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Then I discovered something that has been hard for me to come to terms with. I work with tea and I love tea. Most days would start with a rich organic black tea, organic soy milk and organic honey (i now soy isn't great but I cant digest dairy and nut milks aren't as creamy). I would drink various other teas throughout the day. Then my day would usually end with a glass of red wine and a small piece of dark chocolate (again, almost always, both organic). Throughout the day I would snack on nuts, berries, grapes or apples and if I were cooking for myself my favourite spices and seasonings included cumin and cinnamon, miso and sesame to name a couple.
I went to stay with my sister and her palette and eating habits are completely opposite to mine. I like rich, dark, sour and dry flavours. She likes soft, light, sweet, acidic flavours.
Although I was drinking alcohol and eating foods that would usually upset my digestion and/or weren't my usual preference, my skin completely calmed down. As soon as I returned to my chosen habits it flared up again.
Finally, I realised all the things I was favouring were all extremely high in tannins.
Its a sad state of affairs because I've had to give up my most favourite but now that Ive recognised this and cut most tannin rich foods and drinks out my POD has almost disappeared. After a bit more research I found that the skin reaction was only the tip of the iceberg and that this issue was the reason for a few more ailments I was struggling with for example- headaches, joint pain, lethargy, brittle nails and hair, depression and more.
Anti oxidants are such a praised health benefit but they seem to go hand in hand with tannins. So although I thought I was doing really good things for my body, it was actually having a really hard time processing a huge part of what is otherwise nutrient rich and delicious food. I don't fully understand the science of how tannins react in my body but I'm still researching. I have discovered that heating or fermenting the tannin vehicle will unbind the tannins from the plant protein and thats when they become more difficult for my system to deal with. The tannins in tea are already oxidised and then you heat them to brew the tea. real chocolate is fermented. Wine is fermented. You obviously heat the spices to cook them. So I can have some raw tannins in moderation with out a flare up but mostly just try to avoid it altogether.
I am not suggesting that tannins are the culprit for all POD but I definitely think it needs to be addressed from your inside out. It took me a really long time to figure this one out and it was staring me in the face.
If you're a big tea drinker and love the odd glass of red or piece of dark chocolate and POD is an issue then cut out these for a few days and see if it makes a difference. I would've loved to have known about this sooner so I hope this can help out some others.
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I cleaned up my diet and began to think about the food allergy triggers in my diet. Gluten has become increasingly problematic as I approach menopause, so I strictly eliminated all gluten from my diet for a month with only mild improvement in the dermatitis. I decided to read all of the ingredients in my haircare products and discovered that the shampoo and styling products had wheat protein in them! I immediately switched to different products that have no gluten ingredients and no SLS and my skin completely healed within two weeks – after 6 months of suffering! I currently use Gud by Burts Bees (Red Ruby Groovy) Shampoo and Conditioner and Purology Silk Bodifier. The last time I had my hair cut and styled, my stylist used Pureology Hydrate shampoo, conditioner and Root Lift mousse styling product. When I washed my hair the next day, I began to break out on my cheek and forehead in the same way as before – itching, burning, then pustules developed. I looked up the ingredients of these products and they had wheat-derived ingredients. This was all the confirmation I needed to determine that the perioral dermatitis was an allergic reaction. I have found the Skin Deep app from ewg.org to be helpful in determining what products contain gluten, chemicals and other allergens – both for hair and skincare. Also, the glutenfreemakeupgal.com is a helpful resource.
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I'm 33 years old and about 5 years ago I started getting red, scaly, itchy spots on my cheeks and chin. I initially went down the medical route (prescribed antibiotic creams etc) which helped briefly, but then just made my skin worse in the long run. About a year ago I discovered that SLS that I used in face wash and aqueous cream (routinely prescribed in the UK for eczema, dry skin) was an irritant, so stopped using and switched to SLS, paraben etc- products. This undoubtedly helped clear my skin. However at the same time I also switched to using mineral make-up in the hope that it would suit my sensitive skin better. Despite not using any other products on my skin (just plain SLS-free cleanser and baby oil to moisturise), my skin has just got worse over the last few months, which naturally coincided with me using more mineral make-up to cover it up. I've tried a tonne of the other remedies suggested on this site, but got no long-term benefit. To cut a long story short, I researched mineral make-up some more and found that bismuth oxychloride is a known irritant (i'm surprised it's not mentioned more on this site). I stopped using the makeup a week ago and my skin is 95% better, I'm amazed - for the first time in years when I run my fingers over my cheeks they are smooth and soft and the blemishes have nearly almost gone.
