Dermatitis
Natural Remedies

Dermatitis Treatment and Natural Remedies

General Feedback
Posted by Kirsten (Denver, Co, Usa) on 05/02/2011

I just developed PD in March, and I am certainly not ready to deal with this the rest of my life! I visited a natural health food store today where we asked the manager what she would recommend. She suggested taking something with hydrochloric acid, Vitamin B, and evening primrose oil. My parents have mass amount of fish oil, which is very similar to the primrose oil. We purchased a bottle of Vitamin B, and I am going to test this combination of remedies for a week. After reading many of the posts from others, if it does not start to clear up, I will be purchasing a remedy with hydrochloric acid and will perhaps start using ACV and a yogurt mask. I will respond in a week and let you know how well the fish oil and Vitamin B worked. :)


Apple Cider Vinegar, Sea Salt
Posted by Sheila (San Diego, Ca, Usa) on 05/02/2011
3 out of 5 stars

Better But With Side Effects

I was using ACV when I contracted contact dermatitis. The ACV dilution w/water helped soothe my skin rash, BUT I'm not sure if helped or maybe made my other symptoms worse since I could have too much potassium, or be salt deficient. It's been over a week now, and I'm not completely over the contact dermatitis. My extremely dry skin is almost gone, but the rash seems to have spread. I'm stopping consumption of diluted ACV, and will now consume the sea salt flush after reading a snippet of "The Water Cure" on allergies.

I started developing hives and painful swelling around both my eyes just a few minutes ago, so based on what I learned from here and the water cure about sea salt's benefits, I drank 1/2 tsp of sea salt in 1/2 cup of warm water, chased it down with 12 ozs of filtered water, and my eyes feel SO MUCH better and the swelling around them is almost gone.

My guess now is I'm abundant in potassium (ACV), and now need the sodium to cure the rash, swelling and any hives that develop.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Sea Salt
Posted by Sheila (San Diego, Ca, Usa) on 05/04/2011

Update: I definitely need to get some tests done!

I used the saltwater flush a few more times and the angioedema around my eyes was worse. Someone on another messageboard I'm on wrote to keep flushing although it was counterintuitive. Well, I didn't continue it since my eyes started to swell more and I didn't want to land myself in Urgent Care with anaphylactic shock. Ugh.

I gotta stop going back and forth, and just stick to what I know now for this bout of dermatitis: diluted ACV topically to alleviate the itchiness and dry skin caused by Benadryl; consume nettle tincture in water for itchiness; Benadryl to alleviate the swelling and the itchiness, primarily at bedtime; exercise to increase adrenaline; green tea in moderation to reduce the swelling; drink plenty of filtered water to hydrate, flush and balance. Doing the above has brought me closer to normal.


Face Products
Posted by Nf (Corvallis, Or) on 04/28/2011

I wrote here that I was trying the apple-cider approach, and then the peroxide and borax. Nothing was really working. I was hoping it was, was hopeful, reported it here. These had been the worst outbreaks I've ever had in my life. Itchy, oozing small "blisters", all the similar descriptions. Etc.. On a whim, I tried my son's Proactive products. I was desperate. Just the cleanser and the lotion- steps 1 and 3, the peroixide or whatever it is immediately stopped the itching. The sores dried up completely.

My skin has not been this clear in 25 years. Occasionally I may have a small blister flare up, I just wash or just use the lotion it goes away overnight. It is absolutely AMAZING. I had to come back and tell you all, it has been almost a year and I never thought I would be free of it.


Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Lauren (Glenside, Pennsylvania) on 04/20/2011
5 out of 5 stars

About 8-10 drops of grapefruit seed extrack in a glass of water 2 times a day and my PD was gone in 2 days. To keep the dry skin from cracking I put a small amount of calendual on. But that was it. 2 days and I am back to normal! Just dont pick or scratch your face too much.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Bunnylebowski (Seward, Ne) on 03/12/2011
4 out of 5 stars

First off, let me say that what I suffer from does not really appear as the bumpy, acne-like rash around but not directly touching the mouth like classic PD. Mine is just inflamed, red patches that border and even sometimes involve the lips. At one point a doctor diagnosed me with PD, but I am not sure if this is what I actually have.

