Multiple Remedies for Perioral Dermatitis

I effectively treated my perioral dermatitis. With the change of seasons, or when I consume coffee and sugar regularly, it will start to rear up again, and I will just return to the routine below and it is fine. I diagnosed myself, which was then confirmed by my dermatologist. I did a lot of different things, so I can't testify to which one worked the best, but here is a list of everything I did.

1. Cut fluoride (including using non-flouridated water to drink and wash my face).

2. Cut SLS from all of my health and beauty products.

3. Did a yogurt mask every night. After a few weeks I got creative and made a mask out of manuka honey, acidophilus, and aloe.

4. Cleaned my face with only diluted Bragg's apple cider vinegar (morning and night, I didn't use this on the dermatitis by my eyes because it would irritate that skin).

5. Applied violet tincture to the dermatitis morning and night.

6. Used only organic virgin coconut oil as a facial moisturizer.

7. Here is the tough one- I cut added sweeteners and coffee from my diet. I would cheat and have coffee on Saturday, and let myself have sweets on time a week. I drank earl grey instead of coffee.

8. Supplements I took- biotin, evening primrose oil, grapefruit seed extract, liquid acidophilus supplement morning and night.

Before I diagnosed myself with POD, I was using a steroid cream for months that was given to me by a dermatologist. I stopped using that cream after I began to suspect POD, and my skin went really crazy for about two weeks. After adhering to the treatment above for about two to three months my skin was clear. I should also add that I don't wear makeup, and I think that helps to clean it up faster.

Now to maintain clear skin, I use Keys Care facial moisturizer, and I try to stay away from coffee and sugar. I still avoid fluoride and SLS. I also use only non-soap cleanser on my face, and exfoliate with a cleansing grains mix that I make myself. After confirming my diagnosis, my dermatologist gave me an antibacterial cream that is also helpful when I think it is going to flare up. I hope this list is helpful to you! I got all of my information from the internet (including this site), for which I am so grateful!

Hi all!

I've been dealing with this awful Perioral Dermatitis rash for 4 months. I have had it off and on all my life, but this recent bout takes the cake. Around the nose, all over the chin, around the mouth, eyebrows, eyelids, and creeping up to my poor little cheeks! Saw a doctor that wanted to put me on antibiotics. I can't take them because I'm nursing a baby, so she gave me a topical antibiotic cream instead. It dried my face up and didn't work. Trying a few natural things now.

Has anyone tried Proskin Eczema cream? I bought some on the net and it seems to be helping with the pain, itchiness and dryness. I also decided to treat the condition like yeast, and have started taking acidophilus and applying an organic, plain, Greek yogurt mask once a day. I'm taking Biotin as well. Since starting on this path, the redness/swelling is much improved. I tried Apple Cider Vinegar once and it made the redness flare up, so I stopped. It even spread further up my face, as if it was running away! I will try again and stick with it, this time putting it on the unaffected areas close by as well. If this stupid POD is in any way a bacterial infection, then it makes perfect sense for the ACV to work. I read that the initial flare-up right after the first few applications is the infection going crazy and trying to leave the surface or something. But then it dies...nowhere to run!

Good luck to everyone!

Thank you so much to earthclinic and everyone who has contributed to this website. You saved my sanity. This is long but like most people, it's been a journey of what's worked and it's never been quite straight forward!

Scenario: No prior history although I suspect it had been under the surface; for years, I would have 3 'little stress spots' around my eyes that would crop up but be gone in a day or two. Medication: 25mg prednisolone / prednisone orally a day to suppress an elevated level of natural killer cells in pregnancy. Unfortunately the wee bub didn't make it (unrelated chromosome issues) so half way through slowly reducing the steroids was the start. The pregnancy hormones wouldn't have helped but text book steroid withdrawal trigger. So quick - all round my nose, chin, perfect muzzle, spreading out to my cheeks and with increasing spots round the eyes. I said no to antibiotics. Thank you to the person who said you can't change it over night. Improvements occurred quickly once I got on track but it took about 9 weeks before I believed I could say 'YEA':

Week 1 & 2: Lightly diluted tea tree oil, and second week followed it with Lavender to sooth. Result: not good. Slowed the spread. Still very red, sore and cracked.

