Dermatitis reaction to peppermint

Hi, I am a 22 year old female who has been dealing with dermatitis-like reactions for almost 8 years.  It all began when I was a teenager with normal acne problems.  I began using Clinique's acne products and began breaking out in awful patches on my face - they burned, itched, and were scaly.  I went to the dermatologist and he said to stop using the Clinique products - I did, and it disappeared.  Everything was fine for a couple of years and then all of a suddent I began developing the same symptoms...except this time it was around my mouth and on my lips.  It would come and go quite frequently.  I then started noticing that it seemed to develop where my toothpaste gathered the most.  And I began noticing that I would react very quickly after I brushed my teeth or used peppermint flavored chapstick.  So I returned to the dermatologist and said that I thought I was allergic (or reacted to) toothpaste.  She said this was probably true and to stop using it (great advice).  So, after trying to self treat myself, I use kids bubble gum flavored toothpaste (I don't react to it, yay!) and avoid ALL mint, menthol, cinnamon, etc. flavors.  My concern however, is that I seem to be reacting to more and more substances like mustard, vinegar, garlic, etc.  

My question is: Will this EVER go away?!?!?  I did not have these reactions until I was 14 or so, so I don't think I was born with this.  Will I outgrow this?  Does anyone have any advice on what to do?  My dermatologists (I've tried two) seem to say "just avoid everything."  They gave me Desonide but I don't want to continue using it as a treatment b/c you are not supposed to use it long term.

Can anyone help or at least let me know if I am not the only person out there with this problem?

Thanks...

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It could be eczema, sweat dermatitis, allergic reactions or eczema.

You need to wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You would need to avoid the substances you are allergic to. You could consult an allergy specailsit and see what he/she has to say.

Apply calamine lotion at the site of the lesions and see if it helps. You could take some oral antihistamine medications like cetrizine or loratadine. You need to maintain a good personal hygiene .

Anti-itch drugs, often antihistamine, may reduce the itch during a flare up of eczema, and the reduced scratching in turn reduces damage and irritation to the skin.

For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone or desonide), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).

Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Moisturizing is one of the most important self-care treatments for sufferers of eczema. Keeping the affected area moistened can promote skin healing and relief of symptoms.

It would be advisable to consult a skin specialist for your symptoms and a proper clinical examination.

Let us know if you need any other information and post us on how you are doing.

Regards.