The first time this flared up, over 5 years ago, I got rid of it with vaseline, as it was just above my top lip. The second time, I let it get way out of hand by hiding it with makeup and putting on perfume-y lotions and even using exfoliating facial scrubs. Yikes. I looked like a leper! It spread to under one eye and a patch on my forehead. The doctor didn't diagnose it but prescribed me a strong topical steroid. Of course, it went away but soon I noticed I needed to keep using it to keep the rash at bay. I went on using it for about 8 months. Then the rash flared up again. I finally broke down and put hydrocortisone on it, as I had done some reasearch by that point and knew steroid creams were just a vicious cycle. Well, I started that around October. A doctor gave me some Tetracycline, but it didn't really help at all. In May, I moved into a new apartment (not sure if there was a correlation, or maybe the weather?) and the patches gradually became smaller. By July I had actually managed to wean myself off the cream.

Fast forward a year and a half, and all of a sudden I woke up one morning with my top lip inflamed and the area above it as well. I thought I was done with pd, so I was pissed! This actually happened after I had been drinking ACV for a month or so for other reasons, (which seems opposite what many people on here are saying) but I'm not sure if it's related. I had also been brushing my teeth with baking soda which leads me to believe I may be allergic to it. Regardless, I wanted it gone and did not want to go the hydrocortisone route again just because I happened to get lucky last time.

Topical ACV and Grapefruit seed extract just made it much redder and worse. I bought some cardiospermum cream from a health food store because it said it was an alternative to hydrocortisone. It seemed to sooth the redness, but didn't diminish it. I started using Peelu toothpaste (no Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Fluoride) also. I then bought some zinc diaper rash cream. It definitely hid the redness, but didn't really take it away. I also got some calendula cream which helped the redness and chapping directly on my lip, and was very soothing.

Finally, I bought some rosacea gel called Prosacea from Walgreens. I put in on clean skin before bed, topped it off with some Calendula cream, and a little of the diaper rash cream. I woke up and it was much less red! I am hoping this continues. I have gone awhile with no hydrocortisone and it seems the worst is over. It is barely noticeable today. I will update if anything changes.

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Diamond (Salisbury, Mass.) on 03/13/2011

Sometimes illnesses and diseases including pimples etc. do not always come from the outside, it too needs healing from the inside out, it also could have some thing to do with your diet. We are what we eat...... We become what we think.
good luck


Apple Cider Vinegar, Vitamin E
Posted by Michelle (Frisco, Tx) on 02/21/2011
4 out of 5 stars

Dear Earth Clinic & Contributors - I wanted to let you know how grateful I am to have found the info on this site. I have had perfect skin my whole life and am 37 years old. Last fall, I tried a "biological peel" that I purchased at a high end store for a large price. Within two days of use, my skin started breaking out. I thought, "oh maybe my skin is 'purging' itself of impurities" so I kept using it a couple times a week. That was a huge mistake. By a month I had broken out very badly. I stopped using the product, but my face did not stop breaking out. I tried a few OTC products including the cardinal sin of cortisone cream (DON'T EVER DO THIS) and finally ended up in the dermatologist's office with a diagnosis of POD. He gave me a topical product…Protopic - that didn't seem to help and had scary side effects/warnings. I stopped using it because I had to take an antibiotic for a sinus infection - the meds seemed to start an even worse flare up.

That same week (about 3 months into POD), I started following the instructions on this site. I washed my face with warm water and no soap. I used a washcloth to apply the apple cider vinegar undiluted (Heinz) and then rubbed in vitamin E oil from Golden Way (d-alpha tocopherol acetate - the real, not synthetic E). I also took Nature's Way Primadophilus culture caplets one or two a day and mid way into the two weeks since I started, I added TriMedica Facial Redness Cleanser. My POD is about 90% cleared up. I'm going to continue doing this and hope for a full recovery in another week or so. It took a full week or more before I saw significant improvement, so keep the faith, people. Also, use a nubby towel to gently rub in the vinegar - not to the point of exfoliation, but get it in there working. Thank you Earth Clinic readers for your wonderful tips. I am so happy that my skin is almost back!