Week 3: Changed tooth paste to non fluoride and non SLS and stopped my face creams although all products did not contain SLS and were already natural and organic. Powdered sugar and oil - fantastic! Within 24 hours healed the cracks and skin felt so much better, although was redder and looked worse for 1-2 days. It was itchy after 3-4 hours, so was nigh on impossible to have a good nights sleep but wow, what an improvement. If I had been able to do this for the recommended 7-10 days and nights, I would have got to where I am now a lot quicker but I had challenges highlighted below. Result: Great, distinct improvement. Took away a large number of the deep red spots and left with lighter red patches and fewer red spots where it was most effected.

Challenges: I run my own business - client facing (white collar) and I entertain a lot! Very hard not to drink or wear makeup.

Week 3: In Hong Kong for work, limited time for the sugar pack (apart from flight and at night), so I used calendula cream and bought an organic tinted moisturiser with SPF 30 which was ok, very light coverage but didn't aggravate (I still use now). I don't work for them -Juice Beauty by the Organic Solution. Result: No real improvement as very difficult to do anything consistently. Still good but still very present.

Week 4: Thailand - hot and humid. No suncream on the face in fear of reacting badly and kept face out of the sun. After a few days in the sea, I changed my routine to washing /padding with salt water, moisturising with coconut oil and aloe vera (both from a local Thai organic shop). 1 day after very red then another improvement. At this point it had reduced to just six distinct points with accompanying redness around my mouth. Returning to Oz, realised I wouldn't be able to do much with the routine for 24 hours, had read about Shea Butter and used this for the flights. Result: Good, another positive change getting better! Perhaps 75% - 85% there.

Week 5: In Sydney - dry, winter conditions. Kept with the same Thai routine: washed with salt water (don't rub! ), moisturise with coconut and aloe vera. Slather with shea butter in the day whilst at work - great protector for under make up too, although I would wash the make up off straight after a meeting. Result: Still very good, slow improvements, reduced to four areas.....85 - 90%

Week 6 & 7: To the UK, change of air again!! Sounds very extravagant but it's not the norm and I didn't travel anywhere last year! By now, I had nearly absorbed all of the earth clinic reviews and tweaked to the following treating inside and out:

• Drank Aloe Vera (without the potassium preservative) approx. third of a glass on an empty stomach every morning
• Added approx. 2x table spoons of ACV to my norm morning drink of wheatgrass and apple juice
• Cleanse face with Grapefruit seed extract 4-6 drops diluted in a quarter of a glass of water (lasts for approx. 3 days), let it dry followed with aloe vera and coconut oil
• At night, same routine, also drinking ACV diluted with water, followed by more aloe vera juice
• Also take: fish oil high grade, b vitamin and probiotic

Then my Mum (retired nurse) who had experienced a strange fungal rash on her leg, suggested this cream, which had worked for her - again I do not work for this company - Skinfix, organic herbal cream ironically made in Australia. I replaced the coconut oil with this only on the effected areas. I thought it was worse the next day, was frustrated but again, with the above routine it visibly improved. Result: 99.9% gone. This was the first time I would look in a mirror, leave the room and realise I hadn't immediately stared at 'the' area. All gone on both sides of the chin, left hand side of round my mouth up to my nose and right hand side. I'm aware of the 0.01% because as you all know, this type of reaction / condition makes you scrutinise your face - well with the routine, you get a good chance to see yourself first and last thing.

Week 8 & 9: Returned to Oz, back in the dry and in a few days, I could see a few red spots. I also went to the snowy mountains -very dry and minus 7. I slathered the areas with shea butter, which was a great thick protector. After a few days of climate adjustment, I believe, I had stuck with the routine and the red spots disappeared again.

Diet: I have an alkaline IC diet anyway but was definitely stricter while trying to treat this: no tomatoes, no citrus, sugar, nothing processed, no dairy. I did drink wine but not a lot!! And only either organic, biodynamic or European (French, Spanish or Italian as they contain, by law, very low levels of acid).

Hang in there! - sometimes it does get worse for 1-2 days before it gets better! That happened to me 3x and my mum gave me good advice- whatever you try - try for at least 1-2 weeks before changing.

I also took photos (wish I had taken them at the beginning or for the first 4 weeks) as I was finding it hard at times to see any improvement. I recommend this as it helped me stick with it when I felt like turning everything on its head and there actually had been an improvement when I compared the photos!! Don't do what I did though - be consistent I.e. always after you've cleansed or woken up.

