Table of Contents
| QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | ||||||
| TED'S REMEDIES | ||||||
| ACIDOPHILUS | ||||||
| ANTISEPTIC HANDWASH | ||||||
| APPLE CIDER VINEGAR | ||||||
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Dermatitis Remedies
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This section includes cures for: Perioral Dermatitis, Eczema, Discoid Dermatitis, Severe Contact Dermatitis, and Heat Rash. These cures are reported from our readers who have tried various home remedies and supplements to cure and find relief from these tricky skin conditions. Please send us your feedback about your own experiences with these home remedies!
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
POPULAR REMEDIES:
| APPLE CIDER VINEGAR | 43 YEAS |
| GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT | 6 YEAS |
| COCONUT OIL | 6 YEAS |
| MULTIPLE REMEDIES | 6 YEAS |
| INGREDIENTS TO AVOID | 5 YEAS |
TED'S REMEDIES
Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Consider taking borax. Some people believed the demodex mites are responsible for rosacea. They may be right. But, there are others too that are not yet identified. I prefer to lump all these insect issues to just one category: nanoinsects. These insects have several weakness that you can kill them, or at least weaken them. One obvious ones is borax. The treatment can be broken down to two things;
1. Taken internally: Try 1/8 teaspoon to 1/4 teaspoon of borax in one liter of water/day. You just drink this water throughout the day. If it runs out then drink just normal water, with some magnesium added if possible. Magnesium is found in certain seeds such as sunflower. They seem to be synergistic with the vitamin D as vitamin D promotes calcium and the body needs to balance both magnesium and calcium to an ideal amount.
2. Used externally: Dog mange is confirmed demodex mites and the only treatment that effectively cured of dog mange is 1% hydrogen peroxide and borax saturated solution applied topically. Many people believe the demodex mites is the cause of rosacea. What I am sure about is it is an insect issue. The method of killing them is external application of 1% hydrogen peroxide with borax saturated solution to the face, unrinsed. It tends to cause drying. So you can apply appropriate lotions to prevent drying, such as jojoba oil, aloe vera or lavender oil."
EC: *** Ted's Remedies Reader Feedback here. ***
04/08/2010: Sandi from Stockton, Ca replies: "I as well have pd and am planning to try acv and acidophilus. I just want everyone to know that tea contains flouride( black, green, white, oolong,& rooibos) I would drink tons a day and have had pd for about 2 years, about the same time I started drinking tea. I still drink it but have to limit myself and i use a cortisone. Thanks for info, hope it helps"
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3 YEA
[YEA] 04/18/2009: Peggy from Rutledge, TN writes: "I looked at the options available from this site and thought I would try the yogurt versus the acv. Mainly I couldn't understand burning your face as a natural treatment. I have dealt with this off and on for three years, usually in the winter months. However, this year I could not get rid of it. I have perioral dermatitis and the lesions just kept reappearing even though I had followed my previous solutions, such as removing SLS products from usage, washing with only dove soap, not using makeup on my face. I refuse to take tetracycline and a natural product was my only option. I tried the yogurt and acidopholis and within 2 days there had been an amazing transformation. You can hardly see the lesions, the redness is totally gone, the dry flakiness is non existent and you really have to look to see any remnants of the dermatitis. I highly recommend this and would recommend it to anyone. Why burn your face (which by the way is causing further damage to your skin) when you can get a nice cool mask, is fairly cheap, and you can pick the product up at your local grocery store. Just be sure you choose the organic plain yogurt."
08/14/2009: Deanna from Calgary, Alberta Canada replies: "Hi All, I too suffered from perioral dermatitis for about 6 years. After several rounds of tetracycline, I began to research possible causes. The main culprit appeared to be fluoridated toothpaste. About 2 weeks after switching to natural, fluoride-free toothpaste, the dermatitis went away. It was amazing. I started to suffer from it again after moving to another city only to realize the water was fluoridated. Switching to a fluoride-free water source ie)drinking bottled water, the dermatitis disappeared again. Be advised however that many foods contain high levels of fluoride such as grapes, raisins, tomatoes, beer and many many more. These should also be avoided if the condition persists after eliminating fluoridated toothpaste and water."
10/25/2009: Sally from Portland, Oregon replies: "i also suffer from this condition and i agree that using yogurt both topically and eating it works well, but i also think acv works amazingly well! if you dilute it with water it doesn't burn"
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[YEA] 05/20/2008: Holly from Boone, NC writes: "I have struggled with perioral dermatitis until I heard about it being possibly a yeast infection and to use yogurt on the face. Of all the remedies I tried this worked the best completely getting rid of the PD. I simply put a "yogurt mask" on my face once a day and within two weeks the PD was gone. I also consumed more probiotics through supplements and fermented foods. Thought I would pass it on."
