The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Magnesium Chloride
Posted by Arianna (Portland, Ca) on 02/15/2010
★★★★★
During the past year, I developed dermatitis on my face. What started as a small puss-filled rash on my chin spread across most of my lower face. Then, this rash turned into eczema. I was horrified and I tried tons of remedies, including apple cider vinegar, anti-fungals like coconut oil and oregano oil, and topical prescription-strength steroids. Nothing worked.
Then one day I wondered if I was fighting a bacterial infection that would be better healed by alkalizing my skin rather than acidifying it (with apple cider vinegar). So I put magnesium chloride on a cotton ball and spread it all over the rash. It stung like crazy!
The first thing I noticed was that after one day of applying it 2-3 times, the eczema started drying up and flaking off. It seemed to be working. Slowly, over the course of a week, the eczema disappeared. I still had some dermatitis rash remaining, but it was much improved.
It has been one month now. All my eczema is gone and the dermatitis in 99% gone. Occasionally, I get a single puss-filled eruption, but I immediately apply the magnesium chloride and it disappears within a few days.
Antiseptic Handwash
Posted by Violet (St. Pete, Fl) on 09/21/2009
Hi Robert Henry, I got that info from my vet. I sleep with my dogs all the time and after reading M's post I called my vet to inquire about the mites. That is what she told me.
I was not aware that demodex gets into human hair roots but I am well aware of all your other comments (worms, e-coli, where dogs lick).
I am on this site all the time but I have just recently started posting, in fact that was only the 2nd time I have posted here and from the tone of your reply obviously I have upset you. Sorry :-(
As for reading more, I am a very prolific reader but I have by no means read everything on this site yet... I'm working on it ;-)
I am always interested in hearing what others have to say, and I am more than interested in learning as much as I can about natural cures. Now I'm off to read the demodex posts.
Antiseptic Handwash
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn Usa) on 09/20/2009
Wow, Violet..... wondering where you are getting your facts. Ever read what Hulda Clark says about pets and parasites? Are you aware that Demodex Mites cause mange in animals and get into your nose hair roots and are almost impossible to cure? A dog's tongue contains E-coli and is the greatest cause of human stomach ulcers. Ever watch what spot your dogs licks when his buddy comes up? Do you know why all dogs have to be wormed every so often? Ted and many others have posted all this on this site. Read more.
Antiseptic Handwash
Posted by Violet (St. Pete, Fl) on 09/15/2009
Dog mites don't affect people. If your dog has mites you'll know it because he will be itchy and miserable, thus the dog should be treated. But, like I said, dog mites affect dogs and human mites affect humans - they are two different things. So for those of you who enjoy sleeping with your pooch it is ok to keep doing so. If you notice a problem after being licked then you are probably allergic to the dog's saliva.
Castor Oil
Posted by sac (houston, tx) on 06/23/2009
★★★★★
I had problems for years with some type of dermatitis on my face. I'm not sure what type, but it was around my hairline, eyebrows, and around my nose. I applied castor oil several times per day for several days and it has been clear now for over a year.
Honey
Posted by Kare (Edmonton, AB) on 06/16/2009
I have a horrible outbreak of POD right now. Worst one ever. I just started applying Apple Cider Vinegar and Manuka Honey to it as of last night. I am also in Tetracycline now too. I will keep everyone posted as to how this is working.
So far the honey is soothing and takes the dryness issue away. The medication has lots of restrictions and did make me feel a little upset in the stomach after i took it.
K
Cortisone Cream
Posted by Connie (Brush Prairie, WA) on 06/10/2009
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Hello everyone, I just wanted to say that cortisone cream should be avoided for POD. It will mske the symptoms better at first, but eventually the problem will become worse according to my dermatologist and according to everything I have read in the literature.
Ingredients to Avoid
Posted by Mary Smith (University Place, WA) on 05/09/2009
After receiving two fillings from my dentist in January, I had an immediate response with my very first case of dermatitis above my lip, at the age of 52. I have tried a number of things, using baby shampoo to wash my face, applying Vaseline, and ingesting various teas and vitamins. I am now using ACV and so far it has given me a break but I am not sure what the next week will bring. I had a temporary implant done about two months ago and that further exacerbated the problem, creating a pink severely itchy patch directly above the implant that comes and goes, creating scaling and pealing into my lip that never scabs. We will see if the ACV continues to keep the symptoms at bay or if this is just the break I experience in between. It has become almost weekly at this point.
