| 5 star (34) | 69% | |
| 4 star (12) | 24% | |
| 3 star (2) | 4% | |
| 1 star (1) | 2% |
Jasmine (Tx) on 05/22/2018: 
So reading through the remedies on here I found that there is not just one "cure" for perioral dermatitis - definitely depending on the cause of it. In my case, steroid cream irritated what was FUNGUS on my face. If you look through the Multiple Remedies tab on here you can see that quite a few (but not many) people talked about approaching it as a fungus. It's exactly what I did though. I went to my local health food store and talked to a guy about perioral dermatitis. He basically said that I could treat it topically, but if I really wanted it gone I had to work from the inside out. He suggested that I get a yeast cleanse to clean out the overgrowth of yeast in my body. An overgrowth of yeast in the gut leads to leaky gut syndrome, which will have yeast in your bloodstream, which ultimately turns to fungal acne, perioral dermatitis, and other skin conditions. In the last month before breakout, I was eating every carb under the sun, drinking lots of sugary alcoholic drinks, and other things that would produce yeast in my body.
Here's what I did to get rid of my PD in 10 DAYS! No, seriously. TEN DAYS!
Yeast Cleanse Supplement (Caprylic Acid, Pau D'Arco, Grapefruit Seed Extract, and Tea Tree Oil) - six pills a day as directed.
Grapefruit Seed Extract - anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. I took ten drops in water three times a day. You can break up or combine the servings how you like. You can apply this to the affected area but it's potent so dilute with a carrier oil.
Black Seed Oil - anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. I applied this to the affected area. In the first few days I washed my face and then I would apply the oil and sleep with it on. As it healed, I would apply it for awhile then rinse it off before bed. After that I would apply vitamin e oil and jojoba oil mixed to heal the scars that it would leave behind. In the morning I would apply the mask (listed below), rinse and then apply a bit of black seed oil and then my vitamin e and jojoba oil mixed throughout the day.
Antifungal Mask (from someone else under the Multiple Remedies tab; Thanks btw! )
full fat yogurt (the more cultures/bacteria in it, the better)
manuka honey
clotrimazole antifungal cream (make sure that's the only active ingredient; no steroids)
acidophilus (3-4 capsules cracked open)
black seed oil (4-5 drops; 1/2 teaspoon)
Mix it all together to make a paste. The thicker, the better it will stay in place on your face. I slept in this the first few days. As it healed, I would put it on for a few before bed and then rinse off and follow with black seed oil. Wear this as much as you can. It really soothed my PD and when you take it off in the morning you'll notice that some pustules you may have had will have busted or popped open. Make this mixture every two days, don't use the same one more than twice. Make small batches. The fresher the batch, the better.
EAT CLEAN! Drink as much water as possible. As many leafy, dark greens as you can. Stay away from processed sugar, grains like wheat and corn. Anything that causes yeast in the body, stay away from it. If you can, stick to the Candida diet as much as possible.
I KNOW how frustrating and humiliating this can be, but you CAN get it under control. Don't think of any of this as a quick fix or something that will magically go away. It took time to come, it will take some time to go away. Just because one single cure worked for others, doesn't mean it will work for you. But don't let it get you down. Just wanted to share my experience in hopes that it will work for others! You got this!
Michelle (Saint Paul, Mn) on 06/30/2017:
Priyanka (Victoria) on 11/13/2016:
First up, you must be prepared to make a hell lot of lifestyle changes. So throw away all your chemical make ups, eye liners, shampoos etc.
Second, buy a fluoride free toothpaste and a tongue cleaner.
Third, stop using all the expensive so called "natural" shampoos. Bottomline is, chemicals shouldn't touch your face. I found an amazing alternative to shampoo. I wash my hair with 1 tbp of baking soda with water, followed by conditioning it with a cap of Apple Cider vinegar mixed with water. Works perfect.
Fourth, I apply a mix of Apple Cider Vinegar daily mixed with mineral water followed by yoghurt, turmeric and honey paste. I applied it 5-6 times when I have the flare ups. Otherwise 2 times daily is just fine.
Fifth, do not drink the tap water. I drink mineral water and also bought a spray bottle that I fill with mineral water to wipe my face. I also wash my hair with mineral water.
Sixth, initially I stopped eating any kind of food that might cause allergy. Gluten, lactose, soy, no processed food, no spices, no red meat, no sauces (talking about the bottled ones in Supermarkets like Red chilli sauce, etc). I prepared everything at home and ate mainly veggies, chicken and eggs (3 times a week). I noticed a big difference and then I started introducing each item slowly to see if it reacts. Luckily for me, I found that Mexican food and KFC reacted to my skin. I think they use some kind of spices that didn't agree with me. So now I know what to avoid and have started eating the others without any fear. I know how frustrating it can be to find out what exactly is causing it. My dermatologist referred me to an allergist who said I have no allergy, whatsoever and declined to do a food allergy although I wanted it. Hence I strongly suggest to have patience and do trial and error.
Last but not the least, no matter what, do not give up hope. This is not fully curable as every once in a while, I still have flare ups but it does go away with my home remedy in about 5-6 days time.
Also stop using all make up. I have decided to try using mineral make ups and see how my skin reacts. Make up is not high on my priority but sometimes I do miss it when I have to go to a social event (like hubby's office party or my office party or a date night).
I sincerely hope that no one has to suffer from this and all those who suffered, may find these remedies helpful :)
Christy (Los Angeles ) on 10/20/2016:
1. Wheat
2. Soy sauce (not Tamari- that has no wheat)
3. Witch Hazel
4. SLS
5. Tea Tree
6. Almost all essential oils. Even ones that are said to be good for dermatitis
7. Cinnamon flavor/oil
There are a number of theories out there why PD occurs, one of them being that its a fungal infection. Many people have success with using an OTC anti fugal cream to heal their rash. They alone did not work for me. My onset of PD this last time happened because I used a new toothpaste that although did not have SLS, it did have cinnamon essential oil. I flared horribly. Then I proceeded to try and heal it with Navan acne supplements which then gave me the worst flare of my life. My whole face was inflamed and my chin was double the size it normally was. I had 4 blisters that turned into one huge inflamed one and became cystic. Then 3 more cystic ones showed up. Unbeknownst to me, the pills had witch hazel leaf in it which I thought would be fine orally. Apparently not. I then went to the derm and she gave me a script for DOXY and clindomycin gel (both which I have yet to use because I am hoping to heal it myself through elimination). She also gave me samples of PLEXION cleanser and Lotion. At this point my skin was starting to heal on its own but once I got home and applied the lotion I started getting blisters and pustules within 15 minutes!!! I googled it and yup-- SLS. It was very negligent of the derm synchs knew it was one of my flares. Plus, one would a pharm company make a product for PD that contains SLS when it is widely known that SLS is one of the ingredients that makes almost everyone with it break out?! So please... dont ever try it. I dont think its worth it for anyone.
What helped me to finally start making the rash and P and P's subside was
1. Drinking tons of lemon water and ACV water to alkalize my body and help it to fight the inflammation.
2. Wash my face with warm water and cleanser (purple label) LOVE this stuff! I also like to mix in zinc powder for added benefit.
3. Use a Sensitive skin serum (green bottle)
4. Use a mask on my break out a few times a day that contained the following:
Kefir (unsweetened), ACV diluted with filtered water, anti fungal OTC cream, bentonite clay and raw honey. Mix this in a glass jar with a non-metal spoon and keep in the fridge. Its cooling and helps the itch and burn and reduces the blisters.
5. I am also taking 1 tsp of food grade diatomaceous earth 1 time a day. I do this for 10 days on, 10 days off. After the 10 days off you can up your dosage a little. There are many health benefits to this stuff... google it.
6. When my skin is flaring I also get off all sugar, wheat, alcohol and coffee. Sounds drastic but to me nothing is worse than this crap on my face so I go into detox mode in order to help my body help fight this B.S. of a situation.
7. Multivitamin with zinc!
I hope this helps!!! I know its so so hard, embarrassing and painful. But I think we all need to remember that we can kick its ugly ass. We just have to do our own investigation of the case... because we are all different. But dont give up! There is a reason for it and it wont last forever. I also suggest creating a daily diary of what you used, ate and did as well as what your skin looks like that day so that you can better track whats going on.
XXXXX
Kate (Michigan) on 09/13/2016: 
I moved to LA back in 2011 from Michigan. My diet changed due to stress, turning 21, and experiencing living on my own for the first time! At this time, I would pop the occasional (SO bad, I know) Accutane pills that I had left over from my treatment to rid me of my cystic acne (yes people, I had it all). I was out there modeling & couldn't deal with these outbreaks. Unknowingly to me, my cystic acne was probably caused by my lack of water intake, large alcohol intake, eating SO much processed food, high amounts of sugars, birth control, and also the fact that my Dad passed it down to me, awesome! I stopped taking the Accutane (due to the EXTREME side affects) & maybe a month later I thought I had a acne outbreak on my chin & mouth. SICK. I tried to pop it, NOPE, that made it worse. Tried my acne cream samples on it, HELL NAH, that made it so angry! Finally, after booking a new gig that wouldn't allow me to just cover up this mess, I made a dermatologist appt. He sampled it & told me what it was, I was flabergasted, I had never heard of this disgusting thing in my life! He gave me the 3 month supply of Antibiotics & some topical cream, as well as told me to get rid of all soaps containing fragrances, sulfates, ect. Me, being horrible at taking just a 3 week dose of antibiotics for a cold, I sure as hell knew I wouldn't be able to finish a 3 stinking month supply, wow! Needless to say, I couldn't even do the first day. I couldn't eat 2 hours before the pill or 2 hours after & I usually eat every 2 hours. I was throwing up every-time I tried to take the antibiotics because I would eat. Stopped taking those, and just used the topical cream (which now I know is a big no-no), removed all crappy makeup, cleaned my brushes, bought Dr.Bronners Tea Tree (this is magic, all Bronners is, helped clear up my acne as well as my brothers) and I believe I bought Sulfate Free hair products as well. My PD didn't clear up until I started traveling a lot for work, drinking more water, exercising, swimming in the pool, and getting sun when I could. There wasn't, at this time, something exact that rid me of it during this time. It was a combo of this. Stress I think feeds it as well, and when I started de-stressing, it went away. Mind you, I was traveling ALL the time for work, staying at nice hotels, which have clean sheets/pillow cases daily (I think this is huge with PD) & always on the go.