07/17/2008: Lenni from Juneau, Alaska replies: "What kind of yougurt did you put on your face? & Has it ever came back yet?"
09/25/2008: Holly from Boone, NC replies: "Lenni,It does come back if I do not stay on top of the use of probiotics which my main source os from fermented foods. I must say the yogurt, which I use plain goats milk but any plain should do, make my skin feel so good that I use it several times a week."
05/08/2010: Hope from Fresno, Ca replies: "hi! so im trying the yogurt mask and i was wondering if anyone can tell me how long do i leave the mask on? thanks soo much"
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[YEA] 12/10/2006: B from Attica, IN writes: "After being diagnosed with IBS and perioral dermatitis I knew I had to make a change. I did my research and talked to a few people at the health food stores and then added probiotic acidophilus to my diet. The first week I took 2 times the recommended amount, the second week I cut it down the recommended amount and then have stayed on that amount rather well the past 10 years. It has fixed all the problems with my skin as well as my digestinal tract. All the diseases of the body start in the stomach and colon, the acidophilus either in capsule form or yogurt help correct this imbalance. By fixing the imbalance, everything else falls in line. My skin is beautiful now. I would recommend this to any one suffering from any skin lesions and digestive problems."
09/29/2008: Colleen from Virginia Beach, VA replies: "I was wondering what probiotics helped the skin rash."
09/04/2009: Violet from St. Pete, Fl replies: "I have perioral dermatitis also and have been unsuccessful with several topicals I've tried. (castor, VCO & neem). I am starting now with the probiotics so I hope I will see some results with this route."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 09/12/2008: M from St Louis, MO writes: "A friend in the cosmetics field said the redness in the lines some people have from the nose to the corners of the mouth can be caused by mites. She recommended alcohol. Not having any on hand at the time I used Germ-X handwash, not the intended use for it, BUT it worked to stop the irritation and get rid of the redness and bumps. I noticed that IF MY DOG LICKED MY FACE I WOULD GET THE IRRITATION AGAIN! now I NEVER let my dog lick my face, ever! I'm sure I have him to thank for the mites I think I get. So Germ-X when needed, CLEAN BED LINENS OFTEN, AND NO DOG SLEEPING ON THE BED!!"
09/15/2009: Violet from St. Pete, Fl replies: "Dog mites don't affect people. If your dog has mites you'll know it because he will be itchy and miserable, thus the dog should be treated. But, like I said, dog mites affect dogs and human mites affect humans - they are two different things. So for those of you who enjoy sleeping with your pooch it is ok to keep doing so. If you notice a problem after being licked then you are probably allergic to the dog's saliva."
09/20/2009: Robert Henry from Ten Mile, Tn Usa replies: "Wow, Violet..... wondering where you are getting your facts. Ever read what Hulda Clark says about pets and parasites? Are you aware that Demodex Mites cause mange in animals and get into your nose hair roots and are almost impossible to cure? A dog's tongue contains E-coli and is the greatest cause of human stomach ulcers. Ever watch what spot your dogs licks when his buddy comes up? Do you know why all dogs have to be wormed every so often? Ted and many others have posted all this on this site. Read more."
09/21/2009: Violet from St. Pete, Fl replies: "Hi Robert Henry,I got that info from my vet. I sleep with my dogs all the time and after reading M's post I called my vet to inquire about the mites. That is what she told me.
I was not aware that demodex gets into human hair roots but I am well aware of all your other comments (worms, e-coli, where dogs lick).
I am on this site all the time but I have just recently started posting, in fact that was only the 2nd time I have posted here and from the tone of your reply obviously I have upset you. Sorry :-(
As for reading more, I am a very prolific reader but I have by no means read everything on this site yet... I'm working on it ;-)
I am always interested in hearing what others have to say, and I am more than interested in learning as much as I can about natural cures. Now I'm off to read the demodex posts."
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43 YEA
8 NAY
1 BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
7 BETTER BUT NOT CURED
2 WORKED TEMPORARILY
3 SIDE EFFECTS
1 QUESTION
[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 08/28/2010: Nissa from Corvallis, Or writes: "Hello,
I have had this my whole life and didn't know what it was. I finally went to dermatologist, who told me is was the P-O Dermatitis, and I needed long term antibiotics. I thought it was great to have diagnosis! But since then, I have done maybe 6 courses of tetracylcine over the past 3 years. I just finished one this spring and my skin is WORSE THAN EVER. Watch out for the antibiotics!!! Also all the prescription creams such as Pramsone DON'T WORK. It has spread now all over my cheeks up to my eyes, and down my chin and chest. My skin seems to be addicted to the cortisone, and it is not working anymore either. Yesterday I had a huge breakout, scrubbed it with alcohol and slathered with cortisone. It still itched. I am feeling I can't stand it anymore and decided to google a natural remedy (I had amazing results for one for a common "female" infection). I went and washed the cortisone off, applied ACV with a wet cottonball- splash of ACV. It looks better already. I applied again this morn, it burned a ton last night but not so much this morn. I am going to start eating the yogurt/probiotics too. I know from past experience this can only be helpful for so many things. I'll post back with hopefully my long term success! Like my husband says, makes you wonder what these Dr.s really throw at you without really understanding the problem."
