My face is a wreck :( Perioral dermatitis anyone? (Gross PIP)

itsmegin · January 2011

I have had this before, it's this horrendous rash around my mouth and chin. Combined with my acne I'm looking pretty awful. I have an appt. with a derm this afternoon but as far as I know, there's no cure, just treatment with antibiotics and steroids and things I can't take while TTC. I'm trying all kinds of natural stuff-apple cider vinegar, yogurt masks, I switched my toothpaste and all my skincare products but so far nothing works very well.

Have any of you had this before? Any tips? I seem to get it when the weather gets dry. Ugh so frustrating.Look at my chin-the rest of my face is clear!

emeraudecephiro · January 2011

Aww, I'm sorry this happened..I don't know what to do, but I hope you figure it out

PolyMama2Be · January 2011

I don't know anything about perioral dermatitis (so I probably won't be a lot of help), but as far as my own acne post m/c, I will say that Oxy Clinical has been working really well for me.

I hope your derm. will be able to help!

Tapatio · January 2011

I don't have any experience with this. I just wanted to say I hope you find a fix for it and it goes away ASAP. Btw...it's NOT gross...you should see some of the stuff I have growing on other parts of my body! lol It would scare you! Stick out tongue

Pachita · January 2011

I'm sorry Ginger! I don't really have any advice.

I still suffer from acne myself. I just cover it with makeup, try to drink plenty of water every day and wash my face with facial cleansers for sensitive skin.

stillbaking · January 2011

Boo. I'm sorry. I hope the derm helps.

Pachita · January 2011

And it's not gross. You should see my back...it's totally gross. I make sure no one sees it. When I wear things that show my back, I then cover it with my long hair.

Tapatio · January 2011

Pachita:
And it's not gross. You should see my back...it's totally gross. I make sure no one sees it. When I wear things that show my back, I then cover it with my long hair.

Me too! We must be long lost twins. I don't ever show my back unless it's summer and I've tanned it really well.

jertie · January 2011

I don't think it looks as bad as you think. But I know when I've got stuff going on with my face it makes me feel so self-conscious! I have no experience with perioral dermatitis, however, I've got super-sensitive skin and I've finally found something that helps my skin stay hydrated and doesn't make it break out. (Because when my skin is dry, it gets red, irritated and breaks out.) I use Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer and it is awesome! It is really dry here in Colorado and this is the one product I found that my skin absolutely loves - and seriously - my face isn't dry anymore. I hope you doc can give you something to calm your skin!

lorlei13 · January 2011

I had this about 6 years ago (and of course a week before my high school reunion - ugh!). I don't remember exactly what it was that I took but I do remember that it was an allergic reaction to something. Could you try benadryl or another antihistamine?

itsmegin · January 2011

Pachita:
I'm sorry Ginger! I don't really have any advice.

I still suffer from acne myself. I just cover it with makeup, try to drink plenty of water every day and wash my face with facial cleansers for sensitive skin.

Thanks, but it's really not acne. Only 2 of those bumps are pimples the rest is this scaly weird rash. It doesn't respond to anything and putting makeup over it aggravates it.

Ugh I had such nice skin when I was pregnant. Yet another reason to be bitter that I'm not.

martinimomma · January 2011

Ouch. That looks uncomfortable. That middle part over the center of your chin looks much more dermatitis-y than acne-y. I'd see what the derm says, but a few ideas from my life with rosacea and very "reactive" skin:

No makeup (if you typically wear any, skip it for a while)

Sensitive skin cleaners (like Cetaphil) and water-based lotions

Since you're in CA, and not in the tundra like me, a little bit of sun might also help

Try not to touch it (easier said than done)

Have a big glass of wine on your cheat day (not to necessarily help your face, but it'll be enjoyable).

ETA: Jertie has a good point--even topical Benadryl might take the red down a notch if you'd rather not take the pills for the other effects.

Pachita · January 2011

Tapatio:

Pachita:
And it's not gross. You should see my back...it's totally gross. I make sure no one sees it. When I wear things that show my back, I then cover it with my long hair.

Me too! We must be long lost twins. I don't ever show my back unless it's summer and I've tanned it really well.

