Post # 1
Member
427 posts
Helper bee
Hey all-
I have never had the best skin. But once I hit 22/23, it was pretty good for the most part. However, over the past year, and especially the last few months… It has been BAD. My forehead, nose, and cheeks have been completely clear, but I have had angry red spots on my chin. I tried EVERYTHING. The past two months I have been using a salicylic acid face wash in the am, followed by a benzoyl peroxide acne gel, and then moisturizer. In the evening I would just use a gentle cleaner, followed by acne gel, then moisturizer. Some days it would look like it might clear up and then I’d have a nasty breakout. I told myself if it wasn’t improved drastically by mid May, I’d see my doctor. It is embarraising going to work looking like this. I carry coverup and foundation to put on a couple times a day!
Anyways, Yesterday I saw my Dr. She said it was odd that there was no cycle tied to my period, and if it was hormonal acne, my pill would help it. She also said it was strange that it was isolated to my chin. She said she thinks it is actually perioral dermatitis. I looked it up and it seems most cases appear as more of a rash, but it can range from looking like rosacea to acne. I definitely found some pictures that look like what I have. I’ve been prescribed a two month course of antibiotics (the same prescribed for acne, so if it is in fact acne, hopefully it helps).
I’m not sold on the diagnosis, but I was wondering if any women on here Have experience with perioral dermatitis?
Apparently I had it when I was really young too. My mum told me the antibiotics made me super sick then, so I was scared to take them yesterday, but so far so good.
Post # 2
Member
609 posts
Busy bee
I’ve had problems with perioral dermititis before. Boy it’s a real pain to get rid of! Mine didn’t go away until I went on accutane for the second time.
I researched perioral dermititis like crazy trying to find a cure because as you’ve probably already discovered, topical creams can exacerbate the problem, and I felt curing myself from the “inside out” would be vastly more prudent. However, I found tons of conflicting information because perioral dermatitis is a vague dianogsis for anything from acne to a rash around the mouth area. It can be caused by so many things and people suffer from it differently.
Since I was dealing with awful hormonal acne as well, accutane was the best option for me at the time. Antibiotics didn’t work for me but because I’d tried them in the past for acne relief I think my body had developed somewhat of a resistance to them. Hopefully your experience will be different (and they won’t make you sick!)
For the past two years I’ve made a very serious effort to eliminate foods from my diet that can trigger my skin issues (sugar and dairy mostly) as well as started drinking multiple liters of water a day. These changes have been really helpful to me with keeping my skin happy. I can’t discount the effect of being on accutane twice (I’m sure its been substantial) but for sure I think watching what you eat may help get your dermatitis under control.
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this- it’s really difficult not stressing out when your skin is out of whack. If you need to vent about it or anything feel free to PM me. I totally get it, the struggle is real!
Post # 3
Member
427 posts
Helper bee
Thanks!
I have taken two doses of my antibiotic now (I’ve been prescribed 2x a day for one month and then once a day for another month) and my stomach is fine thankfully. I sure hope this helps It.
I have read conflicting things regarding topical creams. I have been using acne creams and I don’t know whether I should stop completely or keep using them?
Post # 4
Member
19 posts
Newbee
MsElle: I’ve struggled heaps with perioral dermatitis. The only thing that gets rid of an outbreak for me is antibiotics. Now I spend a lot of time trying to prevent getting them. I stopped using all harsh cleansers, thre out all the AHA’s, and now just use a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin, vitamin a cream, and sunscreen. It’s made a big difference.
Post # 5
Member
10650 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
A doctor just suggested treating my skin as if that’s what I had, not sure if it’s the right diagnosis. It wasn’t really bad and a topical antibiotic is working enough for me to be happy – minus the eye stuff I’m also dealing with.
Stopping the acne creams, at least for a while is probably a good idea. They really can make things worse.
Post # 6
Member
207 posts
Helper bee
kahli: would you mind sharing the cleanser and vitamin cream you are using?
Post # 7
Member
207 posts
Helper bee
MsElle: how did the anitbiotics work for you?
Member