The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Elderly Skin Care
Posted by Susan (San Antonio, Tx) on 07/24/2013
My 92 year old dad hands have red blotches & turning very dark in color, almost black. Also his skin tears easily esp. On top of his hands. Any suggested remedies? Thanks, Susan
Sticky Skin
Posted by Klamerka (Katowice, Poland) on 07/19/2013
I've been struggling with the problem mentioned above for some time and thought maybe someone here might have a remedy for this.
Here is what bothers me: When my skin is damp (eg. After getting out of the shower and waiting for 5 minutes) it gets sticky, just plain sticky and it irritates me really bad. I read some information on the subject and no one has found a cure yet. Some say it is due to mold poisoning or mold spores laying on the skin, some that due to chemicals in body wash or water itself.
It may be partially true since I noticed my water provider started adding more chlorine to the water about 6 months ago. Another clue is that I've been using tea tree oil to treat the embarassing condition called pearly penile papules on my penis that is now the most sticky part of my body (unfortunately with no results), constantly for about 7 months and I read the tea tree oil is antibacterial, so maybe I created an ideal environment for the fungus to spread, I don't know...
Does anyone have any solution to this?
Sticky Skin
Posted by Hercy (Brownwood, Texas, Usa) on 07/19/2013
Try Indian Clay... Have had success in healing several different skin problems in our family. Make a paste in a bowl with the clay and water, then apply to the skin (in the bath tub), rinse after approximately 10 - 15 minutes.
The Indian Healing Clay Powder can be purchased at most Health Food Stores.
In one instance, we first applied vaseline (Vegetable grade), then followed with the paste of clay. In this case we finished up with a bath, using Castile soap to remove the vaseline. The skin was very inflamed and red... Immediately the symptom disappeared. Hard to believe, but our Schnauzer needed help, so also works on your pets and Equine.
Burning Skin Remedies
Posted by Johnny (Watertown, Massachusetts) on 05/24/2013
My skin feels like sunburned: I have been feeling like my skin is sunburned in certain areas like the shoulders, arms, and thighs. Some days having clothes kind of irritating. Would deeply appreciate some kind relief.
Burning Skin Remedies
Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 05/25/2013
Let's see.... Did you try on new clothes? Get some new fabric softener sheets, new laundry soap? New medicine, tea, food or vitamin? Did you get into an area that was treated with chemicals? Neighbor spray their yard or fertilize? Treat one of your pets for fleas, or bug bomb the house? Spray room freshener, or a new scented candle in the house? When did it start? Just a baseline! Maybe a new pet ? New carpet.... Painted rooms?
Burning Skin Remedies
Posted by Courtney (Granite Bay, Ca) on 05/26/2013
It sounds like you might have shingles. Did you have Chicken Pox as a child? If so, you might want to look into shingles as a possibility.
Burning Skin Remedies
Posted by KT (The Usa) on 05/30/2013
I agreed with Courtney and wondered if you followed up with a shingles inquiry.
Steroid Cream
Posted by Diane (Los Angeles, Cal.) on 01/28/2013
I may be suffering from Steroid Cream side effects with eczema now on part of both feet and red skin syndrome on my legs. Does anyone know what to do to get this out of one's system? Would appreciate help. Thanks
Steroid Cream
Posted by Sp (Wb, Nj, USA) on 01/29/2013
Hi Diane, I just found out about itsan. Org, the international topical steroid addiction network through a post at this great site the other day. I have been going through the withdrawl for a year and two months now. Nothing really helps much, sorry. At least no one has made that discovery yet. But you can talk to other people who are dealing with it and find out what they do. Go to the site and you can get information and join their google group to talk to other people going through this and how they cope with the flares. I wish I had known about the site, and the phenomena, when I decided to stop using the steroid cream. I was suffering alone and didn't understand what was happening to me. None of the eczema remedies I tried worked because it's not really eczema, it's your skin/body detoxing the steroids and having terrible withdrawl symptoms. You are reacting to the steroids, not what you had for dinner. You should find a single ingredient moisturizer that works for you, like coconut oil or mineral oil. You can apply sea salt water to your skin after a shower (it stings! ), to help with the itching. Right now I'm using GSE in filtered water sprayed on my skin after my shower and throughout the day. These are things I did that helped me deal with it. Most things I tried had no effect or irritated my sensitive skin worse. Like I said, you can find out how other people are dealing with it at that site and hopefully find something that will work for you and at the very least understand what is happening to you and know that you are not alone. Good luck!