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[NAY] 02/04/2010: Leah from Calgary, Alta, Canada. writes: "Hi I was so excited after reading all the yeas for acv, but unfortunetly it didnt work for me. I tried it for 2 day topically 2x-3x daily, and 2tlbs 1x a day with orange juice. The end of the 2nd day my pd was bright pink, and not diminishing. For the first day I was applying it neat, the second day I wet the cotton first- but its just making it worse. I filled my perscription of minocycline, and elidel. I've cut sugar, fruits, grains, starches, and yeasts from my diet, and hopefully when my pd calms down I will be able to continue with natural remedies. Thank you for this website- it helps so much to know that Im not alone in this."
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[YEA] 01/12/2010: Clare from London, Uk writes: "I have had what seems to be perioral dermatitis for nearly 20 years, have tried all sorts to manage this but for the past week have used acv in water...very quickly cleared up and very very grateful to this site. It gradually started to reappear when I went a day without sipping the acv and am anxious about taking this long term but so pleased that I seem to be heading in right direction :-)"
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[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS] 01/09/2010: Ama from Perth, Western Australia writes: "Dermatitis on the leg
I have been using apple cider vinegar for a week a now and wiping with white vinegar and acv on the legs. I put 2teaspoon in a glass of water twice a day. the rash is gone a bit but it has turn very dark in colour. i want to ask if that normal.
thank you
Ama"
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12/16/2009: Taylor from St Paul, Mn, Usa writes: "Apple Cider Vinegar & Perioral Dermatitis
What a great site! About 4 weeks ago I started getting a rash around my mouth. Was diagnosed with Perioral Dermatitis. Dr. gave me some Metronidazole cream to put on it and at first seemed really to help. Then it came back. So, she decided I needed something stronger and put me on Doxycycline Hyclate pills. They seem to help dry it up but, still have much redness and some dry bumps. I understand that this is an antibiotic and therefore am taking acidophilus also. You all need to understand that we all have and need good bacteria in our system for it to function properly. When you take an Anti-biotic it kills both the bad and the good bacteria in our bodies. You need to replenish the good or you will eventually have many problems including yeast infection or candida. Yogurt has acidophilus or pro-botic in it.
If Perioral Dermatitis is caused by or encourged by yeast infection than it makes sense that Apple Cider Vinegar works to help it. That is an old and correct remedy to kill Yeast infection. I just put some on the rash with a cottonball that was first wetted with water. After only 20 minutes it seems less red and just a stinging at first. Hopefully this is the answer
Also, WATCH WHAT YOU EAT! Before researching what flares it up - I went to a friend's house had a couple of glasses of wine and some chips and Salsa. Wow - 3 hours later my dermatitis has flared up like wild fire. I understand Caffine or any other spicy food will flare it up also. Anything that dialates the blood vessels.
I will post later and let you know if the Apple Cider Vinegar worked or not."
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[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 10/23/2009: Cozette29 from Boston, Ma, Usa writes: "I used apple cider vinegar to cure my perioral dermatitis. I self diagnosed online after getting the rash for the first time a few months ago. I tried a few different things - getting rid of soaps, lotions, and using a yogurt mask since I read the rash may be caused by a yeast overgrowth. Yogurt worked a little bit, but didn't cure it. After reading about the apple cider vinegar review, I decided to try it. I just bought a small bottle at the grocery store. I splash a little onto a cotton ball and apply it around my mouth twice a day after washing my face - in the morning and before I go to sleep. It definitely stings and the rash turns bright red for a while, but after a few days of this I definitely noticed a difference. It's been about a week and you can hardly notice the rash now. I'm going to continue doing this for at least another week to be sure the rash has completely gone away. At the same time, I've also been only washing my face with warm water, and using a very light, basic lotion. As for other side effects, when I first started using the vinegar, it really dried out the rash and my skin was especially flakey, but I just rubbed a mild antibiotic petroleum salve on it for the first few days while my skin got used to it. I would definitely recommend this cure, it's inexpensive, easy, and you'll see results almost immediately."