I've ordered a sample of a pure mineral make-up from a small company in the UK (that doesn't use bismuth, talc etc), but at this rate I won't be needing any cover up! I thought it was worth contributing my story in the hope that bismuth may be responsible for anyone else's sensitive skin. Note it's contained in lots of make-up powders, blushes etc (its what gives makeup its 'glow'). Best wishes everyone and thanks for a great site!
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I had perioral dermatitis for a little over a year and a half. I was so angry because I could not find a cure. Anytime the rash would go away it would just return within a few days. Medical websites were no help and of course they have no idea what causes the rash. I came across a discussion where a girl stated that her doctor told her that the perioral dermatitis was caused by nail polish. I immediatly went in the bathroom and took of my finger and toe polish and the next day the rash was gone. I was so excited that this was a simple answer. However, confused at how nail polish could cause such a rash. After a while I forgot and painted my toes...sure enough the rash came back and I took the polish off once again and the next morning the rash was gone. I just wanted to share this and see if anyone else had the same amazing results.
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My doctor diagnosed it as POD and gave me metronidizol, which made it worse, so I stopped using it. I eliminated soaps with Sodium Laurel Sulfates and parabens, started using organic baby products, and tried all of the "natural cures" in the following order: Apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, diaper rash cream, hydrogen peroxide. All of them seemed to irritate my skin further, and led to new outbreaks. Finally, I stopped using *all* face and tooth products. That's right: No soap, no lotion, no makeup, no toothpaste, no chapstick, nothing. I splashed my face with water, did goatsmilk yogurt masks at night, and brushed my teeth with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. When my lips felt chapped, I used olive oil. My skin started to heal, although I did continue to get smaller, localized outbreaks, much closer to the ones I experienced over the last several years. I read about Violet Extract and tried applying it to these areas, and it seemed to have no effect. I revisited my dermatologist, who gave me erythromycin gel for the skin around my mouth and muciprin ointment for the areas with active outbreaks. They went away! (I am actually scared to declare this out of fear that I will jinx myself and bring them back, but it has been over a month now of clear skin!)
My regimen these days is super simple. I wash my face with water at night, use ACV to tone my skin afterwards (it now seems to be handling ACV, which helps control the oil factor) and, occasionally, I apply goatsmilk yogurt masks -- that's it! No soap, no lotion, nothing. My skin has not looked this healthy in years! I actually used new mineral makeup the other day for an event and, the very next afternoon, had a small outbreak under my nose. That made things pretty clear to me. The only drawback to not being able to put product on my face is that I have to be really careful about staying out of the sun as I can no longer use sunblock...
So, for those of you who, like I did, feel like you are doomed to eternity to live with a seriously unsightly rash, keep up hope! I know it's hard to go without makeup when you feel ugly and rashy, or not to use soap and lotion, but it's essential! Once your skin gets used to living without products, and you notice the results, you really won't miss them at all... And air travel is hassle-free (no more plastic baggies).
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We were on a week long trip when I realized it had been a few days since she had eaten strawberries (which she would usually eat daily) and her face seemed better. I continued to withhold strawberries and her face gradually cleared up. After 2 months it was completely clear and has remained so for the last month and a half.
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So if you let your dog or cat give you face kisses, try stopping that altogether and see if it clears up!
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Has she eaten organic strawberries with the same problem?
Thanks! And congrats on figuring this out.
MyWay :D
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I am now just trying my very hardest to just eat as healthy as possible and supplement what I think could help, all I eat is basically raw organic veges and a bit of organic chicken as well as gluten free cereal in the morning with organic rice milk. Actually tonight I went crazy for the first time in months and had some green and blacks organic dark choc. It's my christmas gift to myself. I figure youve got to give your body the best chance to heal itself so feeding it well is the first step. Anyway, enough about me, I could go on all day about what ive done so far. All I really wanted to say was that ive found something a few days ago which has helped me somewhat, the first thing in ages which has had a positive effect. Its called Aveeno, daily moisturising lotion or theres another Aveeno skin relief moisturising lotion but that has menthol in it which may aggrivate your skin as it did to mine a little. It's made by johnson and johnson and im sure youll be able to find it in the states. If your like me you will read the ingredients and think "oh I dont know about this" as it contains things like alchohol and other chem sounding stuff which I would usually steer away from but Seriously it is the only thing in ages which has actually kept my skin moisturised for a decent amount of time, like overnight. My skin is still red but less so, it is more a pinky colour but still stands out as I am fair skinned irish australian. It still looks pretty bad but it is no longer so dry and tight and is a lot less flakey, almost not at all actually. I can now crinkle my forehead without it feeling tight and dry.