Yeah...it sucks. I feel like I don't really have much to show off....I think I'd say my legs and my boobs are the only things I'm proud to show (but, you know, decent cleavage, not anything nasty or gross)

itsmegin · January 2011

sandyd:
Ouch. That looks uncomfortable. That middle part over the center of your chin looks much more dermatitis-y than acne-y. I'd see what the derm says, but a few ideas from my life with rosacea and very "reactive" skin:

No makeup (if you typically wear any, skip it for a while)

Sensitive skin cleaners (like Cetaphil) and water-based lotions

Since you're in CA, and not in the tundra like me, a little bit of sun might also help

Try not to touch it (easier said than done)

Have a big glass of wine on your cheat day (not to necessarily help your face, but it'll be enjoyable).

I love this advice. You're so cute.

LifeInANutshell · January 2011

I'm sorry - that's sucks!

...

Home remedies? My go-to for most things is good old warm saltwater. I'll take a cup of water, heat it up in the microwave, dump in some salt and then use a rag to pull up fresh warm water and compress whatever area needs it for about 20 minutes.

From allergic reactions (esp oozy ones) to bad pimples salt water is my rescue.

I hope your face gets back to normal soon!

itsmegin · January 2011

Thanks for your ideas girls, I'll definitely try Cetaphil and Benadryl, it can't hurt. I have never had sensitive skin, I can tolerate Retinol like a champ, but this one thing is just so irritating.

Okay, off to the derm, I'm not excited to go out of the house without makeup over this (I'm pretty much guaranteed to run into an ex boyfriend while I'm out right?) but I guess they're used to stuff like this there! Thanks again!

christyjolee · January 2011

I'm sorry, Ginger. I feel for you. I went to the derm this morning too. I had to get my annual mole check (ewe) and I also had this weird dry patch of skin on my forehead checked out. The dr. said it was like dandruff on my face instead of in my hair. Awesome! The dr. prescribed me with a lotion to put on it.

GL today!! I hope they give you something to take care of it.

MommyandKate · January 2011

Have you tried Clinique's 3-step face products? I've had good luck with it.

FmrAFBrat · January 2011

sandyd:

Ouch. That looks uncomfortable. That middle part over the center of your chin looks much more dermatitis-y than acne-y. I'd see what the derm says, but a few ideas from my life with rosacea and very "reactive" skin:

No makeup (if you typically wear any, skip it for a while)

Sensitive skin cleaners (like Cetaphil) and water-based lotions

Since you're in CA, and not in the tundra like me, a little bit of sun might also help

Try not to touch it (easier said than done)

Have a big glass of wine on your cheat day (not to necessarily help your face, but it'll be enjoyable).

ETA: Jertie has a good point--even topical Benadryl might take the red down a notch if you'd rather not take the pills for the other effects.

This. I have had issues with eczema in the past & Benadryl is a god send. If your skin is really sensative you might want to try a soap called Basis that's available in drug stores (this will also get rid of zits). One thing I have found really helpful is to get fragrance free soaps (like Dove) & fragrance free lotions. When you have any skin issue using good scented anything is a no no. The sun really helped me with my skin issues, but since you are fair I'm not sure if I'd reccommend it.

itsmegin · January 2011

Thanks again ladies, I just got home and my doc thought all signs pointed to perioral dermatitis except the fact that it is exacerbated by dry weather. He said that doesn't fit. He prescribed me a steroid cream that is safe for pregnancy, but everything I read online says that using steroids will make it go away but then increase recurrence, so I'm reluctant to get it filled. We'll see.

Thanks again for all your tips, I'll be trying them!

Carolee · January 2011

I'm sorry - I hope you are able to get it to go away soon!

Pachita · January 2011

itsmegin:
Pachita:

I'm sorry Ginger! I don't really have any advice.

I still suffer from acne myself. I just cover it with makeup, try to drink plenty of water every day and wash my face with facial cleansers for sensitive skin.

Thanks, but it's really not acne. Only 2 of those bumps are pimples the rest is this scaly weird rash. It doesn't respond to anything and putting makeup over it aggravates it.

Ugh I had such nice skin when I was pregnant. Yet another reason to be bitter that I'm not.

I'm glad you were able to go to the dermatologist! Sorry that you're dealing with this and I hope the benadryl helps before you consider taking the prescription medicine.

((BIG HUGS))

clauseka · January 2011

So sorry. I hope the cream your derm. prescribed helps calm things down. (and the wine that a PP suggested couldn't hurt either - lol!)

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