not sure what the cause is

I’m already 95% sure i’m experiencing PD. I guess i’m not sure what to stop or start using to fix it, because i’m not sure what the cause is.

I was prescribed Tret .025% in early December 2025. I never got passed using it one night per week. I was just noticing a little improvement in my acne/scarring. I was using the sandwich method and also putting vaseline in sensitive spots before applying the tret.

End of Jan I was recommended a higher fluoride mouthwash (Therabreath Anticavity) AND sensodyne toothpaste by the dentist . I started using both.

Come february, I was getting so dry around my nose. Living in a cold place plus using tret I figured it was just dry skin. I stopped using the tret. I had no clue what PD was, so I was putting vaseline right on it and layering thicker moisturizer 😐 It would relieve the itch briefly but not much. Then i noticed a dry patch under my eye. And it just got worse from there.

Finally a few weeks ago i figured out what PD is and what I had. It is so itchy and has spread under both of my eyes, both sides of my nose, some above my eyelids and some around my mouth. I stopped using actives weeks ago and have been using only LRP gentle cleanser, avene cicalfate, and diaper rash cream based on this pages recommendations. this routine has brought some minor itch relief but honestly it looks worse. this is the worst my skin has ever been.

I stopped using tret almost 2 months ago and initially thought that was the cause of dry skin and PD. But i have not stopped the mouthwash and sensodyne. I’m only now reading that fluoride could cause the PD? I have an appointment with my derm on april 7 to discuss this but i’d really like to handle it without taking or using an antibiotic. I guess my next step is going back to regular toothpaste and mouthwash i was using before. But i like using sensodyne for my sensitive teeth. is that the cause?

help 😞