Perioral Dermatitis
Health Benefits

Probiotics for Perioral Dermatitis

| Modified on Mar 10, 2024

6 User Reviews


Posted by Terri Girl (Montana ) on 12/07/2016
★★★★★

This fall I had my second bout with perioral dermatitis. I decided to improve my gut health by eating sauerkraut daily as well as drinking Kombucha. I also took a probiotic each morning. On my face I used only Vitamin E oil that I bought at a health store. My skin cleared up within 10 days or so. For me I think my gut health was responsible for my P.D.

Replied by Stacey T
(Oklahoma)
01/11/2017

Have the probiotics kept it from returning? I can clear it up, only for it to come back WORSE!


Probiotics
Posted by Sunshine (Washington Dc) on 05/27/2016
★★★★★

Probiotics with Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium longum.

All of these have been suggested to help eczema, I figured it was worth a try for my persistent perioral dermatitis. Topical remedies help but don't actually make it go away.

I started taking a probiotic that contained the above 4 (plus multiple other strains) 3x a day for the first several weeks. Then I backed it down to 1x a day, or even every other day, though I'll bump it up again if I feel any sign of PD bumps returning.

I still occasionally get a bump or two, especially if I do something I know might trigger it (coffee, missing sleep, eating lots of sugar or flour, using any new hair or skin product), and I'm still careful about my products in general (no soap, no SLS, no fluoride toothpaste) but now those rare bumps are easily & quickly squashed by a topical application of apple cider vinegar.

Replied by Tina
(Atlanta, Ga)
06/30/2016

Sunshine, Would you mind sharing which probiotic you take that helps you? It's been hard to find one with the four things you listed that really help with perioral dermititis. Thank you so much for any help! Thanks, Tina

Replied by Starbrackenridge0808
(Dallas, Tx)
09/09/2016

I know it's not good and isn't always the long term answer but I tried everything on this website and others ones to clear it up. Literally spent $200 at the natural grocers. Manuka honey, ACV, grapefuit seed extract, violet, calendula... you name it. I also have a history of mild acne so ive been off and on antibiotics for many years (which also I heard could be a cause for PD...but again I'm desperate) so I took Doxy 3 days in a row and it cleared it up completely. I didn't take it again until a few weeks later when I noticed one to two bumps coming (could have been acne. not sure) bu I only took one and it cleared up again. I'm kind of using it as need be. I'm getting an Laser Photofacial which is good for acne, sun pigmentation, eczema, and rosacea so hopefully after I have 4 or 5 treatments that will help too. No idea if it will but I will post back.

I have also ordered probiotics and will begin taking those.

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
09/10/2016

Dear Starbrakenridge,

Well, if the doxycycline works, it sounds as if you have narrowed down the cause of your perioral dermatitis to a bacterial one. Every bit of information helps....

I don't know if you have tried colloidal silver, but I mention it because when my dog had a tick borne disease, doxycycline worked temporarily, but the disease returned. Then I used large doses of home made colloidal silver. That knocked it out and it has been a year or more and the disease has not returned. All that to say, that colloidal silver may be an effective substitute for doxycycline.

I don't know if colloidal silver would work for your PD, but it might be worth a shot.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Daisy
(Toronto)
12/26/2017

Any brands of probiotics you can recommend? There are so many to choose from.


Probiotics
Posted by Getting There (Sydney, New South Wales Australia) on 09/27/2012
★★★★★

Hi all! Don't despair. I am 45 years old, lives in Sydney, Australia and started to get PD 8 months ago. My doctor said it's from years of using cortisone creams as I suffer from slight eczema too. I had tried taking antibiotics for it like doxycycline plus she prescribed me Elocon to apply on the affected skin. It comes and goes and never really fixed the problem. I have been searching for the cure ever since and tried all sorts of remedy mostly natural but didn't really help me.

This includes putting apple cider vinegar plus lemon juice on the PD and putting organic yoghurt as per previous comments on this forum. I also switched to SLS free products - shampoo and toothpaste. I don't use any makeup on my face unless it's necessary but still puts on eye makeup, sunscreen and lipstick (the brand that doesn't irritate my PD is Clinique).