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[NAY] 08/24/2009: Maleehah from Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan writes: "Perioral Dermatitis -- I feel so fortunate to have found this site, its wonderful to see people so selflessly helping each other. I self diagnosed myself with PD after surfing the net for pictures, going to a derm wasn't an option because they're so unreliable in this part of the world. Little, unsightly bumps appeared about 7-8 months ago around my mouth and I made the fatal mistake of using cortisone steroid ointment, which as I now understand could actually cause PD.The bumps cleared up for a while and came back with a vengeance a few weeks ago around exam time. Under loads of pressure, the little bumps just flared up, spread to my cheeks and forehead. Reading through the symptoms of the rash I find that mine are nither red, flaky or itchy, quite the contrary their moist and applying ACV doesn't burn at all, which I'm concerned about. I'm assuming its organic coz the ingredients are apples and water only, but there's definitely no trace of the 'mother', in it. (Its really difficult to find anything organic in my city) I've been using it for about ten days, and the PD doesn't seem to be drying up :(, I was really looking forward to having it disappear as miraculously as all the testimonials claim. I also drink 1 tbsp in a glass of water twice a day. I'm using nothing on my face not even soap, just washing with plain water as many times as possible. I used a yogurt mask once, but it seemed to worsen the situation. I live in an extremely hot, dry climate and this summer was particularly harsh. Today my baby brother said it looked like chicken skin which just killed me coz he's right.. I'm hideous! I haven't left my home in ages (I'm on a 2 month vacation, Thank God!) I'm desperate for it to clear up before the next semester of college in about a month.
I'd be so grateful if anyone could suggest additional remedial measures I could take or changes in my diet, we do consume alot of spices and I've never had a flawless skin, but never a condition of this severity, otherwise I'm quite a healthy 24 yr old."
06/27/2010: Llh from Ventura, Ca replies: "I spent from '92 to '00 trying to figure out what was causing my pd. I went to the dermatologist and they could not tell me. They simply prescribed stuff that didn't work. Definitely STAY AWAY from the cortizone creams they will appear to clear it up but they simply "hold in" the problem in addition to thinning the skin. After you stop using this cream it will flare up like you have never seen before.
I have seen it mentioned on this site an association with tea and coffee. This was the case for me. I cut out all the tea coffee and sodas with caffeine and it healed up! Eventually I tried some teas and coffee that were "caffeine free" however I did have problems with small break outs of pd. After doing some research I found that even decaffeinated coffees and teas still have traces of caffeine. Eliminating all of these was the answer for me. I've been pd free since 2000 . . . well until April of this year. The only thing that has changed in my life is my roommate has a small dog. I am careful to wash my hands after I have pet her but alas the pd is still present. Will try the apple cider vinegar as well as the probiotics and see how things go. If it is mite related I'm going to attack it from every side. Will post again in a week and let everyone know how it went."
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08/09/2009: Emma from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, UK writes: "Hi all, thank god i found this website!!! I have perioral dermatitis i have suffered with this for about 10 years, i started with this after taking accutane for acne, i never had it before - this was about 10 years ago. Oxytetracycline has cleared up the dermatitis in the past but i have got an especially bad bout of it this time after taking accutane from the Derm for a second time, so i have been in search of other solutions. I have come accross the ACV, i have been using it for 3 days - an organic unpateurised version from the health shop, i have applied it topically 3x a day and it has worked almost immediately - reduced redness and bumpiness etc., it works better neat for me rather than diluted. I am also using calendula cream to moisturise. I am taking two tablespoons of the vinegar in a 500ml bottle of water 3x a day, i have seen a good improvement and will continue further to see what improvements i get. I have also found that a white clay powder mixed with lavender water in a paste as a face mask put on the affected areas in the evening before the topical application of the ACV really helps as well.
Questions:
1. Should i not use moisturiser as i have heard that it can make the perioral dermatitis worse? - is the ___ calendula Cream OKAY to use?
2. What should i wash my face with - i am avoiding all SLS SLES etc... products and i'm using a natural glycerine soap from the homeopathic shop - any body recommend anything else?
3. From using accutane my lips are dry as hell can anybody recommend a lipsalve without petrolatum/ paraffin or any of the other nasties - i have been using calendula oil at present
4. What brand of ACV is best
5. Can anyone recommend a foundation or cosmetic line to use that wont aggrevate the dermatitis
6. Any other suggestions??"
08/19/2009: Justbelieve from Los Angeles, Ca replies: "I got PD from accutane as well a few years ago and everything the dermatologist has given me never worked. Apple Cider Vinegar is the ONLY thing that works! I hope we can all find more cures in the future:)"
09/12/2009: Angelica from Aylesbury, Bucks, Uk replies: "I also had this bumpy type of eczema when I was younger - after I had been on the contraceptive pill for 10 years and came off it. At the time, I used the homeopathic remedy Rhus tox, but that was for about a year before the eczema went. Now, looking back and having learned much more about nutrition, I realise that the remedy at the time did noting but the eczema can sometimes be caused by an estrogen imbalance. I would suggest some of you explore that idea a little further ... Much later, I discovered that I had low stomach acid which meant that for years (30), I had not been digesting my food properly (specifically fats - hormones are made of fats) and so my body struggled to balance. Many other problems arose too but that's another area. Hope this helps with your research."