Flash forward to 2015-2016. I moved home in 2013, and my PD was still at bay. I was still traveling a lot for work at this time, and know that helped a lot. I do remember having a flare up when I returned home from a Vegas trip in May of 2014 or 15. We had went to this Adore anti-aging shop & they put all kinds of crap on my face to try & fix my "smile lines" that they couldn't stop saying looked so bad for me age (nice, thanks). I warned them of my sensitive skin, but they insisted this was "all organic, and has no harsh chemicals". Well, my face called BS after $500 products later, my PD flared up within 2 days. Horrible! I knew it was the lotions & immediately cut them out. It took a while for my face to readjust, because as you know, as soon as you've flared up, make-up really only makes it worse even if it's organic.
During this, we had moved to a new place in MI & the water was well water instead of city water (keep reading on, THIS PART IS HUGE!) & it was such a nice change. My PD always was at bay, slightly noticeable only to me, around the creases of my nostrils, which I was okay with. I rarely ever had outbreaks in this home, and lived here for 3 years (other than the vegas thing). If I did, I used ACV topically, 2 tablespoons orally, Physicians Formula pressed powder on my face, and tried to use makeups with least amount of allergy prone chemicals, organic shampoos, Dr.Bronners face wash, Coconut Oil only for face lotion, natural bug sprays, and Dessert Essence Natural Tea tree toothpaste. STAY away from- Clarisonic scrubber (makes it worse), exfoliating washes, scrubbs, cancelers withOUT high allergy chemicals in them (http://www.ewg.org/ check your makeup here, you want all 1's, and nothing in the Allergies & immunotoxicity setions. Another bummer is lipsticks, they tend to really make my PD react, so invest in some natural lipsticks, lip stains and pencils.
SO, here is the part I told you to all read on about. I recently moved too an new house in the suburbs, back to the old nasty city water like in LA. Since I have moved here, my PD is at it's absolute WORST it's ever been since I was diagnosed with it in 2011! I have only been here almost 3 months, and it's so bad that it bleeds sometimes, ACV no longer even affects it, and now I have to use rubbing alcohol to even somewhat dry it out. I turned to here & learned that this could be due to Candida Overgrowth, since PD is an affect of this possibly happening. I was consuming the same things I had been in LA, same amounts, and same lifestyle. It made sense, because nothing else was working. I tried the Candida Diet, & it did help a little bit. My PD was still not all gone though. I am no longer on the diet but take Grape Fruit Extract, Probiotics, & Candida Cleanse tablets 2x daily. I wash my face now with an organic Oatmeal Soap to help with the itching & redness. I have traveled less due to my busy season with my job & haven't exercised much unless on vacation. When on Vacation, I notice the next day I wake up, it looks better, doesn't itch, and I don't even notice it. It was right under my nose THE WHOLE TIME! FLUORIDE, how did I not realize this to begin with! The city water contains high amount of FLUORIDE to "help with tooth wellness" so they add it to the water as well as chlorine. My Well water never had this, but LA does & so does here. We all know this is HUGE NO for us, and just great, there's nothing I can do about it other than move or install an outrageously expensive house filtering system, which I am in a rental home, not going to happen.
All I can say is wash your face with filtered water, don't let the water run down your face in the shower (if city), exercise, get some sun, don't consume too much processed crap (if you're, try the Candida Diet then limit sugar intake daily after you've rid it), don't overdo the daily use of ACV topically or you'll become use to it like my PD did, use sulfate free everything, no facial products with added fragrances, check your makeup products online, clean your brushes weekly, change your pillow cases every other day or sleep on a fresh towel nightly, don't drink city water, take daily vitamins, sweat it out, watch alcohol intake, cut back on daily yeast intake, use nothing with Fluoride, double your daily intake in filtered water, and let it breath as much as possible.
I hope my many trial & errors help you & I hope it clears up. Nothing sucks more than this crap & I know you all hate it too. I know once I move it will clear up but I will let you know how not washing my face with the water anymore & not allowing it on my face in the shower holds up.
Nla (Mobile, Al ) on 06/05/2016:
Chris (Michigan) on 04/11/2016:
I have had POD during the last few winters (told by dermatologist this is normal for a woman in her 40's) The first time it was diagnosed; I refused oral antibiotics but used topical antibiotic cream. It took MONTHS for the POD to look any different; and I truly think when I stopped wearing make up during the summer is when it finally went away.
After the first outbreak, I stopped using fluoride toothpaste, any shampoo/conditioner or lotion with SLS/parabens/petroleum. I did continue to wear my expensive department store make up.
This winter it reappeared with a vengeance, the worst it's ever been. Dermatologist prescribed oral antibiotics as well as topical. I really balked at the oral antibiotics as they frequently cause digestive issues and yeast infections. The doctor said my face was so swollen it was deforming my lower lip and that I really needed to go on the antibiotics. (The area most affected was left lower chin from corner of mouth down to chin).
So after 5 days of oral/topical antibiotics my rash was still spreading (outward and upward). My digestive system started reacting negatively to the antibiotics, and a yeast infection was setting in. I spent hours researching online and came across your website. What a blessing!
Here is what I used after reading and re-reading most of your posts regarding POD:
Stopped antibiotics both oral and topical.
Washed face with African black soap morn and eve. Used diluted Apple Cider Vinegar (raw unfiltered - diluted 50% with spring water) to tone my entire face; paying attention to the rash area.
The ACV burned like crazy! After the first 3 days I was using straight ACV only once a day with much less burning.
I let the ACV dry, then put Manuka honey over the rash for several hours. Gently wiped it off when I had to go out in public. Put calendula ointment over it at night. No make up. Skin would flake/peel and I GENTLY exfoliated with a wash cloth.
As others have reported; rash appeared to be getting worse - more red/angry looking the first 3-4 days then woke up on 5th day and it really was 2/3 gone. Now it's the 7th day and you have to look hard to see it.
I only used the honey the first 3 days; then due to traveling was just using ACV followed by calendula; which is what I am continuing to do at this time.
Went to a local health food store and invested in some natural makeup. Threw out the $100's of dollars worth of my department store brand makeup.
I truly appreciate everyone sharing their experience; and hope that my post will help someone as the others have helped me.
Megan (Vancouver, Canada) on 03/22/2016:
SO – my recommendations for keeping PD down that have worked FOR ME:
I do the Manuka/matcha mask daily, after cleansing ONLY with water (sometimes twice a day – once in the morning, once before bed) FYI – it’s goopy to take off, make sure you’re thorough and use a wash cloth (a clean one every time) and follow with a good moisturizer. Find moisturizers that don’t contain scents, irritants, parabens/sulphates. Being on minocycline dried my skin a lot, and this moisturizer works wonders.
LIMIT dairy/sugar/alcohol/fried foods intake (only black coffee!! Better yet, switch to green tea) and eat lots of leafy green veg (duh). Personally, I cut out most bread products, never have dairy anymore, and drink matcha tea daily
I use mineral makeup, when I need it (honestly don’t need much these days – skin is pretty clear! )
Drink LOTS of water
Try to sweat 2-3 times a week. I find it overall makes me feel healthier, regardless of what ailment I’m dealing with.
Try to get outside, get some daily vitamin D
Honestly, if you’ve given natural remedies a fair shot, and it hasn’t worked – see a doctor. Get a prescription. The medication will help and after you’ve gotten your PD down, you can continue to keep your body healthy with the steps above and stop it from coming back. If you choose to take antibiotics, ensure you’re following it with a daily probiotic (3-4 hours after) to keep your gut flora in check.
After 1.5 years, at 24, I am PD clear! It gets better. But keeping it away, in my opinion, is truly a lifestyle shift that takes diligence to maintain. Worth it though.
Zubi (Longmont, Colorado) on 01/07/2016:
1) Drink lemon water throughout the day. This will help to reduce the acidity in your body. Seems counter intuitive, but it works.
2) No alcohol.
3) No sugar. (I had one relapse and immediately paid for my sin by getting one huge blistery bump in the middle of my chin.)
4) No coffee.
5) No creams, lotions, oils of any kind
6) Apply diluted ACV by blotting on several times a day
7) Apply goat yogurt mask as often as possible during the day (I'm allergic to cow products). Tip: the yogurt that is a bit dehydrated and thick on the sides of the container will stick to your face better.
I am experimenting with applying the foot fungal cream to one part of my face at night time to see if this has an effect. So far it's difficult to say. Will let you know if it seems to help over time.
I am a 66 year old woman and have read that this is considered a problem that affects children and young hormonal women. A friend who is my age has had a milder attack of this recently but hers just cleared up on its own (lucky girl). This would have been so very much more upsetting and aggravating if not for this site. THANKS so very much.
Nancy (Slocan, B.c.) on 07/30/2015:
Alex (Au) on 06/22/2015:
- clean my skin with no soap cleaner (tea trea foam for acne)
- spray on the skin/face Avene spring water
- wash my face with organic ACV " with the mother" (if you can not stand it not diluted, put in on your face while you still have the spring water on the skin)
- wait until it dries a bit and put on your face tea tree oil ( if you can not stand the stings diluted spray again your face with the spring water)
- moisturize your face with Calendula cream (mostly near/ around the areas where you have the PD)
- put on your PD area (can put it actualy on your entire face - make sure you treat the whole skin , also the nose area) the following mix:
- Clotrimazole cream - 1 part (2 cm lenght of cream coming out of the tube)
- Calendula cream - 1 part
-Baby rash cream -1/4 part
- 1-2 drops yogurt
- 1 probiotic pill (only the content inside/ the powder)
- 1 drop Vitamin E oil
- 1 drop Rosehip oil
Mix all together until it forms a uniform cream.
