WHAT IS PERIORAL DERMATITIS? Is it acne, rosacea, just a rash; or sensitive skin?

Unfortunately, perioral dermatitis (POD) is an inflammatory skin condition and has become quite a common skin rash, especially in women. It normally traps around the smile lines and can often be referred to as a muzzle rash— no wonder women are so self-conscious and depressed about it. What a terrible reference! POD can also be persistent where the skin eruptions may be accompanied by burning or itchy, flaky skin. POD can be recurring and resembles, particularly rosacea. POD, however, is different from acne, rosacea, eczema, and dry skin, although the conditions share overlapping features.

It often looks like and is mistaken for acne. This rash often looks like small, red, acne-like breakouts in people with light-colored skin and skin-colored breakouts in people of color. It’s normally localized to the skin around the mouth and nostrils. But it can extend to the chin, very rare the ears, neck and scalp. Less common around the eyes and genitalia (peri-orificial dermatitis) Peri-orifical dermatitis is a more accurate name for this rash. “Peri” means “around” and “orifical” refers to “an opening.” No matter where this rash appears though, people often refer to it as perioral dermatitis. That means peri (around) oral (the mouth).

What causes perioral dermatitis?

It’s not entirely clear what causes this rash. Everyone’s case of perioral dermatitis is unique. As a holistic practitioner, I focus on the underlying “patterns of disharmony” associated with each individual’s skin problems. Angry, red bumpy skin, no matter what it is, is a sign of inflammation and imbalance somewhere in the body. POD can be caused by different factors in everyone so not one size fits all, but let’s look at some possibilities that might ring true for you.

Misuse of skincare or suncare products that may be irritating the skin.
Overuse of or multiple use of exfoliation methods disrupting the skin barrier, including Retinol.
Fluoride use-removing fluoride in toothpaste although I don’t like fluoride I don’t quite believe it to be that but it’s best to get it out of your life. Go fluoride-free!
It’s also possible that you’re allergic to something that’s touching your skin perhaps leading to contact dermatitis too.
Chronic stress is perhaps a turbulent period in your life which can equal more hormonal shifts. Surges of hormones promote candida (yeast)and why do you see POD or flare-ups in pregnant women passed on to their infants, in utero?
Hormonal shifts like in pregnancy or peri, and menopause. During this time, estrogen levels are dropping. This can cause not only hot flashes, sleeping difficulties, mood swings, and vaginal dryness but skin changes and sensitivity.
Candida (YEAST) each unique strain emits different strains on the body. If candida is present, the skin tries to detox itself by shedding, therefore, creating more redness and inflammation to deal with it.
POD can flare, as well as acne if you’re prone to it around the time of your period. This is typically in the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone begin to decline again causing the cycle to repeat. Skin barrier permeability is greater toward the end of this phase, which causes the skin to be more sensitive to allergens and irritants. This is why women experience acne, eczema, and POD flare-ups in the days leading up to the start period, but when the menstrual cycle begins the rash/acne, “flare-up” can recede.
A highly inflammatory diet with processed sugar.
Histamine reaction to pollen, mold, and flowering trees can cause a rash igniting POD.
Toxic surfactants in your skincare, home cleaning, and detergents.
Using too many essential oils.
Synthetic Fragrance
Steroid Inhalers—many children who have asthma present rashes that come from the use of inhalers.
POD can also develop in many people after applying a corticosteroid medicine, including hydrocortisone cream to their skin for too long. Topical steroids are one of the leading causes of perioral dermatitis.

Constipation-The mouth mirrors the other end of your digestive system and when you have constipation the stool can leach toxins
staying in the intestines longer than it should and can lead to redness around the mouth.
Digestive/Gut Sensitivities & Concerns.
Nutritional Deficinecies.

"Topical steroids are one of the leading causes of perioral dermatitis."

Is there a holistic approach to getting rid of perioral dermatitis?

You may be able to get rid of this rash on your own, however tricky, as you have to identify the causes and then target the direct manifestation. Connecting with alternative solutions that dermatologists won’t tell you about takes time, patience, a little research, and honesty in investigating your environment and lifestyle.

