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.

ACIDOPHILUS

[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."

[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."

ANTISEPTIC HANDWASH

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

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."

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??"

[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..."

[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."

[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!"

[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. "

[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!!"

[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!"

[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!"

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."

[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.."

[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!!!"

[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?"

[YEA]  01/21/2009: Megan from Bombay, India writes: "As for the drying effects/irritation of ACV, try hydrocortisone (it's near the Neosporin at the store). It will totally make it better, and you can still use ACV for it's antiseptic properties :)"

[WORKED TEMPORARILY]  12/16/2008: Taylor from Las Vegas, NV writes: "I found this forum and decided to try the ACV. At first my POD got red and irritated and then it seemed to be clearing up, at least looking better. I used the ACV twice a day for about a week. It started looking worse again, so i finally went to see the Dr. He prescribed me topical Metronidazole Gel. I have been using it for 6 days now and i'm not seeing any sign of it clearing up. It's very aggravating and dry. I put a call into the Dr. to try and get tetracycline. I'm glad the ACV worked for some and wish it had worked for me. Good luck to everyone dealing with POD."

[NAY]  12/16/2008: Erin from Washington, District of Colombia writes: "I unknowingly had perioral dermatitis in sporadic bouts for the last 5 years. The first time it was just a dry red patch on my chin in the winter during college - it went away on its own. The second time was 4 years later and it was awful, a full red 'goatee' of peeling redness that coincided with pneumonia and my doctor gave me topical ketaconazole 2% to treat it but never told me what it was. It went away within a week, I was so pleased!

It came back this year, (3 years later) and I recognized the redness before it got really bad. The ACV remedy I found was a spray mixed with a few drops of lavendar essential oil for additional calming. the vinegar burned my face a lot and even after 10 days of using it the redness hadn't gone away, or changed at all. A pharmacist told me that if prescription ketaconazole worked once, I could try OTC miconazole 2%. You will recognize the brand name Monistat. It didn't have the same effect as the Keta, but it kept the skin moist and not icthy or peeling.

Finally I went to a dermatologist who diagnosed the PD and said to throw out every cosmetic product I had, including my toothpaste, and to wash only with Dove Sensitive Skin (no fragrance or dyes), and find a toothpaste that does not have Tartar Control additives. I am on 3 months of Doxycycline which I am not thrilled about but he basically told me that if I don't get rid of the bacteria that is causing this, for good, the PD will come back again and again in closer and closer cycles until it is permanent.

I'm also moisturizing with Neutrogena Sensitive Skin because besides having no fragrances and dyes, it's the only moisturizer i've found that doesn't have SPF which causes really bad breakouts on my face. I recently tried Dermalogica thinking it would be better but i got a dry patch on my chin almost the next day!

I wish ACV had worked for me..."

[YEA]  11/21/2008: Jenna from Philadelphia, PA writes: "I guess i have had this mouth rash problem for quite some time now but never admitted to having a problem. I blamed it on allergies. Now that i think about all the mornings i would make Green Tea and press the warm tea bag on my face. This helped temporarily, really just stopped the irritating feeling, never took away the discoloration. It has been 48 hours since i first used the ACV applied by a cotton ball (2 morning applications, 2 night applications) My face has not looked so good in years. I am 25 and have had this for about 8 years now. Wow am i happy i learned this trick from you guys. I will be starting my probiotic supplements when they get delivered and will be sure to try out the yogurt too. Thank you so much. If i could see you guys i would hug you :)"

I bought organic apple cider vinegar the same day, and starting using it immediately. I applied it with a cotton ball to the rash twice a day (morning and before bed). I saw results immediately but it took until now, about 1 month later, for it to be about 95% gone (I think only I notice it now). For a few days in the middle I starting putting it on 4 times a day, but that was too much and irritated my skin. twice a day is good. Be aware that sometimes it does sting (and it does kind of stink), but not so much."

[YEA]  11/10/2008: Amy from Chicagoland area, Illinois writes: "I think the acv is working! I have been using it for 3 days and it is clearing up! The bumps are gone, and the redness area is getting smaller. I also used a yougurt mask last night, it felt so good! I am also on Doxycycline, but I truly believe it is the acv. I am drinking it also 2 tbs in 8 oz of water 2 x's a day. Good idea about the straw and the teeth. My husband bought me the regular acv, not the organic. I am going to the store today to buy the organic. Now I have to battle the dryness. I am afraid to put a moisturizer on it, in case it gets bad again. They say to aviod the moisturizers. I might try the candula cream. Anyone have a treatment I can buy at a big box store? I don't want it to clog my pores. Has anyone heard anything about olive oil and perioral derm? I am so glad I found this site!"