[YEA] 04/29/2010: Kat from Seattle, Wa replies: "I've never had PD and was recently diagnosed with it. My naturopath recommended the apple cider vinegar along with honey, vitamin C and probiotics. She thought yeast might be the culprit based on what my lips looked like. The directions were as follows: splash a little bit of apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and lightly touch the skin around your lips - once a day. The vinegar will dry out the lips and take away moisture yeast needs to thrive. 10 days should be enough, but everyone is different. Meanwhile, apply honey on the lips for moisture and to prevent cracking once or twice a day. Use a double doze of probiotics during the 10 days, adhere to a well balanced diet and take vitamin C. My naturopath suggested 2000mg a day for me. Overall, my PD took around 3 weeks to clear. The important thing is to watch out for infections from the dried lips and consult a doctor/naturopath if you feel the rash has changed."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 08/09/2009: Jj123 from Calgary, Alberta, Canada writes: "I have been using ACV on my face for perioral dermitis for a week (morning and night on a swab). It stings like crazy on the open skin but I am determined to stick with it. I then open a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil. Just the last couple days ago the ACV made my skin very hot and bright red all over. My reaction to it is getting stronger - now it stays hot and red for a while before it calms down. Is this normal? Has anyone else experienced this? I am just wondering if I should stick it out and hope it's just what happens to some people or if I should try something else..."
08/14/2009: Deanna from Calgary, Alberta Canada replies: "Hi there Jj123, I as well am from calgary. I just wrote a feed regarding avoiding fluoridated toothpaste. It made all the difference until I moved to calgary then it reappeared. I realized the city fluoridates the water. This has made it problematic again as the skin absorbs large amounts of fluoride. If you are interested in hearing more about the many major problems with fluoride and how it can be avoided please email me dkdelisl@ucalgary.ca"
EC: Jason Uttley has two of the best articles on fluoride poisoning on our site:
http://www.earthclinic.com/fluoride_questions_and_answers.html
http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/fibromyalgia.html#cause
08/15/2009: Dj from Pdx, Or replies: "Jj123,
Try using castor oil on your face instead of the vitm E.
I have been impressed with how it has affected my skin. The crows feed are gone. I had a really deep tension line between my eyes on my forhead and it is just about gone. Any acne scaring is reduced or gone and if I get active acne it only lasts a couple of days.
I wash my face with a really mild liquid soap at night and then use the castor oil instead of lotion. I use nutra---- for sensitive skin lotion during the day.
Hope this helps."
08/15/2009: Tussy from Clinton , Iowa replies: "Hi there I have and question and it might seem silly. But I was wondering can you mix the borax with tap water? I know it would be kind of defeating the purpose but I cant really afford a filter right now"
08/16/2009: Jj123 from Calgary, Alberta, Canada replies: "Thank you everyone for your comments. I have now had to stop using ACV. I am not sure it is related but I broke out in a rash on my neck, chest, eye lids and inside of arms. It is extremly itchy and bright red. I stopped using ACV to see if it will go away. So far it hasn't though and it has been 1 1/2 weeks. Also I have switched to a non-fluoride toothpaste and we have a reverse osmosis water filtration system."
11/25/2009: Sp from Nashville, Tn replies: "If ACV is too strong for you, you may want to dilute it with water (50/50).
Borax/Water -I make a mixture of borax and tap water in the palm of my hand to wash my face with every morning. My face feels clean and no drying."
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[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 05/30/2009: Bella from Sydney, NSW writes: "Apple Cider Vinegar reduced the appearance of my perioral dermatitis.
Hey my names bella. After reading this site desperately 2 days ago, i decided to try using the apple cider vinegar on my face to reduce a breakout of dermatitis. I have recently been put of doxycycline for my dermatitis but found that i had a massive outbreak as soon as i started using the antibiotics and stopped using the steroid cream. I have also just moved in with my gorgeous boyfriend and was horrified and embarrassed when this happened. So i began desperately searching the net for home remedies and came across the 'apple cider viniger'.
I have been using this for roughly 2 days now and can already see a difference. I have used a face wipe that has been dampened with warm water and a splash of ACV. I have done this a couple of times a day and can already notice the bumps, and blisters/pimples reducing. I highly recommend you just GIVE IT A GO."
06/01/2009: Sebastian from Montreal, Quebec replies: "I use 1/2 green tea and 1/2 White vinegar. This has done miracles for my scalp and wonders for my face. Apple cider vinegar alone did not do much, but Green tea plus White vinegar are amazing."