This mix reduces the acidity of the skin and in the same time shoots and treats the skin. It kills the fungus which thrives in an acidic environment.
And ... you do not need to do the yogurt masks because it includes it.
Repeat this full procedure before you go to bed and also, wait until the cream mix is fully absorbed in the skin, apply after only the Baby rash cream on PD (and keep it all night).
During the day, if you do not have time/ you are away from home to do this process again at mid day, just apply on the PD every 3-4 hours the same cream mix.
Because of the probiotic and yogurt it may become powdery on the face if you apply a new mix on the previous one without cleaning the skin. Just wash / clean with water your face and apply the mix.
PS: You are what you eat! Make sure you eliminate acidic food from your diet and take regulary probiotics. This is candida manifesting on the skin.
Gracejones (London) on 05/29/2015:
I had POD and tried ACV but it did not work and although the POD burnt and dried up, it came back.
What worked: raw garlic applied topically, no tap water ever, calendula cream, do not exfoliate.
I suggest:
Do not ever use tap water to wash your face. Use bottled water or better still spray water. Do not use soap. Do not exfoliate. Treat your skin like baby skin.
Ladies stop applying a million products to your skin. Try to use minimal cosmetics and only organic ones. All these chemical make-ups and products are very damaging.
We need to baby our skin, love it, not bombard it with harsh petrochemicals.
The reason I had POD was my skin barrier got broken from using too many harsh products and I believe a fungus or something got in that caused the POD. I tried antibiotics, they only worked for a while and then POD came back. Instead of trying to use harsh chemicals, I started using very gentle products to wash my face. I would rub the worst POD spots with raw garlic, 1-5 times a day (as many times as I could and especially for bed). Yes it smells, yes it stings and gets red but slowly it would dry up from the garlic. I would leave it without touching those parts again. Then I would apply calendula lotion to the healed parts of my skin.
It took a very long time to heal and I still occasionally get a few flare ups when I use non-organic or lots of make up or harsh skin care products but with perseverance POD can be eliminated.
I also changed my diet to no sugars, no grains, no starches and now follow the SCD diet. Most skin conditions link to gut health. I am trying to heal my gut to get my skin perfect. I have heard that the skintervention guide, SCD diet people and paleo communities believe most skin and health issues can be resolved by returning to the diet our ancestors had and eliminating chemicals and artificial items in our diets and lifestyle. No doubt they are right.
Grace (London) on 03/19/2015:
Do not use tap water or soap to wash your face. Instead use Avene Micellar lotion followed by spring water mixed at a ratio of 3:1 with pure powdered vitamin C crystals (I used Now brand), then spritz face with avene spring water spray. Do not exfoliate or ever get face wet in shower or bath with tap water as this is full of chlorine and will unbalance ph of your skin.
Follow the Avene routine with Weleda Calendula Baby Face cream.
Do not use any products that contain SLS, whether it is in shampoo, hair dye, toothpaste. Avoid hair dyes that contain bleach, dye hair with natural methods like henna or herbal dyes.
If you must use make up use only organic brands that contain no oil, do not use any mineral make up that contains bismuth. I use primal life make up that is only pure powdered herbs and clays. Do not use commercial brands of make up or anything that contains coconut or other oils.
Reduce sugars and especially refined carbs in your diet. Stick to a paleo diet and you will clog up your skin far less. Avoid histamines in foods, like processed, smoked, fermented, pickled foods, like wine, cheese etc. Look up the low histamine diet. Avoid beans, pulses and minimize lentils which are hard to digest and cause bloating and blotchy skin for those with weak digestion.
This is a strict regime which basically involves living very clean inside and outside but it really works! If you follow these instructions you should have beautiful, clear skin.
Claire (Uk) on 02/24/2015:
I'm mainly eating organic salad and vegetables, organic eggs and organic chicken. Have just started having 2 pieces of organic fruit per day now too. Have given up my morning coffee as this seemed to aggravate and now only drinking organic herb teas. No soap on my face, only non flouride toothpaste (kingfisher or sarakan) and no other make up or products on my face. Finally after months of depression and frustration (as I've always had really clear skin)... My scabs are basically gone, no more leaking liquid from my bumps, my bright red rash has faded to a light pink and my skin is healing nicely. It's been a long journey but I am so happy now that my skin is finally starting to get back to normal! I really feel for all you who are going through what I did... And I pray you will be healed very soon. I hope this will help you xxx
Visitor (Salt Lake City, Utah) on 10/06/2014:
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!
Ali (Portland, Oregon) on 10/03/2014:
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!
Rodders505 (Sydney, Australia) on 08/16/2014:
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:
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.
Bechansen (Brighton, Co) on 07/10/2013: 
Lou (Barcelona, Spain) on 06/30/2013:
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
Lizzy (British Columbia, Canada) on 04/29/2013:
Girl In The Cold (Anchorage, Alaska) on 04/17/2013: 
Better But With Side Effects
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!!
Found Cause Of Pd (Los Angeles, California) on 02/21/2013:
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!.
Firecrack (Denver, Co) on 01/28/2013:
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.
Lucy (Perth, Australia) on 10/23/2012:
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!
April (Thomasville, Nc) on 09/04/2012:
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.
Sv (New York City) on 08/28/2012:
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.
Lsaggers (Waterloo, Ontario) on 07/13/2012:
The PD resurfaced ten fold after a trip we took to Thailand in the winter, where I was applying sunscreen and using facial wipes every day.
Shortly after, I discovered I was expecting and couldn't take any of the antiobiotics prescribed for PD. I tried so many of the natural remedies listed on this site (including ACV & probiotics) plus all- natural creams, pure aloe (from the plant), but nothing seemed to work for me.
I started using a mild tea tree oil bar soap to wash my face in the am and pm. At the same time I started using yogurt masks at night, and this seemed to help start clearing up the problem (I have since stopped applying the yogurt).
I now follow with an aloe gel (99% pure from a health food store, like Fiddleheads) on the affected areas, allowed it to dry, and then apply a very mild moisturizer, like Spectro. I also had to resist the urge to pick at the flakes and to gently wash the affected areas, making sure not to scrub. I also try to avoid applying makeup on any affected areas.
It hasn't completely disappeared, but it has been a significant improvement, to where it is just slightly visible around my nostrils, and not nearly as itchy and uncomfortable.
I don't know if this will work for other people, but knowing what it's like to walk around with the PD on your face, I just wanted to add my two cents and hopefully help someone else out!
Mary Gold (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) on 05/06/2012:
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. :]
Nancy (New York, Ny) on 04/04/2012:
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!!
Nice1nik (Vancouver, Canada) on 04/02/2012:
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!
| 5 star (34) | 69% | |
| 4 star (12) | 24% | |
| 3 star (2) | 4% | |
| 1 star (1) | 2% |
Jasmine (Tx) on 05/22/2018:
So reading through the remedies on here I found that there is not just one "cure" for perioral dermatitis - definitely depending on the cause of it. In my case, steroid cream irritated what was FUNGUS on my face. If you look through the Multiple Remedies tab on here you can see that quite a few (but not many) people talked about approaching it as a fungus. It's exactly what I did though. I went to my local health food store and talked to a guy about perioral dermatitis. He basically said that I could treat it topically, but if I really wanted it gone I had to work from the inside out. He suggested that I get a yeast cleanse to clean out the overgrowth of yeast in my body. An overgrowth of yeast in the gut leads to leaky gut syndrome, which will have yeast in your bloodstream, which ultimately turns to fungal acne, perioral dermatitis, and other skin conditions. In the last month before breakout, I was eating every carb under the sun, drinking lots of sugary alcoholic drinks, and other things that would produce yeast in my body.
Here's what I did to get rid of my PD in 10 DAYS! No, seriously. TEN DAYS!
Yeast Cleanse Supplement (Caprylic Acid, Pau D'Arco, Grapefruit Seed Extract, and Tea Tree Oil) - six pills a day as directed.
Grapefruit Seed Extract - anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. I took ten drops in water three times a day. You can break up or combine the servings how you like. You can apply this to the affected area but it's potent so dilute with a carrier oil.
Black Seed Oil - anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. I applied this to the affected area. In the first few days I washed my face and then I would apply the oil and sleep with it on. As it healed, I would apply it for awhile then rinse it off before bed. After that I would apply vitamin e oil and jojoba oil mixed to heal the scars that it would leave behind. In the morning I would apply the mask (listed below), rinse and then apply a bit of black seed oil and then my vitamin e and jojoba oil mixed throughout the day.
Antifungal Mask (from someone else under the Multiple Remedies tab; Thanks btw! )
full fat yogurt (the more cultures/bacteria in it, the better)
manuka honey
clotrimazole antifungal cream (make sure that's the only active ingredient; no steroids)
acidophilus (3-4 capsules cracked open)
black seed oil (4-5 drops; 1/2 teaspoon)
Mix it all together to make a paste. The thicker, the better it will stay in place on your face. I slept in this the first few days. As it healed, I would put it on for a few before bed and then rinse off and follow with black seed oil. Wear this as much as you can. It really soothed my PD and when you take it off in the morning you'll notice that some pustules you may have had will have busted or popped open. Make this mixture every two days, don't use the same one more than twice. Make small batches. The fresher the batch, the better.
EAT CLEAN! Drink as much water as possible. As many leafy, dark greens as you can. Stay away from processed sugar, grains like wheat and corn. Anything that causes yeast in the body, stay away from it. If you can, stick to the Candida diet as much as possible.
I KNOW how frustrating and humiliating this can be, but you CAN get it under control. Don't think of any of this as a quick fix or something that will magically go away. It took time to come, it will take some time to go away. Just because one single cure worked for others, doesn't mean it will work for you. But don't let it get you down. Just wanted to share my experience in hopes that it will work for others! You got this!
