Perioral dermatitis apart from antibiotics, what works?

[reticule]

So fed up with my bloody skin. I've had patches of awful perioral dermatitis on my chin, round my mouth and up towards my nose since Easter.
I've had several long-running bouts of this in my life (as have my female relations though it's not meant to be genetic). Not steroid or hydrocortisone related.
It comes and goes but never disappears (made worse by stress, sleeplessness, sugar, booze probably but I don't know ).

I've been offered oral antibiotics by the GP, which I'm now considering, as I know from previous experience that they'll work, though I would much prefer not to take them as I'm trying to improve my general health (weight, mood, am back on sertraline) and don't want to blast my microbiome for a problem that is basically cosmetic.

I am covering up the redness with mineral powder or a bit of concealer, but it weeps and flakes embarrassingly at its worst.
I've tried lots: no sulphate shampoo, minimal ingredients in face creams and cleansers. I use azalaic acid, which I thought was working for a bit, but isn't. I've found the French greasy stuff in a tube called homeoplasmine is soothing. I had some left over antibiotic cream from a previous bout but I don't think it helps. I did use antifungal cream for a bit but gave up on it.

Anyone want to commiserate or tell me a success story? If you've got this far - sorry for wanging on

Topical antibiotics (metronidazole cream) and one of those blue-red light lamps worked for me. I have a lumie clear, but nowadays everybody does them. I'm generally symptom free, but whenever I feel chin is feeling a little funny, a few rounds with the lamp sorts it out before any breakouts.

Thank you Katharina- I do t know anything about lamps for faces- will have a look. And I can probably find my metronidazole cream for another go with it .

I’ve suffered for 25 yrs. only thing that ever shifts it is antibiotics. I find it settled within 4-5 days of usage. It’s a horrible condition.

I had a terrible bout of it and my GP prescribed me antibiotics and Protopic. The latter is miracle stuff. It’s an immuosuppressant and so works differently to steroids. Cleared within a couple of days. It does sting/burn initially but be patient.

Oh and I would certainly claim it's genetic - otherwise it's a bit of a coincidence that both my son and sister have it too.

But give the lamps a try, they are in any case supposed to be good for your skin, so no harm done.

Protopic is a miracle worker. Works for this and dds eczema finally healed up with this.

I had this earlier in the year. I put up with it for weeks and tried every cream in the cupboard but nothing made any difference.

Got referral to dermatologist who prescribed me an 8 week course of antibiotics. I saw a change within days and completely cleared up after about 4 weeks. I have been left with a very faint patch of scarring but it’s invisible under makeup.

Dermatologist told me antibiotics are the only thing that will touch it.

I subscribe to the Nadine Baggott channel on You Tube and she recently did a video on this. Might be worth a look. Good luck.

Thanks so much everyone, feeling buoyed up to do some googling and find out about all the things you've mentioned- then probably go back to GP for antibiotics!
I got some gentle balm cleanser and zinc-calendula cream from Lyonsleaf via amazon (made in Somerset) in the meantime, which have just arrived- I'll try and use nothing but them for a bit

Going to ask for Protopic - thanks for mentioning it

Caroline Hirons recently had a video talking about it too. She said the first step is change your toothpaste for one that doesn’t contain SLS (Sulphates)
I’ll try and find it

Thanks Lizandflo I'll have a look at Caroline Hirons- I know about SLS - have been sls free except washing up liquid (probably) and hand wash at work. I use toothpaste from Lidl and the Charles worthington micellar shampoo. Bar of soap for shower.

But I need to rave about my Lyonsleaf ointment and cleansing balm! It's only been 24 hours, but it's made a difference. There are loads of online reviews from pd sufferers, which gave me confidence to buy, and I'm impressed so far: calmer, less red, no weeping at the moment. I took the zinc and calendula balm to work today, reapplied often, and have since ordered a tiny sample pot to keep in my handbag. The balm cleanser is lovely (similar to lush ultra balm but less gloopy) and works as moisturiser.

I won't get to the gp for ages, so I'll keep going with only using Lyonsleaf and Lily Lolo mineral makeup for a bit and I'll report back.

Still very hopeful: using only the beauty balm for cleansing and moisturising and the zinc and calendula ointment on sore patches, both from Lyonsleaf. I've cut out all other face stuff except lily lolo mineral powder foundation.

Skin looking better by the day... fingers crossed.

Quick update: I'm still only using the lyonsleaf calendula and zinc as well as the beauty balm, plus lilylolo mineral makeup. My skin is 70% better than it was at its worst, I'd say, so I'm going to carry on.

I'm making an effort to eat lots of veg to support my microbiome, which can't hurt.

I'm also only cleansing my face once a day because the less you do, the better, they say.

I have recently discovered that lilylolo 'popcorn' is a much better match for me than any of the neutral colours.