80 User Reviews
| 5 star (51) | 64% | |
| 4 star (14) | 18% | |
| 3 star (1) | 1% | |
| 2 star (2) | 3% | |
| 1 star (7) | 9% | |
 (6) |
8% |
★★★☆☆
I have been struggling with the rash for the past two months. At first, I wasn't sure what it was. Being as I am 21 weeks pregnant. I thought it was just relentless pimples. However, it hit its worst about two weeks ago and has taken over my whole chin. So I went to a derm. They of course prescribed anti-biopics but I cannot taken those due to pregnancy. After being diagnosed with POD. I started doing my research after zero help from the derm and found this site. I started my combination treatment of POD right away. Of cutting out gluten, added sugar, dairy. Adding 1 tbps of ACV to smoothies daily, using a half water half ACV mix 3-5 times a day with coconut oil once or twice daily. It's been a little over a week, I felt like I initially saw improvement with some of the bumps pushing out the little white spots right away and then flaking off. However, now it feels like the rash has spread up my face and I'm seeing way more of those white bumps and flaking. But doesn't appear to be much better. Does anyone else have experience with POD and being pregnant? Is that a factor in this and why I am not healing? Am I doomed to have this until birth? Or should I keep going with the ACV treatment?
(Bentonville, AR)
03/07/2023
Just updating you all, It's been a few days over two weeks. I adjusted my treatment and cut out the coconut oil as it seems to be causing more breakouts. (I have very sensitive and dry skin naturally.) I tapered down the ACV use to twice a day...Once in the morning and once at bedtime. To promote healing, I have been using BLDG Active skin repair which is a natural skin healing spray and or topical antibiotic gel. Hypochlorous Acid or HOCI helps kill the bacteria and trigger my skin's natural healing process. It seems to be helping a tiny bit but no major improvements as of yet and starting to get really discouraged again. But I have no other options to choose from, so choosing to keep moving forward and trying to trust the process even though it's going at a snail's pace.
(ID)
03/10/2023
Not much help. I'm 34 weeks pregnant and have been struggling with this rash under my chin for about 2 months too! I have just started using the ACV and Coconut oil! I can keep you updated! Know you're not alone girl!
(Kitchener On)
03/11/2023
Hi Anna
Dr. L. Coldwell is the leading Dr. on Natural ways to heal. He says that any and all skin issues can be resolved by applying Hemp Oil.
Good luck Anna and congratulations with the baby.
Gary
(NC)
03/10/2023
Hi Rachel and Anna,
Have you considered your POD might have been triggered by a deficiency of a vitamin or mineral? I had dermatitis around my nose for over 30 years (yes, really did) but it disappeared for good when I started taking 5,000 iu of vitamin D3 for a week. I stopped taking it after that for a while and it did not come back. I still take D3 every so often, but def not daily.
Also tried the ACV and many more remedies and supplements over the years, but they were all just temporary fixes and it came right back.
(Sydney, NSW)
03/31/2023
Hi!
I feel your pain. I had this under my nose when I was pregnant too. I tried a probiotic topical serum by Esmi and it cleared it up in about four days, fully healed up in a week. It might work for you too?
Laurie
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★☆☆☆
Hi Amanda
I was reading your post and suspected Heavy metals, particularly Mercury, for your problem. Sure enough, I googled, and found this
https://naturalvibrancelife.co.za/perioral-dermatitis-treatment/
My suspicion came from a nasty skin condition, Grover's Disease, being helped by consumption of cilantro, or capsules, and cilantro is touted by Ted as a (easily accessible) heavy metal chelator.
I would start by adding half a bunch, organic if possible, otherwise wash in baking soda and water, in a daily fruit and veg juice, and drinking lots of water, graduating to full bunch when you feel ready.
Best to you.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★☆
I used ACV yesterday for the first time after years of never trying this, and in the same day I noticed that the redness and swelling went down a little (and the skin dried out). I did 50/50 ACV/water. Today is day 2 of this (and no antibiotics) and already it seems to be better - not perfect but certainly a little less red and perhaps less bumpy.
Really hoping things continue this way!! I've always been very skeptical of this whole ACV thing but so far it's doing well..
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
This is it. This has worked for me the last 10 years, whenever I feel a breakout is coming.
1. Buy Apple Cider Vinegar (Always buy with "mother" in it - very important).
2. Dilute 1 part ACV 2 parts water (If your skin can handle it, move on to half/half). Mix in a in a small dispenser with a spray nozzle. Put it in the fridge, so it is cool when you use it. Not necessary, but it feels better and is way easier to use:)
3. Use minimum 2 times a day, morning and night after. I use it 4-6 time a day because my skin can handle it. I just keep the little dispenser with me and spray throughout the day.
