Perioral dermatitis, anyone BTDT?

[Lovenest]

So for the past 2 months I had this rash around my mouth and around my eyes that would flare up and then go away, but in the areas stayed VERY dry. My skin looks awful, just like very dry looking and like I have aged a ton. I looked up the symptoms and they match up with Perioral dermatitis. I looked online for information and am coming up empty handed for the most part, except antibiotics which I would rather stay away from but looks like this is the only real option in getting rid of this and I can not have this on my face much longer, it is killing my self esteem. Anyways, I was hoping to find some BTDT experience. 

Thank you SO much for any input!

[deditus]

Are you taking zinc? That would be my first move.

[Lovenest]

Yes, I take 22mg a day from a supplement.

From what I have researched it looks like antibiotics are really the only cure for this, everything else looks like it may stop it for awhile then it comes back. I set an appt with my GP for Monday to see what she thinks.

[lwade02]

@lovenest- did your GP help you out? Dealing w/ this right now and am 3 months post-partum. It started w/ my pregnancy, but I haven't seen any improvement yet. Not on Zinc...do you think that helped? I'm wondering if nursing is keeping the hormones flowing and this the rash is continuing. Thanks for any feedback on what worked for you ladies.

[Lovenest]

Originally Posted by lwade02 

@lovenest- did your GP help you out? Dealing w/ this right now and am 3 months post-partum. It started w/ my pregnancy, but I haven't seen any improvement yet. Not on Zinc...do you think that helped? I'm wondering if nursing is keeping the hormones flowing and this the rash is continuing. Thanks for any feedback on what worked for you ladies.

I ended up having to take doxycycline, I was on it for 5 weeks. I cleared it up totally after about 4 weeks on it. I did have another flare up, but it went away on its own. Seems like when the weather changes I get a mini flare up. I also changed to this soap which I think has helped as I have not had another flare up:

http://www.amazon.com/Jericho-Dead-Sea-Minerals-Soap-4-4/dp/B000IMJS0S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1357186147&sr=8-3&keywords=sea+mud+soap

I also make sure there is no questionable chemicals etc in my hair products and try to keep my hands off my face.

 Best of luck to you, I know how frustrating it is.