General Feedback
Posted by Missstarlady (Houston, Texas, Us) on 12/22/2012
I just wanted to relay some information that happened to me and my 14 year old Cocker mix. He was diagosed in 2011 with Cuhing, started on Trilostane, in addition I took him off commercial dog food and home cooked for him and he seemed to be doing vey well. About 7-8 months later he devloped an area on his right from lower left in the part that is indented which was raw, cherry red, moist and all the hair disappeared from that area. He began licking it constantly and he was given a topical antibiotic ointment which did not work and it took close to 5 months for it to heal. During this time he began getting raw red spots on which the hair would disappear on his back underneath his hair. I took him regularly to his vet for treatment, which consistd of various antibiotics for every type of bacterial and fungal infection, nothing worked.
On one day I took him back to notify the vet that the latest antibiotic treatment did not work and it was getting worse and worse with every type of red rash, patches, plaques and open lesions now extending to his abdomen and groin area. The vet that was there that day, (a different vet than who he had been seeing) immediately recognized that what he had was not an allergy or any type of infection but what she believed to be lymphosarcoma. She found enlarged popliteal lymph nodes and did an aspirate from a node and it indeed came back from the lab as positive for lymphoma. They told me I would have to see an oncologist. It turned out he had a very rare form of lymphoma called epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma. He is now receiving chemotherapy but there is no cure only hopes of achieving remissions which do not last long.
If your dog has any type of skin disorder which does not respond to treatment within a reasonable amount of time and/or continues to worsen get a biopsy, aspirate, skin scraping or some type of testing done and do not waste precious time trying alot of different forms of treatment. You are not only losing what could be very precious time, but also alot of money.
Pachyonychia Congenita
Posted by Janie D (Mattoon, Illinois, Usa) on 09/21/2012
I was wondering if there might be any of you readers here that have ever heard of a very rare disease called Pachyonychia Congenita, pronounced - "Pack-e-o-knee-kia". It is a rare disease that affects the skin and the nails. I am now awaiting a DNA test to confirm what I have pretty much known I had all my life. I just didn't know it had a name until my youngest daughter found it on the internet a few years back. I had also passed PC on to her! If you know of someone who has this, I would love to hear about it. There are only about 1,000 cases in the entire world with this rare skin disease. It is important that we try to get as many people registered with the PC Project so that a cure may be found. Please go to pachyonychiacongenita.org or you can google PC Project to find out what it is. I have followed so many ideas and solutions on this website from you guys, and they have really helped in making living with this disease so much more tolerable.
Thank you Earth Clinic for all your wonderful ideas and to all the wonderful people who offer their suggestions. This site is truly a Godsend.
Pilomatrixoma
Posted by Annie (Berkeley, Ca) on 03/11/2013
Hi Tara, I would love to know what you found out. My 8 yr old daughter has just been diagnosed with pilomatrixoma on her eyebrow. Again, the Dr has suggested surgery, but I would like to try a natural remedy before we go down that route. Many thanks
Pilomatrixoma
Posted by Kirsten (Vancouver) on 05/24/2016
Hi,
My daughter also have been diagnose with a pilomatricoma. It is on her forehead. Surgery has also bee the recommend. Did either of you find an alternate way to treat this? I hope both you girls and doing well! Thanks so much for any advise you may have.
Pilomatrixoma
Posted by Chai (Terre Haute ) on 11/28/2016
Any luck on natural treatment for pilomatricoma???
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Abhishek (Muzaffarpur, Bihar) on 10/29/2012
How can I reduce my ichtyhosis skin problem?
Kefir
Posted by Rae (Chicago, Il, United States) on 09/27/2012
My teenage son has itchy armpits and the skin around his armpits is now dark and thick. I live in the U.S. So can my son just apply some liquid dairy kefir onto his armpits over night to try your solution? I do not know what you mean by kefir "grains". Thanks for your assistance!
Discoloration
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 09/06/2012
Milk thistle makes it less red looking. I have tiny red blood vessels on my nose and cheeks and the milk thistle seems to make my face and hands less red looking. I just take one capsule a day, the bottle says you can take three a day. I have celiac and lupus type symptoms.
