17 Effective Natural Treatments for Perioral Dermatitis

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.

I have had PD for almost 1 month brought on I am guessing by stress from changes at work. At first concerned about what I thought was a cluster of pimples above my mouth (and my skin is usually always clear). I soon realized it was not normal "spots" and grew very worried as this bumpy red rash began to spread to the other side of my mouth, down to my chin and then the side of my nose! Ahhh! I researched alot and decided that antibiotics would be my absolute last resort. I began my "treatment" about 6days ago and now the rash and bumps are virtually gone! So happy. I can go out without any makeup and all that is left now is a very slight pink tone as it fades.

The treatment I chose was to take multi vitamins, fish oil, zinc tablets, and probiotic tablets every day. I also continued to use my normal cleanser (neutrogena deep clean) morning and night. After cleansing I applied Tea Tree Oil to the rash with a damp cotton tip. I let it sit for a few minutes (tingled slightly but didn't burn)and then splashed my face with water and applied Organic Argan Oil (my normal moisturizer) as my face is super dry without it and I also read that Argan Oil has benefits for dermatitis etc. The first day of treatment the rash looked redder and angrier than ever but I preserved and am so glad I did! As after that the bumps just disappeared and the red faded and now the skin is healing. I am going to continue with this for some time to hopefully stop a repeat. I really hope this can help someone else!

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.

Hi there... It's my first time posting on a forum like this but I wanted to share my experience so far. I've had Rosacea my entire life, so skin "stuff" has been on the back of my mind pretty much every waking moment of every day of my teen and adult life. About four weeks ago I started getting the mild symptoms of Perioral Dermatitis (PD): the severe burning, itching, sensitivity, and the redness around the lips and chin. I attribute it to sports-related activity as I wear a helmet with a chin-strap and a mouth-guard with my uniform a few times per week. Nothing over the counter helped, and actually it made it worse. It got so bad last week that scheduled a visit with the Dermatologist last Tuesday and she confirmed that PD is indeed what I had. After reading up on PD incessantly, I made a personal decision NOT to take the Cortizone topical cream and the harsh oral antibiotics she prescribed. Instead I decided to take the all-natural way first before diving into the scary world of harsh pharmaceuticals prescribed to me, since my body and skin are both very sensitive to medicine and antibiotics.

Well, it's been ONE week and I can assure you that the following combination so far is helping me A TON:

-- Do NOT use any make-up, moisturizers, face creams, ANYTHING that is synthetic. Leave your skin free of any soaps, washes, solutions, topical creams, etc. Trust me!!!

-- Start out by gently cleaning your face with ORGANIC honey... I know, it sounds weird, but just start by washing it with warm water and the honey (trust me, it cleans your makeup off too! )... it leaves your skin super-soft and moisturized.

-- When you are ready, start adding a plain yogurt mask to your cleaning regimen, preferably after gently washing your face with the honey. Try mixing the yogurt with the honey--it makes for a great, soothing, deliciously-smelling mask. Do that once in the morning and once at night.

-- After a day or so of the honey and yogurt, add some ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) to your regimen. For the last 4 days, I have used it as a toner, as well as taking it internally. As a toner, use a dab of it on cotton or soft tissue over the affected area for about a minute, and let it dry, It WILL burn as all hell, but just let it be. The burning wears off as the effect of the naturally-acidic properties dry off. Then...

-- Take a swig!!! The properties in the ACV are VERY helpful with balancing the properties of your skin. I don't claim to know much about that part or the ACV regimen, but I can tell you, my skin has NEVER felt this happy. Nor my tummy's digestion. It's done something to my body that I can't explain... just read up on it.

-- Finally, I have been taking vitamin E and calcium supplements since last week. I have also been using the oil of the vitamin E to dab upon the affected area overnight. It feels funny because it's an oil, but eventually it dissolves into the skin and it makes it feel supple and happy :)

Don't forget to drink tons of water and to also stay away from spicy foods and sulfites... these are killer for PD.

So far like I said it's been 6.5 days since the worst of my symptoms and I feel 95% back to the normal way I felt before. I will stress to try the natural way before you try the prescription creams/medicine. Best of luck :) I know it's frustrating as hell.

Just wanted to post my experience with Perioral Dermatitis and the following remedies: calendula cream, acidophilus pills, ridding fluoride and SLS, natural estrogen balancing pills, prescribed steroid cream.

At first I thought my Perioral Dermatitis was a small patch of acne around my mouth, while at the doctor I asked about the patch and she prescribed a steroid cream (one of the worst things to do). Unknowingly I applied as directed and long story short the PD SPREAD! What was once a small patch by my mouth soon enircled my entire mouth, went up around my nose, started patches on my forehead and at the outsides of my eyes. My doctor had said to apply the cream and see results in about 3 weeks, after 5 weeks I had full blown PD for the first time in my life. Didnt want to leave the house. Got very depressed. Started researching.

While waiting for my dermatologist referral I got to work on a solution. First thing I heard and did was try to rid fluoride and sodium laurel sulfate from my toothpaste, soap and shampoo. Second, I started taking acidophilus pills at least once a day. Third I started taking a pill which helps to balance womens hormones (since plastics and a horrrible environment are making our hormones go out of whack). Fourth, I searched for and eventually found a decent Calendula cream and started applying to my face.

Since I did a lot of these things at the same time, it was initially a bit hard to tell what was working. But its been about 6 months since my PD exploded, and I think the biggest help came from the Calendula cream. When I went to the dermatologist I had very little PD left to show, and I asked the doctor about Calendula cream. In a nutshell, this doc was an idiot. I was told that there was no medical evidence that calendula did anything, then I was prescribed yet another steroid cream which I was informed that I would probably have to apply FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE! This dermatologist was WRONG. I did not fill the prescription, and have since cleared my PD within a few months with my own research and trials.

CALENDULA CREAM: may also be called Marigold, or calendula officianalis.

ESTROGEN BALANCING PILLS: the brand I took is called _______, it is very natural, mostly natural extracts inside the pill. It is also supposed to help with mood swings and other side effects of wacky hormones.

In addition I read a lot of other threads about this subject since the whole ordeal was really upsetting, so thanks to everyone who has posted, there are so many people who suffer from this for years, so keep posting remedies and hopefully they can find something that works for them. I hope mine can help someone too. Just remember that its your body, your doctor may not know best, (for me, I didnt want to have to apply a cream for the rest of my life, or take a pill that was made up of chemicals) make your own decision and pick and choose from other people's remedies to find a formula that will work for you. Keep thinking that it will get better, just find the root of your problem. :]

I have suffered for years off and on with PD and have been to countless dermatologists that prescribed drugs that never worked. Finally by the luck of having great homeopathic influences surrounding me I realized Gluten was a big factor that contributed to my recurring nose rash. As long as I stayed away from gluten most of the time, my rash would go away.

I spent my first pregnancy unaware that I had a gluten intolerance so my PD was horrific and had spread around my entire mouth. It was so painful! My second pregnancy I steered clear of gluten and had that happy glowing skin! :) NOW im pregnant for the third time and its back ( probably from a trip pre pregnancy to italy where I couldnt resist some real pasta - haha - and the PD returned. )

Determined not to have this painful rash anymore I sought this website (thank you!! ) and took the advice I read here. One week later of eliminating a bunch of products and seeking the advice of a functional nutritionist I trust, I am now almost completely RASH FREE!! I am thrilled!!

Here is what I did:1) switched to floride free toothpaste. 2) switched to SLS free shampoo 3) switched to calendula cream for my skin 4)bought Dr Burts herbal blemish stick( burts bees brand )and.. Am doing a 2 week regimine of oral supplements of Standard Process brand "organically bound minerals" 9 pills in the am and pm with meals. My functional nutrtionist swore this would do the trick and I have to say im 4 days into the minerals and ive seen the greatest change in just the last two days!! Sooo happy! I believe there is something to the minerals that are helping immensely.

I hope this helps someone- particularly if youre pregnant and your immune system is temporarily out of whack! Good luck!!

My poor son found out the hard way that now has the misfortune of living with perioral dermatitis, a common sign is when one start treatment on a steroid cream and the flare up become 10 worse. After many hours of reasearching I discovered fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate can sometime become a huge contributor to this type of dermititis I removed everyday products containing them, I also removed all food allergins from his diet. And put him on a 50mg of Vitamin B complex, primerose oil tablets 2x daily, and grapeseed oil tablets 2x daily - I also picked up a antifungal/antibactiral lotion from the healthfood store just to lubricate his face.

We have been waiting 5 months just to see the dermatologist and today we finally got into see him, and his face was so clear he didn't want to prescribe him anything, just told me to keep up the go work. I only wish I had taken pictures of his face in december, the poor little fellow wouldn't leave the house he was so embarassed, and today he just has a very small patch around his nose. I seriously hope this helps someone else!

So here's my story. I got a pimple in the corner of my mouth so I used my topical clindamycin solution on it. A week or so later I developed a dry patch of skin, it didn't itch or hurt, just was very flaky. That lasted for a couple of months despite using aquaphor on it several times a day. 6 months later I was developing little fluid filled bumps that would break open and then leave a yellow/orange crust on my skin. The area expanded and then a little further out I got a very dry patch of skin, this time no flaking. I started using hydrocortisone on the area with the bumps and it would keep it under control but it never completely went away. After dealing with this for a year and a half, I finally got in to see a dermatologist who diagnosed perioral dermatitis. He put me on clindamycin solution, oral erythromycin (3 week course). I was pregnant at the time so I could not use the Protopic (tacrolimus) ointment he wanted to prescribe. After 4 months of using the clindamycin twice a day the symptoms were gone and I just needed to put a little aquaphor on the corner near my mouth and was able to stop the clindamycin. About 3 months after delivering my baby, the bumps started coming back in the same spot. I started using the clindamycin again but it seemed to get worse and even started spreading around the bottom of my lip to the other corner. I went back in to see the dermatologist who thought it was contact dermatitis this time. He recommended topical steroids, oral antibiotics, and topical tacrolimus. I was still breastfeeding so these medications were scary to me and I didn't .

So here's what I did. I switched toothpastes to a non-fluoridated one. I bought the organic Apple Cider vinegar (my local grocery chain had it - Meijer - for like $4). I tried drinking 1 oz (shot glass) straight but it was so acidic it hurt my teeth (I have severe tooth sensitivity). Even watered down I couldn't take it. So then I put it directly on the affected skin and all around my mouth. It burned like crazy but did seem to take away the bumps, however I still had very noticeable redness and dry flakiness. I put yogurt on the skin after the acv. I started taking acidophilus supplements as well. After a week of doing this, I stopped the yogurt. I then started putting a diaper rash cream on the area (MotherLove diaper rash and nipple cream - $9.00 online but costs $9. 00 for shipping. I got it for $12.00 from my local lactation consultant). It started to get significantly better, almost looking normal. However, after a few weeks it was still red and my lips started to become very flaky. I almost resorted to giving up breastfeeding to take the recommended medications because I have to work and it was so embarassing. Then I started putting the Apple Cider Vinegar on my face again but this time also dabbing it on my lips and the mucosa just inside my lips (pull the bottom lip down to expose the inside and swab Apple Cider Vinegar there and on the inside of the top lip). I use Vannicream moisturizer on my skin and vaseline (dermatologist said not to use aquaphor because it has lanolin and it can be irritating) on my lips and MY SYMPTOMS ARE COMPLETELY RESOLVED. No bumps, no redness, no dry flakiness.

My heart goes out to you, this is an extremely irritating and embarassing condition. Hope this helps.

First of all, I need to say that along with the Tea Tree Oil I also used Shea Butter and Grapefruit Seed Extract. The combination of the three really, really helped me. I had the dermatitis around my nostrils and under my nose, and on both sides of my chin below my mouth. It also spread up to my eyebrow somehow. But now it is 98% gone, and here is what did the trick: I first mixed a few drops of the Tea Tree Oil in with a few drops of water in a little bowl to dilute it some. I just got a little bottle of TTO from my local CVS Pharmacy by the way. Then I just used my finger and applied it to the skin. It feels kinda menthol-like on the skin, kinda burny but not bad. I thought it felt refreshing. For the first day I just used the TTO to really dry it out. I didn't want to use any moisturizer yet so that the TTO could really do its work. And it REALLY dried it out. The bumps immediately started to go down, and the redness decreased dramatically. I noticed that it started to flake a LOT, so I just sloughed off the dry skin and let it be dry. By the way, do this like at night when you don't have to be anywhere so you don't feel like you need to put on make up or moisturizer.