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[YEA] 04/20/2009: Sally from Portland, Oregon writes: "ACV is liquid gold! POD came on unexpectedly a few weeks ago and i began taking ACV internally, 1tbsp/3x/day and wetting a cotton ball with water first then dipping it in ACV and applying it to the affected areas-around my mouth on both sides. At first i didn't think it was working, it burned like HELL! and made the area very red, but also relieved the itching. at night i would apply the diluted ACV topically and also rub a salve made of organic olive oil, calendula and tea tree on the area. i would alter the olive oil salve with coconut oil. I also ate 1-3 tbsp of coconut oil as well for several days. doing all of these steps the affected area has greatly improved in less than 7 days! i was considering making an apt w/a dermatologist, but thought to try natural remedies instead. Earth Clinic is THE BEST! i have used so many remedies on this site and they have ALL worked incredibly! my advice is to try the recommended treatments for 3-7 days diligently and be optimistic! thank you everyone for posting your experiences! thank you EC for putting up this amazing site! it's so great and encouraging to see people helping people! best wishes to all!"
07/21/2009: Nancy from Toronto, ON replies: "Sally, when you took the ACV did you take it straight or with something? I have had POD in the past and it was cleared up, so I thought, and have recently had a bought of it and it's been more concentrated on my forehead, but that is new for me. I have been using the ACV straight on my face with a damp pad, and I have noticed a reduction in the redness....thank heavens. The itching has reduced as well. So happy I found this site. I was ready to make an appt at the Dermatologist, but was dreading having to go on any medication. Thanks everyone!"
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[YEA] 04/05/2009: Linda from Treorchy, Rhondda South Wales UK writes: "YEA!!!
I have NEVER had a good skin. In my teens I did the lot, steaming, OTC creams, liquids perscription stuff nothing worked. Then about 15 years ago I started getting hot red patches, this was the start of rosseaca. BAck to the GP, more creams pills andhospital visits nothing. I spent 100's on miracle cures, some helped a little, but never enough to justify the huge price tag. In the end I was prescribed Veil Cover Makeup. This was horrible. and made it worse by bring me up in spots. Finally I found tht rooibos tea applied to my face helped tremendously, and is also great for nappy rash (I used it on my grandaughter). However the past 5 days my skin has gone in to freefall, and not even that helped. I had masses off white pimples, red imflamaed areas, and my face was so sore. I tried the ACV cure, and I am amazed so far. This morning when I got up my face looked as if it had had boilling water thrown at it over night, and felt like it too. So before my bath this morning, I gently cleaned it with warm water and dabbed ACV over it, yeah it stung a bit, but not that bad, and not for long. Afterhalf an hour I looked in the mirror and I had a differnt face!!!! Its not all gone of course, nothing would work that fast, but the redness was down by about 50%, the soreness has gone 100%, and my skin looks less raw. This was just using cheap supermarket ACV from ASDA (.79p a bottle). I'm off to Cardiff tomorrow to find a health food shop and get a bottle of raw ACV. "
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[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 03/02/2009: Dawn from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada writes: "Hi, I`ve been reading all these posts for a month now to try to find an answer to get rid of my POD. I`ve tried quite a number of things, but for now the ACV seems to work when I get the bumps, but my problem is that I cannot seem to get rid of the POD for good. I`ll go a couple of days with it cleared up and then out of no where the bumps return. I`m wondering if anyone can help me figure out what is causing the bumps to return. It`s been quite a roller coaster, thinking it`s going away only to have it return. I only have a couple of small spots on the line from the corner of my mouth to my nose, so I realize I`m very lucky not to have it worse and feel terrible for those with it really bad. I have tried to eliminate SLS from my shampoo and switched to nonfloride toothpaste. I have been using the ACV and applying presribed metrogel after it dries, twice per day. Also, I am heading to Florida in a couple of weeks on holiday and am stressing about the sun and my POD...any suggestions there would be great too!!"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/01/2009: Taryn from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada writes: "I have been dealing with an outbreak of PD for about 3 months now. I was prescribed metro gel for what my Dr. originally thought was rosacea. All it did was make my rash worse and cause many red bumps. I now have some red bumps on my upper lip, and in a ring around my mouth with my entire chin is covered in it. :( It is not super red, but still noticable and flaky at times. Not itchy or painful though. I stopped using the metro gel and went back to my Dr. She then prescribed clyndamicin. I used it for awhile and didn't really see any results. If anything it was getting worse. Now, after reading this website, I am trying apple cider vinegar. I started using it 2 days ago and so far don't feel like it's helping. I have new red bumps and overall the whole area is just redder than before. I am hoping this means it will just be worse and then get better. Has anyone else experienced a worsening of symptoms and how long did it take in general for you to see positive results. I have not taken it orally yet, but I am considering it. I am not using the organic kind, although I can see from the site it is recommended. I will likely buy some in hopes that it will help more than the regular stuff. The amount of time I spend looking at my face and feeling horrible about it is just getting to be too much. Ugh!! I hope to hear back from you and also really hope these remedies are working for you. Hang in there!"