What worked for me is taking probiotics (I take Inner Health Plus) once a day and also found a cream called Eczema, Psoriasis, Dermatitis, Itchy Dry Skin developed by Naturopaths and is cortisone-free. I use this product around my mouth as my moisturiser - it contains calendula, manuka honey, aloe vera, gotukola and licorice root. It doesn't sting when I apply it unlike the other natural stuff that I tried. I am not in any way associated with these companies and don't sell them. I got them from a local chemist and it worked for me so I thought I'd share this advice for those who are getting desperate with their PD. I started taking the probiotics and applying the cream only last Monday night and just after 3 days I can say that my PD is 80% clear. I am so happy and that's why I am sharing this with you. I hope it works for you too and good luck.

BTW, I would like to thank this forum especially the person who suggested taking probiotics (acidophilus). It really is fixing the source of the problem. My advice too is to avoid using creams prescribed by doctors that might be cortisone. I stopped using this to my kids as I don't want them to get PD when they grow older.

Replied by Cyndi
(Syracuse Ny)
12/19/2017

15 days ago my eyelids and under eye got very red, sore, pain and irritated. No discharge just very sore all the time. Also itches and burns. I went to dermatologist and I asked her to do a scrape. She said it will only tell her if it is fungus related nothing else. She said it is not fungus related, and guessed that it is dermatitis. I am not confident she is right so I am seeing an opthamologist as well, and possibly following up with my MD. Afterall I need to make sure these are my eyes. I need relief. What can I do to calm it down. When I used Vit E it did not work.

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
12/20/2017

Cyndi, chamomile tea bags.


Probiotics
Posted by Courtney (Steamboat Springs, Co) on 05/31/2012
★★★★★

The reason that probiotics work for this type of dermatitis is because it's a fungus overgrowth, or candida. I highly recommend doing a yeast diet (no yeast, sugar, dairy) and finding a supplement that will help your body to expell the yeast. It is most definitely in your digestive tract, and probiotics help to balance the overgrowth, which is why many people have success with them. Steroids and other medical creams will not help, they will only (maybe) cover the symptoms. The skin is an organ, and one of its jobs is to detoxify. Any skin problem begins within.


Probiotics
Posted by Katherine (Denver, Co) on 03/06/2012
★★★★☆

I have struggled with Perioral Dermatitis for five months. Of course every person will have different results, I hope my experience can shed some insight for those suffering with this painfully embarrassing condition.

At first I was following my dermatologist's recommendations. She had me on five different products which only slightly reduced the condition, but left me feeling desperate for something better.

After extensive research I removed all Sodium Lauryl Sulfate products from my house, tried yogurt masks, cutting out dairy, cutting out gluten, and using apple cider vinegar. Honestly none of those solutions solved the problem.

I have seen the most success through ingesting probiotics. I prefer a probiotic smoothie offered at most health stores. My POD is not cured, but it is the best it has ever looked. I believe my POD is a result of leaky gut syndrome thus probiotics help with digestion.

I agree with what others have said about taking POD as a karmic lession. I am no longer as conceited about my looks, judgmental of those with acne, and worried about what others think of my apperance. Take it in stride people! Hopefully it won't last forever and will not scar my face. Good luck to you all and I hope you too will be blessed with clear skin once again.


Probiotics
Posted by Christine (Grand Haven, Mi ) on 01/18/2012
★★★★★

I've had perioral dermatitis for years and after reading negative reviews about what the dermatologist recommended, I've been trying natural cures like vinegar and yogurt masks and avoiding SLS and fluoride with no success. I recently decided to deluge my gut with probiotics and prebiotics and I noticed a dramatic difference in about 4 days - My skin no longer burns, itches, or flakes off! I drink 1 - 2 servings of kefir per day, take a full spectrum pro-biotic, digestive enzymes (1 pill), and an aged garlic extract with probiotics (1 pill). I've cut back on sugar but am not really following any special diet. I didn't even put any lotion on today and my skin is smooth. I hope this helps someone out there!