Michelle (Saint Paul, Mn) on 06/30/2017:
Priyanka (Victoria) on 11/13/2016:
First up, you must be prepared to make a hell lot of lifestyle changes. So throw away all your chemical make ups, eye liners, shampoos etc.
Second, buy a fluoride free toothpaste and a tongue cleaner.
Third, stop using all the expensive so called "natural" shampoos. Bottomline is, chemicals shouldn't touch your face. I found an amazing alternative to shampoo. I wash my hair with 1 tbp of baking soda with water, followed by conditioning it with a cap of Apple Cider vinegar mixed with water. Works perfect.
Fourth, I apply a mix of Apple Cider Vinegar daily mixed with mineral water followed by yoghurt, turmeric and honey paste. I applied it 5-6 times when I have the flare ups. Otherwise 2 times daily is just fine.
Fifth, do not drink the tap water. I drink mineral water and also bought a spray bottle that I fill with mineral water to wipe my face. I also wash my hair with mineral water.
Sixth, initially I stopped eating any kind of food that might cause allergy. Gluten, lactose, soy, no processed food, no spices, no red meat, no sauces (talking about the bottled ones in Supermarkets like Red chilli sauce, etc). I prepared everything at home and ate mainly veggies, chicken and eggs (3 times a week). I noticed a big difference and then I started introducing each item slowly to see if it reacts. Luckily for me, I found that Mexican food and KFC reacted to my skin. I think they use some kind of spices that didn't agree with me. So now I know what to avoid and have started eating the others without any fear. I know how frustrating it can be to find out what exactly is causing it. My dermatologist referred me to an allergist who said I have no allergy, whatsoever and declined to do a food allergy although I wanted it. Hence I strongly suggest to have patience and do trial and error.
Last but not the least, no matter what, do not give up hope. This is not fully curable as every once in a while, I still have flare ups but it does go away with my home remedy in about 5-6 days time.
Also stop using all make up. I have decided to try using mineral make ups and see how my skin reacts. Make up is not high on my priority but sometimes I do miss it when I have to go to a social event (like hubby's office party or my office party or a date night).
I sincerely hope that no one has to suffer from this and all those who suffered, may find these remedies helpful :)
Christy (Los Angeles ) on 10/20/2016:
1. Wheat
2. Soy sauce (not Tamari- that has no wheat)
3. Witch Hazel
4. SLS
5. Tea Tree
6. Almost all essential oils. Even ones that are said to be good for dermatitis
7. Cinnamon flavor/oil
There are a number of theories out there why PD occurs, one of them being that its a fungal infection. Many people have success with using an OTC anti fugal cream to heal their rash. They alone did not work for me. My onset of PD this last time happened because I used a new toothpaste that although did not have SLS, it did have cinnamon essential oil. I flared horribly. Then I proceeded to try and heal it with Navan acne supplements which then gave me the worst flare of my life. My whole face was inflamed and my chin was double the size it normally was. I had 4 blisters that turned into one huge inflamed one and became cystic. Then 3 more cystic ones showed up. Unbeknownst to me, the pills had witch hazel leaf in it which I thought would be fine orally. Apparently not. I then went to the derm and she gave me a script for DOXY and clindomycin gel (both which I have yet to use because I am hoping to heal it myself through elimination). She also gave me samples of PLEXION cleanser and Lotion. At this point my skin was starting to heal on its own but once I got home and applied the lotion I started getting blisters and pustules within 15 minutes!!! I googled it and yup-- SLS. It was very negligent of the derm synchs knew it was one of my flares. Plus, one would a pharm company make a product for PD that contains SLS when it is widely known that SLS is one of the ingredients that makes almost everyone with it break out?! So please... dont ever try it. I dont think its worth it for anyone.
What helped me to finally start making the rash and P and P's subside was
1. Drinking tons of lemon water and ACV water to alkalize my body and help it to fight the inflammation.
2. Wash my face with warm water and cleanser (purple label) LOVE this stuff! I also like to mix in zinc powder for added benefit.
3. Use a Sensitive skin serum (green bottle)
4. Use a mask on my break out a few times a day that contained the following:
Kefir (unsweetened), ACV diluted with filtered water, anti fungal OTC cream, bentonite clay and raw honey. Mix this in a glass jar with a non-metal spoon and keep in the fridge. Its cooling and helps the itch and burn and reduces the blisters.
5. I am also taking 1 tsp of food grade diatomaceous earth 1 time a day. I do this for 10 days on, 10 days off. After the 10 days off you can up your dosage a little. There are many health benefits to this stuff... google it.
6. When my skin is flaring I also get off all sugar, wheat, alcohol and coffee. Sounds drastic but to me nothing is worse than this crap on my face so I go into detox mode in order to help my body help fight this B.S. of a situation.
7. Multivitamin with zinc!
I hope this helps!!! I know its so so hard, embarrassing and painful. But I think we all need to remember that we can kick its ugly ass. We just have to do our own investigation of the case... because we are all different. But dont give up! There is a reason for it and it wont last forever. I also suggest creating a daily diary of what you used, ate and did as well as what your skin looks like that day so that you can better track whats going on.
XXXXX
Kate (Michigan) on 09/13/2016:
I moved to LA back in 2011 from Michigan. My diet changed due to stress, turning 21, and experiencing living on my own for the first time! At this time, I would pop the occasional (SO bad, I know) Accutane pills that I had left over from my treatment to rid me of my cystic acne (yes people, I had it all). I was out there modeling & couldn't deal with these outbreaks. Unknowingly to me, my cystic acne was probably caused by my lack of water intake, large alcohol intake, eating SO much processed food, high amounts of sugars, birth control, and also the fact that my Dad passed it down to me, awesome! I stopped taking the Accutane (due to the EXTREME side affects) & maybe a month later I thought I had a acne outbreak on my chin & mouth. SICK. I tried to pop it, NOPE, that made it worse. Tried my acne cream samples on it, HELL NAH, that made it so angry! Finally, after booking a new gig that wouldn't allow me to just cover up this mess, I made a dermatologist appt. He sampled it & told me what it was, I was flabergasted, I had never heard of this disgusting thing in my life! He gave me the 3 month supply of Antibiotics & some topical cream, as well as told me to get rid of all soaps containing fragrances, sulfates, ect. Me, being horrible at taking just a 3 week dose of antibiotics for a cold, I sure as hell knew I wouldn't be able to finish a 3 stinking month supply, wow! Needless to say, I couldn't even do the first day. I couldn't eat 2 hours before the pill or 2 hours after & I usually eat every 2 hours. I was throwing up every-time I tried to take the antibiotics because I would eat. Stopped taking those, and just used the topical cream (which now I know is a big no-no), removed all crappy makeup, cleaned my brushes, bought Dr.Bronners Tea Tree (this is magic, all Bronners is, helped clear up my acne as well as my brothers) and I believe I bought Sulfate Free hair products as well. My PD didn't clear up until I started traveling a lot for work, drinking more water, exercising, swimming in the pool, and getting sun when I could. There wasn't, at this time, something exact that rid me of it during this time. It was a combo of this. Stress I think feeds it as well, and when I started de-stressing, it went away. Mind you, I was traveling ALL the time for work, staying at nice hotels, which have clean sheets/pillow cases daily (I think this is huge with PD) & always on the go.
Flash forward to 2015-2016. I moved home in 2013, and my PD was still at bay. I was still traveling a lot for work at this time, and know that helped a lot. I do remember having a flare up when I returned home from a Vegas trip in May of 2014 or 15. We had went to this Adore anti-aging shop & they put all kinds of crap on my face to try & fix my "smile lines" that they couldn't stop saying looked so bad for me age (nice, thanks). I warned them of my sensitive skin, but they insisted this was "all organic, and has no harsh chemicals". Well, my face called BS after $500 products later, my PD flared up within 2 days. Horrible! I knew it was the lotions & immediately cut them out. It took a while for my face to readjust, because as you know, as soon as you've flared up, make-up really only makes it worse even if it's organic.
During this, we had moved to a new place in MI & the water was well water instead of city water (keep reading on, THIS PART IS HUGE!) & it was such a nice change. My PD always was at bay, slightly noticeable only to me, around the creases of my nostrils, which I was okay with. I rarely ever had outbreaks in this home, and lived here for 3 years (other than the vegas thing). If I did, I used ACV topically, 2 tablespoons orally, Physicians Formula pressed powder on my face, and tried to use makeups with least amount of allergy prone chemicals, organic shampoos, Dr.Bronners face wash, Coconut Oil only for face lotion, natural bug sprays, and Dessert Essence Natural Tea tree toothpaste. STAY away from- Clarisonic scrubber (makes it worse), exfoliating washes, scrubbs, cancelers withOUT high allergy chemicals in them (http://www.ewg.org/ check your makeup here, you want all 1's, and nothing in the Allergies & immunotoxicity setions. Another bummer is lipsticks, they tend to really make my PD react, so invest in some natural lipsticks, lip stains and pencils.
SO, here is the part I told you to all read on about. I recently moved too an new house in the suburbs, back to the old nasty city water like in LA. Since I have moved here, my PD is at it's absolute WORST it's ever been since I was diagnosed with it in 2011! I have only been here almost 3 months, and it's so bad that it bleeds sometimes, ACV no longer even affects it, and now I have to use rubbing alcohol to even somewhat dry it out. I turned to here & learned that this could be due to Candida Overgrowth, since PD is an affect of this possibly happening. I was consuming the same things I had been in LA, same amounts, and same lifestyle. It made sense, because nothing else was working. I tried the Candida Diet, & it did help a little bit. My PD was still not all gone though. I am no longer on the diet but take Grape Fruit Extract, Probiotics, & Candida Cleanse tablets 2x daily. I wash my face now with an organic Oatmeal Soap to help with the itching & redness. I have traveled less due to my busy season with my job & haven't exercised much unless on vacation. When on Vacation, I notice the next day I wake up, it looks better, doesn't itch, and I don't even notice it. It was right under my nose THE WHOLE TIME! FLUORIDE, how did I not realize this to begin with! The city water contains high amount of FLUORIDE to "help with tooth wellness" so they add it to the water as well as chlorine. My Well water never had this, but LA does & so does here. We all know this is HUGE NO for us, and just great, there's nothing I can do about it other than move or install an outrageously expensive house filtering system, which I am in a rental home, not going to happen.
