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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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  • Rach12456789
    Rach12456789 emilyvb

    Posted

    Hi all,

    I have never posted ANYTHING before .....Anyway I went to the doctor today and asked for antibiotics for my skin as I have had this skin issue on my chin and around my nose for over 2 years. He didn't listen as most don't but he did recommend I google perioral dermatitis among other things, I couldn't believe the images that came up I was like omg that's what I have!  After 2 doctors, 2 allergy specilsts later! Finally I know what I have so I can look at curing it, it's all I talk/think about these days....I'll tell my story and would love some feedback.... Here goes...

    My skin has always been 'normal' a little sensitive got the odd spot, nothing major. Over two years ago I got a new job and moved in with my boyfriend. Within weeks of these things I started getting patches on my face. I put it down to new air con in office but my boyfriend has a dog, one that sheds balls of hair 'on the hour'. I really think this is the link for me. My diet is not great though I too love bread and chocolate so have tried cutting out stuff but never enough to really see a difference.

    So anyway 6 months ago I decided the only way to know if it's the dog is to move out for a few weeks. I did and it definately was not as bad. I followed the move by 1 week in the sun in Spain. While in Spain I went to a doctor and she gave me an antibiotic, I was already much better before I took it( for me sun sorts everything like this)! Anyway after all this the rash was gone. I hadn't seen a speck in 6 months. About 4 weeks ago it came back and now is roaring red itchy and horrible to look at. I wear make up which hides redness but it becomes white and flaky then ahhhhhhh.... I am convinced my time away from the dog is the biggest factor. I got my hair blow dried today and again was reminded when it's inflamed like this my own hair can't touch of it it's way too itchy that just reiterates to me I can't handle hair! I can't believe I'm hearing don't take antibiotics I was living for these to cure me again:-(The same doc today told me to buy steroid cream and I said no way it's not good, he didn't agree but I said don't prescribe  it I won't buy it, it's all so messed up! Anyway I took my antiobiotic today so will keep you posted. I'm not going to stop until I cure this. Has anyone tried ' juicing' it's my next attempt at fixing this! Oh I'm taking bicarbonate of soda to alkalize my system good if you eat a lot of sugar I believe!

  • patty42971
    patty42971 emilyvb

    Posted

    I tried everything you have tried and I even had that same reaction to the antifungal cream.  I have just this week been cured!   Here is my story. I have had Perioral Dermatitis since Feb 13, 2014.  For five months I have been going crazy trying to manage it and make it go away.  I've been on a strict diet of no sugar, no gluten and no dairy for 4 months!!   Used yogurt masks 2X a day everyday!  Asprin masks 2X a day (this really helped by the way).  2 1/2 weeks ago, my nephew's wife strongly encouraged me to try Phillip's Colon Care Probiotics.  I was already using a very expensive probiotic but I checked it out, and my expensive one didn't include these three strains of probiotic that are in the Colon Care product: Lactobacillus Gasseri, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, and Bifidobacterium Longum.   So I decided I had nothing to lose and bought another brand of probiotic that had much stronger doses of those three probiotics and have been taking a double dose for over two weeks.  My skin has stopped breaking out and I am clear!!  I knew it was working after 3 days because my cravings for bad carbs and sugar completely went away!  Please consider trying this.  It may take longer than 3 weeks, but just stick with it.  If you notice your cravings going away, be encouraged.... it means it is working! I will be hoping to hear that it works for you!  No one understands but those of us suffering with this..... take care! Patty
  • patty42971
    patty42971 emilyvb

    Posted

    I was trying to remember the name when I wrote the post.  I looked it up and it is called RenewLife Ultimate Flora Women's Complete.  It is a pink box with "90 BILLION" written on the front.  It has several other probiotics in it besides just those three.  I hope it helps.  I got it at Mom's Organic Market but you can order on-line.  Good Luck!
  • patty42971
    patty42971 emilyvb

    Posted

    Also, this kind is expensive (about $48 for 60 pills).  You could probably find cheaper ones with the same strains in it.

     

    • patty42971
      patty42971 mellyhoo

      Posted

      I'll be so happy if it works for you!  Please let me know!!  All i want to do now is tell as many people as possible about it!! 

       

    • jennifer74484
      jennifer74484 patty42971

      Posted

      Hi patty, 

      thanks for the probiotic tip. I also take a high quality/expensive one, but am interested if these particular bacteria in a double dose could make the difference. I've had pd for 8 months now and finally resorted to antibiotics. Are you continuing with the double dose?