03/01/2009: Andrea from Ontario, Canada replies: "Hi Tayrn,
I broke out with Perioral dermatitis after handling contact cement, (apparently adhesive products can trigger it among other things). The rash went from one corner of my mouth straight down then across the chin and straight up to the other corner. I applied ACV to the rash and when the acv dried I then applied Calendula cream over the rash. You can find Calendula cream in health food stores, it's used for skin problems. After a few applications of both I started healing within a couple of days, applying both 3 x's per day. Within a week it was healed and gone. You sound like you have a tougher case of it, so not sure this will help. Good luck I hope it does, I know how badly you must feel."
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[YEA] 02/03/2009: Flo from White Plains, NY writes: "Perioral Dermatitis and Apple Cider Vinegar: About a year ago I went to the dermatologist with a bumpy, itchy rash on my chin and mouth. The Derm determined that I had Perioral Dermititis and prescribed an oral anti-biotic and 2 different high-dose steroid creams to be used for 2 weeks. I spent $500 on the visit and the treatments and the POD disappeared. BUT, I was told at the time that if I ever got pregnant the POD would come back, likely worse than before and that I couldn't take anything to treat it then due to possible side effects to the growing baby. Well, here I am, 4 months pregnant and the POD flared up big time. Itchy, red, bumpy, flakey, cracked skin and spreading. So, I found the suggestion of Apple Cider Vinegar and for $2.00 I bought a bottle of organic, raw, unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar. I put in on a cotton ball, twice a day and dabbed it on the area. The first 2-3 days it stung really bad (nevermind the terrible smell) and the rash seemed to get a bit worse, with extra drying and flaking and more pain...but then day 4 the bumps went away, as did the flaking skin and the bright red color is fading. Now, when I put the vinegar on it barely stings at all. I promised myself I would do this treatment for at least a week and it's been 4 days and I already see a huge improvement and I will continue using this. Because I am pregnant and I have organic, unpasturized Apple Cider Vinegar I am not ingesting it, I am simply dabbing it on the affected area twice a day, morning and night. Also, since it is currently winter I need to protect the rash and my skin from the cold so after the vinegar dries I put Aquaphor ointment over it (I've used this before with no change in the condition of the rash). Lastly, I am not using my old face wash/SPF face lotion on the affected area-- though I do still use that on the rest of my face, as I have for the past 10 years...so the rash is not a result of change of product or use of too much product as I don't put make-up on this area either. The only thing I use to wash the POD is an organic baby-body wash, with no chemicals or perfumes. Thus far, I am thrilled with the result-- thanks to everyone who recommended it. This is one happy pregnant-mommma-to-be!"
02/22/2009: Ger from Sante Fe, NM replies: "I am estatic that I just found this site. I, too, had oral dermatitus recently and my doc prescribed a steroid cream which did not work and then he prescribed minocyclene, an antibiotic pill. Several days later I ended up in the hospital for a week with an allergic reaction to minocyclene only then to develop BOOP disease, an organizing pneumonia requiring 6 weeks of recovery. I was very weak and sick requiring fulltime care. In the healing process with yet other drugs, my dermatitus disappeared. But, alas, this week it is starting again near and under the nose.The breakout is itchy, red and bumpy. I am on my way to get the apple cider and start today. I thank everyone for their blog and will give an update in 7 days. I am so hoping this natural way is the cure for me."
[YEA] 03/04/2009: Ger from Santa Fe, NM replies: "AMAZING CURE! This is a followup to my email on Feb. 22nd, saying I found this site and would try the cider for two weeks for oral dermatitus. The cider actually worked! Here are my recommendations. Dilute the cider and try it twice a day, then cut down to once a day due to the itching and dryness. I used chapstick or a serum every third day for the dry itching under the nose, as well. I am especially careful to keep my hands off my face due to germs. My rash is almost clear and I appreciate knowing that if it comes back, I can get my cider out! Thanks to who ever set up this site. Ger"
07/08/2009: Maria from Durham, NC replies: "I read here that a lot of people were prescribed topical steroids for POD. Do not use it! I read and am a living prove that it worsens it. When my POD break out happened last winter I tried everything and failed. I had a steroid cream orescribed to me long time ago for contact dermatitis on my body and decided to try it. The rash was gone withhin a couple days, but now when I don't use it for a day it comes back. I read on a few websites that it is the case. While helping with the rash it causes a sort of addiction. I do not want to rely on the steroid cream for the rest of my life and will try ACV and yogurt. I belive that many skin problems are related to digestive system. Any problem can be fixed from the inside."