4. STICK to it! This won't work in a day or 2. Mine takes about a week to 10 days. But slowly it goes away and begins to dry up.
5. Do not touch or use any other products to aggravate the rash. None.
6. Moisturizing is optional - u have to figure out what works for you. I personally do not moisturize at night, because the PD dries up faster for me this way. If you must moisturize, only use natural remedies like coconut oil.
Thats it.
Give it a try - it has saved my life completely!
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
I finally read about apple cider vinegar. I mixed equal parts of water and apple cider vinegar. I applied it to my face using a cotton ball. The first couple of days it burned, but I was willing to try anything. I let it dry for a minute or so and then put cetaphil lotion on it. After 5 days the rash was almost completely gone. There was no more itching or burning and I finally had relief.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★☆
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★☆
My Dermatologist put me on Protopic (steroid cream) and antibiotics. I used it for a few months and it my rash disappeared. However, I was doing two other things at the time that I think helped. I was using a face cleanser that contains the same ingredient used to treat scalp dandruff. I also started covering my whole face in Vaseline after reading that it would “starve” the bacteria on oxygen. The first night I put Vaseline on, my face burned which I interpreted as the fungus dying.
I was left with normal skin, with a lot of hyperpigmentation because I had been so rough with trying to get rid of the scales. I think what happened is that the steroid cream kept my symptoms at bay while I continued to use the cleanser, which eventually killed the bacteria. I stopped using protopic after a few months the rash did not come back. Occasionally, I would see a bump or two, apply protopic and it would go away. The hyperpigmentation eventually faded.
In Oct 2017, I decided to go off of my oral contraceptive. In January 2018, I entered into a new relationship and so restarted my birth control. That's when I started getting bumps beside my mouth. Acne cream did not help, neither did the protopic. After some online research I self-diagnosed myself with perioral dermatitis.
From my experience two years ago, I knew how bad this could get. I was terrified and determined not to go back to what had been. My Dermatologist cannot see me until April! After reading all the reports on ACV on EC website, I bought some organic AVC and began to apply it to my face, followed up with calendula cream. I applied it full strength, I was diluting at first, but when done full strength I could see the “fizzing and bubbling” that others have mentioned. The PO active areas on my face would show white bumps. After the areas stopped reacting (2-4 days), I apply a diluted ACV solution to keep it from coming back.
I applied it not just to my mouth, but my forehead, nose and cheeks. I did this because in the past that's where the bumps would occur and fade. Sure enough, there was PO, hiding in this area too. The ACV definitely made my face worse before it got better.
Using it full strength caused some bad drying of my skin. Some patches look like burns. Even with the calendula cream, y skin was tight and I looked tired and wrinkly because of the dry skin. I returned to using Vaseline after the calendula cream. This made my face feel comfortable and normal. The dry skin began to fall off and the skin underneath was smooth.
I started using this treatment 2 weeks ago. The PO is not gone, but is remarkably better. My skin is smooth, not red but a light pink. I am going to continue to use ACV and hopefully can get rid of this for good. I intend to tone with diluted ACV solution morning and night from now on.
Other things I am doing
-
Since I could not get the Born to be Mild cleaner anymore (they don't ship to Canada), I bought a soap on Amazon.ca with the same zinc ingredient. It's not drying on the skin. I wash my face with this before applying AVC
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I take a probiotic, multivitamin and zinc supplement at night. I will stop the zinc after the PO is gone, because there is such a thing as too much zinc in the system. It can make you sick.
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I put AVC and turmeric in my green tea every morning. No more than 2 tsp of ACV, usually less
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I am not going back on oral contraceptives. I am going to speak to my doctor about other options
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I have been a vegetarian since the age of 10, about 75% of my diet is vegan.
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I do use makeup to cover the PO when I go out. Probably shouldn't, but I am not as brave as some. Just concealer and foundation. I use Tarte and Bare Minerals.
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Talked to people about what was happened. When this happened before I just hid at home and cried. This time, I was honest with the people in my life. I told the guy I was seeing about it before he saw me for our next date (he said he didn't notice anything, sweet guy) I told my friends about it and how scared/upset I was. When people ask “how are you?” I am honest and say “I'm having some skin issues actually; I'm pretty self-conscious right now.” The support has been immediate and I don't feel like I am hiding. From a mental health standpoint, it's helped.