Diaper Rash Ointment
Posted by Sasha (Seattle, Wa) on 05/04/2012
5 out of 5 stars

I had small bumps on my face and I'm not sure what caused it. Anyhow I was going to go to the store to buy the diaper rash oinment, I looked up the active ingredient in the diaper rash ointment which is no other than Zinc oxide, which I always have on had for summer sun put some on my face and it works!


Diaper Rash Ointment
Posted by Linda (Fl) on 10/29/2015
5 out of 5 stars

I was prescribed Mometasone Furoate Cream .1% for a mild case of perioral dermatitus which came and went for 2 months before I went to dermatologist. Used the cream for 4 weeks as directed but the red bumps returned with 2 days. Continued use of cream once a day for another couple of weeks but upon slowing application rash always returned. Stopped cold turkey after I found this site and a closed Facebook group and decided on using non-rx products. My face broke out horribly from stopping steroid cream. Red blisters on sides of chin. Found relief using Butt paste 40% zinc oxide by night and California baby calendula cream by day. No makeup! It's been 3 weeks post steroid and I still have red and flaking spots but the blisters are gone. Please don't use steroid cream. PD can be managed naturally, I am confident of that now.


Diaper Rash Ointment
Posted by Jrheats (Nebraska) on 03/17/2016

How is your dermatitis now?


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Honeybee (Fresno, Ca, United States) on 01/18/2012

I agree with others who have posted about the benefits of using Tea Tree Oil. For the past 6 months or so my skin has been breaking out. My skin is normally very clear so I thought it would go away on its own, but after several months it became apparent I needed to do something. At first I tried all my normal OTC products but nothing seemed to work. In fact, everything I tried seemed to make my skin worse and more irritated. I finally tried Zinc cream in addition to taking milk thistle capsules and drinking dandelion, pau d'arco and burdock tea. I also payed careful attention to my diet, eating vegetables with vitamin A. After several weeks my skin cleared, and I thought I was ok but then it still flared up occasionally.

That is when I finally turned to Tea Tree Oil. I had read about it before but put off using it because I thought it would be too harsh for my skin. I finally decided to give it a shot and bought some Tea Tree Soap. I've been using it for two days and my skin is 90% clear! I'm also taking a multivitamin, eating tons of fruits and veggies, and drinking echinacea tea (I ran out of all my other herbal teas).

My skin is much too sensitive to try the ACV, but the TTO soap is mild enough for my skin. I've been using it about 4 times a day and my skin feels baby soft. For those with really sensitive skin I recommend trying it. It's working so well, I've even stopped using the zinc. I just wash, and pat dry.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Brook (Heidelberg, Bw, Germany) on 02/02/2011

I wanted to add that in addition to the above remedies, I quit using my previous skin care regime, and anything with sodium lauryl sulfate. And to moisturize, I'll use some calendula cream or cocunut oil.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Anna Maria (Heidelberg, Germany) on 11/21/2011

Hi, Funny that I am also from Heideberg - :) I have to say, when I was living in Poland I had the most beautiful skin ever- the water in my city is very soft. Here in Heidelberg the water is hard which is bad enough. I have stoped using the water on my face, I did get some filter ( even 2! ) for the shower.

I got PD one year ago, but I thought that the skin is just dry and I try to apply some face masks- it didnt help so I went to dr and he said it is from the all cosmetics that I use and I should stop it. I did but it didnt work. So I refuse to go there for second time and found this site. I apply yoghurt, today I did ACV.. (let's see). I take Vitamin C, Omega 3 E, Zinc, and B complex. Today I will get some probiotic as well. I think ( I hope) in my case is the fluorid toothpaste - I used Elmex - the orange one (night one) that Fluorid content is 1400 ppm but the blue ( for the day) has only 1000 ppm! I did use only the orange one since I didnt like the taste of the blue one! Plus, I did use the Elmex INTENSE more often that I should. I just didn't care that they wrote: " use every other day" - but the Fluorid content is the same as the orange = 1400 ppm!

I went to organic shop " Alnatura" and got some baby toothpaste, so lets see. Since it's only one week.

