HRT and perioral dermatitis

[Flockameanie]

I developed perioral dermatitis right around the time i started on HRT (Oestrogel and cyclical utrogestan) six weeks ago, and it's getting progressively worse. It could be a coincidence, but it coincided exactly with me starting HRT.

I had perioral dermatitis before in my 20s and ended up having to take pretty hardcore antibiotics to treat it, which had some grim side effects that I'd rather avoid this time. I've tried various topical treatment (fucidin ointment, azelaic acid), as well as cutting out all skin care (just splashing face with cool water) with no luck so far. I need to anyway book in for my 3-month HRT review with the GP, so will ask about it then, but was wondering if anyone else has experienced this as a side-effect of starting HRT and if so, whether you managed to shift it without antiBs?

Idk how helpful this is as I didn't have a diagnosis, but I developed something similar (red, rough skin and sore, split corner of mouth) which didn't respond to antiseptic ointment or constant application of Vaseline. I was going to ask the pharmacist but the split lip was driving me mad so out of desperation I used the tiniest dab of otc cortisone cream (like a pin head) and in the morning it was gone.
I was so surprised, I'd been suffering for a week or so and it was so sore and unsightly, I didn't expect the cream to do much. Apparently it can be fungal or bacterial and I don't suppose steroid cream is usually recommended but it seems to have seen it off.

Meant to say I'm also on hrt but it didn't occur to me that it would be related.

I had the same but didn’t really connect it to HRT as I throw so much hardcore skincare at my face I assumed it was that! Rozex and clyndamyacene (sp?) sorted it out

I would just say in response to &crispinglovershighkick that sometimes hydrocortisone cream can cause, rather than cure perioral dermatitis

And stop using any toothpaste containing SLS- it makes it worse.

I was already SLS-free and no hydrocortisone (as I know this is an absolute no-no for perioral derm). In desperation put some canesten on it and it seems to have calmed it down a bit. Also bought some zinc and calendula cream from Lyonsleaf and that might be helping? Doesn’t seem to be making it any worse, at least…

I looked back at my diary and this started exactly the same time I went on HRT. So I do wonder if there’s a connection…

I’ve been on hrt for a couple of years. I’m used to having clear skin, so when these spots/rash appeared I was baffled.
As I like to cure things myself naturally, I tried everything, before finally relenting and going to the doctor, who prescribed metronizadole topical antibiotic gel, which calmed things down at first, but I kept getting flare ups, which were splitting the skin at the edges of my mouth.
Then out of the blue I had a really heavy period, lasting a week.
I’ve since learned, that you can get a build up of hormones, that can cause all kinds of reactions. After some thought, it occurred to me that not too long before this skin issue, a doctor had doubled my patch dose, due to spotting.
So, as an experiment, I have been reducing the dose back down by cutting the patches in half, and changing them every 3rd/4th day, it’s early days, but my skin has almost cleared up. I’m convinced it’s directly attributed to hrt.
I am of course also continuing with the gel, and putting Vaseline over the top for moisture, then applying some mineral powder sunscreen, as the gel is sun sensitive. So far so good.
I hope you can get some relief soon.
Suzy