Perioral Dermatitis: What Finally Worked for Me
Perioral Dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by red, flaking, itchy, or painful bumps and scales on the face. Read how I finally cured my perioral dermatitis after a year-long battle with it!
First, let’s talk about what this skin condition is to begin with.
What is perioral dermatitis anyway?
Understanding Perioral Dermatitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Typical Treatment
Perioral dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by the development of red, inflamed, and bumpy rashes around the mouth, eyes, and sometimes the nose.
While the exact cause of perioral dermatitis remains unclear, it is essential to recognize the symptoms and seek appropriate treatment to manage and alleviate the condition.
Before I talk about what worked for me, we will delve into the key aspects of perioral dermatitis, including its causes, symptoms, and available treatment options.
Causes of Perioral Dermatitis:
According to doctors, the precise cause of perioral dermatitis is not definitively understood, but several factors may contribute to its development.
(However, I have an inkling of what caused it for me.)
Some common triggers include:
- Topical Steroid Use: One of the primary causes is the prolonged use of topical steroids, such as corticosteroid creams. These medications, when used excessively, can lead to a rebound effect, causing the skin to become more irritated.
- Hormonal Factors: Perioral dermatitis is often linked to hormonal fluctuations, making women more susceptible, particularly during hormonal changes such as menstruation or pregnancy.
- Fluorinated Toothpaste: Certain ingredients found in fluorinated toothpaste have been associated with the development or exacerbation of perioral dermatitis in some individuals.
- Cosmetic Products: The use of certain cosmetics, especially those containing oils or heavy creams, may contribute to the onset of perioral dermatitis. I switched to this non-oily and amazing moisturizer and have been using it ever since!
Symptoms of Perioral Dermatitis:
Recognizing the symptoms of perioral dermatitis is crucial for early diagnosis and effective treatment. Common signs include:
- Red or Pink Bumps: Small, red, or pink papules that may cluster around the mouth, eyes, and nose.
- Burning or Itching Sensation: The affected area may be accompanied by a burning or itching sensation.
- Pustules and Pimples: Pustules, which are small, pus-filled bumps, may develop, resembling acne.
- Dryness and Flakiness: The skin around the rash may become dry and flaky, exacerbating the discomfort.
Perioral Dermatitis Treatment:
Typical treatment for perioral dermatitis typically involves a multifaceted approach and may include the following:
- Discontinuation of Topical Steroids: If the condition is triggered by the use of topical steroids, discontinuing their use is crucial. However, abrupt cessation can worsen symptoms initially, so it is essential to do this under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
- Oral Antibiotics: Doctors often prescribe oral antibiotics, such as tetracycline or doxycycline, to reduce inflammation and control the bacterial component of the condition.
- Topical Medications: In some cases, topical antibiotics or anti-inflammatory creams may be recommended to alleviate symptoms.
- Avoidance of Triggering Factors: Identifying and avoiding potential triggers, such as fluorinated toothpaste or specific cosmetics, can help prevent recurrence.
Perioral dermatitis can be a distressing skin condition, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, most individuals experience significant improvement.
Seeking the guidance of a dermatologist is essential for an accurate diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan.
Understanding the potential causes, recognizing the symptoms, and adopting appropriate preventive measures can contribute to the effective management of perioral dermatitis and promote skin health.
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Perioral Dermatitis: What Finally Worked for Me
While what I describe above is what’s common or typical, it’s not necessarily how it goes down for everyone.
While I was experiencing this skin condition, I was also experiencing a whole bunch of other things.
After getting a TON of lab work done, I am fully convinced that my particular experience had a lot to do with liver inflammation and stress.
The results of my labs around the time this started happening showed that I had elevated liver enzymes, high cholesterol, and estrogen dominance. (You can read about my experience with that and what I did to fix it here.)
I also had low iron, low vitamin D, and low DHEA. There was also evidence of what’s known as “adrenal fatigue,” or issues with my cortisol.
However, I had also been having what I thought was severe dandruff and an itchy scalp, so I had been using Scalpicil, which has hydrocortisone in it.
I was using it regularly, and it has dawned on me that it’s a steroid – which alllll checks out!
So, if you’ve been using any sort of hydrocortisone on your skin or scalp, that is likely part of what’s causing your perioral dermatitis!
Then, when you stop using them, you can experience withdrawals.
Of course, I didn’t know that until I was totally fed up and desperate to get rid of my redness and flaking.
At the end of the day, here’s what finally cleared my skin up:
- A full round of antibiotics.
- Pyrithione Zinc soap.
- A Candida cleanse. (This is the brand that I went with.)
- Probiotics.
- Elimination of all steroid creams and products from my skin and haircare routine. (No more Scalpicin!)
- Switching to non-oily skincare because it feeds the growth of bacteria. I switched to this moisturizer after my bout with PD and have never looked back!
While I would normally hesitate to take any antibiotics at all, I did over a month of doxycycline.
This decision was only made after a ton of research and after talking to two doctors.
