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Help me with my **possible** perioral dermatitis

Posted , 98 users are following.

emilyvb
emilyvb

Hi Everyone.

I am at my wits end with my skin and wondered if anyone could suggest anything.

About eight months ago I went on a course of antibiotics for a wound that wouldn't heal. It did the trick, but a couple of days after I finished the course I began to get huge flakes of skin coming off each side of my nose and just under it. There was no real redness at first, just extremely flaky skin, which Ive never had before.

This then turned red on one side and was quite sore. This cleared up, but switched to the OTHER side of my nose and this is what I have had ever since.

It has come and gone in various degrees of severity, but generally, it is red and mildly flaky/dry with lots of little bumps which look like acne but never come to a head. Having said that, I have been getting cystic type acne right in the fold of the nose recently.

TREATMENT: I initially googled the problem and concluded it was perorial dermatitis. I didn't want steroids as I know that makes it worse, so I went to the doctor (who didn't know what it was and had to GOOGLE perioral derm!?)who gave me DUAC cream. That helped a bit but it just came back.

I have since been to numerous doctors who have given me everything which I have eventually tried.

I was advised to use an anti fungal cream,so used canesten (without steroid in it). This gave me some kind of allergic reaction and i got eczema all around the area where I used it. To treat this separate condition -ergh) i was prescribed a steroid cream, daktacort, which made the eczema go away but then the PD came back worse and now I'm back to square one.

I'm almost positive its a classic case of PD, and since I tried everything the only option is antibiotics. However, I am EXTREMELY reluctant to take any seeing as it would seem that anti biotics gave me it in the first place! It all started as soon as I finished a course of them, having never had it in my life before.

I have no idea what to do, and would appreciate ANY advice. Apologies for the huge post!

Note: I should also add that I have tried lots of home remedies like coconut oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar which have helped mildly but not gotten rid of it. In the past three months I've also cut out wheat, sugar, dairy and yeast (considering it may be candida overgrowth). I even switched to fluoride free toothpaste. Nothing has gotten rid of it! (except the steroid/anti-fungal, and only temporarily!)

6 likes, 441 replies

441 Replies

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  • fiona77498
    fiona77498 emilyvb

    Posted

    Mentioning my Sister's hysterectomy at 39 reminded me of something.  It's neither here nor there regarding PD but it stuck in my mind,,,,,I am 10 years younger than her so at 29, I didn't have much of a clue about menopause or it's effects (except for my Aunt's continuous bulletins describing how she thought that she would one day self-destruct after having yet another hotflash),

    Anyway, when Marsha (sister) awoke, she was very groggy and out of sorts and just drenched in sweat.  I think the pain medication put her in a very distressed state of mind and she was grasping at her nightdress; pulling it away from her because she was just so hot,  In walked a nurse while Marsha was flailing around wondering why she was so sweaty,,,,The nurse just looked down on her, shook her head in digust and curtly said...."It's a hot flash!  You are in menopause!" And walked out of the room.  Just like that!.... When she could have used an explanation and a little kindness.  Hurrmph,,,,there are some kind nurses and doctors in this world but then there's the other kiind.

    Back to the discussion...

  • fiona77498
    fiona77498 emilyvb

    Posted

    I know that I am repeating myself but this forum really is a mess now.  Saw in my e-mail that Sharron and Harry posted but they are all out of order,,,,can't even see Harry's anywhere.  I figured out that you have to post RIGHT AFTER Emily's first ever post for it to end up as the most recent post.  If you post after anyone else' then it ends up out of order.  Thank goodness that Lisa started the facebook thing.  And Sharron, I was worried about privacy too but Lisa assured me that it is private.  Thanks for info re: Cicalfate.....I'll stick to my zinc war-paint.

    Still have questions for Promilla but I've been crazy-busy

    Take Care All and thanks again Lisa

    • Terri709
      Terri709 fiona77498

      Posted

      I agree it is very confusing! I also cannot find Harry's post anywhere...
  • fiona77498
    fiona77498 emilyvb

    Posted

    Yes Harry....  I know that you are probably impossibly frustrated with us at times but be a sport and join!  Oh and I picked up a bottle of the Mother apple cider vinegar yesterday at the strore.   I put it back but at least I picked it up.  That's progress!

    Another that I would love to see join is Emily,,,,,You started this off after all and it wouldn't be the same without you.  Come on Emily!!!

    (All kidding aside, Harry,,,When I was young, my Mother would line us up at the kitchen sink in the mornings to take tablespoons of cod liver oil and ACV in hot water.  I think that I'm still a little tramatized by it)

    Emily.....Where are you?