After a couple days of letting it really dry out with the TTO I started applying Shea Butter. I got the Badger and Nutmeg Shea Butter from my local health store. I would still apply the TTO, but I would let it dry a few minutes then put on the Shea Butter. Again, do this when you don't need to go anywhere because the Shea Butter doesn't absorb into the skin completely and its VERY moisturizing so it gives a greasy look to the areas you apply it to. I started off just applying it before bed. Then if I had time and didn't need to be anywhere I applied the TTO then Shea Butter and just let it set.

Now this is where the Grapefruit Seed Extract comes in... You need to take it orally. I had read that you should try applying the GSE right on the skin, but it wasn't really helping me. I think it just irritated it. I had read somewhere that GSE is a natural antibiotic, and that sometimes perioral dermatitis is caused by yeast on the skin and other possible bacterias. So since it wasn't working topically, I just started taking it orally. I would put about 15 drops into a glass of grapefruit juice and stir it and drink. The GSE is really bitter, so the grapefruit juice blends it well so you don't notice it. I drank it twice a day. Within a few days of doing this, it is almost gone.

Also try not to put make up on it. Just keep it moisturized with a light moisturizer if you need to go anywhere. Now please know, I don't think my case was severe, but it was pretty moderate and if I left it alone it would have gotten a lot worse. It would not go away when I tried anything else. I also tried yogurt on the skin, and it helped a little bit, but not really.

Another VERY IMPORTANT thing is DO NOT GO TANNING. I think that canceling my tanning membership also helped a LOT. I read somewhere that UV light actually makes dermatitis flare up, and I would rather be pale with nice skin than tan with dermatitis on my face. So anyway, don't wear make up, don't tan, and do the routine at night if you work during the day. You should see results within a couple of days. The Grapefruit Seed Extract, Tea Tree Oil, and Shea Butter aren't very expensive, and sure beat going to the doctor! So I hope this helps some people! Good luck with it!

I wanted to post a comment detailing my ordeal with Perioral Dermatitis and what worked for me. First, I am in my late 20's and am currently a little over 6 months pregnant and mine showed its ugly face for the first time when I was almost 2 months pregnant. I had never struggled with acne as a teenager and so when I started to get little bumps around my chin area I assumed it was "pregnancy acne". I was well aware that hormones are crazy during a pregnancy as this was not my first and everybody around me, including my doctor and nurses, said "don't worry, it's acne and it will go away". I did just that, until it started spreading all around my mouth with a vengeance. Before I knew it I had an ugly rash around my mouth that I could not get rid of. I went to a dermatologist out of desperation and of course he recommended topical creams (containing steroids) to make it look better but not cure it. Tetracycline, which is usually prescribed was not available for me since I was pregnant. I cannot comment on my experience with the oral pill or the creams as I did not take them.

Upon researching the meds he prescribed me I stumbled upon this website and read about how apple cider vinegar was a miracle drug. I decided that I would try it. It worked!!!!!!!! Here was my regimen for about 2-3 weeks (I was faithful and never missed a day because I was determined to give it a fair try and I wanted the mouth rash gone! ) 2-3 times daily I would put ORGANIC BR*GGS apple cider vinegar on my face (undiluted) on a cotton ball only on the rash. It burns like crazy at first, but stick with it.

2-3 Times daily I would drink 2Tbsp of the same stuff in a juice/water mixture.

I was amazed! But I stopped getting bumps and the redness was starting to fade. Now I had an issue with clearing up the redness that persisted. I again researched and came across calendula cream. It even says on the website that it helps with mystery rashes like perioral dermatitis. I ordered calendula cream. My regimen was for this started 2 weeks into using the Apple Cider Vinegar so the time overlaps with the above.

In addition to putting the Apple Cider Vinegar on my face and drinking it, I started putting calendula cream liberally on my whole face morning and evening. After there were no new bumps consistently for 1 week, I cut out putting it on my face as the Apple Cider Vinegar had done its job, I. E. Drying out the rash. I did and still drink it 1-2 times daily as well as still use the cream. Officially, it took me 5 weeks from when I began but my husband and I can barely and I mean barely see scars from it. If I wear makeup (which I can now!!!!! ) you can't see it at all. I am so pleased that it worked for me and I pray it does for others too.

