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How To Treat Perioral Dermatitis

If you’re like others suffering the dry, red, itchy, bumpy, rash around your nose, mouth, chin (and sometimes even eyes!) that is a hallmark of perioral dermatitis, you’ll also understand how frustrating it is to treat.

Perhaps you’ve felt confused by conflicting advice about how to treat perioral dermatitis and wonder what the most safe and effective treatment is.

And, you may be tired of spending hundreds of dollars on skincare products, supplements, and antibiotics, only to see your perioral dermatitis continually reappear.

You’re not alone. We see many perioral dermatitis sufferers, and they tell us their similar frustrations with treating their skin. But, there is an answer. And it begins by understanding that perioral dermatitis can be treated with an individualised approach.

QR8 Mediskin is a doctor-prescribed and nurse-supported skincare service designed to address your specific perioral dermatitis challenges with evidence-based perioral dermatitis treatments that are simple to use (just a few minutes each day).

We help you:

  • Get a medical assessment of your skin – not all rashes around the mouth, nose, chin and eyes are perioral dermatitis!
  • Get a simple-to use, at-home, perioral dermatitis treatment cream with evidence-based ingredients that are demonstrated to reduce perioral dermatitis flare ups, itchy bumps and dry, sore skin
  • Understand the many causes of perioral dermatitis, and how to manage these in the long-term, including the important role that simple skincare plays
  • Find simple and inexpensive skincare products that support your skin, and understand the application techniques that can reduce perioral dermatitis flare ups

Our online skincare team gets to know you and your skin (using a detailed questionnaire combined with a secure video consultation) and prescribes a science-backed treatment from a choice of 20+ evidence-based ingredients that are targeted and blended for your specific skin condition.

As part of your treatment you also receive comprehensive skincare recommendations and ongoing support from our dermatology nurse via SMS, phone, email, and or video call.

What Is Perioral Dermatitis?

Perioral Dermatitis (PD) is a frustrating skin disease, that can become chronic, and relapse is common. It’s more accurate name is ‘Periorificial Dermatitis‘ (POD) as it frequently involves the skin around other orifices such as the nose and eyes, not just the mouth and chin.

PD is an increasingly common condition involving impaired skin barrier function. Initially, a trigger disturbs the skin barrier and increases transepidermal water loss (TEWL), leading to dry skin in the affected area (usually around the mouth, not involving the lips).

Often the discomfort of dry skin leads people to introduce active cosmetic ingredients to combat this, producing further irritation, burning pain, itching and redness, with clusters of tiny, 1-2mm acne-like lesions, overlying red, dry, scaly skin.

Many people mistake these lesions for acne or maskne (mask acne), and add anti-acne or anti-fungal treatments to their routine, further drying and irritating the skin, and making matters much worse. Without treatment, the lesions typically fuse together into larger areas, and can spread from the mouth to the creases leading up to and around the nose, and even the lower eyelids.

PD most often affects light-skinned women in their 20s-30s, although men are now becoming increasingly affected, with use of active cosmetic products becoming commonplace in both sexes, especially after-shave in men. An estimated 1 in 100 people experience a PD episode each year.

The majority of people affected by PD also have a history of hayfever, eczema and/or asthma.

What Causes Perioral Dermatitis?

For those susceptible to PD, a number of possible causes have been suggested, although what exactly causes perioral dermatitis is not well understood. It’s thought that a combination of a person’s genetics, their environment, and their immune system’s response to triggers all play a part.

The range of reported triggers involves everything from long term term use of inhaled, oral and topical steroids, fluoridated and anti-tartar toothpastes, overuse of cosmetic actives that irritate the skin (sometimes even high SPF sunscreens), sunlight, exposure to cold winds, hormonal factors (some people notice their PD worsens around their period, when taking the contraceptive pill or during pregnancy), to dental fillings, and even chewing gum. Different microbiological causes have also been suggested, where the skin microbiome is disrupted – such as overgrowth of certain bacteria, yeasts like Candida albicans or a skin mite called Demodex folliculorum.

What we do know is that Perioral Dermatitis can get out of control quickly without starting the right treatment early. Click HERE to see what can happen.

How Does The Skin Barrier Play a Part in Perioral Dermatitis?

An impaired skin barrier may predispose people to PD. Perioral Dermatitis sufferers are thought to be ‘hyper-reactors’ and have impaired skin barrier function and increased transepidermal water loss compared to non-PD-sufferers, therefore their response to triggers is heightened.

Read more about the important job your skin barrier does HERE and what an impaired skin barrier looks like HERE.