Dry Skin
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 09/06/2012
★★★★★
I used to have dry flaky skin on the backs of my hands, it would crack and bleed, especially in the winter and if I washed my hands a lot. Lotion only fixed it temporarily. Rubbing tea tree oil mixed with olive oil into my hands made it go away, now they are smooth and soft, even the knuckles. I didn't measure, just mixed a little of each. I like to put it on my feet when I wear sandals so they stay fresh. Some people really dislike the smell of tea tree oil.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ivachka (Goes, Zeeland, Netherlands) on 09/05/2012
★☆☆☆☆
Hello Ted, please help me. I use acv to get rid of a black spot on my lip. The acv has darkened my lip area- it is very black now. please help. Can I use dmso? I have black skin. what should I do? please help
thanks, ivachka.
DMSO, Peroxide, ACV+
Posted by Abraham (Tulsa, Oklahoma) on 06/06/2012
★★★★★
What I do is combine dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), peroxide, baking soda, and apple cider with water in a bowl in large amounts ( each one liter). dont drink it because it BOILS literally lets off steam and is hot as F.
It KILLS acne and restores your skin color to what it was before your skin was sunburned. After only a couple uses your scars go away permanently. Wait till it cools down though.
Rosemary Lotion
Posted by Kathy (Cleveland, Ohio Usa) on 02/29/2012
★★★★★
My male friend had white-ish bumps on his forehead and scalp and began rubbing a natural botanical body lotion that has rosemary in it. The bumps went away.
Black Dermographism
Posted by Jen (Bozeman, Mt, Us) on 02/28/2012
I have been wearing my 14k gold wedding ring for 15 years now. I have never had any problems with it before but suddenly it is turning my finger black wear it touches. I have googled this issue and found there is a name for it. Black Dermographism. I also found that there are lots of theories on what causes it but nothing too exact. Does anyone on here have any idea what might be causing this? I haven't really changed any of my supplements lately but I take lots:) They are iodine, selenium, zinc, copper, iron, magnesium, D3, cod liver oil, Vit c, niacin, meletonin, 5-htp, thymus gland extract, relora, B complex, theonine, siberian ginsing, senna, black strap molasas, coconut oil, and acv/baking soda. I don't know what might have changed other than hormones possibly as I am 37 and possibly perimenopausal but not sure why all of a sudden now. I drink lots of water and coconut water to keep my electrolytes balanced but have recently been unable to buy the coconut waters like usual. I know the potassium has been thought of a possible cause before, so that is a thought. I have also read it might be iron deficiency or hormone changes. Just wanted to see if any of you folks had any experience or wisdom on the topic?
Black Dermographism
Posted by Garrowk (Williamsburg, Virginia, Usa) on 07/10/2012
I have had the same experiences. What I have been told and it seems accurate, is that it is high acid in your system. Whenever I eat a lot of tomatoes ( typically in summer) I have the same issue.
Discoloration
Posted by Dan19 (North, England) on 02/24/2012
Hello, I have some fairly bad discoloration of the skin in the groin area, trying not to be too specific or come across rude.
Can anyone please advise me on remedies / topical treatment that would bring my skin back to its original colour (caucasian). I would be very grateful as it does have an impact on me, as I find it makes the area look unclean and quite ugly which is a knock to my self confidence.
Thankyou, Dan19
Discoloration
Posted by Kay (Destin, Fl) on 03/06/2012
It's probably a fungal infection known as "jock itch" (some people have discoloration but not much itching); it's the same fungus as athletes foot/ring worm. It usually spreads from the feet (or dirty floors/tubs/showers) to the groin when pulling pants/underwear and dragging it up to the groin area where it grows in the warm moisture of the crotch. Or you catch it during intimate/sexual contact from someone who has it; or you touch/scratch your feet then scratch elsewhere and it spreads. It is VERY common, and infects most Gym locker rooms, public showers, and many athletes (and their floors/showers at home); thus you should always wear "shower shoes" in other peoples showers, and always put your socks on before your underwear/pants always sit on your towel etc. Use bleach to clean your own shower/tub/toilet seat and in your laundry to keep from re-infecting yourself! White & cotton socks and underwear help keep it under control (that's why athletes wear whites! )
Besides the embarassment, it is highly contagious and can easily and quickly spread to other area of the body (yours and your partners) so you must treat it ASAP using fungal sprays, spray powders, ointments for Athletes Foot/Jock Itch available at all drug stores; or getting a stronger RX from your doctor, esp if it covers a large area or you have had it awhile. (BEWARE: it is much more problematic for women, so you do not want to give it to a girl! ) It takes daily treatments for awhile to get rid of; the sprays are very convenient and widely available (Walmart carrys "TING" speay/spray powder which is half the price of the name brands and works better! )! Be sure to treat your feet as well as your groin area or you may reinfect yourself. Many people like the spray/powder during the day, and the ointment at night while sleeping. Good Luck!