The other thing is that I have read in some dr forum that Fluorid is probably the cause since one dr claming that 60 % of his female patients didnt got any PD symptoms since using olny non-fluoride toothpaste. And people right-handed have a bigger rush on the left side ( like me! My rush is actually on the left side of my mouth! ) - maybe we tend to brush more intesne or longer on the left side- but of course I never thought about it.

I am also not using any SLS products. Hope for the best. I think this is just a rush and there is cure for this out there!

ps I just read here today that nail polish could be reason as well ( strange! ) but I did remove it immediately! :P


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Emily (Charleston, Sc) on 10/25/2011

Thank you so much for taking the time to write about your experience with pd while pregnant. I am 31 years old 17 weeks pregnant and SUFFERING from perioral dermatitis. My first outbreak was in the spring before I got pregnant. The oral antibiotics and topical metrogel worked eventually after months and months, but I always had "the itch" and was scared to death it would rear its ugly head again. of course im not surprised that my pregnancy hormones have triggered it.I went to the dermatologist this morning because my entire face swelled and it was excrutiating. Sadly I had gotten a staph infection from the rash spreading to the corners of my mouth. it kept cracking open and wouldnt heal, and now im plagued with pd and staph.

I am a wreck. I feel like a leper in public, stopped going to work, and basically feel trapped in my house and my own body. I can only assume these terrible feelings associated with pd are not so good for my growing baby. I'm scared shitless.
I was prescribed mupirocin, a topical antibiotic and its only day one. So far major numbing and oozing still. not sure how this topical with affect the pd but I have to get rid of the staph since its so deadly.

Since I'm pregnant I can't take oral antibiotics I just have to deal. I am forever grateful for everyones posts about alternative remedies, such as acv, yogurt, etc. I'm just not sure how it will affect staph.If anyone has some answers please help!


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Shaun (York, Uk) on 10/26/2011

Just use Milk of Magnesia on your face.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kathy (Idaho) on 08/30/2017

My son was diagnosed with contact dermatitis by a dermatologist. His whole body is covered with a nasty rash and little tiny blisters, including between his toes and fingers. I have been doing a ton of research trying to find an answer for him as to what will help besides the steroids the doc put him on again (this is the 4th time in 4 months). The other day I read many reviews for manuka honey and many of them said that it would kill a staph infection. Just make sure it is a good quality of manuka honey from New Zealand. Wishing you the best of luck!


Apple Cider Vinegar, Sulphur Clay Mask
Posted by Elizabeth (Nashville, Tn) on 01/17/2011
5 out of 5 stars

I've had an outbreak of dermatits on my face, on either side of my nose and underneath my nose. I remembered I used ACV and bentonite clay for a rash I got from a swimming pool and it cleared it up in a matter of days, so I thought I would apply the same principles to my face. This is what I did:

Wash face every AM and PM with gentle soap. Used cottonball to apply H2O all over face and let sit for about a minute. Then applied ACV, full strength, with cottonball over the H2O. Let air dry and put on lotion and mineral makeup For the day ( I have a customer service job). At night I would apply the H20 and ACV, Let it dry and apply a sulfur/bentonite clay mask to only the affected areas and leave on while I slept.

I started this 5 days ago and I'm about 85% clear. Not to mention the ACV/H2O has exfoliated really well so I have smooth skin.

Hope this helps someone!


Things to Avoid
Posted by Tracy (Fort Worth, Texas) on 12/19/2010

I have found that the beeswax is a problem for my perioral dermatitis. My lips would swell and become even more dry and sore after using it.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Shary (Centennial, Co) on 11/20/2010

After struggling with itchy, occasionally rashy skin on my torso for several years, and after much trial and error and being unable to find the cause, I recently realized that the itchiness is usually near the seams of my clothing. I had been taking krill oil, which helped some but not enough and is expensive. I have since discovered that wearing as many garments inside-out as I can, so the seams aren't next to my skin, has really helped. I may be allergic to the thread, which is probably made in Asia these days and treated with God knows what.