Vitamin E
Posted by BPhilips (Mcminnville, OR) on 05/02/2009
★★★★★
HI I have suffered from pd for like a year. I have tried so many things. what I have found that works the best is regular vitamin E geltabs. I squeeze the contents out and massage into my freshly washed skin every night. Every day I see amazing results. This is day 5 and my pd inlamation has gone down by 90%
Multiple Remedies
Posted by D (Lisbon, Iowa, USA) on 03/04/2009
★★★★★
If you have a diagnosis of SD you will know that there are many sites that say it is caused by Pitisporum Ovale, they are incorrect. SD is caused by Malassezia Globosa. My eight year old had it all over his face and it was spreading rapidly, the doctor gave us a prescription for Eldel, which has a black box warning and was $40+ even with insurance. It surpresses the immune system and I would not use it on my child who is a cancer survivor. My poor son could not tolerate any of the antifungals I put on his face, his skin was extremely sensitive and everything was painful. I finally hit upon non-pasturized honey, it works. Cleanse the area with hydrogen peroxide, put honey on all the areas. I put it on him right after school and then re-applied at bedtime. I also read a study that zinc pyrithione kills Malassezia Globosa, so I also purchased a 1% zinc pyrithione spray called "Z Care" by supplement spot.com on the net. It took forever for them to ship it, but it works. Once you know the exact cause, you have a better chance of fighting what ever it it is. My son could not tolerate head and shoulders on his face whatsover, but the "Z care" spray doesn't burn as long as you wait 10 min after you wash your face. Results with the honey alone were visibile in a day or two, but it is slow going until every little flaky area is gone. It took about 2 months to completely heal him. A note of caution, if the SD is all around the nose area, consider applying the honey and the zinc pyrithione carefully to the inner rims of of the nostrils. I just use a q-tip to appply anything to his face anyway. Don't spray the spray near your face, spray the Q-tip first. The SD was so bad that he also developed a secondary staph infection on the side of his mouth. The honey healed it, and knocked the infection right out. He has a small pink area of scar tissue, where the staph infection was, but I am hopeful this will fade with time.
Read the study: http://www.pgbeautyscience.com/defining-issues.html
Good Luck!
Borage Oil
Posted by Sandy (Tampa, FL) on 02/10/2009
★★★★★
Borage/flaxseed oil for Contact Dermatitis: I started taking flaxseed oil and in time realized that my dermatitis started to get better. At the time I also had bought a lotion with borage oil that said it was good for skin conditions. I looked up borage oil and found out that it has GLA and omegas which are good for inflammation and works against dermatitis, eczema etc. I realized that taking borage oil internally and putting on the lotion would probably be even better. I started doing this about a month and a half ago and my hands haven't looked this good in years. I think I've finally found a cure that works for me and I hope it works for you. I just take the pill once a day and put on the lotion as needed throughout the day. On the side--I realized that the reason for my dermatitis was harsh soaps so I have also started using Castille soap to wash my hands. It doesn't dry them out like other soaps do. I hope this helps someone out there. I had tried ACV/coconut oil and such before but while it did provide some relief it did not completely heal me as borage oil has.
Honey
Posted by Julia (Edmonton, AB) on 02/02/2009
★★★★★
Manuka Honey for POD: I tried three different antibiotics as well as apple cider vinegar separately over the course of Five months and none seemed to work. Most just caused further irritation (including the ACV). My mother had just discovered this well-reputed medicinal Manuka Honey (UMF 20+ was what she had), and said it has healing properties and I should try it.
I applied a thick layer over the entire area every night and sometimes in the day if I wasn't going out. I started only a week ago and already you can hardly see my POD and it's no longer itchy. The honey is a bit messy on the bedclothes, but is obviously working and was soothing right from the get-go. Just trying to get the message out there!