All I can say is wash your face with filtered water, don't let the water run down your face in the shower (if city), exercise, get some sun, don't consume too much processed crap (if you're, try the Candida Diet then limit sugar intake daily after you've rid it), don't overdo the daily use of ACV topically or you'll become use to it like my PD did, use sulfate free everything, no facial products with added fragrances, check your makeup products online, clean your brushes weekly, change your pillow cases every other day or sleep on a fresh towel nightly, don't drink city water, take daily vitamins, sweat it out, watch alcohol intake, cut back on daily yeast intake, use nothing with Fluoride, double your daily intake in filtered water, and let it breath as much as possible.
I hope my many trial & errors help you & I hope it clears up. Nothing sucks more than this crap & I know you all hate it too. I know once I move it will clear up but I will let you know how not washing my face with the water anymore & not allowing it on my face in the shower holds up.
Nla (Mobile, Al ) on 06/05/2016:
Chris (Michigan) on 04/11/2016:
I have had POD during the last few winters (told by dermatologist this is normal for a woman in her 40's) The first time it was diagnosed; I refused oral antibiotics but used topical antibiotic cream. It took MONTHS for the POD to look any different; and I truly think when I stopped wearing make up during the summer is when it finally went away.
After the first outbreak, I stopped using fluoride toothpaste, any shampoo/conditioner or lotion with SLS/parabens/petroleum. I did continue to wear my expensive department store make up.
This winter it reappeared with a vengeance, the worst it's ever been. Dermatologist prescribed oral antibiotics as well as topical. I really balked at the oral antibiotics as they frequently cause digestive issues and yeast infections. The doctor said my face was so swollen it was deforming my lower lip and that I really needed to go on the antibiotics. (The area most affected was left lower chin from corner of mouth down to chin).
So after 5 days of oral/topical antibiotics my rash was still spreading (outward and upward). My digestive system started reacting negatively to the antibiotics, and a yeast infection was setting in. I spent hours researching online and came across your website. What a blessing!
Here is what I used after reading and re-reading most of your posts regarding POD:
Stopped antibiotics both oral and topical.
Washed face with African black soap morn and eve. Used diluted Apple Cider Vinegar (raw unfiltered - diluted 50% with spring water) to tone my entire face; paying attention to the rash area.
The ACV burned like crazy! After the first 3 days I was using straight ACV only once a day with much less burning.
I let the ACV dry, then put Manuka honey over the rash for several hours. Gently wiped it off when I had to go out in public. Put calendula ointment over it at night. No make up. Skin would flake/peel and I GENTLY exfoliated with a wash cloth.
As others have reported; rash appeared to be getting worse - more red/angry looking the first 3-4 days then woke up on 5th day and it really was 2/3 gone. Now it's the 7th day and you have to look hard to see it.
I only used the honey the first 3 days; then due to traveling was just using ACV followed by calendula; which is what I am continuing to do at this time.
Went to a local health food store and invested in some natural makeup. Threw out the $100's of dollars worth of my department store brand makeup.
I truly appreciate everyone sharing their experience; and hope that my post will help someone as the others have helped me.
Megan (Vancouver, Canada) on 03/22/2016:
SO – my recommendations for keeping PD down that have worked FOR ME:
I do the Manuka/matcha mask daily, after cleansing ONLY with water (sometimes twice a day – once in the morning, once before bed) FYI – it’s goopy to take off, make sure you’re thorough and use a wash cloth (a clean one every time) and follow with a good moisturizer. Find moisturizers that don’t contain scents, irritants, parabens/sulphates. Being on minocycline dried my skin a lot, and this moisturizer works wonders.
LIMIT dairy/sugar/alcohol/fried foods intake (only black coffee!! Better yet, switch to green tea) and eat lots of leafy green veg (duh). Personally, I cut out most bread products, never have dairy anymore, and drink matcha tea daily
I use mineral makeup, when I need it (honestly don’t need much these days – skin is pretty clear! )
Drink LOTS of water
Try to sweat 2-3 times a week. I find it overall makes me feel healthier, regardless of what ailment I’m dealing with.
Try to get outside, get some daily vitamin D
Honestly, if you’ve given natural remedies a fair shot, and it hasn’t worked – see a doctor. Get a prescription. The medication will help and after you’ve gotten your PD down, you can continue to keep your body healthy with the steps above and stop it from coming back. If you choose to take antibiotics, ensure you’re following it with a daily probiotic (3-4 hours after) to keep your gut flora in check.
After 1.5 years, at 24, I am PD clear! It gets better. But keeping it away, in my opinion, is truly a lifestyle shift that takes diligence to maintain. Worth it though.
Zubi (Longmont, Colorado) on 01/07/2016:
1) Drink lemon water throughout the day. This will help to reduce the acidity in your body. Seems counter intuitive, but it works.
2) No alcohol.
3) No sugar. (I had one relapse and immediately paid for my sin by getting one huge blistery bump in the middle of my chin.)
4) No coffee.
5) No creams, lotions, oils of any kind
6) Apply diluted ACV by blotting on several times a day
7) Apply goat yogurt mask as often as possible during the day (I'm allergic to cow products). Tip: the yogurt that is a bit dehydrated and thick on the sides of the container will stick to your face better.
I am experimenting with applying the foot fungal cream to one part of my face at night time to see if this has an effect. So far it's difficult to say. Will let you know if it seems to help over time.
I am a 66 year old woman and have read that this is considered a problem that affects children and young hormonal women. A friend who is my age has had a milder attack of this recently but hers just cleared up on its own (lucky girl). This would have been so very much more upsetting and aggravating if not for this site. THANKS so very much.
Nancy (Slocan, B.c.) on 07/30/2015:
Alex (Au) on 06/22/2015:
- clean my skin with no soap cleaner (tea trea foam for acne)
- spray on the skin/face Avene spring water
- wash my face with organic ACV " with the mother" (if you can not stand it not diluted, put in on your face while you still have the spring water on the skin)
- wait until it dries a bit and put on your face tea tree oil ( if you can not stand the stings diluted spray again your face with the spring water)
- moisturize your face with Calendula cream (mostly near/ around the areas where you have the PD)
- put on your PD area (can put it actualy on your entire face - make sure you treat the whole skin , also the nose area) the following mix:
- Clotrimazole cream - 1 part (2 cm lenght of cream coming out of the tube)
- Calendula cream - 1 part
-Baby rash cream -1/4 part
- 1-2 drops yogurt
- 1 probiotic pill (only the content inside/ the powder)
- 1 drop Vitamin E oil
- 1 drop Rosehip oil
Mix all together until it forms a uniform cream.
This mix reduces the acidity of the skin and in the same time shoots and treats the skin. It kills the fungus which thrives in an acidic environment.
And ... you do not need to do the yogurt masks because it includes it.
Repeat this full procedure before you go to bed and also, wait until the cream mix is fully absorbed in the skin, apply after only the Baby rash cream on PD (and keep it all night).
During the day, if you do not have time/ you are away from home to do this process again at mid day, just apply on the PD every 3-4 hours the same cream mix.
Because of the probiotic and yogurt it may become powdery on the face if you apply a new mix on the previous one without cleaning the skin. Just wash / clean with water your face and apply the mix.
PS: You are what you eat! Make sure you eliminate acidic food from your diet and take regulary probiotics. This is candida manifesting on the skin.
Gracejones (London) on 05/29/2015:
I had POD and tried ACV but it did not work and although the POD burnt and dried up, it came back.
What worked: raw garlic applied topically, no tap water ever, calendula cream, do not exfoliate.
I suggest:
Do not ever use tap water to wash your face. Use bottled water or better still spray water. Do not use soap. Do not exfoliate. Treat your skin like baby skin.
Ladies stop applying a million products to your skin. Try to use minimal cosmetics and only organic ones. All these chemical make-ups and products are very damaging.
We need to baby our skin, love it, not bombard it with harsh petrochemicals.
The reason I had POD was my skin barrier got broken from using too many harsh products and I believe a fungus or something got in that caused the POD. I tried antibiotics, they only worked for a while and then POD came back. Instead of trying to use harsh chemicals, I started using very gentle products to wash my face. I would rub the worst POD spots with raw garlic, 1-5 times a day (as many times as I could and especially for bed). Yes it smells, yes it stings and gets red but slowly it would dry up from the garlic. I would leave it without touching those parts again. Then I would apply calendula lotion to the healed parts of my skin.
It took a very long time to heal and I still occasionally get a few flare ups when I use non-organic or lots of make up or harsh skin care products but with perseverance POD can be eliminated.
I also changed my diet to no sugars, no grains, no starches and now follow the SCD diet. Most skin conditions link to gut health. I am trying to heal my gut to get my skin perfect. I have heard that the skintervention guide, SCD diet people and paleo communities believe most skin and health issues can be resolved by returning to the diet our ancestors had and eliminating chemicals and artificial items in our diets and lifestyle. No doubt they are right.
Grace (London) on 03/19/2015:
Do not use tap water or soap to wash your face. Instead use Avene Micellar lotion followed by spring water mixed at a ratio of 3:1 with pure powdered vitamin C crystals (I used Now brand), then spritz face with avene spring water spray. Do not exfoliate or ever get face wet in shower or bath with tap water as this is full of chlorine and will unbalance ph of your skin.
Follow the Avene routine with Weleda Calendula Baby Face cream.
Do not use any products that contain SLS, whether it is in shampoo, hair dye, toothpaste. Avoid hair dyes that contain bleach, dye hair with natural methods like henna or herbal dyes.
If you must use make up use only organic brands that contain no oil, do not use any mineral make up that contains bismuth. I use primal life make up that is only pure powdered herbs and clays. Do not use commercial brands of make up or anything that contains coconut or other oils.