The other thing is probiotics. I have begun to take it daily. A lack of beneficial bacteria in the gut can cause a variety of problems, including allergies, bleeding gums, GI tract problems, etc. (Check online for more info on probiotics. ) Ask your pharmacist to recommend a good one. It is available without a prescription. Take it as directed for 4 to 6 months to see if it helps.

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Damian (Kampala, Uganda) on 05/19/2014

I have eczema and it develops from my buttocks downwards to my legs. It usually comes and goes but this time it won't go, can some one please help me what remedy or medicine I can use to stop this? I'm having sleepless nights. Thank you.


Ingredients to Avoid
Posted by Cindy (New York, Ny) on 11/08/2010

I stopped washing my face with tap water and my dermatitis and acne have disappeared. I have been using vitamin E face wipes and burt's bees toner to clean my face. Then I applied balmex to my dermatitis now it is gone. I am pretty sure it is the chlorine and fluoride in the tap water that aggravated my condition. I just purchased a shower filter too, hopefully it will help as well.


Things to Avoid
Posted by Tracy (Fort Worth, Texas) on 12/19/2010

Would you mind compiling a list of certain products you switched to and where one could find them? I am in the midst of the absolute worst break out in my life. I have suffered off and on for 8 years and now it is beyond out of control :(
I look unsightly and can't even finish my Christmas shopping because of all the stares, not to mention my face is in so much pain, cracking, flaking. My husband doesn't quite get how severe this is emotionally and lolligags in going out to get treatment for me. I am starting to get depressed.


Things to Avoid
Posted by Brendan (Adelaide, South Australia) on 12/22/2010
4 out of 5 stars

Hey Tracy, My name is Brendan and I know exactly what your going through, I too have dermatitis all over my face and no matter what I do it seems to get worse. I hate going out and only really ever go out to the organic shop to get my vege's. It's ruining my life and I am so scared that I have to go back to uni in feb and endure the staring again. I have found stress is a major cause too as I am doing architecture which is full on and as the semester goes on it gets worse and worse. I never believed it before but I know stress is a major factor as when I went to Fiji this year for my bros wedding, my face cleared up in a couple of days, it was like magic. Im convinced the mud bath I went to when I was there had a healing effect but you cant bring the mud back so theres no way of proving that. After I got home to Adelaide and back to uni it progressively got worse and is now worse than its ever been. I've tried every remedy, natural or not, I could find and every med my dermatologist has ever reccomended which is a lot but im done with that now because I figure everything he's given me has only ever made it worse.

I am now just trying my very hardest to just eat as healthy as possible and supplement what I think could help, all I eat is basically raw organic veges and a bit of organic chicken as well as gluten free cereal in the morning with organic rice milk. Actually tonight I went crazy for the first time in months and had some green and blacks organic dark choc. It's my christmas gift to myself. I figure youve got to give your body the best chance to heal itself so feeding it well is the first step. Anyway, enough about me, I could go on all day about what ive done so far. All I really wanted to say was that ive found something a few days ago which has helped me somewhat, the first thing in ages which has had a positive effect. Its called Aveeno, daily moisturising lotion or theres another Aveeno skin relief moisturising lotion but that has menthol in it which may aggrivate your skin as it did to mine a little. It's made by johnson and johnson and im sure youll be able to find it in the states. If your like me you will read the ingredients and think "oh I dont know about this" as it contains things like alchohol and other chem sounding stuff which I would usually steer away from but Seriously it is the only thing in ages which has actually kept my skin moisturised for a decent amount of time, like overnight. My skin is still red but less so, it is more a pinky colour but still stands out as I am fair skinned irish australian. It still looks pretty bad but it is no longer so dry and tight and is a lot less flakey, almost not at all actually. I can now crinkle my forehead without it feeling tight and dry.

