u/TsunamiVelocity

I wanted to share my journey because this subreddit gave me hope when I was losing mine. I'm a Pharmacy Technician in Tanzania, where access to gentle, fragrance-free skincare is limited. If I can heal here, you can too.

The Flare-Up:

This started after using a steroid cream (Betamethasone) for about two weeks. At first my skin looked great, but when I stopped, it rebounded hard. Around the same time, I used an apricot facial scrub, which I'm sure made things worse. I don't know if it was the steroid, the scrub, or the combination, but my face erupted. Redness. Bumps. That rough, sandpapery texture.

I was terrified to put anything on my skin.

What I Did:

Water only for cleansing. No soap. No scrubs. My skin was too angry for anything else.
Metronidazole gel on active bumps. This helped calm the pustules significantly.
Doxycycline 100mg twice daily - oral antibiotic. This did the heavy lifting. Always taken with food.
Non-comedogenic face wash once my skin calmed down enough to tolerate it. I won't name a specific brand because availability varies. Just find one that's gentle and non-comedogenic.
Moisturizer - my skin healed but my cheeks became dry and chapped. I found one that worked (Neutrogena Refreshingly Clear) and patch tested for 72 hours. No reaction. Now it's part of my routine.

My Current Routine:

Morning: Gentle face wash + moisturizer
Evening: Gentle face wash + moisturizer
Doxycycline 100mg BD (continuing for two months total)
Metronidazole gel only as needed on active bumps
Avoid the eye area with new products

What I Learned:

Patch test everything. For 72 hours. Even if you're desperate.
Moisturizer is not the enemy. A broken skin barrier makes PD worse.
Steroid creams can cause rebound flares when stopped. Be careful.
Harsh scrubs on compromised skin are a bad idea.
Doxycycline takes time. Don't taper too early.
You can heal even with limited products. You don't need a 10-step routine. You need patience, the right treatment, and a very simple routine.

Disclaimer: This is my personal experience, not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Happy to answer questions. I know how isolating this feels. Hang in there, it does get better.

Hi everyone. I'm from Tanzania and I'm trying to get my start on a cruise ship. I'm a Pharmacy Technician with about 6 years of hospital experience, and I was lucky enough to volunteer on the Global Mercy (Mercy Ships) in Sierra Leone for a bit. So I have a small idea of what ship life is like, but I know working on a cruise ship is a whole different world.

I've been applying to a few lines (Carnival, NCL, Royal Caribbean, MSC, Explora) for pretty much anything I might qualify for; healthcare assistant, storekeeper, night auditor, floor runner. Honestly, I'm not in a position to be picky. I just want a chance to work and prove myself.

I speak English fluently and I have a valid passport, so I'm ready to go if something comes up.

I'd be really grateful for any advice on:

Which roles or cruise lines are more open to international applicants?
Is there anything I can do to make my applications stand out?
Should I get STCW or a Seaman's Book first, or wait until I have an offer?
If anyone knows of any openings or would be willing to point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

My Perioral Dermatitis Journey: From Flare-Up to Healed (Almost) - What Actually Worked (Tanzania, Limited Products Available)

Pharmacy Tech with shipboard experience (Mercy Ships), looking for any foot in the door.