Reduce sugars and especially refined carbs in your diet. Stick to a paleo diet and you will clog up your skin far less. Avoid histamines in foods, like processed, smoked, fermented, pickled foods, like wine, cheese etc. Look up the low histamine diet. Avoid beans, pulses and minimize lentils which are hard to digest and cause bloating and blotchy skin for those with weak digestion.
This is a strict regime which basically involves living very clean inside and outside but it really works! If you follow these instructions you should have beautiful, clear skin.
Claire (Uk) on 02/24/2015:
I'm mainly eating organic salad and vegetables, organic eggs and organic chicken. Have just started having 2 pieces of organic fruit per day now too. Have given up my morning coffee as this seemed to aggravate and now only drinking organic herb teas. No soap on my face, only non flouride toothpaste (kingfisher or sarakan) and no other make up or products on my face. Finally after months of depression and frustration (as I've always had really clear skin)... My scabs are basically gone, no more leaking liquid from my bumps, my bright red rash has faded to a light pink and my skin is healing nicely. It's been a long journey but I am so happy now that my skin is finally starting to get back to normal! I really feel for all you who are going through what I did... And I pray you will be healed very soon. I hope this will help you xxx
Visitor (Salt Lake City, Utah) on 10/06/2014:
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!
Ali (Portland, Oregon) on 10/03/2014:
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!
Rodders505 (Sydney, Australia) on 08/16/2014:
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:
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.
Bechansen (Brighton, Co) on 07/10/2013:
Lou (Barcelona, Spain) on 06/30/2013:
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
Lizzy (British Columbia, Canada) on 04/29/2013:
Girl In The Cold (Anchorage, Alaska) on 04/17/2013:
Better But With Side Effects
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!!
Found Cause Of Pd (Los Angeles, California) on 02/21/2013:
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!.
Firecrack (Denver, Co) on 01/28/2013:
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.
Lucy (Perth, Australia) on 10/23/2012:
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!
April (Thomasville, Nc) on 09/04/2012:
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.
Sv (New York City) on 08/28/2012:
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.
Lsaggers (Waterloo, Ontario) on 07/13/2012:
The PD resurfaced ten fold after a trip we took to Thailand in the winter, where I was applying sunscreen and using facial wipes every day.
Shortly after, I discovered I was expecting and couldn't take any of the antiobiotics prescribed for PD. I tried so many of the natural remedies listed on this site (including ACV & probiotics) plus all- natural creams, pure aloe (from the plant), but nothing seemed to work for me.
I started using a mild tea tree oil bar soap to wash my face in the am and pm. At the same time I started using yogurt masks at night, and this seemed to help start clearing up the problem (I have since stopped applying the yogurt).
I now follow with an aloe gel (99% pure from a health food store, like Fiddleheads) on the affected areas, allowed it to dry, and then apply a very mild moisturizer, like Spectro. I also had to resist the urge to pick at the flakes and to gently wash the affected areas, making sure not to scrub. I also try to avoid applying makeup on any affected areas.
It hasn't completely disappeared, but it has been a significant improvement, to where it is just slightly visible around my nostrils, and not nearly as itchy and uncomfortable.
I don't know if this will work for other people, but knowing what it's like to walk around with the PD on your face, I just wanted to add my two cents and hopefully help someone else out!
Mary Gold (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) on 05/06/2012:
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. :]
Nancy (New York, Ny) on 04/04/2012:
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!!
Nice1nik (Vancouver, Canada) on 04/02/2012:
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!
Jasmine (Tx) on 05/22/2018:
So reading through the remedies on here I found that there is not just one "cure" for perioral dermatitis - definitely depending on the cause of it. In my case, steroid cream irritated what was FUNGUS on my face. If you look through the Multiple Remedies tab on here you can see that quite a few (but not many) people talked about approaching it as a fungus. It's exactly what I did though. I went to my local health food store and talked to a guy about perioral dermatitis. He basically said that I could treat it topically, but if I really wanted it gone I had to work from the inside out. He suggested that I get a yeast cleanse to clean out the overgrowth of yeast in my body. An overgrowth of yeast in the gut leads to leaky gut syndrome, which will have yeast in your bloodstream, which ultimately turns to fungal acne, perioral dermatitis, and other skin conditions. In the last month before breakout, I was eating every carb under the sun, drinking lots of sugary alcoholic drinks, and other things that would produce yeast in my body.
Here's what I did to get rid of my PD in 10 DAYS! No, seriously. TEN DAYS!
Yeast Cleanse Supplement (Caprylic Acid, Pau D'Arco, Grapefruit Seed Extract, and Tea Tree Oil) - six pills a day as directed.
Grapefruit Seed Extract - anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. I took ten drops in water three times a day. You can break up or combine the servings how you like. You can apply this to the affected area but it's potent so dilute with a carrier oil.
Black Seed Oil - anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. I applied this to the affected area. In the first few days I washed my face and then I would apply the oil and sleep with it on. As it healed, I would apply it for awhile then rinse it off before bed. After that I would apply vitamin e oil and jojoba oil mixed to heal the scars that it would leave behind. In the morning I would apply the mask (listed below), rinse and then apply a bit of black seed oil and then my vitamin e and jojoba oil mixed throughout the day.
Antifungal Mask (from someone else under the Multiple Remedies tab; Thanks btw! )
full fat yogurt (the more cultures/bacteria in it, the better)
manuka honey
clotrimazole antifungal cream (make sure that's the only active ingredient; no steroids)
acidophilus (3-4 capsules cracked open)
black seed oil (4-5 drops; 1/2 teaspoon)
Mix it all together to make a paste. The thicker, the better it will stay in place on your face. I slept in this the first few days. As it healed, I would put it on for a few before bed and then rinse off and follow with black seed oil. Wear this as much as you can. It really soothed my PD and when you take it off in the morning you'll notice that some pustules you may have had will have busted or popped open. Make this mixture every two days, don't use the same one more than twice. Make small batches. The fresher the batch, the better.
EAT CLEAN! Drink as much water as possible. As many leafy, dark greens as you can. Stay away from processed sugar, grains like wheat and corn. Anything that causes yeast in the body, stay away from it. If you can, stick to the Candida diet as much as possible.
I KNOW how frustrating and humiliating this can be, but you CAN get it under control. Don't think of any of this as a quick fix or something that will magically go away. It took time to come, it will take some time to go away. Just because one single cure worked for others, doesn't mean it will work for you. But don't let it get you down. Just wanted to share my experience in hopes that it will work for others! You got this!
Michelle (Saint Paul, Mn) on 06/30/2017:
Priyanka (Victoria) on 11/13/2016:
First up, you must be prepared to make a hell lot of lifestyle changes. So throw away all your chemical make ups, eye liners, shampoos etc.
Second, buy a fluoride free toothpaste and a tongue cleaner.
Third, stop using all the expensive so called "natural" shampoos. Bottomline is, chemicals shouldn't touch your face. I found an amazing alternative to shampoo. I wash my hair with 1 tbp of baking soda with water, followed by conditioning it with a cap of Apple Cider vinegar mixed with water. Works perfect.
Fourth, I apply a mix of Apple Cider Vinegar daily mixed with mineral water followed by yoghurt, turmeric and honey paste. I applied it 5-6 times when I have the flare ups. Otherwise 2 times daily is just fine.
Fifth, do not drink the tap water. I drink mineral water and also bought a spray bottle that I fill with mineral water to wipe my face. I also wash my hair with mineral water.
Sixth, initially I stopped eating any kind of food that might cause allergy. Gluten, lactose, soy, no processed food, no spices, no red meat, no sauces (talking about the bottled ones in Supermarkets like Red chilli sauce, etc). I prepared everything at home and ate mainly veggies, chicken and eggs (3 times a week). I noticed a big difference and then I started introducing each item slowly to see if it reacts. Luckily for me, I found that Mexican food and KFC reacted to my skin. I think they use some kind of spices that didn't agree with me. So now I know what to avoid and have started eating the others without any fear. I know how frustrating it can be to find out what exactly is causing it. My dermatologist referred me to an allergist who said I have no allergy, whatsoever and declined to do a food allergy although I wanted it. Hence I strongly suggest to have patience and do trial and error.
Last but not the least, no matter what, do not give up hope. This is not fully curable as every once in a while, I still have flare ups but it does go away with my home remedy in about 5-6 days time.
Also stop using all make up. I have decided to try using mineral make ups and see how my skin reacts. Make up is not high on my priority but sometimes I do miss it when I have to go to a social event (like hubby's office party or my office party or a date night).
I sincerely hope that no one has to suffer from this and all those who suffered, may find these remedies helpful :)
Christy (Los Angeles ) on 10/20/2016:
1. Wheat
2. Soy sauce (not Tamari- that has no wheat)
3. Witch Hazel
4. SLS
5. Tea Tree
6. Almost all essential oils. Even ones that are said to be good for dermatitis
7. Cinnamon flavor/oil
There are a number of theories out there why PD occurs, one of them being that its a fungal infection. Many people have success with using an OTC anti fugal cream to heal their rash. They alone did not work for me. My onset of PD this last time happened because I used a new toothpaste that although did not have SLS, it did have cinnamon essential oil. I flared horribly. Then I proceeded to try and heal it with Navan acne supplements which then gave me the worst flare of my life. My whole face was inflamed and my chin was double the size it normally was. I had 4 blisters that turned into one huge inflamed one and became cystic. Then 3 more cystic ones showed up. Unbeknownst to me, the pills had witch hazel leaf in it which I thought would be fine orally. Apparently not. I then went to the derm and she gave me a script for DOXY and clindomycin gel (both which I have yet to use because I am hoping to heal it myself through elimination). She also gave me samples of PLEXION cleanser and Lotion. At this point my skin was starting to heal on its own but once I got home and applied the lotion I started getting blisters and pustules within 15 minutes!!! I googled it and yup-- SLS. It was very negligent of the derm synchs knew it was one of my flares. Plus, one would a pharm company make a product for PD that contains SLS when it is widely known that SLS is one of the ingredients that makes almost everyone with it break out?! So please... dont ever try it. I dont think its worth it for anyone.