After more research, I decided to start using a bar of Pyrithione Zinc soap a few times per week as well. (To avoid recurrence of the dermatitis.)
Somewhere in there, I also began a Candida cleanse to address the gut issues and began to take probiotics daily to counteract the effects of the antibiotics.
I also started eating some sort of fermented food daily to make sure I wouldn’t totally ruin my gut. You can also take a pre- and probiotic to help with gut health.
It’s now a few months later, and my skin is totally clear! (Update one year later – I am still clear!)
Even though I was reluctant, the best thing I did to heal was go to the dermatologist.
This was not something I could get rid of on my own (trust me, I tried). It only got worse the longer I ignored it, and I ultimately regretted not dealing with it sooner.
So, if you’re experiencing perioral dermatitis, my biggest tip would be to get in to see the doctor sooner rather than later.
I hope this helps you! Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions…I will get back to everyone. 🙂
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Until next time,
Chantal
Hello!
Awesome blogpost!
I wonder if you have had any flare ups since you did the candida cleanse? If not, how long have you been pd free?
Thanks in advance!
Hello! I have not had any flare ups since, however, I continue to use an herbal candida supplement. It is difficult to say how much of my success came from the use of antibiotics since I used it simultaneously with the candida cleanse, but I definitely think it has helped.
I have a horrible case of PD that is around my eyes. I need to do a candida cleanse. Do you have any guidance on the cleanse you did. I have read several articles and find it somewhat overwhelming.
I just did the most highly-rated natural cleanse on Amazon. I believe its main ingredient was oregano. It was super easy – just two herbal pills per day.
I have it around my eyelids and it’s now traveled to my face in different areas. But, I’m not experiencing dry flaky skin or itchy areas. Just the bumps!
It will be a year this coming July- it just surfaced one hot July day, and never went away
I went to Dermatologist. They gave me some creams didn’t help. I went to an eyelid specialist doctor that I see regularly. They don’t know what it is and they wanted to biopsy it but I said NO now, I’m just feeling defeated …
And, no one has diagnosed it!
That’s a bummer, I’m sorry! I definitely be going to a different derm to get a second opinion.
Hi. For some odd reason this unwelcome issue landed on my path too. I tried so many things like changing to Cetaphil products. Cutting on everything else but still no dramatic change. One night after cleaning my face an added the moisturizer, I put eyedrops in my eyes and the thought came to me that if this is sensitive enough for my eyes, why can’t I try it on my face. I applied it to the infected areas every morning and evening and about 2 weeks later my skin was clear. No trace of it. Still clear with no flare up.
Interesting! I wonder what the ingredients are?
I have pd in an awful way. I wanted to treat it naturally with calendula oil. It seemed to keep it at bay but it’s gone crazy within the last 2 weeks and is now at my eyebrow traveling up my nose and on the bridge of my nose. Do you mind saying what eye drops you tried? I’m desperate. No insurance for dermatologist
Thank you and bless you dearly
Hi Dana, I hope the other person is able to get back to you about the eyedrops. I just wanted to mention that in all of my research, I found that staying away from oils was a common recommendation. Oil feeds the growth and may be what’s causing the PD to spread. I tried oils too and it made it worse. Good luck!
How long did it take for you to see results while on antibiotics?
Did you notice anything after you got your estrogen dominance under control? I started and then stopped hormonal therapy recently so I’m wondering if that also plays a part.
Thanks for the article even though I’m late to the game on finding your post, it helps me not feel so alone ❤️
It took 3-4 days for it to be noticeably better once starting antibiotics. It’s difficult to say how much estrogen dominance played a role, but for me high estrogen has always equaled skin problems. Best of luck!
I have been dealing with what I think is this for nearly 18 months! It began as bumps on my forehead and then moved to just below the corner of my lips chin wise, randomly comes up above my lip below nose and has also appeared at the corner of my lips…some bumps would look poppable like they were filled with water or oil, not like regular pimples though…
I thought it was stress related and my Dr said it was dermatitis and to use dermaid 0.5% daily(hydrocortisone). This seems to work to sometimes clear certain parts, but it never fully goes away and is so frustrating. Also have to be so religious with application! I recently ran out of my cleanser that seemed to work well as it has some acid based ingredients in it that would dry it out and the next day or 2 would get flaky and come off.
I’m too scared to put anything on my skin or to change my makeup or skin products in case it gets worse.
I found your post interesting as I have also had such severe dandruff that I’m convinced is Seborrheic dermatitis for the past like 14 years. It drives me and my scalp crazy. I know last year and the year before that I’ve had low vitamin d and iron and after taking supplements to increase these levels, I did notice my skin improve a little. I also have struggled with candida for 14 or more years, I can get a yeast infection at the drop of a hat and have to take pro biotics when I have antibiotics always, I’ve often had amoxycillin, flucloxacillin cefalexin, metronidazole or doxycycline.
