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Original poster

Perioral dermatitis - is it a perimenopause thing?! Has anyone got rid of it?

47 replies

Greensleeves · 14/08/2023 17:28

It started about two months ago with a sore patch on one side of my upper lip - not proper pimples, more like a cluster of little raised sores with no heads. It's since spread to both sides of upper lip/under nose, under my mouth and on the side of my chin. None of my go-to antiseptic products worked, nor did switching to a really simple skincare regime, no greasy products etc. It flares up and then goes scaly, then flares up again. It's itchy and it burns, and it's MOIST, so really hard to cover with concealer (which I only do if I'm going out and really need not to look like crap).

GP wasn't interested, just said it's my hormones and to try and sleep well, drink water etc. I read online that it really needs a topical antibiotic, ideally erythromycin or metronidazole gel, but UK GPs don't tend to be willing to prescribe it - so I used the Superdrug online service, fibbed that I had bacterial vaginosis and got some 0.75 metronidazole gel sent to me, which I have been applying nightly for about a month - it's the only thing that's produced a bit of improvement, but it hasn't got rid of it altogether.

Has anyone else had it/managed to get rid of it?

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 14/08/2023 17:35

Could it be impetigo? I've seen people with scaly, red patches instead of the cornflake type lumps. And ex MIL had Herpes simplex that spread over her face and chin, rather than in the usual cold sore on the edge of the lip.

SuperCallieFragilistic · 14/08/2023 17:43

Have you tried changing your toothpaste? I got perioral dermatitis for the first time when I was 40. After a process of elimination I switched from using my regular toothpaste (that I had been using for years with no issues) to using my DC's kiddy toothpaste instead, and around the same time started using a probiotic moisturiser. I don't know whether it was one of those things or the combination but my perioral dermatitis has cleared up completely. I hope you find some relief, it's awful isn't it.

SammyTam · 14/08/2023 17:45

My cousin had this. Referred to by her doctor as "muzzle rash" (sorry). Three months of antibiotics. Threw absolutely all her makeup away. Only water on her face.

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Ruthietuthie · 14/08/2023 17:48

I found that the only thing that worked was two months of oral antibiotics plus a cream (can't remember what), all prescribed by a dermatologist. I tried various things to treat it myself initially, and it just spread and spread.

Northbright · 14/08/2023 17:48

I've had it for the last month. I did think it was hormonal but now I think it may have been tretonoin that sparked it off. No normal spot remedy worked so I joined the PD facebook group who swear by sulphur soap, "butt cream" ( i think its an American that runs it!), teatree oil and drying it out. I don't want to tempt fate but no new spots have arrived in the last few days since starting this regime. Its a right pain though!

Original poster
Greensleeves · 14/08/2023 17:49

Ruthietuthie · 14/08/2023 17:48

I found that the only thing that worked was two months of oral antibiotics plus a cream (can't remember what), all prescribed by a dermatologist. I tried various things to treat it myself initially, and it just spread and spread.

This is the answer I was afraid of! My GP doesn't think a referral to a dermatologist is necessary, and I can't afford to see one privately. Grr.

OP posts:
Dellabob123 · 14/08/2023 17:52

2 weeks antibiotics, wash in Aqueous cream and diprobase for moisturisers. Keep skin wash and creams to an absolute minimum until completely gone. Had it several times…please go back to gp and insist.

LER83 · 14/08/2023 17:54

I had this around my eye, periocular or something like that, and my gp said it was now classified as a type of rosacea. I was given something beginning with R, Rosex or something, took about a month to clear. He did say it was age related! There is a good cream that you can get from online pharmacies, but yet again the name escapes me, think it begins with Y (i borrowed it from my mum).

SergeiL · 14/08/2023 17:55

Try a different toothpaste. I use Regenerate off Amazon. If I stop using it, the dermatitis returns. Also hit me during peri.

Rolypolyup · 14/08/2023 17:57

I have not long got rid of mine. I had about 6-8 weeks of doxycycline 50mg and using sulphur soap and tea tree wipes and washing with nothing but water. Do not moisturise at all during this period.
Before that I was prescribed the metrodozinole cream which only made it worse and I had to use this for the full 6 weeks before changing to the antibiotics. It was awful. Docs prescribed. Join Facebook group, they offer lots of advice and experience

Rolypolyup · 14/08/2023 17:57

March and now

Perioral dermatitis - is it a perimenopause thing?! Has anyone got rid of it?
Perioral dermatitis - is it a perimenopause thing?! Has anyone got rid of it?
Hthwo · 14/08/2023 18:00

I had a patch of red skin either side of my chin for about a year, tried all sorts. Rather than get a gp appt I used their app, sent them a couple of photos, told them all the things I had tried and asked for fucidin cream, which they prescribed directly without contacting me, and which did the job. All clear for a few months now.