Do I Have Perioral Dermatitis or Maskne?

Prolonged mask wearing can cause irritation that can trigger Perioral Dermatitis. But PD and Maskne can also be two different skin conditions. PD is often confused with acne, eczema, contact dermatitis, rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis, so diagnosis by an experienced doctor is essential to receiving the correct treatment.

Many of the treatments for these other conditions can cause periorificial dermatitis to become worse, leading to long periods of discomfort and an unsightly rash.

Perioral Dermatitis can be tricky to diagnose & manage. If this all makes your head spin, don’t worry – the most important part of perioral dermatitis treatment is ensuring that you’re getting diagnosed accurately, treated quickly, and have ongoing support and detailed advice on hand for when you need it.

Read more about Maskne HERE.

Can I Treat Perioral Dermatitis With A Steroid Cream?

Steroid creams generally make a perioral dermatitis rash look less angry for a few days, but cause it to flare much worse when the steroid is removed.

Sometimes this cycle is repeated multiple times before consulting a doctor experienced in treating Perioral Dermatitis – so the dermatitis is severe before even beginning an appropriate treatment! At Qr8 Mediskin we use treatments designed to reduce inflammation, without the need for a topical steroid cream.

Oh, and in case you’re tempted to try home remedies like apple cider vinegar or anti-dandruff shampoo to treat your Perioral Dermatitis – there’s absolutely zero evidence that they do anything (other than burn already tender and damaged skin).

WHAT’S THE BEST
PERIORAL DERMATITIS TREATMENT?

Our Qr8 MediSkin doctors take the time to diagnose you properly and understand your skin. Our detailed questionnaire allows our doctors to understand how your skin condition developed, and, together with the photos you submit with your questionnaire, helps them diagnose your skin accurately. Then they can customise the best Perioral Dermatitis treatment product for you. Without the need to visit a GP, dermatologist, or wait in line at the pharmacy.

Because the best treatment for Perioral Dermatitis is taking a ‘less is more’ skincare approach, our expert Skincare Support Team will design a simple, personalised and evidence-based skincare routine with you to identify skincare causes for Perioral Dermatitis, support your treatment, and repair your skin barrier. This will also help you get the best from your treatment, and minimise your Perioral Dermatitis repeatedly coming back.

Sometimes, just identifying the triggers for your Perioral Dermatitis and removing these, along with fixing a damaged skin barrier, will be enough to cure your Perioral Dermatitis. Your doctor may refer you to our Skin Barrier Repair Service for treatment. This service offers more time with our experienced Dermatology Nurse, weekly check-ins and an evidence-based skincare kit (including a cleanser and moisturiser suitable for Perioral Dermatitis), to help you repair your skin barrier and heal your Perioral Dermatitis.

Get Your Personalised Perioral Dermatitis Treatment In
Four Simple Steps

01

Detailed
Questionnaire & Photos

Tell us about yourself and the challenges you’re having with your skin. Click here to get started.

02

Online Consult

Schedule a Video Consultation with one of our Trained Doctors who will diagnose your skin and prescribe a medical treatment cream specifically for you.

03

Receive Treatment

Your very own custom treatment will be delivered within days via Medical Express Shipping.

04

Expert Support

Schedule a Video Consultation with our nurse to receive your personal skincare recommendations, then get ongoing support via SMS, phone, email, or video call during your 3-month treatment cycle.

Your Customised Prescription Perioral Dermatitis Treatment Medication

Our Perioral Dermatitis creams include a combination of calming, soothing treatment ingredients designed just for you.
Sometimes a low dose antibiotic (we call this ‘sub-antimicrobial’) is prescribed to help with inflammation, without impairing your gut microbiome in the process.

We even have pregnancy-safe options!

Tacrolimus
Ceramides
Prescription Retinol
Cholesterol
Aza Acid
Niacinamide
Bisabolol
Plant Sterols
4-t-Butylcyclohexanol
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid

Read more about how our PD treatment works here.

Do I need to spend a lot of money on skincare to support my Perioral Dermatitis treatment?

Skincare triggers for Perioral Dermatitis can include: essential oils, fragrances, daily exfoliant use or high strength exfoliants, or products with long ingredient lists with lots of actives. Luckily, excellent skincare is available without these triggers, and at very reasonable price points. Click HERE to read what our founder, Dr Michele Squire, told Mamamia Australia about expensive skincare (all our patients receive personalized 1:1 advice from our Skincare Support Team about inexpensive skincare products to support their PD treatment product. It’s part of our all-inclusive cost – read more in our FAQ.

How long before Perioral Dermatitis Heals?