Anyway it is a step in the right direction, and has given me some glimps of hope for my condition. I know everyones skin is different but I thought it's definately worth mentioning and maybe you can do a test patch first before you go and use it full on. I would love to have a decent chat with you and maybe discuss things further as I have not found anyone with the same problem as me in all my searching and I think ive blabbered on for long enough on here, I tend to babble on a bit lol. My email is austmade(at)live(dot)com(dot)au Email me anytime for a chat. Dont give up, I know its so hard and I know exactly how alone you feel as nobody knows what it's like to have this constant burden on your mind. But I know there is a cure out there somewhere and I will not stop till I find it. It's so discouraging when doctor say "there is no cure" but all that means is they dont have it and they'd rather give you there bs meds which prolong your suffering and keep you poor. The way I figure it, the answer is something we need to find ourselves. The big pharm cos are making billions of dollars a year on skin condition meds which dont work so why would they cure us, that means less profit for them, somehow I doubt theyre gonna do it. They are afterall a buisness. Sorry, for going on and on. Try to have a merry xmas. Hope to hear from you soon, Brendan.


Things to Avoid
Posted by Melissa (Kirkland, Wa) on 01/09/2011

Hi Tracy from Fort Worth... Sorry for such a slow response I have not checked back on this website in quite some time... As far as SLS free brands I have been using either California Baby Products or Burt's Bees Products. I am able to find both brands at Target stores in my area also both brands have websites where one may purchase said products. As far as my Perioral Dermatitis it continues to remain a thing of the past. I feel blessed to have been able to cure this problem with such simple small changes and wish you the best of luck.


Apple Cider Vinegar, Yogurt
Posted by Heather (Sarasota, Fl) on 06/15/2010
3 out of 5 stars

Better But With Side Effects

I have been using Apple Cider Vinegar for my PD for about four days now. The PD was bad because I had been using a steroid cream to treat it as I thought it was just a rash problem and not PD.

I have been using an organic, raw ACV twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. I have also used a plain, organic yogurt mask twice in the past four days. I have switched to a fluoride-free toothpaste and only use a gentle face cleanser. I have continued to use mineral makeup. I live in Florida so avoiding the humidity and sunshine isn't really an option for me.

Although it seems to be getting better (the pimple-looking spots have slightly diminished and the rash is not so red) one patch on my chin is severely scaley and dry.

How do I treat the dry, flaky part of my PD without bringing on the yucky whitehead looking parts? It seems to be needing a moisturizer, but what should I use?!

Please help! This is incredibly embarrassing and being a bartender with a rash on my face makes me so self-conscious. I wish I could just hide until this gets better. Thank you!

Apple Cider Vinegar, Yogurt
Posted by Heather (Naples, Fl) on 10/04/2010

Have you tried Calendula cream? It did wonders for my PD. I use an organic brand.


Apple Cider Vinegar, Yogurt
Posted by Joann (New York) on 12/10/2015

Extra Virgin coconut oil


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Doodle (Narragansett, Ri, Usa) on 10/12/2010

Regarding my above post.... Not 15 months pregnant, 15 weeks pregnant. Now that would be interesting..


Multiple Remedies
Posted by A (Traverse City, Mi) on 01/12/2011

Hi, I recently came across your post after looking tirelessly for a natural rememdy to my case of POD. I am also pregnant for the first time, approximately 6 months at this point. I also broke out in POD on my chin roughly a month into my pregnancy. I have had POD in the past, and it has always been treated with an oral antibiotic. My derm gave me the same advice about waiting until after breastfeeding to start the normal treatment, and in the meantime prescribed me Metrogel (which I used for 6 weeks, to no avail! ).

Since then, I have been trying to keep POD at bay with all of the same remedies that you tried, currently I'm using calendula oil AM/PM and nothing else. Since I've had POD before, I switched to SLS free products years ago, and my diet is excellent! So, I don't know what other areas to change, at this point.

I'm writing in response to your last post about the yin care herbal wash, are you still using that product? How has your POD responded? What about the yeast infection cream? I've never had a yeast infection, so I hesitate to use products for that purpose. But, at this point I'm feeling so frustrated and helpless that really, I'm up for anything!

Thank you for your time!


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kotori (Los Osos, Ca) on 01/14/2011

Remove gluten from your diet. Give your body at least 2 months to eliminate residual glue from your digestive system before judging whether this is root cause of dermatitis. Any rash that occurs near mouth is related to what you ingest. Try eliminating deadly nightshade family(tomato, eggplant, potato) if still suffering. The toxins that cannot be eliminated through digestion or filter organs come out via the skin. It is the bodies largest organ.


