If you are a regular reader of our website, you have likely already traveled down the conventional medicine path and concluded that it doesn't have all the answers. Or at least the answers that solve their issues.
In the case of Perioral Dermatitis, conventional medicine will typically prescribe topical corticosteroids - which ironically is a leading casual factor in the pathogenesis of perioral dermatitis in the first place. Down below is a list of common prescriptions written upon a doctor visit to treat this problem.
Conventional Approach To Perioral Dermatitis:
- Tetracyclines
- Topical Metronidazole
- Topical Azelaic Acid
- Adapalene gel
- Oral Isotretinoin
Not coincidentally, the pharmaceutical industry only exacerbates the symptoms because it does not address the underlying problem. Perioral Dermatitis is an issue only natural solutions can effectively address because it is a gut health issue and scripts do not improve GI health issues.
WHAT IS PERIORAL DERMATITIS?
The Cleveland Clinic defines Perioral Dermatitis as the following, "having a red rash around your mouth. [The] skin might be scaly and flaky with inflamed bumps that can itch and burn. Sometimes the rash spreads to the nose and eyes." These are common perioral dermatitis symptoms, which can often look like acne and are considered unsightly. So of course, people want to get rid of it as quickly as possible.
Perioral Dermatitis affects about 3 million Americans - and that number is climbing. A majority of the cases impact children and women. Many conventional websites, like the Cleveland clinic, will state there is no known or reproducible cure for this, but it is because they are unwilling to look at the gastrological cause.
CAUSES OF PERIORAL DERMATITIS
Interestingly, the triggers for Perioral Dermatitis mirror those of leaky gut. There are a few exceptions that pertain specifically to the outer dermal layer - otherwise it is a perfect overlap.
- Stress and anxiety
- Fluoride toothpaste
- Oral contraceptives
- Coffee
- Hormonal imbalances & changes
- Bacterial or fungal infections
- Topical steroids
- Facial creams, cleansers, makeups, etc.
- Sunscreen
- Poor diet
- Sugar
- Processed foods
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
Progressive doctors, like those practicing holistic medicine and Osteopathic physicians, have properly identified the connection to leaky gut and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). It also can not be spread from person to person - neither can poor gut health.
What does seem to work momentary are immune-suppressive creams and antibiotics. Ultimately, this is not a good path to take. The reason this works temporarily, is it addresses the autoimmune response centered in the digestive track and the overpopulation of deleterious bacteria that are entering the body via the gut causing this immune flare up.
We have spoken at length about the connection in other articles between SIBO / leaky gut and the autoimmune response. In the case of Perioral Dermatitis, the immune system has been triggered by the inflow of pathogens, bacteria and partially digested food through the breakdown of the digestive lining. The immune response stops being localized when this is a pervasive issue and starts to show on the face. There is also a connection to candida overgrowth - which is also associated with SIBO and leaky gut.