Perioral Dermatitis can be stubborn, and treatment takes time. In some instances, the most effective management for Perioral Dermatitis can require 3-4 months of ongoing treatment, even beyond the time that symptoms disappear in order to prevent recurrence. And the earlier the correct treatment is commenced, the quicker we achieve resolution.

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Your Biggest
Questions Answered

What skin conditions can QR8 treat?

We have customisable medical solutions for:

  • Skin ageing concerns (lines & wrinkles, sagging skin, pigmentation)
  • Sun damage
  • Acne
  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
  • Melasma
  • Texture, congestion, enlarged pores
  • Rosacea
  • Perioral Dermatitis

Our doctors only prescribe skin treatments where it is safe and appropriate to do so. You may be advised during your consult that it is in your best interests to see a dermatologist or other medical professional in person.

How much does it cost?

Our 3-month service is supportive, all-inclusive,  and convenient – no more trips to the pharmacy or GP, no waiting in line, no unexpected costs, and no more wasted money on skincare products that don’t work. Just effective, evidence-based results with minimal wait time.

The one-off cost of $220 / 3 months includes:

  • A review of your questionnaire and photos by your doctor prior to your video consult
  • A 1:1 video consult to design your treatment plan with an experienced doctor
  • 50g treatment cream with a customised blend of prescription-only active ingredients sufficient for 3 months of daily application. Our ingredients are the gold-standard for treating skin concerns like acne, sun damage, pigmentation, melasma, rosacea, lines & wrinkles, sun damage, and perioral dermatitis. The concentration and inclusion of active ingredients will be customised to suit your specific skin requirements and allergies/intolerences. We can generally treat multiple concerns in a single cream but sometimes you may require more than 1 cream to address your concerns. Your doctor will discuss this with you, and provide treatment options to fit with your goals and budget. The cost for 2 creams purchased in a single transaction is $380 (discounted from $440).
  • Detailed instructions
  • Australia Post Medical Express delivery to your door within 5 working days following payment
  • Unlimited SMS, email and phone support by our expert support team for 3 months
  • A video skincare routine consult with our dermatology nurse to assess your current skincare products to ensure they are safe to use with medical treatment creams, including personalised product recommendations if required
  • Access to our patient library
  • Monthly virtual masterclasses
  • Discounts, gifts and giveaways exclusive to our MediSkin patients

PLEASE NOTE: There is no government Medicare or private health telehealth rebate currently available for our service. You may be able to claim the drug component of the service on your private health (and we can provide a receipt for this upon request.

Can I claim it on private health insurance?

Yes, you may be able to claim the prescription cream component of your treatment using Extras cover on your private health insurance.

The rebate amount will differ depending on your fund and level of cover, but we’re happy to provide you with a pharmacy receipt that you can present to your insurer to help you claim your rebate.

Unfortunately, neither Medicare nor private health insurers currently offer rebates for the telehealth or support components of our service. However, we believe that our support services are an essential part of your treatment plan and we’re committed to providing you with the best possible care and attention.

How long does it take to arrive?

We’re so excited to help you achieve your skincare goals with our personalised treatment! Our team is dedicated to processing your order quickly, so you can start seeing the benefits as soon as possible.

Once our Qr8 admin team receive your payment, we’ll process your order within 24 working hours and confirm with you via text message. Then the pharmacy will work hard to compound your treatment promptly. Please allow 2-5 working days for your treatment to be compounded and shipped.

For your peace of mind, please note that orders cannot be safe dropped and will require a signature on delivery. If you’re not available to sign for your order, it will be taken to the closest post office for collection. If the order is not collected within 5 working days, it will be returned to the pharmacy.

Your order will be shipped directly from the pharmacy to the address you provided on your form, so please ensure this is up-to-date. If your address changes, or you have a special request for your delivery, please let us know so we can update your details and ensure a seamless delivery.

Do I have to subscribe?

We want you to feel completely in control of your treatment, which is why we’re not a subscription service. You’ll never have to worry about us taking money from your account without your permission.

Instead, you’ll be the one in charge of your payments. Every three months, we will remind you to book with your doctor for a progress and treatment review, and you can decide when the pharmacy dispenses your treatment.

Then we’ll take care of all the logistics for you, so you can focus on what matters most – getting the results you want.

How do I pay?

After your video consult, your doctor will send you an email confirming your recommended treatment plan and cost. We want to make sure you have all the details you need to make an informed decision about your treatment.

If you are ready to move forward, simply log into your profile using the link in the email, and pay the invoice. We process all orders within 24 working hours of payment being cleared into our account.