I know my use of Vaseline may be controversial to some on this site. Most sites agree that it is not good for PO. But in my experience it has not made my skin worse, and everyone's skin is different.
Good luck everyone!
(Toronto, Ontario)
02/26/2018
Update: The ACV continues to dry out and heal the active PO, but new spots keep forming. Toning with a diluted solution does not keep it from coming back. Still looking for a routine that will stop it from developing.
(Boston)
03/01/2018
Please see my posting on Violet Extract here: https://www.earthclinic.com/violet-extract-for-perioral-dermatitis.html
(New York)
10/30/2018
Can you please post a link for the violet extract that you used?
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
I have gotten perioral dermatitis around my nose for about a month; and was given antibiotics which were to be applied on my noise twice a day for two weeks; by using it, the bubbles and rash did disappear until I stopped using it.
Therefore I decide to try something different and came across ACV. I applied organic acv raw on the area. The bubbles started bursting into little dots of blood, and obviously hurt and burned. The next morning I woke up with a massive red and irritated skin therefore I almost got discouraged to keep on applying ACV; however after reading lots of comments I continued doing so twice or three times a day without washing it off.
May I say that On day 3; my dermatitis was completely gone.
I highly recommend to NOT use any antibiotics; most of the doctors are not even sure how to cure it with them; and by trying you are damaging your liver for life.
Cheers,
Hope it helps.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
THANK GOODNESS FOR THIS WEBSITE. All of your reviews is what has gotten me through these 3 weeks. My partner kept telling me to go to the doctor, I didn't see the point after it seems antibiotics have not been a great solution for anyone. I am now happy I have stuck with my own method and didn't follow his advice!!
These are the steps I took: based on your reviews and lot's of googling
-Applied apple cider vinegar to my face with a cotton ball. 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water - I read it is important to dilute to avoid scaring. I did this a couple of times a day to begin with then moved to 2x a day- in the morning and at night. It seems to dry it out and the skin then dries & falls away. It's a process of drying, and flaking, drying and flaking.
-I used coconut oil as a moisturiser. I applied it after the apple cider vinegar.
-I washed my face 1x a day at night with a wash cloth and some warm water. I used the cloth to very gently exfoliate my face a little.
-I used bentonite clay every second day. I added 1 tablespoon of Apple cider to the clay and applied it. My face was red for an hour afterwards but I found it left my face feeling a lot smoother. I will continue to use this as a mask.
-Started taking zinc and vitamin D supplements. I will continue using the zinc for skin health.
-Started using a fluoride free toothpaste & sodium laureth sulfate free shampoo. Will also continue with these
-I drank a glass of green tea & bone broth every day. I drank 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with water 2x a day.
-I cut out alcohol, dairy, sugar, carbs and starchy vegetables
I stared getting the rash after I had a missed miscarriage and had an evacuation of the womb (d&C). I don't know if this is somehow related to the rash. I do think it is linked to my diet as I eat a lot of sugar. I have researched the candida diet and it seems like a candida overgrowth may be a likely cause. It makes sense to me that what I eat affects my skin.
The first week and a half I followed a no sugar, no alcohol, no carb diet-basically the candida diet. The next 2 weeks were tricky as it's been Christmas so I have slipped up a bit when it comes to sugar L
It has now been 3 weeks since my rash was at it's worse. It is now almost completely gone. I still have a few tiny red spots that seems to be lessening a little more every day. And I still have dryness around this area.
I will look at completing the candida diet properly once I am back home in a few days as I think this is the real cause and solution.
The past few weeks have been a great way to learn about my diet but it's been such a horrible experience having this disgusting rash covering my face. I highly recommend the natural method over using creams & antibiotics. If you're in the worst of it, know that it will disappear even if it takes 3-4 weeks! Keep up with the apple cider and healthy diet changes. Your patience will be tested. Thank you to everyone's reviews, I reread them everyday to keep me going with this lengthy process.
(Merrill, Wi)
01/09/2018
After reading your review I am planning to try your regimen for my PD. I have been battling it on and off for 29 years my only significant relief was after each of my children were born. I thought this worth mentioning because of your notes on a miscarriage (I am sorry for your loss. I have been there and it is hard. I have always said it must have some hormonal elements. Best of luck and thanks for the tips!
(Auckland)
01/27/2018
Hi Shelby Thank you so much for your kind words. Best of luck for your recovery xx
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(Loule, Portugal)
12/07/2017
Hi, I am a bit new to this, have been reading through all the posts from the last couple of years....I'm 51, long past menopause and I have POD, started as a rash in early September, I have never used makeup or chemicals on my skin other then coconut oil for around 8 years. I had started and new shampoo which I now know has SLS and I have begun 2 months of a high quality pro biotic to maybe clear some intermittant bowel problems. My rash is completely around my mouth and nose and my right eye is encircled. Have been clear of all creams now for almost 5 days just using ACV. I'm still inflamed, sore and a little itchy. I also use Kombucha and have done for about 7 years.
For now trying nothing else but am flying home to N.Z in 3 weeks for a major family reunion which I have been looking forward to all year! Sadly not anymore..... :( I am interested to know if many other also have the Herpes virus as I have had most of my adult life...am open to ideas but not really wanting to try the antibiotic route. Cheers
Hi Penny
Please research Ted's pages on granulated lecithin and lysine to assist with the herpes virus. Lysine build the immune system and granulated lecithin binds with toxic oils on the liver to allow excretion. You may think you do not consume toxic oils but considering even pure cold pressed Olive oil should not be heated to fry temp, hate to think of those canola etc types cut with chemicals and heated in the processing. So the vegetable oils attract heavy metals and environmental toxins. Lecithin lets them out of the body. Cook only with heat stable oils: coconut, lard and ghee.
With the Acv, are you ingesting or just using topically. Suggest consuming with baking soda as per Ted's recipe. I am fan of kombucha also and you may try applying some or even the scoby to your rash. Some mother's have cured their baby's cradle cap by applying scoby during bath time! I have also added kefir to my ferments as am working on gut health, husband's diabetes and brothers Crohn's.
Note that with natural treatments, it often gets worse before it gets better. Good luck
(Usa)
12/07/2017
Kombacha tea has fungus in it. Type in kombacha+fungus. What you have could be fungus related.
As far as herpes virus I have found colloidal silver helps, it did me. The secret to using the silver is you take it for up to six months to try and kill most of the virus, but when stressed it can come back, than use the silver topically.
Take 2 tablespoons or more daily for 6 months use topically whenever the itch starts.
Maybe it is the virus you have on your face?
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
This article is a little overwhelming with things to try, but I decided to start with apple cider vinegar since several people mentioned it and I already had some on hand. I'll outline what I've been doing below. In about two weeks time my POD has nearly disappeared. There are still a cluster of red spots, but they get better every day! They are no longer oozy either! Just slightly red and a bit flaky.
Here is everything that I did over the past two weeks. I wish I knew exactly which of these made such a difference, but honestly it wasn't hard to do all of these things together and it has made such a difference!
1. Didn't wash face with anything but water
2. Cut out all body products (shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc etc) with Sodium Laurel Sulfate. I usually use all SLS free stuff, but had a free conditioner from a friend that I had been using with SLS in it. If a product doesn't have SLS in it, it usually doesn't have other nasty ingredients like parabens and synthetic fragrances as well.
3. Used a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar on it to gently dab on the affected area 2-3 times daily.
4. Took 1 tbsp ACV with 8 oz water every morning
5. Used a face mask of bentonite clay mixed with ACV every 3-4 days. 1 tbsp ACV mixed with enough clay to make a thick paste. Smear all over face and leave for about 20 minutes and rinse with cool water. It made my entire face very red for about an hour after removing it, but then that starts to go away. Immediately after using this mask I see an improvement in the POD.
6. Switched to a flouride free toothpaste
7. Stopped making out with my boyfriend!! Seriously though, he has been out of town for about 10 days during this whole process and my POD has gotten so much better! I'm no sure if its his beard, lip balm, etc that might have been aggravating it, but I will be paying attention to what happens to my skin after he gets back.
8. Cut back on sugar, grains, and alcohol. I know these foods mess with my body already, so I tried to cut back even more than normal.
9. Started taking Zinc and Vitamin D supplements
I've had acne since 13 and then throw this POD on top, I just felt like I'd never have clear skin! After two weeks of what I listed above, my skin has never looked better! I really encourage you to give this a few weeks before you head to the doctor.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(Holland, Mi)
05/11/2017
I've been reading the reviews on Perioral Dermatitis and I am just amazed as to the findings that people have experienced using ACV. I've had mine for years and tired of taking antibiotics and using the prescribed cream. It's not working. I am going to start trying the ACV and coconut oil for a moisturizer. I did want to ask if anyone would know, I have now been diagnosed with idiopathic uticaria and I thinking if I drink the ACV as indicated by everyone do you think it may help this as well. I have stopped using a probiotic, but I think it makes sense to start it again. My concern with the ACV is how long do you drink it? Would it be wise to drink it forever or just when my condition flares up? If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.
(Saint Paul Mn)
06/22/2017
Hi Nelda,
I was just diagnosed with Perioral Dermatitis today. I had this rash for a few weeks around my mouth/nose and thought I could just treat it with eczema cream. Since that didn't work and it only got worse here I am researching alternative remedies. Why, because when I finally went to the doctor what I got was the diagnosis and a prescription for Doxycycline. I don't think antibiotics are the answer (for much of anything of this nature) and from what I have read today I would be right. It might be a short term solution but the condition often returns worse than before. I am also going to discontinue my use of Flonase/Fluticasone which is a nasal steroid for allergies (which I suffer from) and avoid fluoride in any form. I am going to try an ACV, Coconut Oil and Colloidal silver mixture on my rash in the coming weeks. I also ingest ACV & Coconut oil regularly in a elixir designed to prevent colds & flu. Coconut oil is also excellent for use in "Oil Pulling" - google it - to remove toxins from the body. Plus you can fry eggs with it!
I hope this helps and I wish you the best of outcomes with your PD.
(Massachusetts)
07/19/2017
★★★★★
I've had red bumps around my eyes for about 5 months and recently went to a dermatologist and was diagnosed with periorificial dermatitis. the dermatologist prescribed antibiotics and a topical gel and told me to wear absolutely NO cosmetics, NO moisturizer or cleansers, water only. I used the topical gel for a few days and saw slight improvement with redness but the bumps were still there. I refused to take the antibiotic as I am aware of all the negative side effects to the gut. I looked online for a natural treatment as I do not like using any prescription drugs and found this page.
I started using ACV both internally and on my face and saw immediate results. I'm still not wearing any cosmetics which has been very hard because I'm in the beauty industry, and was wondering if anyone could tell me what they've been doing as far as cosmetics are concerned. Can I wear cosmetics and a moisturizer and do they need to be only natural or can I go back to wearing anything? I also wanted to mention that I have had gut issues for 30 years, leaky gut, candida yeast and have mostly eliminated bread and refined sugars from my diet and have had great improvement with my gut over the last few years since doing this. So I find it very interesting that people have commented on this issue being related to the gut. My doctor told me this condition was caused by cosmetics. I'm still not sure what the cause is, as I'm also going through menopause and was told hormonal changes can also be the cause. I will continue to use the ACV until this is completely gone and I'm thrilled that I found this page so I could use a holistic remedy, so thanks everyone for your stories and suggestions.
(Toronto)
09/16/2018
Are we supposed to rinse off before applying for the second time?
Apple Cider Vinegar
(Somewhere, Europe)
12/05/2016
Lizzy, you can dilute the ACV. And you can also put coconut oil.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
I thought that I would just try the ACV as a last resort while waiting to see the doctor & after 2 & a half weeks its 95% better and I'm positive that I will have it cleared up completely in the next week or so. All of the bumps bar 2 have gone and my face is now smooth and doesn't flake when wearing makeup. I have some redness still but my skin type takes ages for redness to disappear even after a small pimple.
I just used leftover ACV that I had in my pantry for I don't even know how long...it was OLD! I hammered my skin with it every time I went to the bathroom I put it on. I know people on here were saying they did it twice daily & I'm not saying you should do what I did just telling you how I did it. My face looked terrible the rash was way worse so so red and the bumps were really inflamed for almost 2 weeks and I was getting a bit edgy that it wouldn't heal. But everyday it seemed that 1 or 2 bumps would be inflamed then flake off and wouldn't come back so although it was slow I could see that it was slowly working.
I had some minor success previously using baby rash zinc cream but that seemed to only take the redness out of the rash and not actually heal the bumps) so I decided to use that help take the redness out of my face after using the ACV so I wore that to bed for 3 nights in a row and I just can not get over the difference it really is amazing.
I just got a new bottle of ACV the the other day with the mother and will continue using it until my face is 100% clear. My advice is try it & stick with it, for me it didn't heal up overnight like some peoples did and perhaps if you have a really bad case it might take 3-4 weeks... Oh & yes it stings but totally worth it!!
Thank you to everyone that took the time to write on here and tell their story it really helped me so much :)
(Bay City, Mi)
11/06/2016
I just started using ACV last friday for my PD and I have noticed a difference. It doesn't feel prickly or hurt when I touch my face. I do agree it stings, but not for long. I was reading that it's better to dilute it so it doesn't sting as bad. I have been using straight ACV on a cotton ball 3x a day. I think I will start diluting it. From now on I will be using ACV for my PD instead of what my Dr. prescripted.