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01/31/2009: Bryant Hassett from Warwick, RI writes: "I do not know what to say about apple cider vinegar at this point. I have a combination of Perioral Dermatitis, and Seborric Dermatitis, making my face a flaky and dry mess. The first 2 days were alright, it reduced the flakes density, and made it easier to pluck off... I'll tell you; it really stings. The third day or so i guess i may have used too much, but it made the area around my mouth soooo swolen that i couldn't even open it for 2 days. Its too soon to really tell if its working or not. But its not enjoyable right now. Im going to start taking ACV capsules and see if that works too. A friendly tip to you all, dont over do the ACV or you can end up with a swolen and iritated face which is not enjoyable at all."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 01/27/2009: Mau from London, London writes: "Applying AVC on the face, that will burn and irritate, and if you have itch the irritation would be more and cause so much redness, you should really dilute it. AVC great for the scalp, but for face..so so.."
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[YEA] 01/25/2009: Amanda from Hurst, Texas writes: "I came across this site one day searching for cures for perioral dermatitis. I saw how many good results people were having with apple cider vinegar so I figured I would give it a shot. My grocery store didn't carry the organic so I just bought the regular kind. I also purchased some balmex after reading some good comments about that as well. After 3 days of cleansing the face with ACV and sleeping with balmex on at night my face is almost completely cleared up. Thanks so much to everyone who posted you definitely helped me."
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[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 01/23/2009: Meadow from Port Mcneill, British Columbia, Canada writes: "I have had a very red, blotchy rash on my face for weeks, mainly in the cheek area. I recently found out that I have Perioral Dermatitis, and when I researched more, I found out that everything I could have been doing to create this skin condition, I was doing. Firstly, I worked at Lush Cosmetics- so I was always using creams, face masks, and face wash... Mind you, most of it is organic, but it was overkill. I am also on birth control, which has been known to create imbalance. I ate many sugary, starchy, and wheat-filled foods. I was on antibiotics for a UTI before my chin broke out. When I self-diagnosed my self three days ago, I was red, embarrased because I didn't want my boyfriend to see my face looking a mess, and nothing I put on it seemed to help. I found this site, and was overjoyed by the good reviews ACV had gotten. I had some in my cupboard, and have been using 2 Tablespoons in a little bit of water twice daily. So far, it has really dried out my chin, but the bumps are fading and the dryness tells me that it is beginning to heal. In combination with topical ACV, I have been taking 2 tbsp's in tea or water 2x daily. My rash is slowly healing, and the quality of my skin is improving. I have faith that this will cure my Perioral Dermatitis, but I think my body needs more time and change to heal completely. Wonderful site!!!"
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[QUESTION] 01/23/2009: Heather from Los Angeles, California writes: "I just found this website late last night... and started crying while I was reading! I'm so excited to run out and get ACV to start the treatments. I have so many questions! I seem to have a yeast problem in my whole body... I suffer from yeast infections, tinea versicolor, and POD. What is causing this? I'm currently taking acidophilus, but no one has mentioned AZOYeast supplement. ALSO, I use Cetaphil wash and moisterizer, along with DML lotion, prescribed by the derm. Does anyone else use these products? How much acidophilus should I take per day? Is there such a thing as too much? Are there any negative side effects of ACV on the stomach? I usually feel sick in the mornings for a few hours... need to start with something gentle like tea or a banana... Is this considered IBS? And is it all related? I am a healthy, active 29 year old, do not wear much make-up, not on birth control pills, and eat my fruits and vegetables! What is causing all my problems?"
02/05/2009: Ann from New Phila, Ohio replies: "I was diagnosed with PD after going to 5 different doctors. I took antibiotics and the rash cleared up, but also left me with a yeast infection. Now a yr. later it is back. I have been taking large amounts of probiotics as I am constantly fighting yeast infections, but I still have trouble with the PD. I use cetaphil cleanser and my makeup is Arbonne all natural cosmetics. But I still have trouble. NO you cannot take too many probiotics. But I seem to overdose on them and still I have problems with yeast and Pd. I also have severe digestive problems."
03/18/2009: Caroline from Swanton, Vermont replies: "I have been told by two dermatologist that hydrocortizone cream makes POD worse, I do not recommend using it."
06/12/2009: Keelie from Melbourne, VIC, Australia replies: "To those of you that have mentioned yeast issues, my mum is a naturopath and she would disgnose you with candida. It's a yeast overgrowth in the gut. You have to starve the candida before you can make any kind of progress in other areas. Google for a candida diet. It basically entails cutting out anything that can feed the candida - yeast or sugars. Once you get the candida under control you can re-introduce most foods."
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