If you have this you know what a blow to the ego it is. You don't want to leave the house ever because you feel ugly but it is impossible to continue living. I found myself explaining my appearance to friends, family, and complete strangers because I was so self conscious of the way I looked. I ordered everything from AMOZON. I hope this can help even one person! Please post comments if you also have good/bad results.

On a side note, I have also switched to products that contain no SLS and are paraben free (i. E. More natural and organic). In addition to this, I do not eat any sweets anymore and upped eating fresh veggies and fruit. I still obviously ingest sugar from fruit, juice, bread, etc. But no cakes, cookies, snack stuff anymore. It has made me feel great from the inside out!

I have been struggling to get of this perioral dermatitis for about a year now. It was really frustrating epscially during my second pregnancy. I had tried apple cider vinegar for it awhile ago but was unsucessful, in fact it only made it worse(I think my mistake was not diluting it enough)... So I tried other natural remedies .. For anyone who has PD knows that it gets very dry.. I tried EVERYTHING to relieve the dryness, and the only thing that worked was raw orgainc Shea butter. Once the dryness part of the PD was gone I had a much better outcome with Apple Cider Vinegar.

It's been about a month since I started the ACV and continued use of the shea butter as a moisterizer and the results are astounding! My skin is less inflamed , there's no more dryness, In fact my PD is 95% gone. So now everyday I wash my face with a cleanser from a website called (100percentpure.com) That doesn't have SLS in it. Then after cleansing I use ACV as a toner diluted to 25 ¬V to 75% water in a small plastic bottle which I then Squirt on a cotton round , Apply it to my face And let it dry, DON'T RINSE OFF, Then apply Raw coconut oil (for added antibacterial/antifungal effects) then a small amount of shea butter. (a little bit of shea butter goes a long way) I don't take ACV internally although I plan to do so now, the results would probably be even better! So if you have PD this might work for you like it worked for me. Don't give up hope , it will get better, I know how frustrating this rash can be. Whatever you do though DON'T put hydrocortisone on it, I never did but I've read it makes absolutley WORSE! Good luck to everyone.

Perioral Dermatitis

Hi everyone. PD has been frustrating me for over a year but I think I've finally cracked it. It started as a dry red patch on one cheek but spread to my chin and other cheek after a while. Now it's pretty much all gone. Here are my do's and don'ts

Do:
Use antibacterial glycerin based handwash morning and evening on the affected area.
Apply zinc and castor oil (nappy rash cream) cream to the area at night.
Get fresh air and exercise.
Use cotton wool to apply handwash.
Do use a fine plain facial scrub once every four days or so to get rid of flakey skin

Don't:
Wear make up if you can help it. If you feel you have to remove it at the earliest opportunity using the handwash and cotton wool.
Use soap or moisturiser.
Constantly put your hands to your face.
Use a facecloth or make up sponges

Things I have tried that didn't work: ACV, natural yoghurt, E45 anti eczema cream, anti-bacterial soap.

Good luck everyone.

I've been struggling with perioral dermatitis for 4 months, ever since having my hormone-releasing IUD removed (after 5 years). I tried a few things, including apple cider vinegar, which helped a little, but didn't remove the rash. I finally found a calendula cream with calendula, several coconut products, aloe vera, viola tricolor extract (pansy), willow bark, yucca, vitamin e, french lavender oil, clary sage, and amino acids.

I read about people using calendula cream for eczema, so I gave it a shot. It is sooo soothing. I use it several times a day. It helped immediately.

I also decided to use Ted's topical remedy. The rash is now almost completely gone. I am still using both the borax/water/peroxide topically and the calendula cream, afterward. Almost totally gone! Yay!!!

CALENDULA CREAM!!! I used the same brand as listed above, twice a day, and it has cleared it up amazingly!! I was also eating and applying (all organic) apple cider vinegar and yogurt and using coconut oil as a moisturizer for a while and i think it was keeping it at bay, keeping it from getting worse, but not clearing it up much. This is after having the condition since january, having gone on antibiotics two seperate times and it still coming back. CALENDULA IS AMAZING!