perioral dermatitis

[DrSally]

I'm pretty sure I have this. What seems like acne on my chin that never goes away. It has migrated to the side of my mouth. Red and bumpy, sometimes crusty. They say flouride toothpaste, topical steroid creams, and thick face creams cause it. I can go out tomorrow and buy some Toms, I don't use topical steroid creams. I use Cetaphil SPF 15 and differin gel. Maybe I should d/c that in favor of a all physical sunscreen. IDK!

They say Tetracycline (oral) and Azelaic acid (topical) can help. I'm going to my doctor and see if she'll prescribe for me. There is some theory that it may be related to yeast/bacteria in the skin.

Has anyone had experience with this, and what worked for you

http://dermnetnz.org/acne/perioral-dermatitis.html

[abh5e8]

yes and no...yes i have it...no, i havn't found anything that helps the derm wanted me to take oral antibiotics, forever. but i am nursing and plan to have more children, so thats not an option. she tried topical clindamycin, which didn't help. i've had it since before ds was born...but i dont use fluoride toothpaste or any steroids. i do know its better (but never gone) if i wash my face 2 - 3 times per day and use the spray on toner 5 - 6 times per day (brand is Ava Anderson). AA has some tea tree oil in it, which would make sense, since its antibacterial.

but, my diet stinks and I work really long/stresful hours...so i'm guessing thats why i have it?

[DrSally]

Oh darn! Did you derm suggest tetracycline? I'm not preggo or nursing, so i could do that. They say the topicals don't work as well as the oral meds. I did read that washing the face more is supposed to help. I do in the a.m., but not at night usually --i don't wear makeup usually.

I've been using differin forever, thinking i had acne, but i don't think that is what this is. It did seem a little better when i was in Fl and usinf a heavy duty, all mineral sunscreen. But, it makes my face super white. Ugh! I hate having to reevalute my entire skincare routine!

[abh5e8]

yes - tetracycline or acutain. I thought mine was acne too, but its different...sometimes burns or stings...starts out as very deep bumps (if that makes sense) then becomes more open/crusty. lots of flaky skin too.

at the first visit she said topicals don't work, but then said we could try one bc of the bf, and that none of the safe orals would help. she also looked at me like i have 3 heads when i said i'm breastfeeding my 12 month old, and i'm not sure when we will stop. then at the next visit, she wanted to give me one of the orals anyway...that the month before she said would not work. i said no thanks.

but she didn't mention azelaic acid...that might work. and seems safe(r) for pregnancy and breastfeeding. i wish something would help...it drives me nuts!

what kind of doctor are you?

[DrSally]

Ha, i have to laugh about the BFing comment. For so long, i abstained from so many things bc i was bfing, and now for the first time, it seems i'm free to take many more kinds of meds. So, i know what you're feeling

I'm a phD, so no help w/ skin conditions. I might go in and ask her about the azelic acid. I'll let you know what i find out. I'm going to my PCP, b/c she's very friendly and my insurance just increased the cost of a specialist copay.

[Kindra178]

Neosporin or Bacitracin cleared ds2's awful, awful case. I got into a huge fight with a derm because he wanted to put him on something that had a black box warning (Elidel or something similar?) or do 6 weeks of oral antibiotics. Ped suggested the OTC antibiotic cream and it worked. Worth a try?

[abh5e8]

hmm...he probably had impetigo...its really common in kids and will sometimes respond to OTCs. i did try for a while, but it didnt' help at all.

oh thanks...do let me know. i think i will just bug my OB/gyn for a rx at my visit this week.

[crl]

I know nothing about this. But I have roseacea and zinc sunscreen helps me quite a bit. If you think it would help you, I use zinco. I am pasty pale so I mix the tinted and translucent and use it in lieu of foundation.

http://rosaceacare.com/products/zinco.html

Catherine

[sste]

I took a loooooong course of tetracycline and it worked. Mostly just a pain in the butt to take such large pills for a couple of months.

[DrSally]

I took a loooooong course of tetracycline and it worked. Mostly just a pain in the butt to take such large pills for a couple of months.

Like how long? So, no SE? DD gets really yeasty and upset stomach when on abx. It's been a long time since I've been on any abx. So, it never came back for you???