     

  • fiona77498
    fiona77498 emilyvb

    Posted

    PS.  I have left 3 reports about this confusion to "the keeper of the forum" but still no response.  Too bad
  • Emis_Moderator
    Emis_Moderator emilyvb

    Posted

    Hi Fiona/all,

    The style was changed so users can reply to individual comments rather than the whole discussion. The way the discussions were used before was the thread would end up being several discussions in one thread, being able to reply to comments individually keeps these "sub-discussions" together. This is why there are nested threads as users reply to individual comments. If you want to reply to the whole thread rather than an individual comment scroll back to the top of the page and use the Reply box under the original post. I have asked that a "Reply to this discussion" box is put back on the bottom of each page otherwise users will end up continuing a nested conversation rather than the overall discussion. The ordering is by replies to the initial post and then each nested discussion is ordered by date/time. This is why newer posts may be "out of order" in the whole thread. If a post is missing it is likely that it has been deleted after the notification email was sent.  In Harry's case it was because he was promoting a specific web site which we do not allow unless it is relevant to the discussion.

    I am going to start a new Group called Forums Help or similar where I will post FAQs and advice on using the forums which will get linked to throughout the site as Help links. In the meantime if you have any other issues or suggestions there is a discussion here https://patient.info/forums/discuss/new-style-forums-196496 where you can post and I will see them.

    I hope this helps but please use the link above or send me a Message if you are still having issues.

    Regards,

    Alan

    Emis Moderator

  • Promila
    Promila emilyvb

    Posted

    So part of the discussion is here and part on Facebook. Though if you can join the one in facebook it would be great.

    To Harry. Damn it. I feel you are right, but I still cannot get rid of this horrible thing, and it seems not to get better. How it is possible that I would have gut flora problem, if my diet is so clean, I have not been using any artifical strong make-up products, no antibiotics in like 6 years, and everything. It's just so frustrating becuase I feel exactly as you do, about covering the symptoms. If my face is showing me that something is wrong, I should do whatever I can to fix the problem inside rather then cover it. But I am not sure what else I can do. I am taking probiotics, dreaking ACV, eating vegetables, fruits, fish, lean meat, taking tumeric, I have started spirulin. I am reluctant to take topical antibiotics, because even if they were to help me, this would be covering of the problem. Sooner or later I would develop other conditions. Do you know what else can be done, or what may be the reason of defective microbiota in case where I did not do anything harmful to it?

    Btw. I was wondering whether you are doing any more advanced research on these subjects or just your experience and internet searching? I think it would be great if people started to research it more scientifically, so that it could be helpful for other people.

    • fiona77498
      fiona77498 Promila

      Posted

      Jesus! just when I thought the answer was to reply right after Emily's first post!  I just sent two posts...one to Promilla and one to Alan that ended up on the first page if anyone cares to read them.  Duplicates too because I didn't think it accepted the first one.

      Anyway, I agree with your frustration Promila....read my post if you get a chance.

      Take Care

  • fiona77498
    fiona77498 emilyvb

    Posted

    Promilla,

    God, I know it's frustrating.....I am trying to work out all of this too but I become so confused and aggravated when it comes to the interactions and timing everything just right so that I get maximum benefit.  I need more hours in the day and I think better multi-tasking skills.  Ugh

    Alan,

    Thanks for your detailed response.  I know that it takes a while to work the kinks out of new procedures,  Also that you are overworked.  Whatever you can do would be much appreciated.

    Thank You,

    Fiona

  • fiona77498
    fiona77498 emilyvb

    Posted

    IT HAPPENED AGAIN and this time I though that I was sure that I responded right after Emily's first post.

    Anyway, it went along the lines of:

    Promilla,

    I really understand your frustration because I am trying to process all of this information but become frustrated when I feel that I am not sure of my timing and interactions that may decrease the benefits.  I could be thinking that I am getting what I need only to find out that I shouldn't have ingested a mineral at the same time as something else...you know what I mean?  I feel like I need a live-in dietician and an alarm clock.

    Alan, if you have already read my post that I think may have gone into no-mans-land then pls. disregard.  Just wanted to thank you for your detailed response and your effort to try to remedy the problem.

    Fiona

  • fiona77498
    fiona77498 emilyvb

    Posted

    Basically Promilla,  I feel the frustration of trying to get my timing just right and not taking anything that will interact poorly with something else thus rendering anything positive that I try to do null and void.  That's it!  God know where this post will end up.  Going to throw laptop out the window and get on Lisa's FB when I get a chance.
  • fiona77498
    fiona77498 emilyvb

    Posted

    Olive....I have left a message for you half way down on the first page of the forum.  You will understand more if you take a look there.....It's under the name Fiona (Me) and shows up right after your post.

