Replied By Ger (Sante Fe, NM) on 02/22/2009
I am estatic that I just found this site. I, too, had oral dermatitus recently and my doc prescribed a steroid cream which did not work and then he prescribed minocyclene, an antibiotic pill. Several days later I ended up in the hospital for a week with an allergic reaction to minocyclene only then to develop BOOP disease, an organizing pneumonia requiring 6 weeks of recovery. I was very weak and sick requiring fulltime care. In the healing process with yet other drugs, my dermatitus disappeared. But, alas, this week it is starting again near and under the nose.The breakout is itchy, red and bumpy. I am on my way to get the apple cider and start today. I thank everyone for their blog and will give an update in 7 days. I am so hoping this natural way is the cure for me.Replied By Ger (Santa Fe, NM) on 03/04/2009
AMAZING CURE! This is a followup to my email on Feb. 22nd, saying I found this site and would try the cider for two weeks for oral dermatitus. The cider actually worked! Here are my recommendations. Dilute the cider and try it twice a day, then cut down to once a day due to the itching and dryness. I used chapstick or a serum every third day for the dry itching under the nose, as well. I am especially careful to keep my hands off my face due to germs. My rash is almost clear and I appreciate knowing that if it comes back, I can get my cider out! Thanks to who ever set up this site. GerReplied By Maria (Durham, NC) on 07/08/2009
I read here that a lot of people were prescribed topical steroids for POD. Do not use it! I read and am a living prove that it worsens it. When my POD break out happened last winter I tried everything and failed. I had a steroid cream orescribed to me long time ago for contact dermatitis on my body and decided to try it. The rash was gone withhin a couple days, but now when I don't use it for a day it comes back. I read on a few websites that it is the case. While helping with the rash it causes a sort of addiction. I do not want to rely on the steroid cream for the rest of my life and will try ACV and yogurt. I belive that many skin problems are related to digestive system. Any problem can be fixed from the inside.Replied By Clairebear (Castro Valley, Ca, Usa) on 11/27/2010
Hello all. At 28, I have recently been diagnosed with perioral dermititis. I believe I had my original flare up about 1 months ago. Foolishly, I borrowed some steroid cream from my sister and applied it to the area around my mouth/chin. Like many others, the POD went into overdrive as soon as I stopped using the topical steroid. After a little research on the net, I was confident I had POD. I went to see my derm, and sadly he confirmed my suspicion. He prescribed me an oral steroid (doxy) and to my horror gave me some more steroid cream! I have been taking the antibiotic for 4 days now but I will not use the cream. I'm committed to weathering the storm and not falling into the steroid trap! I do not consider myself to be particularly vain, but the POD has really knocked down my confidence and self esteem. What made matters worse was that there is so little definitive information about treating POD. I really started to panic reading that many traditional med. sites offer months of antibiotic courses with no promise of success. I have to admit, I started to feel a little depressed. I feel embarrassed explaining my desire to "lay low" until the rash has improved, because as my boyfriend said "it's not like you lost a limb or something. " I am seeing a tiny bit of improvement after 4 days, but I'm not sure how to explain this. I have already switched over to a natural tea tree "soap-less" cleanser (no sulfates). My sulfate free natural shampoo/cond. is on its way. I have switched to a natural fluoride free toothpaste. I'm so grateful to have found this thread! I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with taking the supplement MSM? It was recommended to me at my local health food store. After some research on MSM, it seems to be a relevant thing to try as far as helping to create better conditions for healthy skin. Any thoughts or experience with MSM would be greatly appreciated.
Today I started the Apple Cider vinegar regimen. I mixed 2 tablespoons in a glass of water and chugged it down. Then I dabbed a cotton ball with ACV on the effected area. Call me crazy.... But within an hour I have noticed that the tightness and itching have become less intense. I am going to stick to it and continue to take my course of antibiotics. I am keeping my fingers crossed! I will post updates as to my progress. One other question... Can any of the ladies out there make a recommendation to me for makeup (once the flare up dies down a bit). I was already using the very popular brand mineral powder, but I have read that bismuth oxychloride, talc, phthalates, nano-particles, and perfumes can really irritate folks like us. I have found an alternative powder, but any recommendations for a concealer/foundation etc. Many thanks and lots of positive vibes for all the POD sufferers out there.
