Help!

[anniewa]

I have been diagnosed with perioral dermatitus, but my dermatologists is very hard to get in touch with or answer my questions. I believe i got this from applying betamethasone to my face, i used this for dry patches around the mouth. Since then i noticed bumps and would just continue to use the betamethasone which kept them under control for about a year. When i realized they were caused by the steriod i stopped using it but then it showed up all over my mouth and was extremely red and burning. It also looked terrible. She perscribed me 100 MG Doryx but i didn't see any change for a week and i was leaving for college so i freaked out and started using the steriod again. I got in touch with the derm and she told me to stop the steriod so i did and it looked horrible again, so she told me to stay on the doryx and gave me cutivate lotion, a medium strength corticosteroid. Please help me!
If i stay on this steriod will the Doryx be able to still take effect?
Was this given to wean me off of the Betamethasone?
Will my face ever be normal again :(
I'd appriciate any information!!

[anniewa]

I know i shouldn't be on them at all, but i was just wondering if it is completely impossible to clear while still using the steriod until the antibiotic kicks in. any help anyone?

[anniewa]

Is it possible to wean off a steriod? or does it have to get worse before it gets better.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Yes, your face will be entirely normal again.  When you stop the steroid, the skin flares and can look awful--but you're much better off not using any steroid (going cold turkey) and letting the antibiotic do its work.  It may take a couple of weeks more, but I'm confident you'll clear up completely, and when you do you'll stay clear, as mong as you stay away from cortisone creams on the face.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff