Pls help. Witts end. perioral dermatitis?

[Dellabob123]

Please please can you help me fix this? About 4 months ago I started out with what seemed like peri orla l dermatitis- raised red bumps, wet and flakes throughout the day. Spread from nose lines to left corner of chin. I used diprobase as that’s what worked years ago. Didn’t touch it. I don’t be use anything harsh on my face. I tried Suda cream and that helped redness and wet bumps but just made skin in between the spots really dry and flaky. Went to the docs and he prescribed a topical cream, but like Vaseline, but not steroid. It worked initially and then as I stopped usage it came back with a vengeance. Spread to the other side. I feel like I have to keep using it- catch 22. It feels like it’s on fire and still flaky but not the wet bumps like before. I have recently started a new job and I just feel like a freak and hideous and so self conscious. I’ve tried various other eczema creams, no water, changes my toothpaste to non fluoride. I have an nhs referral now but it could take weeks before I get to see a dermatologist. I have attached a picture.

I feel so down and teary by this and how long it’s lasting. Can anyone help? Thank you

This occurs with me when I have a rosacea flare up.

I'm surprised the doctor didn't prescribe antibiotics.

Antibiotics.

I started with this when pregnant 20 years ago. Tried all the usual options. Steroid creams etc.

Turns out that steroid creams aggravate the condition and should be avoided.

Wjen I get it (it's been a couple of years now since I last had it) I take a 3 month course of lymecycline. That starts to work after a week but I complete the course.

Is it def pd? Mine looks way redder than that and starts off very tingly.

I had antibiotic cream and then a vaseline type thing to apply at night. Steroids can make it worse. Can you not see another GP?

It’s what the doc said and it seemed to fit the description. But the doc just seemed to pass me over as an unknown condition. He just referred me to a dermatologist without any other treatment.

Oh bless you. I am in a massive flare up of God knows what on my face and neck at the moment so totally sympathise with feeling down and teary. I have a dermatologist appointment next week so I hope we both have some joy with that. In the meantime, have you tried Epaderm, either the thick tub of ointment or the lighter cream in the pump bottle? I am finding this is the only thing I can use at the moment that doesn't aggravate.

Child's Farm products, available from Botts and Amazon, or directly from their own website. They work well for me. I've got Rosacea and have sensitive skin.

Thanks everyone.
@berkinbag it sounds similar to diprobase, and that hasn’t touched it this time around. Glad you have an appointment soon, fingers crossed.

I’m inclined to go back to the docs and ask for lymecycline - as @legolimb mentioned. just to try anything during the waiting period.

I’m also going to stop the non steroid topical cream as I think it may be creating a vicious circle.

I had it absolutely years ago and washing in aqueous cream and using diprobase were the two things that worked. Doesn’t have any impact now.

@Lynne1cat Which products exactly do you use from child’s farm

This is info from some posts about PD:

• Metrogel (Metronidazole)
• Bactroban
• see pic re Clotrimazole 1%
• change to SLS free toothpaste like Sensodyne Daily Care
• For general soothing, Avène Skin Recovery cream is wonderful. In Boots

I thought I had this, but it turned out to be a fungal infection

It looks exactly like the rash I had and only erythromycin cleared it. If you can't wait for a doctor appointment and are willing to pay, the Lloyds Pharmacy online service is brilliant, if you sent them the photo they'll send you a private prescription (after a consultation). Also, I use Push Doctor, the online service where you speak face to face with a doc. Absolutely brilliant.

Great info thanks @macymacy I’ve registered with Lloyd’s online but can’t see how to get to the consultation other than for exzema or acne assessment? I’ve never used the service before so can’t even see if there is a general online form to fill in for a consultation. Any pointers please?

I'm so sorry, it wasn't Lloyd's, I used them for something else. It was onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/rosacea-treatment.html . I filled in the one for Rosacea if you can find that? Then in the description I said it wasn't exactly like rosacea and I posted a picture, said that erythromycin was the only thing that had worked previously and it was all sorted really quickly.
I hardly ever use the NHS now!

I’ve been going mad trying to work it out, thanks for clarifying. Did you use the tablets or ointments? I’ve tried protooics and thing antibiotic treatment is the only way forward

Epic typos protopic and think!!

Hi, I had perioral dermatitis for months I was at my wits end. Steroid cream would clear it but it would come back in a week or so. I bought a little pot of pure tea tree oil for a quid and dabbed it on with some cotton wool. It was gone within a few days I'm about 3/4 months clear now with no sign of it returning.

Sorry if this seems odd and my experience of this was with a child, but do any foods cause it to flare up?

Pure, undiluted (with a carrier oil) tea tree oil should not be something you put on your skin.

Never had any food allergies or triggers in the past. The only thing I can possible relate it to is using high factor 50 Japanese suncream - that combined with raging sun may have triggered it. I’ve stopped the pro topic 0.01% today and trying out a mama all natural exzema cream until I can get to the shops for epaderm. I also switched to child’s farm shampoo/wash today as well.

Epaderm is similar to Diprobase in that it's one of those emollient type products but Diprobase has quite a lot more ingredients in it that tend to irritate my skin at least (everybody is different of course). Of all the emollients (diprobase, ultrabase, double base, aqueous cream, E45, cetraben) Epaderm has been the gentlest and most effective.

I have something similar OP so reading with interest. Epederm doesn't work for me :(

Nothing groundbreaking to add OP , and really i'd push for proper help from your GP but have you tried anti-allergy tablets or OTC hydrocortisone cream?
I had very similar to these some years ago and really feel for you a tube of Eumovate used in tiny amounts for a week or so shifted it which is a stronger steroid based ointment but i understand why people don't like to use them. I was also told by a dermatologist to switch my washing powder in case it was the pillowcases, remove dairy from my diet if poss, and make sure i was taking a good quality multi-vitamin and mineral to support the immune system.

I have chronic flare ups of eczema and find all of the emollient creams rubbish tbh- they usually just stung due to alcohol content. I found the Eucerin 5% urea facial cream to be the best thing for the face. 10% cream if its really bad or for hands etc.

Hope you're able to get it sorted

I used the tablets. I tried all sorts of creams first but they never really worked for me. I go straight or the hard stuff now 😉

I can't tell from your pic whether you have perioral dermatitis or not, but when I had it, I messed about for a few months with yoghurt and cider vinegar and various internet cures , but nothing worked till I got lymocycline from the GP. I had to use it for three months, but I saw an improvement after three weeks.

Gp gave me a longterm antibiotic and it cleared it up.