Good Luck!! And Thank You again. This really got me incredibly down at one point and the journey would have been horrible without this amazing website and the people who have shared.

Hi I just wanted to post some remedies for the awful perioral dermatitis.

Calamine lotion is a must. A zinc based lotion that dries out those nasty pus filled sores worked wonders for me. I found once the pus was gone and the ooze had stopped the sores cleared up much faster.

Also a skincare range called Hopes Relief. I found this online and I am not affiliated with this brand in any way, it just works.

Basically it's calendula, manuka honey, Aloe and some other natural products all in one. I am using the soap free cleansing bar then the eczema relief cream after washing.

So I have been alternating treatment with the calamine mask (it dries hard) washing it off with the soap free bar, then applying the relief cream. I use the calamine for as long as I can depending on my day and if I need to leave the house or not.

I have had this condition everytime I have been pregnant (3 times) and then for months after each baby the skin problems continued but this time it wouldn't go. I am 6 months post-baby and just found out I was misdiagnosed - being told I have atopic eczema and prescibed Avantan a heavy steriod cream which obviously wasn't working!!! I have always treated this skin problem with steriod creams, and never knew I was making it worse until now.

I also have a history of candida infections and have used a lot of antibiotics, so after finding this page it all made sense.

I am also taking EPO and a high grade probiotic to help my body heal.

The 40% zinc cream is also great but it gets stuck in the scabs and looks pretty bad and is greasy.

Good luck everyone, wishing you healing and happiness and clear complexions!

I just wanted to say thank goodness for this site!!! I will make this brief and just share my results thus far and personal trouble shooting as, if you are reading this you know the issue we have all been dealing with. I hope this helps!

I agree that Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is great, personally I did not cut it with water but applied it directly to the offending areas, and I did it OFTEN for the first three or so days. I did see some results and was hopeful but to be honest it was not nearly as quick as I had hoped for.

Week 1: rid our premises of all sulfates and parabens, I thought I was doing good with "mostly organic stuff" um, surprise, not nearly as good as I thought, example, foaming hand soap and shaving cream! I also.... GASP.... Bagged up ALL of my Mac makeup. This was by far the most painful. Switched to floride free toothpaste etc....

Topically applying the ACV (and tried the Greek yogurt did nothing for me personally), also began taking additional acidophilus and biotin and turmeric. About five days in upon perusing this site again I saw the mention of oregano oil. I had a feeling it would burn, I was not mistaken, I had thought about cutting it with another oil but I wanted to kill this stuff and figured; how bad could it be? It was pretty bad BUT it worked!!!! I have been applying it now for going on four days, just two times a day and still using my 50/50 ACV and water mixture as a toner.

I purchased some calendula ointment that I apply after using the ACV, but don't feel the need after using the oregano oil as it is an oil.

I have been using bare minerals for the last three days when I go out and am pretty satisfied with the results... Sigh (thinking of my 1, 000$ of Mac supply)

I wash my face with raw organic honey. Let's see, what else.... Oh, on the diet issue. I exercise five days a week and eat very clean so I personally don't know that it relates but it very well may, I'm not giving up my wine. ;-)

I really hope this helps! Good luck!

I started ACV 50/50 topically 2x/day, 1 tbsp 2x/day orally 1 week ago. I cleanse 2x/day with mild baby soap and follow with a calendula cream after the ACV. I initially went to the derm doc and he said rosacea. Gave me metro gel and a sulfur cleanser. Got worse. Went back to a different derm doc, she said perioral dermatitis. Gave me brand name metro gel, told me to stop sulfur cleanse, and gave me an rx for 1 month of antibiotics. REALLY did not want to take antibiotics so found this site and started the above regimen. BUT it's still getting worse. I'd say I have a mild case, but don't want it to get worse, which it is! How long do I give things a try before I decide it's making it worse and try something else? This whole thing started when we moved to another state and I was blowing my nose constantly! I got a sore under my nose and the rest is history. It really was not that bad, just not going away, when I went to the derm. Ever since then everything seems to make it worse. Since it started as a sore, what do you suspect could be the culprit? Bacteria, fungus, yeast? Also, I'm around horses, hay, dust, and sun all day long.