Anyway it is a step in the right direction, and has given me some glimps of hope for my condition. I know everyones skin is different but I thought it's definately worth mentioning and maybe you can do a test patch first before you go and use it full on. I would love to have a decent chat with you and maybe discuss things further as I have not found anyone with the same problem as me in all my searching and I think ive blabbered on for long enough on here, I tend to babble on a bit lol. My email is austmade(at)live(dot)com(dot)au Email me anytime for a chat. Dont give up, I know its so hard and I know exactly how alone you feel as nobody knows what it's like to have this constant burden on your mind. But I know there is a cure out there somewhere and I will not stop till I find it. It's so discouraging when doctor say "there is no cure" but all that means is they dont have it and they'd rather give you there bs meds which prolong your suffering and keep you poor. The way I figure it, the answer is something we need to find ourselves. The big pharm cos are making billions of dollars a year on skin condition meds which dont work so why would they cure us, that means less profit for them, somehow I doubt theyre gonna do it. They are afterall a buisness. Sorry, for going on and on. Try to have a merry xmas. Hope to hear from you soon, Brendan.
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For me, it turned out to be fluoridation, both in toothpaste and in water. Until I figured this out, the only product that really helped me was Margarie's (tinted) zinc cream. Hope this helps someone.
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I eat such a wide variety of foods and drinks, some processed, some not but nonetheless difficult to go through a process of elimination. I've been diagnosed with dermatitis/ acne rosacea and more recently peri oral dermatitis. The doctor whose specialises in skin disorders ( I've seen about 4 GPs) has been able to determine that it is POD because my skin condition worsened with hydrocortisone applied externally. I have spent an obscene amount of money in the last year on facial treatments, eg. Galvanic facials and microdermabrasion and on natural products and others that could obtain aggravating chemicals in the attempt to resolve the issue.
I am currently on antibiotics applied topically and taken orally. I have tried metronidazole which helped but didn't completely eradicate it. There has been a slight improvement. I am still itching like crazy and now think I may have peri ocular dermatitis too because it's now in and around my eyes! However, I have been indulging in typical Christmas foods like plum pudding, cream trifle, mince pies, Christmas cake, red wine and sherry.
Before Christmas, for 3 months I was eating healthily, porridge, home made broths, lots of fruit and veg( including citrus fruits, avocados and strawberries which are supposed to be histamine containing foods and therefore off limits) 2/4 litres of water, caffeine free tea and coffee, very little processed food etc yet I still had problems.
I am going to see my doctor next month with a selection of skin products that I use ( half of Boots the chemist! ) and she's going to advise me further. I have also decided to pay privately for a food allergy test because I am reluctant to eliminate huge elements of my diet like dairy before getting the results. The doctor has advised me to use very little make up, if any, non oily moisturisers eg Nivea and to continue to use La Roche Posay cleanser for the time being.
In the meantime I shall try to avoid decaf tea, red wine etc to see if that helps. Any things worth a try!
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Finally I self diagnosed the root of the problem and it was the vaseline I was using as a lip balm for years. Within a week of switching to an organic olive oil based lip balm, I was back to normal and haven't had a problem until now, 2 yrs later. I've continued to use an organic lip balm, but have perhaps developed an allergy to one of these 3 ingredients (olive oil, castor oil & beeswax). Has anyone experienced a problem with these ingredients as well?
Also, my POD is not as severe as before, but this time my lips are actually blistering and so tight & dry that I can hardly open my mouth to eat anymore, and smiling/laughing are out of the question! I would love any help I can get!
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I look unsightly and can't even finish my Christmas shopping because of all the stares, not to mention my face is in so much pain, cracking, flaking. My husband doesn't quite get how severe this is emotionally and lolligags in going out to get treatment for me. I am starting to get depressed.
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I have seen it mentioned on this site an association with tea and coffee. This was the case for me. I cut out all the tea coffee and sodas with caffeine and it healed up! Eventually I tried some teas and coffee that were "caffeine free" however I did have problems with small break outs of pd. After doing some research I found that even decaffeinated coffees and teas still have traces of caffeine. Eliminating all of these was the answer for me. I've been pd free since 2000 . . . well until April of this year. The only thing that has changed in my life is my roommate has a small dog. I am careful to wash my hands after I have pet her but alas the pd is still present. Will try the apple cider vinegar as well as the probiotics and see how things go. If it is mite related I'm going to attack it from every side. Will post again in a week and let everyone know how it went.
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I did so and have been remarkably successful in preventing further outbreaks. My dentist uses pumice as a cleaning agent as all the manufactured products have one of the offending agents. Plain dental floss. Non fluoride, non whitening, non mint toothpaste can be found at health food stores. Allspice can be substituted for cinnamon in baked goods and coffee can be substituted in some baked goods for vanilla.
To treat, I combined coconut oil, tea tree oil (5 drops per tsp or so of coconut oil) and a bit of neosporin. I also took coconut oil melted in water. It worked!
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