Perioral Dermatitus

I was diagnosed in early july with this condition. Prior to that I was being treated for a rash on my buttock. The reason I bring that up is initially the derm thought this was fungal and treated it with Loprox/lamisil. After three weeks with no improvement a biopsy was performed that showed that this was not fungal but an erythema annulare centrifugum probable. I was checked for lymne which was negative. Derm said rash was probably a allergic reaction to possible something else going on. I was given temovate/ultravate and problem cleared up in 4 weeks. Could useing these creams on my buttock have caused this perioral derm outbreak? The treatment for my perioral derm has been as follows.
July10-aug10 took doryx with no topical oinment. Then derm had me use topical antibiotic erethmcyin. Two weeks ago started me on minocyin 100mg bid. Now my perioral which was mostly confined on my left chin has spread two my nose line areas. He instructed me to keep taking antibiotic and use desowen lotion twice daily where burning/itching occurs. Also I do believe chlorine pool does aggrivate problem. Does fluoride toothpaste? What should I do? Sorry for spelling errors but prescriptions are at home.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Fred:

It takes 3-4 weeks for Minocin to clear up perioral dermatitis.  Neither the buttock rash and its treatment nor chlorinated water causes this problem, whose cause is unknown.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[kc]

I worked for several years in a derm office and the majority of cases of PD was caused from Tarter control toothpaste...maybe this is a solution, try a tp w/ out T. control.