Dear all suffering with PD,

My story regarding PD is quite lengthy (sorry I don't want to bore you, but I think the history of how it all began is important for all to understand the cause, the desperation and eventually miraculous treatment, )and after much confusion, upset, cost and frustration I want to share it with you, with the hope that any fellow sufferers will be alleviated from this painful and psychological debilitating affliction quickly.

My PD started roughly 5 years ago after shingles, so obviously my immunity system was already surpressed.

I live in Spain and for many years used expensive as natural as possible 25-50 sun creams on my face, in winter as well as summer as I enjoy many outdoor sports including sailing.

As typical with PD, I noticed a small patch of irrated skin appearing just below my left nostril. I have extremely sensitive skin with a history of allergic reactions to many lotions and potions... E45 was always my anchor, however it was not helping me here.

As I work in an alternative health clinic, I am surrounded by well informed collegeues on the alternative treatments for dermatological problems, however, after using homeopathy and accupuncture and the typical suggestions of natural topical treatments my problem, although controlled, was in no way cured, and some of the natural 'potions' irritated my sensitive skin even more. Also after calm periods the PD would suddenly flare up again, and it seemed each new episode brought a greater degree of intensity and growth of this affliction.

Eventually I visited my GP who in turn referred me to a dermatologist, who confirmed a PD diagnosis, and yes you have all guessed what was prescribed ...... Steroid cream!!!! SURPRISE!!!! I was told to use it for 10 days and to apply it with a cotton bud. I followed the instructions and was pleased with the outcome... PD vanished... Well for a short while...

Then it came back, so I would then dab on a little more steroid cream... and thus I entered the downward spiral of steroid cream 'quick fix' addiction. Obviously I used it sparingly, and I don't think that in the five years I have exceeded more than 50g of steroid cream, but I knew that the problem was getting worse.

However, it remained my crutch. One day whilst in the waiting room of a clinic waiting for an gynaecological ultrasound, I came across an article about the relationship between facial suncreams and PD... BINGO!!! All I needed to do was stop using suncreams on my face.

It seemed (at least for a while) that my miracle cure had arrived. I stopped the suncream and started using Aveeno (not advertising here it was recommended by my sister who's son suffers for eczema.) However, after about 18months my PD came back, stronger and more resistant than ever and once again the battle was on.

I must also add, that other than chocolate and coffee I eat a very healthy vegetarian and organic produce diet, with very little alcohol, I drink lots of mineral or filtered water don't smoke, exercise on a regular basis, cycle everywhere in the city and do not take any other medication. Also all my cleaning products are natural. My beauty products other than the E45 and Aveeno are completely paraben and fragrance free, and for the last year I use a flouride free toothpaste from the herbal shop.

Eventually I arrived to the point where I didn't want to have to rely upon my steroid cream 'crutch' and wanted a healthier natural remedy that was going to be effective, and rather than procrastinating any longer 'no time like the present' became my mantra.

11 days ago was the last time I applied the steroid cream, and 'oh my goodness, ' its been quite a journey. I went 'cold turkey' and in 5 days my face was literally on 'fire' it was extremely distressing and painful. My skin was red raw, raised, itchy, blistered and with an intense burning sensation around the nose mouth and left eye areas. But, this was it there was no going back and I was now focused on finding the healthy solution.

I trawled the internet forums and thank goodness I came across 'Earth Clinic'..... you have all been a huge help and after initial trial and errors here is what I used and when I got the mixture right I had a lightening time recovery.

I tried Aloe Vera cream and gel.. MADE IT WORSE

Rose Hip oil... MADE IT WORSE

Apple Cider Vinegar... MADE IT WORSE

Tap Water... Made IT WORSE

Aveeno cream... SLIGHT relief from itching (but contains chemicals )

###FOLLOW the below recipe for relief and 80% improvement in 2 days..... IT DID FOR ME

***ORGANIC OAT MILK milk stored in fridge (used for cleansing)..... TOTAL RELIEF from itching and stinging

***ORGANIC LIVE YOGHURT, 2tablespoons, with 2 capsules of 'natures plus' Ultra Probiotic emptied into the mixture(not advertising had the ultra probiotic already stored in the fridge to regenerate intestinal flora after taking antibiotics for tooth implant) any good acidophilus will work, I then added 1 teaspoon of organic honey to this mixture.... Popped the mixture in the freezer for 10 mins, then with a sterile makeup brush I painted it all over my face, around the eyes and double thickness in the areas that were mostly suffering... SUCCESS and HEAVENLY... The coolness of this mixture is soothing. Leave it on for between 20 to 30 mins then rinse off with an organic cotton pad and mineral water, the fine powder from the probiotic/acidophilus capsule will also serve as a delicate exfoliant to remove the gradual drying out of the PD..... Apply morning and evening

***COCONUT OIL (cheap and from any health food store) apply with organic cotton pad twice Daily after the yoghurt treatment. This takes down the swelling and starts to dry up the inflammation.

