Perleche & Perioral Dermatitis Archives

perioral dermatitis questions

Hello, I have had perioral dermatitis for about 6 months now. During this time I was unknowingly using a steroid cream for 3 months (I stopped one month ago), which was sold to me over the counter in Brazil. The rash actually started when I was working in Brazil for the first quarter of this year.

So, in lieu of seeing a dermatologist this week (my doctor first diagnosed folliculitis and gave me a week of anti-biotics which, needless-to-say, did nothing) I have been seriously attempting the whole food diet (it's difficult!)and starting to practise SR.

I have a couple of questions: I have been using tea-tree oil on the area two or three times a day. It causes great dryness but seems to stop the raised spots. The skin now looks almost like scar-tissue, however, and I wondered if tea tree oil can damage the skin in such quantities.

My second question is about the steroid cream I was using - called Emisten. I'm a bit worried that I have done real damage to my skin by using it for such an extended period.

Also, I wanted to pay tribute to this site. It has started me on a totally different path regarding health and nutrition, so thank you!

Follow Ups:

• Re: perioral dermatitis questions Walt Stoll [9.8] 07:04:41 7/28/04 (2)
  • perioral dermatitis answers and advice kt [2454.1331] 04:46:07 8/01/04 (1)
    • Re: perioral dermatitis answers and advice (Archive.) Walt Stoll [9.8] 07:17:32 8/02/04 (0)
• Re: perioral dermatitis questions Cindy J. [1848.32] 17:29:08 7/27/04 (0)

In Reply to: perioral dermatitis questions posted by kt [2420.4] on July 27, 2004 at 11:01:48:

I don't think only three months of steroid cream will do permenant damage to your skin. I used a steroid blend on my face for several years before I realized what it can do. It amazes me that dermotologists will prescribe something to fix the short-term knowing that the long-term effects could be even worse. How bad is the rash? Is it around the face and the nose and the eyes, or just around the mouth? Is it on one side, both sides, etc? I never heard of tea tree oil doing any permenant damage to the face, but how much are you using and are you using it in large quantities, or simply dabbing a bit on the area? If you have been using it for awhile and do not see good results, then maybe it isn't working for you.

I have read that perioral dermatitis is in the same family as roseasha (sp?) and that some topical creams are very effective. I think it is in the archives if you look. However, make sure that they do not contain any steroids!!!

In Reply to: perioral dermatitis questions posted by kt [2420.4] on July 27, 2004 at 11:01:48:

Thanks, KT.

Three months, of topical cortisone cream, is not likely to have been long enough to cause permanent damage to the dermis.

Get going on reversing your LGS (which your move to Brazil was probably "the straw that broke the camel's back" producing your current condition).

Let us know how you do.

Walt

Follow Ups:

• perioral dermatitis answers and advice kt [2454.1331] 04:46:07 8/01/04 (1)
  • Re: perioral dermatitis answers and advice (Archive.) Walt Stoll [9.8] 07:17:32 8/02/04 (0)

In Reply to: Re: perioral dermatitis questions posted by Walt Stoll [9.8] on July 28, 2004 at 07:04:41:

I've been having a bit of trouble posting. I hope there aren't multiple comments posted here from me!

I saw a dermatologist recently, after six months of perioral dermatitis. I was diagnosed with steriod-induced rosacea. This fits my history of heavy use (or abuse!) of topical steriod cream.

I just wanted to share the diagnosis with this site, as in the archives were many people confused about this condition, still using steroids to control the symptoms. Not that ALL cases will have been caused in this way, but it is necessary to stress how BAD these creams are, and how crucial it is to stop using them.

(And why isn't there more knowledge of this condition among GPs, given that they dish out these creams so readily?)

My dermatologist prescribed two months of antibiotics, with an antibiotic cream. However, I think maybe it is wiser to let my body heal itself, now that I know what's going on. A lot of the inflammation is already gone, after two weeks of whole foods and six weeks without using steroid cream.

So here is my advice to anyone with a mysterious, unsightly rash around their mouth, following prolonged use of steriod creams:

STOP USING THE STEROID. I know it's scary. Be prepared for things to get worse - buy a good concealer! If things are really too much to bear antibiotics should be able to help you.

But realise that, once the steriod use is discontinued, YOUR SKIN WILL HEAL, it just needs time. Help your body to do its job by following the whole food diet, and practising SR.

Use natural toothpaste. (Fluoride has been found to be a trigger of worsening symptoms, as have caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods).

Applying tea-tree oil, with water at first - morning and evening - has caused dryness for me, but deals very effectively with the spots and pustules. Calendula cream is a great soother when skin is sore and broken.

So hang in there - stay cheerful! I really hope this helps. The last 6 months have been a bit difficult for me, coping with this problem. But I really begin to see a change. Also, visiting the hospital (to see the dermatologist) kind of put things in perspective. All around me were people with far worse problems than this one.

Good luck!

Follow Ups:

• Re: perioral dermatitis answers and advice (Archive.) Walt Stoll [9.8] 07:17:32 8/02/04 (0)

In Reply to: perioral dermatitis answers and advice posted by kt [2454.1331] on August 01, 2004 at 04:46:07:

Thanks, KT.

This reminds me of what used to be the #1 item on the Oath of Hippocrates: "First, do no harm."

Walt