First, I want you to remember that the skin and your body are quite intuitive and powerful. It’s a health barometer when the skin starts to show you irritation something is out of balance and you need to bring some attention and awareness to yourself and your body. You’ll be able to heal and diminish symptoms but if you trigger it, most likely it will be recurring. Second, to clear perioral dermatitis, you must stop applying all corticosteroids, including hydrocortisone cream, to your skin. A natural approach to treating perioral dermatitis is highly effective with long-lasting results. This means that if you’re applying:

Hydrocortisone cream stop using it.
Prescription corticosteroid, ask the doctor who prescribed it if you can stop applying it. Dermatologists are just catching up to the vicious cycle this creates.
In the dermatology world, the answer is always steroids. At this time we know that steroids make skin conditions worse. It not only ages the skin but also impairs the collagen generation response. It’s best to avoid it!
*Even though I choose more natural alternatives, allopathic interventions are sometimes necessary. If your doctor tells you to keep using a corticosteroid, ask if you can use another medication, maybe oral antibiotics may be a better approach if having POD has become overwhelming and irritating. A four-week cycle of oral systemic antibiotics, like tetracyclen which has an anti-inflammatory effect that can break the cycle. It might be worth it while you implement some holistic solutions and calm the rash. In the meantime, you have a chance to investigate, get rid of, and clean up your pantry, skincare, and medicine cabinet.

12 Tips To Consider Healing Perioral Dermatitis

Stop applying a corticosteroid or hydrocortisone cream, the rash can worsen. If this happens, it can be tempting to start using the cream or ointment again. Don’t. Using it again will only bring temporary relief. Each time you stop applying it, the rash can flare.
It’s also possible that if you continue to apply the corticosteroid medication, it will eventually cause the rash to worsen each time you apply it.
If you’ve chosen the oral antibiotic route, take a quality probiotic like this one OR this one from CYMBIOTIKA after you’ve finished the cycle to help balance the yeast population in your gut.
Begin balancing hormones and work on stress management while the antibiotics are starting to kick in.
Remove or have less caffeine. Caffeine dehydrates you and is a mild diuretic. Not only can it reduce Vitamin C absorption due to fluid loss but cause more dryness and irritation.
Remove any products containing sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), including household and skincare. People with a history of sensitive skin, hyperirritable skin, and those suffering from skin conditions like POD, such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), rosacea, and psoriasis are best to avoid products containing SLS. SLS is thought to irritate the skin by disrupting the natural oils that maintain the skin's integrity. This not only leads to direct damage but also reduces the skin's ability to keep out allergens, that may trigger reactions and flare-ups.
Remove Cinnamon- Cinnamaldehyde is a flavonoid found in cinnamon, citrus fruits, and chocolate. Like histamine, this chemical may cause vasodilation and inflammation in the face in people with POD and rosacea, leading to extra flushing, blushing, and redness.
NO OIL CLEANSING— I know it’s a trend but POD and atopic dermatitis conditions do not like oil. A reminder, that oils do not hydrate the skin. They nourish or soften but they don’t add moisture or hydrate. The skin wants water, and unfortunately, oil cleansing will keep the skin in a state of aggravation. POD wants water so choose a water-based cleanser like this one and a moisturizer with high-water content and anti-inflammatory agents. A gentle mask can calm and soothe irritated skin and help with a topical solution regardless of the cause. Stay away from occlusive balms no matter what you read that they help. Oil, petroleum, and paraffin-based balms can hold the redness longer and irritate the skin more.
Take a digestive enzyme like this one and dive into your gut health. Possibly controlling candida and yeast population in the gut. Reenergize the digestive system to get things moving and regular. By regular I mean two to three bowel movements a day. Consider a colonic.
Stay away from nightshades and foods that could be inflammatory.
Slow down and simplify your daily lifestyle and skincare routine.
LED light therapy may also help reduce the redness, swelling, and pain, this can be done at home with a quality device like the faceLITE that offers the correct wavelength for healing.
Skincare products that help with calming inflammation and suppressing the histamine response to the skin are essential. The Balancing Series of skincare products from Faith Cosmetics helps prevent irritation and is formulated with copper peptides, which have a plethora of benefits including wound healing, anti-inflammatory and collagen, and elastin support. The series conditions the skin and protects it from unexpected fluctuations.