***ACUPUNCTURE to balance the meridians and remove the excess 'fire' energy from the body, and helps to stimulate the suprarenal glands to produce 'Cortisol' which is our very own organic form of steroid which has anti inflammatory properties on our organism... RELAXING and nice to have a therapist to talk to you about your symptoms

***HOMEOPATHY, Initially I took Rhus toxicodendron 30ch and felt a lot WORSE for it, so I changed to Histaminium 30ch 2 granules under my tongue 3 times a day.... RELIEF instantly my swelling started to subside

***AND LASTLY.... I wanted a 'pure as one can get' vitamin E cream to reduce the possibility of scarring, however after searching numerous pharmacies, health food and herbal stores here in Barcelona I couldn't find any, but my intuition told me to look at La ROCHE-POSAY products who have an amazing programme in their Spa's in France for treating scars and build up of scar tissue after mastectomies. I came across 'Cicablast Baume B5' 'CICA' is derived from the french word for scar... 'Cicatrice' and although, not totally free of chemicals it is fragrance and paraben free and contains shea butter and zinc gluconate. This was very soothing and the difference the next morning was ASTOUNDING!!!!! I would only recommend this at the end of the treatment list and for a few days only.

I am now sitting writing this with my face nearly looking normal and reflecting on it all it has been a HUGE learning curve, and I know this will be of use to others that is why I decided to share it with you all. I realise that PD is not 100% curable, however I think with the above tools it will now be 100% treatable.

Cost wise, most of these products are not at all expensive.... in fact other than the Acupuncture most are well under 10euros, or are products that we already have in the house.

I think it also important to point out that its necessary to allow your PD to 'Come Out' after stopping the steroid cream. Its a distressing time but then you will no to some extent what you are 'really' treating

I am now just going to put on the cooling yoghurt face pack... BLISS

Good luck and thank you for your help and support, I will keep you updated as it is still early days for me as yet.

Lou xxx

I had my first attack of PD about 10 years ago and treated it with a 2 month course of anti-biotics. It came back about 9 months ago and was using a hydro cortizone cream. This worked okay for a while but then became ineffective. I researched and found out the cream was not a good option. I stopped using it and Oh MY goodness, my skin went crazy. Then I found this site. I did afew things to help. I applied Teatree oil during the day and then a 40% zinc oxide cream (diper rash cream) at night. With in about three days I saw a bit of a difference. I also decided to treat my toe fungas by swallowing 1tbs 2x/day of ACV (with mother). Then my skin really improved. Oh one more thing, I started taking a good quality mulitiple vitamin. I was thinking that if the zinc cream was helping externally, than maybe internally would help too.

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Perioral Dermatitis: I have been reading through this website, specifically this section, for over a week now, and finally broke down and started trying some of the things listed here. I have some questions though, but first I guess I should share my sojourn and what I am doing so far.

I am in my early 30's, and have had basal cell carcinoma on my face (on my temple and my forhead both along the hairline). Both times the dermatologist said "oh it doesn't look like anything to be concerned about but we can biopsy it if you want", both times it was something that needed removal. The third time I went in for a suspicious spot, she froze it and then said, oh and let's treat your dermatitis. My what?!!!

I knew I was having some crazy redness that seemed to be worse in the cold and was spreading with some flaky/dry skin and my pores had become insanely HUGE on my nose and it was spreading to my cheeks and forhead. She said that was just age, but then pointed out these flat slightly raised bumps sprinkled in the redness that was along the laugh lines lip and side of my nose and cheeks right next to the nose. I hadn't really noticed them, they didn't hurt or itch or burn. At this point if I could get the redness to go away, and the bumps that were now glaring at me in the mirror as I sat there I was all for it.

