Top 5 Natural Remedies for Perioral Dermatitis: A Holistic Approach
Are you struggling with the daily discomfort and frustration of perioral dermatitis?
If you’re anything like me, then you know that perioral dermatitis is one damn annoying skin condition. It’s generally characterized as red bumps that can turn into dry, flakey patches around the mouth, under the nose and can even creep up to around the eyes. It’s often mistaken for acne as the bumps can have the appearance of a pimple.
While conventional treatments like antibiotics and creams exist, the results are often short lived. On the other hand, natural remedies can help you effectively manage and even eliminate your symptoms in the long run. Here are my top five natural remedies to consider for managing perioral dermatitis:
1. Reduce Inflammation with Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Inflammation plays a significant role in skin conditions like perioral dermatitis. Embracing an anti-inflammatory diet can reduce flare-ups and aid in keeping the condition under control. Aim to incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring), flaxseeds and chia seeds. Additionally, berries, carrots, turmeric root and dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and bok choy are all superfoods with strong antioxidant properties that aid in calming skin inflammation. Opt for a balanced diet that prioritizes protein, healthy fats and antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables to promote skin health from within. Try recipes like my antioxidant-rich strawberry milkshake.
2. Support Your Liver with Herbs like Milk Thistle
The liver plays a pivotal role in detoxification. Herbs such as milk thistle contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that support liver function. When the liver is overloaded, the body will look for secondary sources for detoxification and that includes the skin. By aiding your liver’s ability to cleanse toxins from the body, this will alleviate the need to detox via the skin reducing the overall symptoms of perioral dermatitis as a result.
3. Simplify Your Skin Care Routine
Complex skincare products with various chemicals such as sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate and over exfoliating can exacerbate skin irritation. Simplify your routine by sticking to the basics: gently cleanse, moisturize and stick to gentle, natural skincare products like those by Osmia Skincare, 100% Pure or CV Skinlabs. Opt for fragrance-free, hypoallergenic options, and avoid harsh cleansers or exfoliants that can further irritate sensitive skin affected by perioral dermatitis.
4. Manage Stress with Daily Movement and/or Meditation
Stress is linked to inflammatory skin conditions as it leads to a spike in blood sugar and cortisol. By engaging in daily physical activity, such as weight training, yoga, walking or other forms of exercise, these can act as an outlet for stress and help promote overall well-being. Additionally, practicing meditation or mindfulness techniques can help you with managing day-to-day stressors. By addressing your stress levels, you can alleviate symptoms of perioral dermatitis by reducing overall inflammation in the body.
5. Determine the Root Cause
For more stubborn cases, it is crucial that you understand the state of your gut health when dealing with skin conditions as the gut and the skin are closely tied. A functional stool test such as the GI-MAP can provide valuable insights into your digestive system, identifying any imbalances or underlying issues such as SIBO, candida, H. Pylori, parasites and/or other pathogenic bacteria. If all else has failed, addressing any underlying gut health issues found in a stool test with your nutritionist and/or other health practitioner can be very effective in significantly alleviating perioral dermatitis.
By incorporating these natural remedies into your lifestyle and finding the root cause of what is causing your perioral dermatitis, you can take proactive steps towards eliminating your symptoms. From my personal experience, skin conditions can be finicky and require patience and consistency for long-term relief.
Perioral dermatitis often is a sign from your body that there is a deeper imbalance that needs to be addressed and as you work towards rebalancing your body you’ll also see your skin improve over time!
If you are feeling hopeless and defeated by your perioral dermatitis then I encourage you to explore these natural remedies and book a call with me to dive deeper into your individual case.