    Take Care

  • fiona77498
    fiona77498 emilyvb

    Posted

    Hey Harry,

    Just another offer to you to join the new Facebook page. 

    Fiona

  • Celia1966
    Celia1966 emilyvb

    Posted

    Hi, don't know what has happened to this forum since I last logged in and haven't read all your replies recently, and am not on Facebook, but I have just (literally) watched Watch Dog on UK tv to see a lady with what looked like periorificial dermatitis as we know it, all over her face. The story is that she is allergic to Methylchloroisothiazolinone/Methylisothiazolinone (aka Kathon CG or MI) which is a preservative put in many toiletries and household cleaners etc - in her case it was in a tin of paint which she used in her lounge. It is estimated that 1/10 people could be allergic to this chemical. It can even be found in 'sensitive' baby wipes!

    Some manufacturers have already decided to stop putting this chemical in their products however Boots and l'Oreal haven't yet. The trade association for cosmetics has suggested that all companies should remove this chemical - Boots and l'Oreal will likely have to follow suit.

    I'm off to the bathroom to check out my newly-purchased range of SLS free products - what's my luck they contain MI !

    • fiona77498
      fiona77498 Celia1966

      Posted

      Nice to hear from you again MissMc!  They updated the forum recently and really messed it up....everyone's comments were all over the place so that you couldn't respond properly.

      I am not on Facebook either simply because I don't have any interest in it but this is different....it is private and just for people who have suffered or are suffering with PD.  Would love to see you join. 

      After what you posted, I am going into my cupboard to have a look too!

      Love to see you on the new site,

      Fiona.

      P.S.  I am not sure how to hook up to it as it was done for me but let me know through this forum if you want to and I will check into it

    • Celia1966
      Celia1966 fiona77498

      Posted

      Thanks Fiona, my husband's on Facebook - I'll look up the new site and join. I was so excited to see this show - the lady on Watch Dog said it started with just a few bumps on her chin which is where most sufferers seem to notice the first signs. Mine started around my nose, then eyes and finally my chin. It isn't that bad though, I've been lucky compared to a lot of sufferers. I hope this new info will help people identify a possible trigger - in my case changing to SLS free hasn't made a difference yet but I believe it could take time so I can't rule SLS out but will try to avoid MI as well from now on.

      Some of my new facial products have this MI in it, some don't, even though they are from the same range, "Good Things" on sale in Sainsburys and Boots which are advertised as paraben / SLS free, suitable for vegans and vegetarians - I really thought I was onto a winner with this range as it met all my criteria smile  I bought the whole lot - facial scrub (very mild), cleanser, SPF15 moisturiser, daily mattifier, spot reducer, eye cream - I was so excited to find this range and even bought back up supplies smile Thankfully they were on offer in Sainsbury. After looking at their website after Watch Dog I realised they are aimed at teenagers so feel a bit of a twit as I'm nearly 50!

       

    • fiona77498
      fiona77498 Celia1966

      Posted

      Hey MissMc,

      I know exactly how you feel about getting excited about a product only to find that it is geared to a 16 years old skin (I'm 46) I have fallen into that trap before. Ugh

      Without going through the old posts, I can't remember what stage you were at with PD. I'm with you regarding the SLS angle.. alot has been researched since then and I can say for sure that SLS' turned out not to be the cause.  I know it sounds crazy but I literally rubbed toothpaste and laundry soap on my face to find out if it was a trigger.  It didn't have any effect whatsoever.

      As far as I can see through all of the posting and sharing of information, there are two routes that people have gone to cure their PD.  Antibiotics which some don't like as they worry about yeast and what it does to their candida levels (very time-consuming trying to understand all that) or plain old zinc.

      One night, I read of a woman who used an old sunscreen (contains zinc) on her face and within hours it had improved.  I tried the same and for the first time in 6 months, I started to notice improvement.  From there I went to Penaten (18% zinc) and then made my own ointment using zinc oxide powder and CereVe cream.  As I said, it is the ONLY thing that worked for me and I have read and seen "before and after" pictures of people who, whithin a matter of minutes of applying zinc, have shown a marked improvement. My PD is gone now.

      I really feel that I contracted PD through antibiotics which is funny since some used doxycycline to cure theirs... BUT I had massive doses that I had to have intravenously for 5 to 6 weeks so maybe the high dose was just too much for my system. I say this because I had never in my life had a yeast infection but boy, did I get a bad one after all of those doses!  I didn't even know what it was at first! (sorry if too much information)

      Thanks for the info about MI products....I passed it on to Lisa who started the new Facebook page and she thought it very interesting.

      Hope to hea from you again MissMc...You were one of the people who posted that stuck in my mind!

      Take Care,

      Fiona

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