Magnesium Chloride
Posted by Arianna (Portland, Ca) on 02/15/2010
5 out of 5 stars

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.

EC: For those who don't know, Magnesium Chloride is also called Magnesium Oil (when water is added to the flakes) and is the type of magnesium used in Transdermal Magnesium Therapy. Read more here: https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/transdermal-magnesium-therapy.html

Magnesium Chloride
Posted by Katrina (Newcastle Upon Tyne, Uk) on 08/14/2012

I am very grateful to everyone who has previously posted on this website. I have been suffering from mild perioral dermatitis intermittently for the past year and have blamed many things from antibiotics to having my top lip waxed.

As a kinesiologist who couldn't cure herself I was getting very frustrated having tried many remedies. As I already had magnesium chloride oil in the house so decided to give it a try, that was on Sunday, I have wiped it over my top lip night and morning since then (it is Tuesday morning now) and it has made a dramatic difference.

It stings like mad at first then calms down which is when I apply my moisturiser. Concealer works very well I have found.

Thank you for all of the helpful information! :-)


Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Sherrinav (Wilmington, Nc, United States) on 11/01/2010
0 out of 5 stars

Did anyone experience stinging or itching from the gse even if you rinse it off? I've had PD for a few years. It started with a little noticeable redness around the crease of my nose. No one else really noticed. It also had the watery bumps occasionally. I didn't know it but I also have it around my chin area below the crease of my mouth, which the dermatologist pointed out with her magnification mirror. She prescribed tetracycline the first time, which really cleared it up nicely but made me gain weight and tired. So I stopped and it came back worse.

She then gave me doxycycline which also cleared it up nicely, but it had the same side effects. When I stopped taking it (because I'd rather have a little rash around my nose than be fat and lazy)it came back worse than ever. Now I can see it below my mouth and everwhere else, cheeks, forehead too.

So I began to search for the cure naturally. I started taking probiotics and yogurt - on the face and eating it. The yogurt mask really calming and soothing and made my skin look pretty good considering, but didn't cure it. ACV agrevated it. I tried it for two weeks and it did not make it any better. I will probably continue yogurt mask every now and then just for the pleasure of it. It's been two days since I first used GSE. The first day I used 10 drops in a tablespoon of water dabbed on with fingertip. The second day (today)was the same solution dabbed on with cottonball - it stung a little but felt really itchy/crawly and turned fire red. I could see red spots I'd never seen before! So I rinsed it off with water and applied coconut oil which helped a tiny bit. It still felt itchy and "crawly" the rest of the day which I was imagining the GSE to be annoying and killing the nano-insect if there are any, lol. Anyone else have that sensation? It looks worse now than it ever has. I'm hoping it is the gets worse before better thing.


Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Nikaya (Aurora, Or) on 02/15/2011
4 out of 5 stars

I have had subhorreic dermatitis for about a year on the back of my head and around the top of my left ear. I have used a couple different prescriptions that made the itching bareable and kept the oozing to a minimum (sorry that's gross, I know). A friend told me about GSE so I figured I'd give it a try on this as well as some atopic dermatitis on my legs. It did wonders for my head and helped my legs some too (though I didn't stick with it and it flared up again, time to get back to it I suppose). I also experienced the stinging/burning but I've found that dilluting a bit more can make a world of difference. I read that it's very powerful in small amounts so it doesn't need to be extremely concentrated to work. I just rinse my hands with water then put a few drops of GSE on my hands and rub them together. Then I just rub my damp hands over my legs or head. You can also put a dilluted solution in a spray bottle (worked nicely for my head). I'd recommend playing around with the concentration that feels good as you don't want to irritate the skin more than it is already. If it burns, water it down a bit (I've read you can diluted it in olive or coconut oil too but haven't tried that). If you don't feel anything, maybe add a couple more drops? I personally like to feel a little tingle but no burn. Good luck!


Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Leki (Greenville, Sc) on 02/19/2011

You should both try taking the solution internally in combination with a topical application. And, YES - there is a "crawly" sensation on the skin when the diluted GSE is applied - it will abate within about 15 or so minutes. Just bear through it to get the full effect of the treatment - just like you have to bear through the bad taste when you drink it. I always tried to think of these minor issues in terms of a cost/benefit ratio. Well worth the end result in my mind. Best of luck to you in curing your PD!


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Mielle (New York, Ny) on 03/03/2011

Hi Colleen,
What a brilliant association you made! Yes, I also received a tetanus shot back in the mid-80's because of a motorbike accident. A few weeks later I noticed the PD on my chin. It was relatively mild and it came and went annually (nothing serious) and eventually it went away. A year ago, I received another tetanus shot and this year BAM! I have a big, red, blob that seems to be spreading around my chin and below nose. I too understand (from an Eastern perspective) that this is associated with the intestines. Regarding different causes of PD, I was thinking same, since different therapies work for different people. Thank you, from my heart :) for sharing your experience and thoughts! I will try the aloe-vera treatment. Currently, I'm only drinking a little of it with coconut water but will go for the gallon tomorrow.

Namaste! :)


Castor Oil
Posted by sac (houston, tx) on 06/23/2009
5 out of 5 stars

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.


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.

Ingredients to Avoid
Posted by Andrewdreiling (Overland Park, Ks) on 09/27/2010

Check out the books "whole body dentistry", "uninformed consent", & "root canal cover up"... If u have amalgams/silver fillings, they must come out & be replaced with a safer material (non-bpa composite, porcelain, gold, etc) asap... Mercury poisoning is a BIG problem... Hope this helps!


Apple Cider Vinegar, Coconut Oil, Calendula, Yogurt
Posted by Erica (Ncentral, Ma) on 09/15/2009
5 out of 5 stars

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!


Apple Cider Vinegar, Homeopathy
Posted by Erica (Ncentral, Ma) on 09/15/2009

I also switched to non SLS hair care and body wash as well as non flouride toothpaste!!


Vitamin E
Posted by BPhilips (Mcminnville, OR) on 05/02/2009
5 out of 5 stars

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%


Acidophilus
Posted by Peggy (Rutledge, Tn) on 10/19/2011

This is an update on my original posting. I used the yogurt on my face if I get a bad break out, which began to happen more often lately. I also began using the ACV which worked for a little bit but then after about 6 months it was no longer helping. I returned to this website to see if anyone had any more answers. I don't use anything with SLS or flouride in it but still was having breakouts, mainly around the lower outer rim of my mouth. I tried Ted's remedy, slightly. In the USA borax is a laundry soap and I refuse to drink laundry soap. I did try mixing the borax and peroxide but that just dried out my skin.

So I tried just the peroxide. Within a week my face was totally clear. I use it at night and in the morning and have been doing so for a month now and still clear. I have had one small pimple similar to when I have a full fledge break out, put the peroxide on it and it is gone in a day or so. I also use a product from Mary Kay (I do not sell it, I just use it) that helps the skin stay nice and soft. I will keep everyone up to date as to if this continues to work. Unfortunately I think this is going to be an ongoing issue but if I can maintain it and keep it under control I am happy.


Acidophilus
Posted by Cara (Marina, Ca, Usa) on 11/23/2011
4 out of 5 stars

My PD was really bad about three months ago even though I was doing everything my dermatologist told me to. I was on 150mg of doxycycline and clindamycin and I wasn't wearing makeup or using anything on my face. I even got rid of all personal products with fluoride, SLS and petroleum. I was really sick of taking antibiotics without any sign of them working so I decided to try a new approach, stopped the antibiotics and gel and bought Epicuren Acidophilus Probiotic Facial Cream at the spa where I work. My product trainer said that it limits bacterial growth that causes acne by depositing good bacterias that inhibit them. I thought maybe it would do something similar as the gel but in a healthier way, cause we do need bacteria on our skin and shouldn't killing all of it be bad for you? It actually started working in about a week and seriously improved my PD in like two more. I started taking Acidophilus supplements to help it. It got to the point where it was only one red bump and no rashiness for awhile, but I switched up the routine and now it's all angry again. But I honestly believe using this stuff twice a day was what tamed mine.



NEXT 
1... 2 3 4 5 6 7