She prescribed antibiotics and a cream, I filled them and almost cried when it was $134. 00 after insurance for just a 30 day supply of both, since she said it would take possibly 3-4 months to clear! I started them that night and the cream was burning as in my face just felt incredibly hot. I used it again the next morning with the same result and decided to really read the side effects sheet as opposed to just scanning it. I was shocked to see it say that it has the possibility to cause skin cancer and lymphoma!! No way was I going to continue using this, on my face where I have had skin cancer and right next to a spot I had frozen because of being possible skin cancer!!! I knew there had to be a better, healthier way to combate this, and that is how I found this site.

I have to say that over the last year I have been under incredible stress and my body is telling me that through the skin cancer, this PD, and a myriad of other health issues that have sprung up in the last few months. Apparently my body cannot handle the stress any longer. I have lost about 20 pounds and a bajillion hours of slept due to horrific anxiety, and when I do eat it isn't always the healthiest and I can't function even slightly without a cup of coffee in the morning.

I decided if I can spend ridiculous amounts on meds from a doctor who couldn't even diagnose my skin cancer correctly and I had to point it out to her and insist it was serious, that why should I follow her on this PD aspect. Which also had me researching other things such as rosecea and discoid lupus (my mother has been told she may have lupus, but refuses to follow up with that) as well as other types of dermatitis and even frost bite ( I say this because after a night out in negative temps two years ago I woke up with a crazy deep red/purple triangle on my nose, the skin peeled multiple layers and ever since the redness has been there when exposed to the cold for any length of time and has spread from that little triagle section to the rest of my face). At this point I am not confident this is the right diagnosis, but many of the remedies cross translate, so I will stick with it for now and figure out what works.

I started out with straight hydrogen peroxide. I put it on a cotton pad and swooped it along my face and then used a cotten tip and put it directly on the round raised bumps. Within seconds while I watched the bumbs were gone, it was insane! I continued to coat my face and let it dry which is why my face became angry red on my nose and it stung incredibly badly bringing tears to my eyes. I stuck it out thinking it must be cleaning something and went to bed. Woke up the next morning and the redness was practically gone, all the bumps were still gone, and my pores had shrunk back to almost normal! (I should add I have never had more than a pimple here or there and never a visable pore on my body prior to the last few months). I decided to use it again, but it didn't seem to have the same effect; however, I figure if this was working I would go to my local organic store and pick up a few things.

I currently have zinc oxide tabs 5mg, as I noticed that pretty much everything with zinc I'm not eating lately. I don't plan to be on this for long as I have read it could have some negative affects and in the past zinc used for colds has made me very ill. I also am using a 40% zinc diaper cream as a topical as I speak to hopefully tone down some of the angry red that seems to be spreading even more since I started with the peroxide and is even darker since I started with the apple cider vinegar! I also added a probiotic, am taking APV orally, and coconut oil orally (it's a nice replacement for sugar in my coffee).

My questions are these:

1. How long before the redness goes away?

2. Is it normal for the redness to spread when using these topical treatments? (it has followed my cheek bones on both sides and moving up my temples and has also moved up my nose to between my eyebrows and right above one eye brow where I put some peroxide hoping to shrink some pores)

3. I feel like yeast may be a culprit here and am curious if things such as, change in breath or foamy mucus are a reaction of the yeast being eliminated from the body (ie the internal things like probiotic and ACV doing their job)

4. When does the stinging and burning stop from the ACV topical treatment, and what is the best kind of soap to use to rinse after? I have stopped using all my "harsher" scrubs and face washes and am using a gentle cleanser and very little lotion, my face is actually less flakey and dry and feels pretty good except for right after the ACV so I follow it with the gentle cleanser and the hydrogen peroxide, and tonight with the zinc diaper cream (in hopes of lessening the redness since I Know as soon as I go outside in the morning my nose is going to shine like rudolf anyways it would be nice to see how much the cold effects it, by having a nice clear non-red or simply pink nose to start with)

Any thoughts, opinions, answers on any aspect of this whole thing are greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