Usually I’m also prescribed fluconazole with them for potential thrush. I do wonder if it’s all somehow connected… I would love to know more about the candida cleanse as I feel like it’s in my body and affecting multiple areas 🙁
How do you measure cortisol levels? Is there any link between all of this and vaginal health as well? I think I’m just very sensitive to any changes in pH. So hard to get everything right but still enjoy food, makeup, intimacy etc etc 😭
I think it’s all connected ultimately to gut health and hormones! You can get your cortisol levels checked with labs. You’ll probably be advised to fast the night prior, because cortisol is usually checked first thing in the morning. I’d probably ask for a referral to a dermatologist, too. Good luck!
What antibiotic did the doctor prescribe for you?
Doxycycline!
What did you use to keep the area moist rather than dry and sore?
I’m using Vaseline but unsure if this is making it worse.
Oil-free water-based moisturizer. I got a Korean brand from Amazon. Definitely don’t use oil!
Did your labs change at all after it cleared up? I’m working through PD for about a month now. So far, all research (including stumbling across you!) has led to succumbing to a dermatologist…..
Thank you!
Yes, my labs did change. But I was already taking supplements for the estrogen and liver problems before the dermatitis appeared, so it’s hard to know what helped which problem there. Looking back, I think that the liver and estrogen problem contributed, but stress and topical steroids were the biggest triggers for my dermatitis.
I’ve been dealing with this since right before Christmas… I’ve always had great skin and always had a great skin care routine… I am in disbelief… I went to a dermatologist last week and they didn’t tell me anything different than Google… I initially was thinking it might’ve been the herbal supplements I was taken from a company called black girl vitamins… I was taking the Sea moss pills, the probiotic gummy and the hair skin nail gummy… but after reading your page, I’m thinking my PD was triggered because of a hormonal imbalance. I’m on Nexplanon(progestin) and I’m taking the Hailey pill(It contains 2 hormones: norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen))…
I kept taking the pill because the implant was causing me to bleed nonstop… Taking the pill helped stop the bleeding, but I think using both caused the imbalance thus PD.
I just started taking my round of antibiotics two nights ago… I’m going to be patient and try not to stress out, but I definitely don’t like what I see. I also have the gel clindamycin…
Can you tell me a bit about the candida cleanse and the zinc soap?
Hormone imbalances are no joke and can absolutely trigger skin issues! The soap I used was this one and this is the candida cleanse. Both are pretty affordable so it’s worth a shot.
What is the cleanse regimen? As far as food intake
From what I researched, sugars/simple carbs feed infection so it’s important to cut back on those. Cruciferous vegetables have detoxification properties for estrogen and the liver, so for me it has been important to increase those.
Excellent bc I
meal prepped broccoli on Sunday! I appreciate it!! The soap arrived today I’ll start using it. The first round of minocycline didn’t work… I was doing once a day until it cleared up and then I took it once a day for another week. But within two days it flared back up… So now I’m taking two pills a day… I’m also using the clindamycin phosphate gel… And Cetaphil gentle wash… I guess I’ll swap out the set feel gentle wash for the zinc soap
Best of luck!
The candida pills are back order til april 7 😔
What type of non oil based moisturizer did you use ? I think I I have this problem it’s starting to affect my self esteem any tips on how to deal with stress
I’m sorry that you’re going through that. I felt the same way (but haven’t had any recurrence). Here is the kind I have been using ever since I had PD! https://amzn.to/42rxtK9
Hi Chantal,
Thank you for sharing your experience with PD.
At 59 yo, this beast has entered my life.
I’m going to give it a shot with the soap, oil and candida detox items you have used.
I also, will follow through with the 2 week prescription of antibiotics my dermatologist prescribed.
I read your article right after waking up with the worst PD flare up so far.
🤞🏼Maria
Hi Maria, thanks for reading. Best of luck!
Hi! Thank you for all of this info! I have a question, since the PD is gone are you able to use products again such as perfume and use essential oils? The perfume I use is a natural perfume by the way. I just know anything scented is forbidden but I really hope I can use them again one day!
Yes! The only things I stay away from still are oil-based moisturizers and topical steriods.
Thank you for the reply! I just got prescribed doxycycline 30 days worth and I’m wondering if you took the Natures Craft Candi-Clear Body Cleanse Detox for Women AND the Prebiotics and Probiotics Gut Health Supplement alongside the doxycycline at the same time??
I started with the cleanse & probiotics before I had the prescription, and continued the probiotics while on the doxy because antibiotics are so rough on your system. They kill a lot of good gut bacteria, so I would recommend continuing at least the pre- and probiotics for a while after you do the full round of doxy. I can’t remember if I stayed on the cleanse during, but I for sure stayed on the probiotics!
I guess there’s no way for me to get rid of it since I got it when u was pregnant and I still have flare up’s in pp. I don’t wear make up, I don’t use steroids In anything, and it started when I was seven months pregnant. And it came from a towel that was washed in tide. I use fragrance free detergent and SLS, free shampoo and conditioner. And I wash the rest of my body with water. I don’t put anything on my face.
I would definitely get with a dermatologist!