Here's the link to the Jock itch page: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/jock_itch.html
You may want to Google it and look at photos & descriptions for comparison. Best of Luck
Discoloration
Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 07/04/2012
He's in England so he might not have walmart there. Try the pharmacy area at ASDA or Boots for athletes foot/jock itch (tinea) treatments. Look up tinea cruris online either here or Google. Here's an eHow link
http://www.ehow.com/way_5200309_cures-tinea-cruris.html . Try not to be embarrassed, it happens, and is more common than you think.
Discoloration
Posted by Kalki (Mumbai, India) on 01/15/2012
I had a severe flare up of facial dermatitis - unbearable itching, rash, swelling - a few weeks back. I feel it may have been caused by the ACV I was taking at a high dose (2tbsp 3 times daily at that time, for an oncoming cold and chest congestion). May have been a healing crisis, as ACV, 2 tsps over the whole day in water, had helped me earlier. I stopped ACV then and haven't had the guts to start again.
My problem now is that even after 2 months, my face and neck skin is quite dry, and sometimes flaky and very many shades darker. There's a line all around my neck at the base, above which up to my hairline, the skin is dark brown and below it is my light earlier skin colour. (This doesn't correspond to the neckline of my blouses, so it's not a case of tanning) Where I had patches of dermatitis previously, it is even more discoloured and rough textured.
During the flare up, I had desperately applied ACV , directly to my face and neck for a few days, without any easing of symptoms. I tried Virgin coconut oil later but it increased the itching, if I perspired even the slightest bit. Aloe vera juice directly from the leaf was what helped me with the itching skin. In 15 minutes or so. (But it dries out my skin even further, which causes great discomfort and consequent itching too). Could any of these be responsible for the difference in skin tone? Is there anything I can do to reverse this?
I apply moistened powdered oats, honey and kasthuri turmeric as face mask occasionally (I can apply only natural things to my skin). It makes my skin softer but doesn't help clear the awkward discolouration.
Would appreciate any suggestions for moisturising skin with my problems and for restoring original skin tone.
Kalki
Discoloration
Posted by Ananta (Kerala, India) on 02/07/2012
I have almost the same problem as Kalki. An allergic flare up on the skin with all the associated problems, itching, dryness, swelling etc. For me this came from taking ayurvedic medicine. They said it was a healing crisis and to hang on but the crisis just continued and I stopped the medicine after two months of intense physical difficulty, not to mention emotional ones. I now have patches of discolouration on my face and several parts of my body that lightens and darkens but doesn't go away. They itch too. I'm worse off than when I started. It's been 4 months now and I'm getting desperate. I noticed Kalki hasn't got a reply so far. Is there anybody out there who can help with this embarassing discolouration?
Ichthyosis Vulgaris
Posted by Katia (South Bend, In) on 11/04/2011
I am looking for a remedy for ichthyosis vulgaris, please post one.
Ichthyosis Vulgaris
Posted by Raffi (Boston, Ma Usa) on 01/08/2013
A Japan company has milky lotion that contains urea that is very good to this genetic skin condition. The urea attracts moisture on the skin to keep skin moist, and old skin peels off and no bad looking skin any more. It is not a cure but as long as you apply the lotion, your skin looks normal. If you know of people visiting Japan one can buy some for you in regular drug stores. They may not carry too many, so may take visit more drug store for the good supply.
I also find taking 1/4 cup per day of pure Aloe Vera juice (gallon size) that I can buy from Walgreen, CVS drug stores can help the dry skin auto float off from regular skin. What need is rubbing in shower to have the dead skin come off easy, instead it sticks to your body.