I developed a terrible outbreak of perorial dermatitis. Bright red painful, itchy, thick rash around my mouth and under my nose. It looked horrible and felt just as bad! As I learned about it, I had contributing factors.... Topical steroid use, using moisturizer under foundation, used tartar control mouthwash, toothpaste with fluoride. Looking back, I had it for some time, it just didn't explode until a few weeks ago. I tried home remedying with ACV (made it much worse! ), california baby calendula lotion ( irritated but then temporarily calmed), yogurt masks (calmed it down so it didn't hurt), lotrimin (no effect), aloe (no effect), tea tree oil (made it worse), olive oil (calmed and moisturized, Sarnia (this non steroidal lotion calmed and made it more bearable). After a couple weeks I realized that these home remedies were not working. So I went to the dermatolgist, and started taking doxycycline. I am not happy about having to ingest antobiotics (got a script for Diflucan also to counter things) but I felt and saw a change for the better after the first day. After one week, its almost totally healed with just a little pink left. I reset my skin by only washing with water and using olive oil and Sarnia on it. I started taking vitamins calcium, e, zinc, acidophilus, d, c. The dermatologist told me I'd need to stay on the antibiotics for at least two months. And I will. She said dermatitis can present similiarly but respond differently one kind to antifungals and one kind to antibiotics. I suppose that's why there is such a range of cures that were successful.

I have been doing TONS of research. While Perioral Dermatitus might be caused by Steroids, chemicals, etc. a good portion why it comes is Parasites inside the small intestine. We all carry, 99.9% of people (according to research) at least 1 parasite. Well guess what, some of them are in our bodies for the rest of lives, or until we get rid of them. Why women are more likely to get Perioral Dermatitus. Well first Pregnant women might get PD because of their estregen level is much higher when pregnant, I think it might cause to produce a lot more stomach acid, that in turn causes PD. So for pregnant women the best control for it is ALOE VERA JUICE, A LOT OF IT. Do you own research, but it has some amazing benefits. For the rest of women, PD is an Yeast Overgrowth, but guess what causes the east to go crazy in the intestine, its acid level, and guess what causes more acid production: Parasites. Parasites also deplete the body of B Vitamins, thats why some mention that they have Vitamin Deficiencies.

Before spending tons of money, this is what you need to do. First RESEARCH. Then you need to kill the parasite in the stomach: Black Walnut Hull, Woodworm, and Clove (all three combined will do anti-ceptic/anti-fungul/kill the bad bacteria, kill parasites and anything that is very bad in your stomach. Research before you use Black Walnut for longer than 1. 5 months, since it might overload the liver, so you have to be careful, but this remedy has been used since the ancient times. Then you NEED STRONG PRE-BIOTICS, while people mention Yogurt is good, its not enough, you might get about 1 million good bacteria in a big yogurt jug, but you really need more like 50-100 billion good bacteria, usually those PRE-BIOTIC pills run at a healthfood store $20-$40 for like a 30 day supply, but you this. Then as dealing with the face, while your body is being healed and cured of this crap. You need APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, you can also take it internally, make sure its an hour apart from other things you are ingesting to kill parasites. Dont mix them, and put them in your stomach at the same time, each needs space to work. Apple Cider Vinegar, while deluted in water and taken orally, helps control yeast (which is given free reign because of the parasite that is causing the whole entire thing). Apple Cider Vinegar should also be deluted and applied to the dermatitus. It will help a lot After about 1-2 hours after applying Apple Cider Vinegar, you need to apply a yogurt mast to your face, to introduce good bacteria, since Apple Cider Vinegar just killed the bad fungus bacteria, you need to introduce good bacteria. A lot of things on this forum are right on track. But none of them mentioned that ITS A PARASITE IN THE STOMACH THAT IS CAUSING THE YEAST TO GO CRAZY (NOT IN ALL CASES, BUT FROM A GUESS, IN ABOUT 50% OR MORE). So if you tried remedies and you think that something is not right, please do a parasite cleanse, it might do the trick. A person should be able to eat varieties, and not eating fructose such as fruit is rediculous, at least after you killed the parasites. I surely hope this info is usefull. I think dermatologists are useless in this. People do your research, much love!.

I didn't have a bad case of Perioral Dermitis--just a minor breakout around my nose. Went to the derm to get the diagnosis and was prescibed Oracea and Clindamycin (topical). I didn't want to take the oral antibiotics for 6 weeks, so I just started with the Clindamycin 2x a day. After one week it just seemed to be more irritated, so after reading several posts on this site, I added ACV with mother. This is the routine that's working for me after one week:

Wash face with Dr. Bonners mild baby soap.

50/50 ACV applied with a cotton swab-- let dry for 10 min. or so.