KatharinaRosalie · 14/08/2023 18:12

One thing, do not use steroid creams on perioral. It will initially work amazingly, but it will come back worse than before. In fact, steroid creams often trigger it.

Metronidazole usually worked for me, takes ages though. At some point it stopped so got prescribed soolantra. Oral antibiotics are the best though. And also I can recommend those LED therapy lamps against acne, also seem to work on PD.

khakitrousers · 14/08/2023 18:20

I had this caused by caning my skin with too much abrasive skincare. 3 months oral antibiotics prescribed by a (private) dermatologist sorted it completely plus the most basic skincare regime (Avene for reactive skin).

Justgonefishing · 14/08/2023 18:22

I agree - CHANGE YOUR TOOTHPASTE!!! another one here who started with this during perimenopause and after about 8 years of looking horrible i have only just tried changing toothpaste- now its pretty much gone ( i'd previously been given antibiotics, some improvement but never got rid of it)!!! i've never had problems with my skin before so i think its that i've become more sensitive in my 40's.

Anapana · 14/08/2023 18:22

I had it, had fungal cream prescribed and gp told me to wash the area with dandruff shampoo as that has anti fungal properties- it cleared and it’s not comeback

Moredarkchocolateplease · 14/08/2023 18:39

I used to get slits and still do get excema at the side and around my mouth.

I find fuicidin/hydroctorisone mix gets rid of it.

Plus I changed my toothpaste to the basic sensodyne that has no SLS in.

Moredarkchocolateplease · 14/08/2023 18:40

I should add that I use hydrocortisone on my face as advised by GP and consultant dermatologist. Apparently the thinning skin thing is a myth according to the consultant.

Yellowpotato · 14/08/2023 18:42

I had this and had a 6 week course of lymecycline antibiotics. You can get them prescribed via online pharmacies after a consultation. Think it was about £25. But easier than getting a prescription

NoTeaNoShade · 14/08/2023 19:08

khakitrousers · 14/08/2023 18:20

I had this caused by caning my skin with too much abrasive skincare. 3 months oral antibiotics prescribed by a (private) dermatologist sorted it completely plus the most basic skincare regime (Avene for reactive skin).

Almost exactly the same scenario and solutions, with an additional four sessions of laser thrown in, across my cheeks and chin. This seems to have cleared mine up. I'm lucky to have access to a private dermatologist otherwise I'd still be clawing away at my face. You have my sympathies OP, not pleasant at all.

I was prescribed Vulcan antibiotics at the time and now use La Roche Posay Toleriane cleanser with Bioderma moisturiser and have no issues. La Roche Posay SPF is the only sunscreen I can tolerate.

CreationNat1on · 07/11/2023 16:08

I have this currently, and it seems to finally be clearing up, what a pain.

Teapot32 · 07/11/2023 16:10

I get it and I use an e45 itch relief cream specifically for dermatitis always clears it up quickly

Youthinkyoureuniqueyourejustastatistic · 07/11/2023 16:14

Greensleeves · 14/08/2023 17:49

This is the answer I was afraid of! My GP doesn't think a referral to a dermatologist is necessary, and I can't afford to see one privately. Grr.

Show quote history

Even if you get an NHS referral to a dermatologist- which is very unlikely- it will be months to years before you get seen.

I get something that sounds similar but mine comes up about a week before period and then goes away when my period starts.

It is calmest if I don’t touch it or put anything on it. Wind/water also makes it burn.
I also had it when pregnant for a while.
I do think mine is definitely hormonal.
But it don’t put any makeup or anything on it 😂 just looks like I have a crusty mouth for a few days.

Helenahandkart · 07/11/2023 16:29

Had this on and off for 20 years, more in the last few (perimenopausal) years. A million different creams and antibiotics over the years which have helped or not to varying degrees, but it always reoccurred.
My most recent trip to the GP told me that it wasn’t perioral dermatis, but actually Seborrheic dermatitis and prescribed Nizoral shampoo. And it seems to have got rid of it.
Might be worth an experiment as you can buy the shampoo from the chemist. He told me to use it 3 times a week and leave it for 10 mins.

Rolypolyup · 07/11/2023 22:10

The good thing about the sulphur soap is it works for fungal and bacterial. I used it alongside the antibiotics which seemed to get rid of it after a few failed attempts of other things. Now been prescribed skinoren which is azelalic acid for the pigmented skin left behind from the damage. It's been a year now. Stress started the whole thing off!!!!!