Replied By Lynn (Los Angeles, Ca) on 12/28/2010
Your story is so similar to mine that I had to write to you. In November, I dabbed some tone corrector/dark spot remover while I was at a friends house and went out for the night. Big mistake! The next day I woke up with little red dots on the spots where I applied the cream. I thought I was breaking out b/c my skin is so sensitive and so I made a note to myself never to use that cream again. The dots stay on my face for 2 weeks. I go in to get my eyebrows waxed and my esthetician asks me what's going on with my skin. I told her I'm breaking out and she tells me that it doesn't look like a normal breakout but rather an allergic reaction to something. She tells me to use some cortizone cream and take some benadryl. I do that for 2 nights and by the third day my skin is 100% improved. My skin stays normal/great for one week. Then all of a sudden out of the blue on a Monday my face swells up with red, itchy pimple-like bumps all over. It was 10x worse than it was after the initial application of the tone corrector.
I made an appt with a dermatologist and he said I have Rosacea. He tried to prescribe an antiobiotic and steroid cream but I refused to take it. I went home and cried. I was devastated by the diagnosis. I know that sounds like an exaggeration but I was full fledged depressed by the news. I felt hideous. After feeling sorry for myself for a good 2 days, I turned to earthclinic to see if ACV could help me. For 2 weeks I've been dabbing ACV on my face followed up by coconut oil (I'm also ingesting it 2x a day). Gradually, my face started to look better. The redness lightened and the bumps began to go away. I still have some bumps but it's nothing compared to how bad it was.
I saw a different dermatologist today for a second opinion. She diagnosed me with Perioral Dermatitis, prescribed me one month of antibiotics and a prescription cream. I don't want to get the prescription filled. I'm going to continue with the ACV and get one more opinion before I resort to any kind of rx. Good luck to you and give an update on your status when you get a chance.
Replied By Aginto (Toronto, On) on 12/29/2010
Hi Lynn, Try adding lots of Vitamin C to your diet. Vitamin C encourages Collagen production which is great for your skin/face. Also, try taking Lysine as well. There is a theory that the increased redness in your skin is due to a different underlying condition; in this case your vein walls aren't very strong. I've heard of some women who have minimized the redness in their skin, and reduced symptoms of rosacea by adding about 5000-8000 mg of Vitamin C and 1500 or 2000 mg of Lysine (spread out throughout the day). It will take a few weeks to see results, but well worth it. Good luck!Replied By Asand (Louisville, Ky) on 03/15/2011
My dermatologist had prescribed me topical steroids (vanos) about 4 months ago for small red bumps. It seemed like a miracle drug, my bumps quickly cleared but when I stopped using the cream, they would reappear. Eventually, the steroid cream couldn't stop it... The rash worsened. I went back to the doctor and she diagnosed me with POD. I stopped using the steroids... Which made me look like I had terrible burns around my mouth and nose. It was awful. My skin was bumpy with pustules and very red. Make up couldn't cover it.
(I was also recently diagnosed with celiac disease which means I have a gluten allergy. My digestive tract has been damaged and is in repair. I believe the POD is related.)
So, my dermatologist gave me sumaxin face wash and an anti-bacterial gel to use 2x/day. It itched and burned the first week, but I stuck with it. I cut out cinnamon and floride in my toothpaste. I try to drink bottled water. I don't wash my face with hot water, only lukewarm.
The rash is SLOWLY going away. I've been on treatment for 4 weeks. It is still a little dry and I use Cera ve moisturizer AM and PM to help.
Also-A great MAKE-UP that won't irritate the POD is Jane Iredale. She has a website.
Hope this helps! It is difficult to live with these diseases, but stay hopeful and try not to stress about it. YOU are not alone!!!