“Healing from the inside out is the only way to address the individual causes of each person’s perioral dermatitis.”

Conclusion: A Holistic Outlook On Perioral Dermatitis

The reason people choose the holistic approach is that it works. Healing from the inside out is the only way to address the individual causes of each person’s perioral dermatitis. I know how difficult and aggravating this condition can be, so if you landed here because you lost hope and couldn’t get the help or answers you needed, I welcome you!

Know that you do have options and choices. One of those choices is to take back control of your body. It’s empowering to heal and be proactive about your health. I believe if more people looked deeper or if doctors asked the right questions and advised their patients to stop using toxic ingredients and look to manage their stress. A lot of people could heal with just behavioral changes and lifestyle modifications which can improve most conditions by 50%.

EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED

From the perspective of Western medicine, the cause of perioral dermatitis is unknown. With a holistic approach like Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), or Ayurveda we look at the whole person and symptoms as underlying imbalances or deficiencies causing these skin conditions that make certain people susceptible to POD or any other skin inflammatory conditions. In these ancient medical practices, facial diagnosis is a common practice and powerful diagnostic tool, as is reading the tongue, nails, and pulse. By reading a person’s face, one can reveal current disorders, past history of disorders, or even potential disorders to come. While treating the skin, other symptoms (such as digestive issues, menstrual problems, insomnia, and many others) are addressed, it results in overall health and wellness.

What TCM and holistic medical systems understand is that Western Medicine fails to understand that our bodies work in the same way. What affects one organ affects the other, what affects one system ultimately affects the whole of the body. If we look from this perspective perioral dermatitis is primarily around the mouth, and chin. These areas correspond to organs linked mainly to digestion and the gut.

AROUND MOUTH/JAWLINE +CHIN – COLON/STOMACH/KIDNEYS AND REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Any issues with or around the mouth may indicate a problem with the colon and stomach. The colon is obviously closely connected to the stomach as a major organ in the digestive system – it only makes sense that if things in the stomach are off, the colon will be affected. According to TCM, the most common issue that occurs in the stomach is one of dampness. Dampness is caused by prolonged periods of excess heat, interestingly enough caused by excess raw or cold foods. Because the stomach has to “heat” up our food to match our internal body temperature, when we eat strictly raw or cold foods, the stomach has to drive up Hydrochloric Acid (HCL ) production to warm it up, eventually burning the stomach out, leading to dampness. Once an issue of dampness arises, there is often mucus in the colon, yeast and fungal infections, and general poor digestive health. Do you see a pattern here from “my possible causes” outlined and aforementioned?

Eating too many raw foods (salads) or too many sweet foods can cause problems in this area. If you have a dry mouth or cracked lips, this might indicate a deficiency in zinc, or magnesium try this one and possibly iron too. Adding in an Omega Complex like this one will also be beneficial. This shows that there are excessive dryness and dehydration issues in the body, which signifies malabsorption to the stage between excess heat and dampness.

Before matters get worse, seek balance in your diet. Eat mostly warm, lightly cooked foods, which promote healthy HCL production and manage dryness and dampness. You can also remedy these issues with bone broth, and demulcent fiber like chia, slippery elm, and aloe vera to improve digestive health. Drink filtered water with electrolytes, like adding this IV hydration, add mineral drops and lemon, or chia seeds to structure the water and help with malabsorption. The area around the mouth could hold trapped emotional disturbances such as unresolved grief, sadness, and anger.

With an intake and professional diagnosis we can create a treatment plan specific to the individual. If you or someone you know suffers from Perioral Dermatitis and wants to avoid pharmaceuticals and medical interventions and get to the root of your skin issues, share this with a friend, leave me your comments on this post, and or contact me for a virtual consultation. If you’ve enjoyed this thorough post and want to purchase my recommendations, please follow all my highlighted links from this exact post to my curated Amazon store or my online shop. Your support to create content like this is appreciated.

Finally, curate your Google searches, and don’t obsess. Instead, if your skin starts acting up bring awareness and attention to your breath and yourself. Let’s give the body the tools to heal the condition.

with Love & Light

XO,

Claudia

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