    • patty42971
      patty42971 jennifer74484

      Posted

      Yes, I am going to continue the double dose for another few weeks I think.  I just want to make sure it is gone, gone, gone!!  I think I'll take the probiotics for the rest of my life though!  this has been a horrible experience and I never want it to happen again.  I have developed some very good healthy eating habits though which I am going to try to keep.  I really hope it works!  Please let me know!!  Take care...
    • jennifer74484
      jennifer74484 patty42971

      Posted

      Patty, A group of people who were posting on this site have created a facebook page dedicated to Perioral Dermititis.  It is a private group, so you just need to send in an email request to join.  It would be great if you could join our discussion!  We have over 80 members now!!

       

    • jennifer74484
      jennifer74484 patty42971

      Posted

      Hi Patty, 

      One more question for you... How did you prepare your aspirin mask?  Did you mix the asprin with anything?  Thanks!

    • patty42971
      patty42971 jennifer74484

      Posted

      Hello Jennifer.  Thanks for the info about Facebook.  I will definitely check it out.  As for the asprin mask, I dissolve about 4-5 asprin (the really cheap ones) in a little bit of lemon juice - not too much juice or it will be too thin.  Then I scoop some into a spoon and mix a little bit of plain Greek yogurt, and then apply to my face.  I think it may sting a little, and you have to be careful about being allergic to asprin. This mask really reduced the inflammation markedly for me, and worked very well on 'active' lesions.  I am still doing this even though I am now clear - too afraid to stop! I am so scared I'll wake up and my face will be broken out again. 
  • emilie35603
    emilie35603 emilyvb

    Posted

    Hi all, I don't mean to high jack this post but I have read all of your posts with great interest as I have just been diagnosed with PD. I was given an antibiotic and anti fungal cream neither of which worked. I have now been given a minimum of 3 month course of oral antibiotics!! After reading all of your comments I am scared to take them but my doctor insists it is the only thing that will work? Should I take them?

    thanks so much in advance for your insights and comments smile

    hopeful x

    • patty42971
      patty42971 emilie35603

      Posted

      Hi Emillie.  I don't know if you should take the antibiotics or not. You need to decide that.  I am being treated by an Integrative Medicine MD and she adised me not to take antibiotics because if yeast is the problem, those will make it worse.  The diet (gluten, sugar and dairy free) really helps, along with asprin and/or yogurt masks 2x a day, and the probiotics.  I was able to control my skin with the diet and masks, but the probiotics helped the most.  I am staying on the diet and the probiotics for a while until I feel comfortable that this is really gone.  I do believe I have a yeast problem in my body so I know it takes a long time to go away.  This is the probiotic I use -RenewLife Ultimate Flora Women's Complete. I am now taking three a day because it started coming back a little.  I also use an extra gentle cleanser made by Nature's Pearl, and I use Acure Sensitive Skin moisturizer.  Also, my doc prescribed Mediclear Plus protein powder supplement that I put in a smoothie for breakfast.  it has lots of protein and supplements that help inflammation.  I was in bad shape when I went to see her 5 months ago - my hair was falling out, I was exhausted, the rash on my face - It has taken months, but now my hair in growing back in, my face has cleared and my energy is returning.  But again,  I feel that the probiotics were key...  I hope this helps you! It is so devastating to have to deal with this, I truly know!! 
    • emilie35603
      emilie35603 patty42971

      Posted

      Hi Patty, thank you so much for your detailed reply,  truly appreciate it and I'm sorry that you have been through such a hard time with this. Great that things are getting better for you and you feel like you have some control! I will definitely try some of the things that you have listed, but I guess it should be one thing at a time so I know what works and what doesn't? The yoghurt/aspirin masks, does that mean you are applying aspirin direct to the skin or taking the aspirin orally?

      good luck with it all and I do hope you continue to see good results. I really hope I manage to clear this up soon,

      smile

    • patty42971
      patty42971 emilie35603

      Posted

      Hello again.  Yes, I dissolve 3-4 asprin in a little bit of lemon juice and then mix with a little bit of plain Greek yogurt, and put on my face until it is dry or a bit longer.  Hope it helps you.  It mahy sting at first and be careful if you have allergies to asprin.  Good Luck! would love to hear if you have success!  Patty
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