To make the payment process as easy as possible, we accept online payments via Visa and Mastercard, and we also offer Afterpay. You can also pay by direct debit. The choice is yours!

If you have any questions or concerns about payment or the treatment process, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team HERE, or phone us on (07) 3325-9700 M-F, during QLD business hours.

Meet our Founder

Dr Michele Squire

PhD, BSc (Hons), BBus, BN

Dr Michele Squire, PhD scientist and former healthcare executive and Registered Nurse, recognised the crucial synergy between medicine, science and skincare in treating chronic skin concerns. In 2019, she established Qr8 (pronounced ‘curate’), a ground-breaking venture aimed at offering video telehealth-delivered medical treatment and uncomplicated skincare guidance rooted in scientific evidence. By promoting evidence-based medicine and combining it with the kind of expert support known to significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients, Qr8 empowers patients to make informed decisions about their skin and get results.

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Meet our Clinical Team

Dr Kristina Jonaityte

Vrac, FRACGP AHPRA Registration Number:MED0001907048

Dr Kristina has a keen interest in skincare and skin health. Helping her patients achieve their best skin and improve their self-confidence is the part of her practice she enjoys most.⁠ She believes beautiful skin needs commitment, not a miracle, combined with a knowledgeable support team to help patients reach their best skin health!

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Dr Yeshika Naidoo

MBBS, FRACGP AHPRA Registration Number:MED0000962959

Dr Yeshika focusses on what the patient is trying to achieve and adapts their treatment according to their individual lifestyles. She loves to see long-term and returning patients who are happy with their results, and she finds this to be the most rewarding part of her practice.

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Dr Sarah Newby

MD AHPRA Registration Number:MED0002066429

Dr Sarah has a warm and empathetic approach to her practice and listens deeply to ensure that she can work with patients to get to the root of the problem and arrive at an effective solution together. She finds being trusted with her patient’s stories and seeing how simple changes can make a world of difference to be the most rewarding part of her practice.

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Dr Jeremy Chou

MChD, FRACGP AHPRA Registration Number:MED0002066673

Dr Jeremy is holistic, thorough, and willing to take the necessary time and care to ensure his patients are empowered to take charge of their health. He specifically enjoys seeing patients enjoy positive results and become empowered to make better decisions for their skin and wellbeing.

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Dr Kathy Robinson

MBBS, MSc (Pharmacy), MForensMed, FACLM AHPRA Registration Number:MED0001399354

Dr Kathy combines science and evidence-based practice with a warm and compassionate approach to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients. She enjoys seeing the holistic benefits for patients that come with achieving great skin health and providing patients with the knowledge and tools to empower them to maintain great skin for life.

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Dr Maeve Anna

MBChB, BSc Med Sci (Hons), MSc (Aesthetic Med) AHPRA Registration Number:MED0001841436

Dr Maeve Anna approaches her patient’s skin concerns with warmth and empathy. Her personal journey with skin became the driving force behind her Master’s Degree Thesis which focused specifically on the science of skincare in Acne, her area of particular interest. Dr Maeve gains significant fulfilment from contributing to the positive transformation of her patients’ self-esteem throughout their treatment.

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Dr Hamish Beeston

BPharm, MBBS, FRACGP AHPRA Registration Number:MED0001998401

Dr Hamish’s approach to practice is personable and professional which allows him to connect with patients, easily understand their problems, and create effective solutions. Being able to find and create solutions to people’s concerns is his favourite part of his practice.

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Nurse Kristen Meiklejohn

EEN AHPRA Registration Number:NMW0001612708

Kristen is an integral part of our Qr8 MediSkin Skincare Support Team. If you have questions, need skincare product recommendations, or help setting up a simple but personalised skincare routine to support your prescription treatment, Kristen is your skincare guardian angel.⁠⁠

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Pharmacist Matthew Belgrove

BPharm AHPRA Registration Number:PHA0000982524

I have been a pharmacist for 14 years, owned and worked in a variety of Pharmacies including NCC for the last 10 years. When not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife, 4 kids & dog and also swim, bike and running. I find compounding pharmacy a rewarding profession because of NCC’s ability to customise medicine for any type of patient. I often find ourselves solving challenges which standard medicine couldn’t and the gratitude from Patients is very humbling.

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References

Your Customised Perioral
Dermatitis Treatment

Is ONLY A Few Clicks Away

You’ve heard the science that enables QR8 Mediskin to work so well. You’ve seen the difference in real customers. Isn’t it time to try QR8 Mediskin for yourself? Click the button below to get started.