What helped me to finally start making the rash and P and P's subside was
1. Drinking tons of lemon water and ACV water to alkalize my body and help it to fight the inflammation.
2. Wash my face with warm water and cleanser (purple label) LOVE this stuff! I also like to mix in zinc powder for added benefit.
3. Use a Sensitive skin serum (green bottle)
4. Use a mask on my break out a few times a day that contained the following:
Kefir (unsweetened), ACV diluted with filtered water, anti fungal OTC cream, bentonite clay and raw honey. Mix this in a glass jar with a non-metal spoon and keep in the fridge. Its cooling and helps the itch and burn and reduces the blisters.
5. I am also taking 1 tsp of food grade diatomaceous earth 1 time a day. I do this for 10 days on, 10 days off. After the 10 days off you can up your dosage a little. There are many health benefits to this stuff... google it.
6. When my skin is flaring I also get off all sugar, wheat, alcohol and coffee. Sounds drastic but to me nothing is worse than this crap on my face so I go into detox mode in order to help my body help fight this B.S. of a situation.
7. Multivitamin with zinc!
I hope this helps!!! I know its so so hard, embarrassing and painful. But I think we all need to remember that we can kick its ugly ass. We just have to do our own investigation of the case... because we are all different. But dont give up! There is a reason for it and it wont last forever. I also suggest creating a daily diary of what you used, ate and did as well as what your skin looks like that day so that you can better track whats going on.
XXXXX
Kate (Michigan) on 09/13/2016:
I moved to LA back in 2011 from Michigan. My diet changed due to stress, turning 21, and experiencing living on my own for the first time! At this time, I would pop the occasional (SO bad, I know) Accutane pills that I had left over from my treatment to rid me of my cystic acne (yes people, I had it all). I was out there modeling & couldn't deal with these outbreaks. Unknowingly to me, my cystic acne was probably caused by my lack of water intake, large alcohol intake, eating SO much processed food, high amounts of sugars, birth control, and also the fact that my Dad passed it down to me, awesome! I stopped taking the Accutane (due to the EXTREME side affects) & maybe a month later I thought I had a acne outbreak on my chin & mouth. SICK. I tried to pop it, NOPE, that made it worse. Tried my acne cream samples on it, HELL NAH, that made it so angry! Finally, after booking a new gig that wouldn't allow me to just cover up this mess, I made a dermatologist appt. He sampled it & told me what it was, I was flabergasted, I had never heard of this disgusting thing in my life! He gave me the 3 month supply of Antibiotics & some topical cream, as well as told me to get rid of all soaps containing fragrances, sulfates, ect. Me, being horrible at taking just a 3 week dose of antibiotics for a cold, I sure as hell knew I wouldn't be able to finish a 3 stinking month supply, wow! Needless to say, I couldn't even do the first day. I couldn't eat 2 hours before the pill or 2 hours after & I usually eat every 2 hours. I was throwing up every-time I tried to take the antibiotics because I would eat. Stopped taking those, and just used the topical cream (which now I know is a big no-no), removed all crappy makeup, cleaned my brushes, bought Dr.Bronners Tea Tree (this is magic, all Bronners is, helped clear up my acne as well as my brothers) and I believe I bought Sulfate Free hair products as well. My PD didn't clear up until I started traveling a lot for work, drinking more water, exercising, swimming in the pool, and getting sun when I could. There wasn't, at this time, something exact that rid me of it during this time. It was a combo of this. Stress I think feeds it as well, and when I started de-stressing, it went away. Mind you, I was traveling ALL the time for work, staying at nice hotels, which have clean sheets/pillow cases daily (I think this is huge with PD) & always on the go.
Flash forward to 2015-2016. I moved home in 2013, and my PD was still at bay. I was still traveling a lot for work at this time, and know that helped a lot. I do remember having a flare up when I returned home from a Vegas trip in May of 2014 or 15. We had went to this Adore anti-aging shop & they put all kinds of crap on my face to try & fix my "smile lines" that they couldn't stop saying looked so bad for me age (nice, thanks). I warned them of my sensitive skin, but they insisted this was "all organic, and has no harsh chemicals". Well, my face called BS after $500 products later, my PD flared up within 2 days. Horrible! I knew it was the lotions & immediately cut them out. It took a while for my face to readjust, because as you know, as soon as you've flared up, make-up really only makes it worse even if it's organic.
During this, we had moved to a new place in MI & the water was well water instead of city water (keep reading on, THIS PART IS HUGE!) & it was such a nice change. My PD always was at bay, slightly noticeable only to me, around the creases of my nostrils, which I was okay with. I rarely ever had outbreaks in this home, and lived here for 3 years (other than the vegas thing). If I did, I used ACV topically, 2 tablespoons orally, Physicians Formula pressed powder on my face, and tried to use makeups with least amount of allergy prone chemicals, organic shampoos, Dr.Bronners face wash, Coconut Oil only for face lotion, natural bug sprays, and Dessert Essence Natural Tea tree toothpaste. STAY away from- Clarisonic scrubber (makes it worse), exfoliating washes, scrubbs, cancelers withOUT high allergy chemicals in them (http://www.ewg.org/ check your makeup here, you want all 1's, and nothing in the Allergies & immunotoxicity setions. Another bummer is lipsticks, they tend to really make my PD react, so invest in some natural lipsticks, lip stains and pencils.
SO, here is the part I told you to all read on about. I recently moved too an new house in the suburbs, back to the old nasty city water like in LA. Since I have moved here, my PD is at it's absolute WORST it's ever been since I was diagnosed with it in 2011! I have only been here almost 3 months, and it's so bad that it bleeds sometimes, ACV no longer even affects it, and now I have to use rubbing alcohol to even somewhat dry it out. I turned to here & learned that this could be due to Candida Overgrowth, since PD is an affect of this possibly happening. I was consuming the same things I had been in LA, same amounts, and same lifestyle. It made sense, because nothing else was working. I tried the Candida Diet, & it did help a little bit. My PD was still not all gone though. I am no longer on the diet but take Grape Fruit Extract, Probiotics, & Candida Cleanse tablets 2x daily. I wash my face now with an organic Oatmeal Soap to help with the itching & redness. I have traveled less due to my busy season with my job & haven't exercised much unless on vacation. When on Vacation, I notice the next day I wake up, it looks better, doesn't itch, and I don't even notice it. It was right under my nose THE WHOLE TIME! FLUORIDE, how did I not realize this to begin with! The city water contains high amount of FLUORIDE to "help with tooth wellness" so they add it to the water as well as chlorine. My Well water never had this, but LA does & so does here. We all know this is HUGE NO for us, and just great, there's nothing I can do about it other than move or install an outrageously expensive house filtering system, which I am in a rental home, not going to happen.
All I can say is wash your face with filtered water, don't let the water run down your face in the shower (if city), exercise, get some sun, don't consume too much processed crap (if you're, try the Candida Diet then limit sugar intake daily after you've rid it), don't overdo the daily use of ACV topically or you'll become use to it like my PD did, use sulfate free everything, no facial products with added fragrances, check your makeup products online, clean your brushes weekly, change your pillow cases every other day or sleep on a fresh towel nightly, don't drink city water, take daily vitamins, sweat it out, watch alcohol intake, cut back on daily yeast intake, use nothing with Fluoride, double your daily intake in filtered water, and let it breath as much as possible.
I hope my many trial & errors help you & I hope it clears up. Nothing sucks more than this crap & I know you all hate it too. I know once I move it will clear up but I will let you know how not washing my face with the water anymore & not allowing it on my face in the shower holds up.
Nla (Mobile, Al ) on 06/05/2016:
Chris (Michigan) on 04/11/2016:
I have had POD during the last few winters (told by dermatologist this is normal for a woman in her 40's) The first time it was diagnosed; I refused oral antibiotics but used topical antibiotic cream. It took MONTHS for the POD to look any different; and I truly think when I stopped wearing make up during the summer is when it finally went away.
After the first outbreak, I stopped using fluoride toothpaste, any shampoo/conditioner or lotion with SLS/parabens/petroleum. I did continue to wear my expensive department store make up.
This winter it reappeared with a vengeance, the worst it's ever been. Dermatologist prescribed oral antibiotics as well as topical. I really balked at the oral antibiotics as they frequently cause digestive issues and yeast infections. The doctor said my face was so swollen it was deforming my lower lip and that I really needed to go on the antibiotics. (The area most affected was left lower chin from corner of mouth down to chin).
So after 5 days of oral/topical antibiotics my rash was still spreading (outward and upward). My digestive system started reacting negatively to the antibiotics, and a yeast infection was setting in. I spent hours researching online and came across your website. What a blessing!
Here is what I used after reading and re-reading most of your posts regarding POD:
Stopped antibiotics both oral and topical.
Washed face with African black soap morn and eve. Used diluted Apple Cider Vinegar (raw unfiltered - diluted 50% with spring water) to tone my entire face; paying attention to the rash area.
The ACV burned like crazy! After the first 3 days I was using straight ACV only once a day with much less burning.
I let the ACV dry, then put Manuka honey over the rash for several hours. Gently wiped it off when I had to go out in public. Put calendula ointment over it at night. No make up. Skin would flake/peel and I GENTLY exfoliated with a wash cloth.
As others have reported; rash appeared to be getting worse - more red/angry looking the first 3-4 days then woke up on 5th day and it really was 2/3 gone. Now it's the 7th day and you have to look hard to see it.
I only used the honey the first 3 days; then due to traveling was just using ACV followed by calendula; which is what I am continuing to do at this time.
Went to a local health food store and invested in some natural makeup. Threw out the $100's of dollars worth of my department store brand makeup.
I truly appreciate everyone sharing their experience; and hope that my post will help someone as the others have helped me.
Megan (Vancouver, Canada) on 03/22/2016:
SO – my recommendations for keeping PD down that have worked FOR ME:
I do the Manuka/matcha mask daily, after cleansing ONLY with water (sometimes twice a day – once in the morning, once before bed) FYI – it’s goopy to take off, make sure you’re thorough and use a wash cloth (a clean one every time) and follow with a good moisturizer. Find moisturizers that don’t contain scents, irritants, parabens/sulphates. Being on minocycline dried my skin a lot, and this moisturizer works wonders.
LIMIT dairy/sugar/alcohol/fried foods intake (only black coffee!! Better yet, switch to green tea) and eat lots of leafy green veg (duh). Personally, I cut out most bread products, never have dairy anymore, and drink matcha tea daily
I use mineral makeup, when I need it (honestly don’t need much these days – skin is pretty clear! )
Drink LOTS of water
Try to sweat 2-3 times a week. I find it overall makes me feel healthier, regardless of what ailment I’m dealing with.
Try to get outside, get some daily vitamin D
Honestly, if you’ve given natural remedies a fair shot, and it hasn’t worked – see a doctor. Get a prescription. The medication will help and after you’ve gotten your PD down, you can continue to keep your body healthy with the steps above and stop it from coming back. If you choose to take antibiotics, ensure you’re following it with a daily probiotic (3-4 hours after) to keep your gut flora in check.
After 1.5 years, at 24, I am PD clear! It gets better. But keeping it away, in my opinion, is truly a lifestyle shift that takes diligence to maintain. Worth it though.
Zubi (Longmont, Colorado) on 01/07/2016:
1) Drink lemon water throughout the day. This will help to reduce the acidity in your body. Seems counter intuitive, but it works.
2) No alcohol.
3) No sugar. (I had one relapse and immediately paid for my sin by getting one huge blistery bump in the middle of my chin.)
4) No coffee.
5) No creams, lotions, oils of any kind
6) Apply diluted ACV by blotting on several times a day
7) Apply goat yogurt mask as often as possible during the day (I'm allergic to cow products). Tip: the yogurt that is a bit dehydrated and thick on the sides of the container will stick to your face better.
I am experimenting with applying the foot fungal cream to one part of my face at night time to see if this has an effect. So far it's difficult to say. Will let you know if it seems to help over time.
I am a 66 year old woman and have read that this is considered a problem that affects children and young hormonal women. A friend who is my age has had a milder attack of this recently but hers just cleared up on its own (lucky girl). This would have been so very much more upsetting and aggravating if not for this site. THANKS so very much.
Nancy (Slocan, B.c.) on 07/30/2015:
Alex (Au) on 06/22/2015:
- clean my skin with no soap cleaner (tea trea foam for acne)
- spray on the skin/face Avene spring water
- wash my face with organic ACV " with the mother" (if you can not stand it not diluted, put in on your face while you still have the spring water on the skin)
- wait until it dries a bit and put on your face tea tree oil ( if you can not stand the stings diluted spray again your face with the spring water)
- moisturize your face with Calendula cream (mostly near/ around the areas where you have the PD)
- put on your PD area (can put it actualy on your entire face - make sure you treat the whole skin , also the nose area) the following mix:
- Clotrimazole cream - 1 part (2 cm lenght of cream coming out of the tube)
- Calendula cream - 1 part
-Baby rash cream -1/4 part
- 1-2 drops yogurt
- 1 probiotic pill (only the content inside/ the powder)
- 1 drop Vitamin E oil
- 1 drop Rosehip oil
Mix all together until it forms a uniform cream.
This mix reduces the acidity of the skin and in the same time shoots and treats the skin. It kills the fungus which thrives in an acidic environment.
And ... you do not need to do the yogurt masks because it includes it.
Repeat this full procedure before you go to bed and also, wait until the cream mix is fully absorbed in the skin, apply after only the Baby rash cream on PD (and keep it all night).
During the day, if you do not have time/ you are away from home to do this process again at mid day, just apply on the PD every 3-4 hours the same cream mix.
Because of the probiotic and yogurt it may become powdery on the face if you apply a new mix on the previous one without cleaning the skin. Just wash / clean with water your face and apply the mix.
PS: You are what you eat! Make sure you eliminate acidic food from your diet and take regulary probiotics. This is candida manifesting on the skin.
Gracejones (London) on 05/29/2015:
I had POD and tried ACV but it did not work and although the POD burnt and dried up, it came back.
What worked: raw garlic applied topically, no tap water ever, calendula cream, do not exfoliate.
I suggest:
Do not ever use tap water to wash your face. Use bottled water or better still spray water. Do not use soap. Do not exfoliate. Treat your skin like baby skin.
Ladies stop applying a million products to your skin. Try to use minimal cosmetics and only organic ones. All these chemical make-ups and products are very damaging.
We need to baby our skin, love it, not bombard it with harsh petrochemicals.
The reason I had POD was my skin barrier got broken from using too many harsh products and I believe a fungus or something got in that caused the POD. I tried antibiotics, they only worked for a while and then POD came back. Instead of trying to use harsh chemicals, I started using very gentle products to wash my face. I would rub the worst POD spots with raw garlic, 1-5 times a day (as many times as I could and especially for bed). Yes it smells, yes it stings and gets red but slowly it would dry up from the garlic. I would leave it without touching those parts again. Then I would apply calendula lotion to the healed parts of my skin.
It took a very long time to heal and I still occasionally get a few flare ups when I use non-organic or lots of make up or harsh skin care products but with perseverance POD can be eliminated.
I also changed my diet to no sugars, no grains, no starches and now follow the SCD diet. Most skin conditions link to gut health. I am trying to heal my gut to get my skin perfect. I have heard that the skintervention guide, SCD diet people and paleo communities believe most skin and health issues can be resolved by returning to the diet our ancestors had and eliminating chemicals and artificial items in our diets and lifestyle. No doubt they are right.
Grace (London) on 03/19/2015:
Do not use tap water or soap to wash your face. Instead use Avene Micellar lotion followed by spring water mixed at a ratio of 3:1 with pure powdered vitamin C crystals (I used Now brand), then spritz face with avene spring water spray. Do not exfoliate or ever get face wet in shower or bath with tap water as this is full of chlorine and will unbalance ph of your skin.
Follow the Avene routine with Weleda Calendula Baby Face cream.
Do not use any products that contain SLS, whether it is in shampoo, hair dye, toothpaste. Avoid hair dyes that contain bleach, dye hair with natural methods like henna or herbal dyes.
If you must use make up use only organic brands that contain no oil, do not use any mineral make up that contains bismuth. I use primal life make up that is only pure powdered herbs and clays. Do not use commercial brands of make up or anything that contains coconut or other oils.
Reduce sugars and especially refined carbs in your diet. Stick to a paleo diet and you will clog up your skin far less. Avoid histamines in foods, like processed, smoked, fermented, pickled foods, like wine, cheese etc. Look up the low histamine diet. Avoid beans, pulses and minimize lentils which are hard to digest and cause bloating and blotchy skin for those with weak digestion.
This is a strict regime which basically involves living very clean inside and outside but it really works! If you follow these instructions you should have beautiful, clear skin.
Claire (Uk) on 02/24/2015:
I'm mainly eating organic salad and vegetables, organic eggs and organic chicken. Have just started having 2 pieces of organic fruit per day now too. Have given up my morning coffee as this seemed to aggravate and now only drinking organic herb teas. No soap on my face, only non flouride toothpaste (kingfisher or sarakan) and no other make up or products on my face. Finally after months of depression and frustration (as I've always had really clear skin)... My scabs are basically gone, no more leaking liquid from my bumps, my bright red rash has faded to a light pink and my skin is healing nicely. It's been a long journey but I am so happy now that my skin is finally starting to get back to normal! I really feel for all you who are going through what I did... And I pray you will be healed very soon. I hope this will help you xxx
Visitor (Salt Lake City, Utah) on 10/06/2014:
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!
Ali (Portland, Oregon) on 10/03/2014:
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!
Rodders505 (Sydney, Australia) on 08/16/2014:
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:
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.
Bechansen (Brighton, Co) on 07/10/2013:
Lou (Barcelona, Spain) on 06/30/2013:
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
Lizzy (British Columbia, Canada) on 04/29/2013:
Girl In The Cold (Anchorage, Alaska) on 04/17/2013:
Better But With Side Effects
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!!
Found Cause Of Pd (Los Angeles, California) on 02/21/2013:
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!.
Firecrack (Denver, Co) on 01/28/2013:
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.
Lucy (Perth, Australia) on 10/23/2012:
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!
April (Thomasville, Nc) on 09/04/2012:
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.
Sv (New York City) on 08/28/2012:
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.
Lsaggers (Waterloo, Ontario) on 07/13/2012:
The PD resurfaced ten fold after a trip we took to Thailand in the winter, where I was applying sunscreen and using facial wipes every day.
Shortly after, I discovered I was expecting and couldn't take any of the antiobiotics prescribed for PD. I tried so many of the natural remedies listed on this site (including ACV & probiotics) plus all- natural creams, pure aloe (from the plant), but nothing seemed to work for me.
I started using a mild tea tree oil bar soap to wash my face in the am and pm. At the same time I started using yogurt masks at night, and this seemed to help start clearing up the problem (I have since stopped applying the yogurt).
I now follow with an aloe gel (99% pure from a health food store, like Fiddleheads) on the affected areas, allowed it to dry, and then apply a very mild moisturizer, like Spectro. I also had to resist the urge to pick at the flakes and to gently wash the affected areas, making sure not to scrub. I also try to avoid applying makeup on any affected areas.
It hasn't completely disappeared, but it has been a significant improvement, to where it is just slightly visible around my nostrils, and not nearly as itchy and uncomfortable.
I don't know if this will work for other people, but knowing what it's like to walk around with the PD on your face, I just wanted to add my two cents and hopefully help someone else out!
Mary Gold (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) on 05/06/2012:
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. :]
Nancy (New York, Ny) on 04/04/2012:
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!!
Nice1nik (Vancouver, Canada) on 04/02/2012:
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!
