLab Super Enzyme Caps have the desired result. (You see this in your Stools)

If you find the 3 part Plan too expensive you can substitute your ProBiotics with a Walk in the Park followed closely by a Yakult or Natural Yogurt. (Sounds Crazy I know) but think of it practically, the Yogurt is a Growing Medium for Good Bacteria, breath in the good bacteria then give it a Growing Medium to accelerate its growth. If you are looking to regain your Longterm Health I strongly advise you to follow this as your primary religion . You can use Zinc based symptom suppressants as long as you address the ROOT cause of your problem.

Off to Tennis x

Kind regards

Harry

Most of (if not all) the Ailments on this Website are related to this situation.

Hi everyone,

Having spent 3 hours trawling google images and random websites I think I am definitely suffering from PD.

It all started last summer in August when I developed a couple of blistery type spots near the corner of mymouth. I thought it was the onset of a cold sore (even though I had never suffered from one before). By the November the redness and small spots had spread to just under my nose along my bottom lip. It was starting to get unsightly and sore so I went to my GP. I was told I had adult acne or possibly excema and prescribed Fucidin. I applied the cream as prescribed but the results weren't as expected - my face and neck erupted - you could hardly see any clear skin between my nose and bottom of my neck. My face then appeared to literally fall off - I looked like lizard woman - not a good look for a secondary school teacher!

I went back to my GP who told me I had had an allergic reaction to the Fucidin. I was given betnovate ointment and a moisturiser for sensitive skin. By the January my skin had improved, then in February it flared again. I went back to my GP who this time prescribed Daktkort - I thought this had initially worked too but over the last 6 weeks my skin has got worse. I have a permanent rash on my neck, around my mouth and I've noticed today that I appear to be getting something just below my eyelid.

I went back to my doctor last week and he basically said he was stumped so he wouldn't prescribe anything. I asked for a referral to a dermatologist and was told I could be waiting 6 months! I am so fed up.

The rash around my mouth appear to contain a mixture of dry areas, watery blisters and little white puss spots - attractive, I know! Does this sound like PD to people?

Please help.

Welcome GIlly and hang in there!

It does sound like PD except that it didn't spread to my neck nor have I heard from anyone else that it has.... YET!

Your neck could just be having a bad reaction to the creams that your Dr. prescribed to you. Are they steroid ointments per chance? PD does not respond well to steroid creams...you can read horror stories on this forum from people who have used them to treat PD.

It's not surprising that your Dr. was stumped by it as many have been misdiagnosed simply because their doctor has no idea what PD is yet.

Please start with ANYTHING that contains zinc.....diaper creams...Penatene, Calendula cream has been used by a few here to get rid of it. I used the diaper cream to start and went from there to mixing zinc oxide powder. You get the idea and if you don't then ask.....someone will eventually respond!

Good Luck Gilly

Thank you for your quick response. One thing that comes across strongly throughout the posts is the frustration people feel about the lack of a quick diagnosis. I have just found out that my appointment to see a dermatologist has come through for tomorrow - it was either go private or wait 6-8 months, something I really can't face doing.

The spots in my neck are bizarre - they look almost like an allergy rash. I can usually tell how bad my face is going to be depending how many spots I have on my neck. I also do believe that all the creams I have been prescribed have been steroid based. I have ditched the creams and am currently sat with yoghurt on my face. Have people found that when they stop putting creams on their face becomes quite dry and itchy?

Anyway, I'm off to by some diaper cream and I will let you know how I get on tomorrow at the dermatologist.

Once again, thank you.

Hi Gilly,

Welcome to the forum! We all feel you with the frustration of not know what to do. It's pretty miserable feeling overwhelmed by everyone else's miracle cures when nothing seems to help.

I had it on my neck too. No bumps, but a bit red and lots of flaking, ran up under my jawline too.

I'm 95% healed now, my skin seems to be in the final stages of clearing it (fingers crossed I don't flare up again!).

What worked for me was: Elidel cream twice a day (it's non steriodal), Avene Cicalfate Cream for the dries (and good for the redness!), and just washing with warm water and a bit of Hope's Relief Excema non-soap every second day or so. I am also on Erithromycin antibiotics, so they may have helped too, but I only saw results once I started with the Elidel topically.

FYI, Avene Cicalfate is zinc based, so you could just use nappy cream, I just didn't like the thought of putting it on my face. After a week I was able to phase out the Elidel, and just use the Cicalfate for the remaining flakes (of where are are a lot).

Other things I've been doing holistically which I think helped: Spatone liquid iron supplement in the morning with OJ, then waiting half an hour before food (worth getting your iron levels tested). Bio-kult probiotics twice a day. Little to no diary or gluten, and lots of antioxidant anti-inflammatory foods eg. salmon, walnuts, blueberries, kale etc. (I'm also now taking high quality omega-3 to boost this).

The PD doesn't own you, and there is hope for relief!

Yes Gilly, PD is hugely stressful. And frustrating and embarrassing. I really hope that you get a few good ideas here on how to deal with it.

Tash, I have been meaning to ask if the Spatone is over-the-counter or prescribed. As I mentioned, I have been on iron supplements for years but I have never heard of it. I have heard that liquid iron is more easily absorbed so I was wondering.

I am also loading up on antioxident foods like blueberries and kale, walnuts, dark chocolate etc,...I was wondering if you have ever read up on turmeric. It's a powerful antioxident that has been proven to fight free radicals even in cancer cells. I started taking it in hopes that it would help with my PD. It didn't but I still take it every night because it's supposed to be so healthy....inside and outside of your body. I use it as a mask as well and I swear that it has faded my rosacea (mild case).

It's awful to drink (added to milk and black pepper to increase it's strength) and the mask is a mess to deal with but I can't stop because I really feel that it has helped.

Also, among it's other benefits, chia seeds are really high in omega-3 fatty acids. I put them in probiotic yogurt.

If you are already aware of all of this then just disregard it but I thought that I'd mention it.

Oh and I am so glad that you have your PD under control....fingers crossed for you!

I have found that antihistamines really help my PD. Two weeks ago I had large red welts around my mouth/chin (which I knew would later develop into pustules) and the itching was unbearable. It felt as if my skin was crawling and even air movement against my skin was driving me insane. The intense itchiness was making me very irritable! I am very sensitive to antihistamines (they knock me out) but in desperation took the max dose and within 30 mins the itching was completely gone and the rash calmed down to where you could barely see it. I kept up the antihistamine for two days and it really really helped me. The rash has not completely gone away but now when it flares I pop a benadryl antihistamine and it calms immediately. Keeping the area moisturized and washing my face with gentle products is also helping tremendously. I'm using Jason C Pure Natural Cleanser (SLS free and found at Sprouts here in the US) to wash my face and Neutrogena Hypoallergenic non-oil facial moisturizer. While the rash hasn't gone away and you can still see it, it's not red and angry and I'm not so freaked out to be in front of people (I'm in marketing). I quit the Elidel which was helping me but now that I know the antihistamines have such a big impact I'm convinced my problem is an allergen of some sort and I want to monitor as I experiment cutting things out and adding things back in. I know this info may not be helpful for everyone because this rash seems to have many causes, but I know I wish I'd tried antihistamines sooner and saved myself a lot of discomfort and embarrassment when out in public. After messing about with diet and drink elimination past couple of weeks, I'm currently exploring whether the invisible plastic braces I began 18 months ago could be the culprit for me. I didn't consider the braces until now as I've been wearing them for over a year, but I also know that your body can develop an allergy at any time and also toxins can build up. Drinking lots of water also seems to help which would make sense if it's an allergy/toxin of some kind.