Peri Oral Dermatitis
If any of you have ever suffered from perioral dermatitis or dermatitis of any kind, you know the frustration of this reoccurring problem.
At the age of 13 I had my first bout of POD and it has plagued me on and off ever since. The most frustrating thing about it is there is no real known cause and no known solution except oral antibiotics. And if you're anything like me, taking antibiotics is NOT the ideal solution as they come along with several side effects. But as nothing else seemed to work, i always ended up taking them.
This last time I got POD I was nursing so antibiotics were not even an option. My dermatologist prescribed me several antibiotic creams, ointments, you name it, i tried it. But none of it worked! So I started researching and looking for alternative answers to this menacing affliction. I then became pregnant while still suffering from POD so even more reason to find some natural solutions. The research led me in many directions so I took what resonated most and started a trial run.
Six months later, I was dermatitis free and finally feeling like I had my face back! Here is what I learned and the actions I took to rid my face of perioral dermatitis;
First, I removed all products with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This includes most toothpastes, shampoos, conditioners, soap and face products. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a detergent that is used to break up oil and grease on the skin. While most of us believe this to be a good thing, it is actually quite the opposite. Oil on our skin is used to protect the epidermis from allergens and other irritants in our environment. So when that oil is broken up it allows the skin to become vulnerable to irritants thus causing an inflammatory reaction; dermatitis. By eliminating SLS, your skin has a chance to rebuild it’s oil barrier and regulate inflammation. This takes time.
I switched to a natural toothpaste, found natural shampoo and conditioner and quit ALL face products. I know I know, we are obsessed with skin care and all the age defying lotions and creams, under-eye serum, oils etc. But I found that the best remedy for dermatitis is to keep it simple. Often the more products we use the more irritating our POD becomes.
I stopped using everything on my face including cleanser with the exception of water and…wait for it…Apple cider vinegar. “Huh?”, you ask. Yes, apple cider vinegar.
Every evening as part of my bed time routine, I washed my face with water and ACV. 1:1 ratio and left it on. Do not rinse. Yes, you will smell like salad dressing but it is worth it!
ACV helps alkalize the skins pH. Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin and ACV has anti-inflammatory properties as well. I prefer Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar as it is important use ACV that contains the mother.
Once every two weeks or so, I added calendula oil to the regiment. Calendula is a very soothing and skin calming herb. So if the POD was too dry, I found that this helped to relieve the dryness.
And last, I added some liver herbs and immune herbs to help clear the skin and build up my resistant to irritants and allergens. I made a tincture of burdock root which is liver cooling since inflammation is associated with heat in the body, and echinacea to support my immune system and I took 30 drops 3 times a day.
Within a few days I began to see drastic changes in my dermatitis. It took a few months to completely clear as mine was a severe case. But it is gone! Skin is clear and at the first site of it returning, i will begin this regiment immediately. Fingers crossed that it won’t return!
Now that it is gone, I use a mild soap and lotion. I am keeping all SLS out of my skin, hair and teeth products.
POD Cure Routine
- No sodium lauryl sulfate products
- Apple Cider Vinegar and water- apply on affected area before bed. Do not rinse.
- Calendula oil applied to affected area once every two weeks
- Burdock and Echinacea tincture 30 drops 3 times a day