Yogurt for Perioral Dermatitis

There are a couple of things I would like to tell you to stay away from: First check you face cleansers and moisturizers if it has Sodium Laryl (Laureth) Sulfate (you don't want this anywhere on the label), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (orange)oil, or Ascorbic Acid THROW it away (the only safe form of Vitamin C for those of us that suffer from PD is Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate - and ONLY when it is at least 10th in the list of the ingredients on your facial cleanser (or product).

What will work well: Plain Greek Yogurt. You can wash you face with it (use cool water), make a mask with it (once your face has imporved you can add Honey to the Yogurt Mask). For those that are having a severe breakout: GENTLY wash your face with the yogurt DO NOT SCRUB. Rinse with cool water. Wait 20 minutes (while you are waiting get a thin towel wet it, wring out place in plastic zip-lock bag and put in refrigerator) then apply a thin mask of the yogurt, cover with you cold towel, lay down. Let mask sit at least 10 minutes (5 if this is your first time). Rinse mask off with cold water. This has worked with all my clients and is safe. Yes, I know of some moisturizers that will work safely with PD. Regulations on the website prohibit the mentioning of the product. Regardless you should notice a substantial improvement within three to 5 days. BE GENTLE - use your hands when washing your face (no sponges, wash rags etc). Chere

The worst for me was feeling new bumps grow, the itching and burning, and not being able to stop it. Hydrogen Peroxide would stop the itch and allow the bumps to crust, but at the same time it would destroy good skin and make the condition worse in the long run.

This site recommended yogurt (plain, organic) and acidophilus, and the results were amazing! I have been using both for two weeks now, and as of today I only have two little bumps left. I know that my PD perhaps is not "cured" but I now know how to fight it.

Here is what I have learned during my fight:

1. White crust does not mean healing, somehow the bacteria seems to hide under the crust, and the best is to remove it and treat it with yogurt. Once the spots turn red and stay red (no crust) they are actually healing.

2. Anti-biotic creams only angered my PD, and steroid creams appeared to feed it.

3. I kept yogurt handy and applied a thin layer even at work if I felt an itching, new bump growing sensation.

4. My kids renamed me "yogurt face" so expect a certain amount of ridicule from the family - but totally worth it.

Then on further reading I found that one guy tried applying yoghurt on face and sleeping with it on so I gave a try for 3-4 days applying and sleeping it on and eating organic yoghurt 2 times in a day and acidophilius 2 times, in just 3-4 days I releaized that my redness is fading a lot and no more new breakouts on chin and upperlips during that time I had stooped eating grain ( Indian chappati) and on rice after a week people start saying me it is gone but at the same moment I start again eating Indian chappati as I am Indian and I have been on this food since childhood then perioral dermatitis is back on cheeks and around eyes areas. My guess is that somehow whole grain food is not good for me. Now I am planning to stop eating Honey bunches and Indian chappati and going to observe again in an week that if that is the major cause. Still I am applying yoghurt on face and it is the only rescue for me. I will post soon whether stopping honey bunches and indian chappati is really the problem for me or not.

I would really like to thank all the people posting their experience and it really helped to find solution for my problem. I would say for anyone if nothing works try sleeping with yoghurt on your face.

The gastroenteroligists denied any stomach connection to the rash and the dermatologist said 8 weeks of antibiotics which I refused. I was on oral antibiotics in the hospital which made everything worse. I take heavy duty probiotics and although great for internal cures I saw NO improvement in my external rash.

Long story short: I FINALLY was told it could be an EXTERNAL YEAST infection that would not be treated by dietary changes and that I needed to apply organic plain yogurt. I did for just a few days and the raised red flaking bumps went flat! I stopped after a few days but am going to stick with it religously for another week and see if it goes away completely. I really hope it does as this has been such a frusrtrating rash!

Summary: I used organic plain yogurt on my perioral dermatitis leaving it on about 10 minutes for a few days and saw good improvement. Not completely gone, but very calmed.

Question - Has anyone had long term complete success with yogurt for perioral dermatitis and if so, how long each day do you leave it on? Also, has anyone tried Manuka honey on the rash? I heard that is supposed to be excellent as well.

Best wishes!