perioral dermatitis

[sunnyblue]

does anyone have experience with POD?

I think this is what I have and I look awful.

Seen GP 3 times so far. GP says she isn't sure what it is but doesn't think it's POD (not sure why - it looks exactly like the pics I found online).

She just keeps prescribing hydrocortisone cream which makes it worse. I used it for 8 days and I looked a million times worse afterwards than before. She told me I didn't take it long enough and I need to keep taking it (but I cannot, it just aggravates things). I have been also advised to moisturise, moisturise, moisture but this makes it worse too. The GP is of no use, clearly does not know what I have and how to treat it but refused a dermatology referral.

I look awful and whatever it is it's getting worse. I look awful.

are there any home remedies I could try (if it were indeed POD)? I am completely desperate.

[wiltshiregaschick]

My GP diagnosed me with it many years ago. Yes, stress is a trigger as well. I use a steroid inhaler for asthma, but via a spacer. This doesn’t seem to affect me as I had mistakenly tried oral steroids before it was diagnosed

[EllenRipley]

When

[EllenRipley]

Oops! As I was saying... when I had it I washed affected area with grapefruit seed extract (higher nature does a good one, make sure you dilute it) and then used a calendula cream. Worked a treat! Also, there seems to be a connection with toothpaste for some though I can't remember what ingredient is the culprit!

[EllenRipley]

Should also say I did recommend this to another poster a while ago and it seemed to work for her!

[Purpleartichoke]

You can be reacting to ingredients that are fine for 99.9% of the population. You can also be reacting to things that did not bother you before.

For me, the difference was a doctor recommending I Try stopping fluoride. Face rash gone. Tried using fluoride toothpaste again a few months later and the rash returned.

[Ginmere]

I suffered from this during my 30s and 40s - not had it return for a few years. Mine was stress related, I used to get one blister like itchy burning spot which spread like wildfire around my mouth, cheeks and chin. The only thing that would shift it was oral tetracycline antibiotics. You have my sympathy, when it was really bad I felt like I could scratch my face off.

[sunnyblue]

it's not so much the itchyness, gin. It just looks horrendous. I look like a complete freak. I work in a customer facing role and it's really after more than 2 months having an awful effect on me mentally. I Just go to work, I don't go out anymore, I don't socialise, I stopped several of the kids out activities because I cannot face (ha, no pun intended) being among normal looking folk.

[OatcakeCravings]

I’ve had this before, you need an antibiotic oxytetracycline. You can get this online if you go to one of those sites that has a doctor that prescribes online and you will get it sent to your house. Stop using steroids immediately.

[sunnyblue]

which websites, oat

Do I need a GP diagnosis?

[Transpeaked]

OP

Can you change surgeries? I’m or pay for a one off private GP appointment?

[mammalazarou]

Hi
I get this quite bad a few times a year. Changing toothpaste used to make it flare up. Only thing thing that has ever worked for me is eumovate.

[Malibucyprus]

I haven't read all of the posts, so apologies if this has been mentioned but I had this 2 years ago and it was awful.

Dr didn’t have a clue what was wrong with my face and kept throwing creams at me, I self diagnosed by googling in the end, went back to the GP and he agreed it did look like perioral dermatitis.

I was prescribed 3 months of Doxycycline 100mg, started working within 7 days.

Do you have it around your nose and mouth or the eyes?

[sunnyblue]

Cannot change GP and cannot afford private. got a few quotes but they are just so expensive

Thanks all anyways. Seems without a knowledgeable doc it won't go away.

I will just have to leave as it is and try to get used to it . since I stopped all skincare it at least hasn't gotten worse.

[Greywind1523]

I had this a few years ago.

I did some online research and a lot of people were recommending washing the face with Nizoral anti-dandruff shampoo followed by Calendula cream. I used both and mine cleared up within a few days after several months of suffering before I worked out that it was.

[Littleoakhorn]

Other posters are right about avoiding a steroid cream. Can you get a non-steroid antibiotic cream over the counter? The other thing it could be is a fungal rash, so perhaps you could persuade your GP to get the rash checked to make sure it's the right diagnosis... since nothing is working. Then they'll have to give you the right treatment. At least argue for a referral, even if there's a long wait.

[sunnyblue]

little I stopped all steroid stuff already. I had some fucidine from GP too (no effect) and tried fungal cream I had at home which didn't help either.

it looks like POD and behaves like it (getting worse under steroids). I am pretty sure it's that.

will try to calendula cream next. thanks!

[alwaysgoodenough]

You poor thing!
I suffered in exactly the same way. Tried OTC remedies. Ruined lots of weddings and special occasions as I was so self conscious.
I finally saw an amazing GP who recognised it straightaway and prescribed tetracycline m. He just said "ah yes! Muzzle rash!".
I have acne rosacea too and I think they are connected.
Have you tried Superdrug's online doctor/pharmacy facility? If you upload a photo they might prescribe ABs from that.

[sunnyblue]

always

thanks, will have a look at superdrug's online pharmacy.

[isabellerossignol]

I have this too. I had a severe flare up last year which cleared up completely with a course of antibiotics.

It is back, but not as bad as before. The itch around my nose is driving me demented though.

[MilsCookie]

Hi - I feel your pain. I used to have this but mine was caused by stress. It flairs up and then can last for months at a time. On the off chance I was speaking to a girl who worked in Space NK (who also suffered with PD) and she recommended putting a TINY amount of tea tree oil on the affected area. I was surprised as you’re not supposed to put it directly onto your skin, but I was at my wits end with it so I bought a little bottle from Boots and tried it - applying it once a day after I’d done my usual skincare routine and it definitely helped! I don’t think it went completely but it definitely reduced the amount of red bumps.
Good luck OP ⭐️

[JosephineDeBeauharnais]

I've had three or four bouts of POD over the past ten years. GP diagnosed it correctly but was surprised that I had it as I was mid forties at the time and it's a young woman's condition supposedly. I've had six weeks oral ABs twice and the most recent attack three months or so ago I got an AB cream which worked just as well, over about the same timeframe. I don't know what my trigger is tbh.

[MadamBuxton]

I’ve had POD a few times and Rozex cream always sorts it. If you google it, it says it is just for rosacea but I was prescribed it for POD and I’m sure I’ve seen other people on here say the same. I saw a difference within days and was fully cleared up with a month I think.

[MadamBuxton]

Just seen Josephine’s post - I was thinking it has been quite a while since I’ve had an outbreak and now I feel old. Every cloud...

[sunnyblue]

thanks. might start with tea tree oil.

I just don't get it. People see their GP and get treatment. I have seen three so far. noone had a clue, just keep telling me to continue with the steroid even though it's making it worse and I tell them... (I stopped all steroid or other crap). Its such a lottery it seems whom you see.

It started when I had some change in circumstances which cause an insane amount of stress (and will continue to do so for a few years). I am sure this was my trigger. not even sure if there is a point in taking ABs - won't the stress cause a timely flare up anyways? I am early 40s btw.

[EllenRipley]

Don't use tea tree oil! It's too strong and can be irritating on sore skin. Honestly, I think the grapefruit seed extract (which is antifungal/antibacterial like tea tree, but not an oil) & calendula cream is your best bet if you're going to try natural remedies x