WARNING!
Today I talk about gross stuff...
Perioral or periocular dermatitis is a curse. It combines the worst of both acne and eczema. Imagine, if you will, a sea of red inflamed skin dotted with pustules, blanketed in flaky hardened scabs. You should be glad I didn't keep the pictures from “the worst of times”, not pretty. Worst of all is how it makes you feel about yourself. I was quite depressed at one point, refusing to go outside for anything other than work. A person asking “What happened to your face?” was like adding insult to injury. It really hurt my self esteem. I've been struggling with POD for about a year now. Currently I feel as if I’m experiencing the tail end of it. Though, it wasn't too long ago that I was still shedding tears over my condition.
Not much is known about POD. It sprouts up out of
nowhere, and occasionally spreads. Even dermatologists can have trouble
diagnosing it properly. They often prescribe topical steroids, (which make it
worse) or a regimen of oral antibiotics (that destroy your body’s natural
flora). Even if said antibiotics are effective the relapse rate is
quite high. Various sources on the internet have told me that it affects 1 in
10 women. However, while I was afflicted I did not see one other of my peers.
What a nightmare.
I was going through a low point in my life when I
first started to see symptoms. I was working 6-7 days a week;
I wasn't eating right, and started taking birth control pills. Not to
mention all of the more personal troubles going on in my life, at the time. It
was horrible, and POD was the icing on the cake. I desperately scoured
editorials and forums for any information that could help.
What I found was a whole lot. For instance, what
causes POD? It could be several things. Heavy creams and makeup may seal in
bacterial or fungus in your skin causing infection. Dermatologists speculate
that it could be one of the more major reasons it develops. Cosmetics and their
respective brushes can also become contaminated with bacteria if not cleaned
properly (Check out this tutorial http://www.beautylish.com/a/vxivg/how-to-clean-your-makeup). Another cause
could be hidden in your gut. Too much sugars and fermented food/drink can cause
the balance between yeast and bacteria in your intestines to go awry. The
excess waste the yeast produces seeps into your blood, and festers up onto your
face. I’m no doctor, but I think stress plays a big role in POD. Showing
yourself some TLC is fundamental to your recovery. Whatever the origin, it’s
still a huge pain in the butt.
I’ve tried so methods along my journey that I feel
as if I've lost count. The first thing I did was throw away all of my
old cosmetics, creams, and soaps (so much wasted money :,( …). I removed
parabens and sulphides from my beauty routine, and switched over to more
natural products. (A good rule of thumb for me is if I can understand the
label.)
MY routine is now simplified down to the bare basics. Cleanse ,(Neutrogena Naturals, fresh cleansing + makeup remover, $7 at Walmart). Any bland and gentle cleanser will do. Nothing that's abrasive or is harsh on skin.
Tone (Thayers Natural Remedies, Alcohol-free witch hazel with organic aloe vera, $12, Local health food store). This toner contains grapefruit seed extract, which is quite a heavy hitter for people with POD.
Moisturize, (Weleda, Calendula Baby face cream, $16, local health food store). I cannot go without the calendula cream. I think it did the most good for my face. Formulated to soothe sensitive skin with sweet almond oil. I hear California Baby has a calendula cream that is quite good as well.
I've tried probiotics both by consuming active
culture yogurt and gel capsules, they helped a bit but the results
weren't drastic. One thing I tried that did a good job helping out was; Bell,
Help for skin disorders #60. It’s a blood purifier made with a blend
of cleansing herbs.
There are many things that “work” but overall
I think the only cure is total body health. I repeat, there is no quick fix! To
heal yourself requires commitment, time, and research. I switched to fluoride free toothpaste. I halved my sugar
intake and stopped drinking booze (it’s been hard). I eat healthier now,
and work out often. I feel like though having POD has been arduous, it’s taught
me to take care of myself. How’s that for a positive spin on things?
Some words of wisdom from someone who's been there;
you've suffered enough, don’t beat yourself up about it. Now’s the time to take
care of you! Pursue your hobbies, and try your best to have fun. This may seem
insurmountable, but gather your strength. This is only the beginning of your
journey. I wish you a better tomorrow.
Sincerely,
A friend.
Images courtesy of Google search, all pictures are property of their respective owners.
Images courtesy of Google search, all pictures are property of their respective owners.