Apply the topical Clindamycin.

Do this every morning and evening.

Just thought I would let everyone know that I have been suffering with perioral dermatitis for about 6 months now. Thinking it was just eczema I was applying Elocon cream (steroid) which cleared it up great! But as soon as I stopped using it it flared up again. I was searching the Internet for similar symptoms to what I was experiencing and found this forum a few weeks ago. I took on board what everyone was suggesting to use as natural remedies as I don't like using antibiotics unless its really necessary. My face flared up so bad a couple of weeks ago that the whole of my mouth area and parts of my chin were covered in small fluid filled spots and was a real blood red in colour and sooooooo sore.

I bought some apple cider vinegar and some natural organic yoghurt and tried this approach. The first few days the area became more red and sore and looked awful but I carried on with the ACV. After a week it was still red and sore. I read somewhere that perioral dermatitis has also been linked to a candida infection of the bowel - I had been suffering with stomach problems for as long as this rash was at its worst.

I went and bought some Canestan (Clitrimazole) cream that is generally used for the treatment of thrush and hey presto two weeks later all of the small fluid filled blisters have gone and I am now just left with a very light pink patch where the rash was so bad. I noticed with the ACV that it made the sore skin go dry and once it started peeling and with the application of clotrimazole it started getting less sore, less itchy and started to show healthy patches of skin within the area that was affected. I am convinced that at its peak the ACV started to work on the bad skin and then the clotrimazole helped get rid of what was causing it.

I am also taking probiotics now as I am sure that this skin condition started inside the body. I hope this helps sufferers of perioral dermatitis - I became really down about it and was prepared to try anything as it looked awful. I have also bought some Zinc tablets to promote healthy skin..... Anything is worth a try.

I never post on chat sites but promised myself I would share if I found something that actually worked. I got PD about 4 months ago. I have been struggling with intestinal problems for 2 years from parasites we caught in Costa Rica. It lead to a bunch of problems including leaky gut. Once I got diagnosed with PD I knew I could not put my body through more antibiotics. I found out PD is yeast related then, I knew my gut was still leaking. I went back on a gut protocol of drinking G___ Aloe morning and night. High dose probiotic to soothe the intestine to start working from the inside. I tried various methods directly on my skin also (yogurt, ACV, Zinc, coconut oil) with no real results. Last weekend I found a natural fungal cream at my health food store. It is dark brown and smells horrible (oregano oil) and burns but it cleared me up in 3 days!!! The first weekend I used it 4 times a day. I kept putting more on. Now I am washing my face with sensitve skin wash, putting the fungal cream on only before bed. When I wake up I wash my face again and then use natural diaper rash cream with zinc and leave that on all day until I wash at night and reapply the fungal cream. I hope this helps someone else. I was getting really depressed about what I looked like. I have never had acne and at 43 this was not in the plan! My skin is 95% better and back to being skin color and soft. I only have one small bump and even the scars are almost gone!

I have never left any comments on a site before, but I felt like I should share my experience it may help someone else. I was diagnosed in may with PD, I got it from using steriod cream on my forehead. I went to my medical doctor in feburary for a rash between my eyebrows and he put me on a strong steriod cream for the rash. My rash was gone in a week, WOW I was happy, so I stopped using the cream the next week it was back. So I started it again this went on for a month off using the cream then stopping. Well I noticed a spot on my chin so I used the cream needless to say I broke out with a severe rash all around my mouth and nose.

Went to a dermatologist and was told I had a severe case of PD. Derma told me to quit using the steriods and that my face would get worse before it got better. Was put on minocycline 100 mg daily. I do not like taking meds but was desperate so I took them. Ithe next day I was so dizzy and shot of breath I could not get out of bed. Called the derma and she put me on metro cream. This helped some but burn like fire every time I used it.

That's when I started researching it and found this amazing site. So this is what I do, I take acidophilus daily, also eat at least one yogurt daily, I drink 1/4 cup of ACV daily. At night I apply organic yogurt all over my face and let it stay on for 20 to 30 min then wash it off. I then apply diluted ACV to my whole face let it dry and then smother my face in calendula cream and go to bed. The next morning I wash my face with water only and apply a small amount of calendula cream. I am so pleased with the results I still have slight redness but makeup covers it up. I hope this helps someone else because, I am very happy with the results. I am so happy I found this site.