EC: POD = Perioral Dermatitis
Ingredients to Avoid
Posted by Johnna (Stratford, CT) on 12/09/2008
Wow! There is so much information on this site. This is my situation: My daughter is 7 years old and has PD. She has had a stuffy nose for weeks but doesn't have a "cold". Her nose itches and runs throughout the day. Her rash worsens when it is dry/cold outside or after she takes a shower. I think this condition is definitely chemical related. My daughter was exposed to formaldehyde which is a chemical that is many products. Long story short, her bedroom furniture contained formaldehyde which was causing her to have a reaction, coughing, running nose, etc ...I later found out that she was sensitive to the formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is found in EVERYTHING, (rugs, counter tops, cosmetics) and can be dangerous at high levels. , etc Anyway, my daugher is now ultra sensitive and has a constant runny nose, especially when the heat is on b/c more formaldehyde gas is released in to the air when the temp goes up...and she has PD, which I believe is directly related! I have not tried the ACV yet, but i was wondering if it's safe for a 7 year old? Also, has anyone ever heard of formaldehyde causing this condition? I also changed all of my soaps, shampoos and laundry detergent to exclude SLS...but the rash didn't go away. Does it usually worsen in the winter and clear up when the spring comes....please give me your advice. I am a little worried that she will be sensitive forever now. Thank you.
EC: PD = perioral dermatitis
Lemon
Posted by Tara (Madison, WI) on 12/06/2008
★★★★★
I have tried both ACV and Lemon Juice and the Lemon Juice actually worked better for myself. I took a Q-tip, dipped it in the lemon juice and rubbed it on my dermatitis. It does sting and burn a little bit. It helped dry it up pretty quickly so it could heal faster. I only did this at night before I went to bed.
Coal Tar
Posted by Julie (Bendigo, Victoria Australia) on 11/27/2008
★★★★★
When I was in my teens I suffered terribly from dermatitis on my hands, mainly my palms, nothing would cure it, my life was disrupted by my problem. I went to many GPs with no results. Then a pharmacist gave me a mixture of coal tar ointment, told me to apply it at night and wrap my hands in clear platic wrap every night, for, I cant remember how long, a week maybe, it smells very strong, but I perservered. After applying this treatment, I have never suffered from dermatitis on my hands again, I am now in my fifties. Hope this may help someone.
Ingredients to Avoid
Posted by John (Cambridge, Maryland) on 11/26/2008
skin dermatitis: I'm looking for a remedy other than what the doctors general give -- which have not worked over the years. Since I moved to Maryland's eastern shore where there is a lot of salt in the air from the Chesapeake Bay and the ocean, it has worsened. I'm sure there has got to be a remedy out there, if I can only find it!
By the way, great site! I've got to get a lot of stuff for my dog here! Thanks!
Cocoa Butter
Posted by Roger (Bristol, IN, USA) on 11/17/2008
★★★★★
I have had contact dermitittis for about 3 years now. My doctor prescribed antihistimines and Aveeno lotion. When it got worse I went to a Dermatologist and he gave me cortizone creams. I found the cortizone effective, but the rash spread and got worse. I tried ACV and it seemed to help but I eventually had the rash over most of my body.
Then I started using Palmers Cocoa Butter lotion. It is very inexpensive and works much better than any other lotion. My condition seems to be related to temperature so all summer I was dermittitis free by using the cocoa butter. Now that winter is coming I have slight breakouts, but I am sure that the cocoa butter will keep my skin from developing a severe condtion again.
I took ACV & coconut oil orally all last winter with little effect until I started using Palmers.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Theresa (Montgomery, Alabama/United States ) on 11/10/2008
★★★★★
I discontinued using Fluoride tooth paste. This has had a positive effect on my dermatitis. when the doctor told me to discontinue the use, it was in a general list of what to do and what not to do. There was no specific information. No reasoning other than, I thought that my face would be irritated by the toothpaste getting on my skin when I brushed my teeth. This was not the reason. After having had this for a year, I decided to stop using fluoride. I went with one that did not contain it Within a week, the rash and broken skin was starting to heal.
Then I also read where you need to use a moisture cleanser to wash with. I had tried all the "non allergic" ones given on the list. Nothing worked. The water based cleansers only made it more dry. I found that with my face being so dry, I needed oil. If you have this you know anything and everything burns and stings. I remembered the old home remedy that my grandparents passed down to my dad about coal tar. I started using
"Rainbath" on my face. I remembered it contains coal tar that does not burn the skin. The coal tar was used way back in the day to relieve athletes foot and also mange on dogs. Then I went and purchased a bottle of "Sweet Oil" at the pharmacy, and put this on after I wash my face. I follow it with a lotion from the list the Dr provided me with Within 3 weeks, this has almost disappeared.
Zinc, Magnesium
Posted by Debra (South Charleston, Ohio) on 09/28/2008
★★★★★
As a dental hygienist, I had developed contact dermatitis from wearing gloves. Last spring I started taking Zinc 15mg & Magnesium 400mg daily. My hands are free of dermatitis!!!
