Does anyone else have problems with their skin that seem to flare up outta nowhere? about twice a year I get a case of psoriasis on my scalp that I have to treat with Nizoral to get rid of. My skin gets overly dry -to the point where i have to carry lotion with me wherever I go because once a day application is just not enough. I know I have more skin issues than this but right now they are the two that are driving me crazy.
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Texas
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Re: Skin problems
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 2:24 AMMy major problems seem to limit themselves mostly to my mucus membranes. This year in particular I've had a lot of problems with chelitis, and eye problems, mostly on the side of my face I sleep on. I also have that really fun, and little talked about, problem that some women with fibro have where my vaginal skin can get very fragile. If I play too roughly it gets practically microscopic tears, and when this happens it's a bitch to heal because it itches while it heals, and even gentle rubbing can tear it more.
Other problems I've had were with scented products. I still avoid the majority of them, but since I've cleaned out my system a bit more, at least have stopped breaking out in hives every time I smell scented soap.
The one thing I really do have to avoid is synthetic fabrics or elastic, especially spandex and polyester. This makes finding socks especially difficult, and pantyhose are pretty much out of the question.
Oh, and glitter gel, especially the roll on kind, turns me into a hideous bumpy monster. -
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Re: Skin problems
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 8:36 AMI have a rash on my left side that itches terribly. It gets close to getting better and I wake up scratching it in the night. I've had it for a year now.
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Re: Skin problems
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 10:55 AMhot weather does a number on my skin.....heat rash sucks.
also anything with nickel in it causes a nasty contact dermatitis..... -
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Re: Skin problems
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 11:41 AMI have terribly sensitive skin (I'm also very "fair skinned"-but there's nothing fair about it.) I have excema, mostly on my hands, but my skin is very dry all over. I've had a recurrent rash on my belly that's just one big "hot" spot. I keep a few tubes of hydrocortisone cream on hand for the various rashes I get. I prefer not to go anywhere tropical because I will either get heat rash or sunburned.
I have also had a chronic eye problem called keratitis. My corneas have little abrasions on them and I have decreased tear production. I haven't worn my contacts since September.
I've also have two MRSA infections (antibiotic resistant staph infections) this year which have left me hospitalized. The doctors think I am prone to picking up infections because of the excema.
I don't go anywhere near new makeup brands, scented lotions, or laundry detergents. I don't even go down the laundry aisle in the supermarket.
I've become very suspicious of anything with sulfates in it. -
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Re: Skin problems
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 12:51 PMI cannot use anything with Sodium Sulfates in it. Particularly sodium lauryl sulphate. Shampoos are the worst. I can seem to get away with Ammonium Suflates for some reason, but really do better with none. My scalp with flake, scab and bleed if I use any shampoo with SLS in it. I also had a terrible skin rash on my legs which since I stopped using soaps with SLS in them has gone away. -
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Re: Skin problems
Sat, April 26, 2008 - 10:03 PMThis has been my latest mission to find soap, shampoo, etc, without the sodium Laureth Sulfates. Its damn hard to do. I finally found lotion, soap, and shampoo in the baby department at my local supermarket. The brand name is "Naturally Baby" and I noticed a difference right away when I got out of the shower. If you can find it or maybe order it online I highly recommend it. I even used it to shave my legs and noticed that I did not get the usual rash that follows. -
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Re: Skin problems
Mon, April 28, 2008 - 11:19 PMI've noticed that a lot of the Burt's Bees product line does not have the sulfates either. I'm still looking for other product lines that don't contain the sulfates; so if I come across any others I'll post them as well -
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Re: Skin problems
Wed, April 30, 2008 - 5:31 PMBurt's Bees products have worked for me - the shampoo and conditioner don't have SLS or polyquaternium - another nasty one that makes my head turn into a giant scabby sore. I also just use the shampoo as a body wash and I have not had a reaction.
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Re: Skin problems
Sat, May 3, 2008 - 8:18 AMmay I suggest Dr. Bronner's?? SInce i've given up all petrol products dietary and topically.... (so most shampoo, makeup, toothpaste - tho that's part cause I can't do mint/menthol)...Dr B's is great... some of Burt's Bees....
just giving up the petrol has taken my bad-skin fliars from 4-5 times (or every freaking weather change) to once or twice if I don't pay attention and take care of it... like staying out in windy weather, or being in direct sun in the summer for more than 8 seconds....
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Re: Skin problems
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 1:13 PMIn my case:
Long-term acne issues [which I can blame my father fer -- since *he* still deals with that...]
Persistant itching sensations that migrate all over (read something *somewhere* [G-d only knows where anymore (sigh)] aboot how the biochemistry of pain is just *slightly* different to the biochemistry of itching, so I figgered from that that the fibro's behind both...)
Not-infrequent dermagraphia-type reactions on my chest apparently caused by scrubbing said area in the shower [which results in me appearing to have only just survived an encounter with a wild lynx...]
Ocassional allergic-type rash-like reactions to bedding (which is why I get *real* picky aboot keeping the sheet between me and the blankets [which at the very least can otherwise aggravate that heightened 'itch' response mentioned above], and keeping pillowcases between me and the foam pillows [which I'm actually *full-on* allergic to, but once you finally find a pillow that keeps yer head at the proper angle to avoid waking up 'crooked' (shrug)...]
[also makes note to self to check shampoos et all fer sulfates, having already checked his meds and supplements fer same...]
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Re: Skin problems
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 2:05 PMI have acne rosecea (spelling?) I used to have horrible flare-ups. I started using almost all organic/natural products about 3 years ago and it seems to help.
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Re: Skin problems
Tue, April 29, 2008 - 5:38 AMThis is so weird. I never had any real skin problems, just the usual dry skin in the winter, especially rough at the elbows. Well, last week, I was evaluated by a doctor for a fibromyalgia drug study and she said I had psoriasis at the back of my scalp, then she pointed to my elbows. When I came home, I even grabbed a mirror and tried to see what she saw, but couldn't find anything. So, I'm not sure if I actually have anything going on there or not. No one has ever mentioned psoriasis with my elbows, which have always been rough and nasty looking and I apply lotion several times a day for it, and use a good exfoliating scrub now and then. -
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Re: Skin problems
Tue, April 29, 2008 - 11:25 AMHave you had your thyroid levels checked?
I ran out or my thyroid meds, I have low thyroid and my skin got really dry, I would get out of the shower and my back would be itchy.
Once I got back on my levoxyl my back stopped itching.
I have not used soap on my body for 30 years or more. i just soap my underarms and crotch.
I use WEN cleansing conditioner, which has no SLS in it. It takes a while to get used to it and to get the right technique down for using it. I have oily, fine, straight, hair and I use it every other day. My hair is in great condition.
Celebrity stylist Chaz Dean presents WEN®, an industry-changing product line that is the first ever to exclude ordinary shampoo. What sets WEN® apart from the rest is its cleansing conditioner, a single-step process that cleanses and conditions the hair simultaneously. The cleansers are made with natural ingredients, and contain no sodium laurel sulfate or other damaging detergents found in shampoos. They don’t lather; rather, they create smooth foam when mixed with water.
I get it here:
www.qvc.com/qsearch/search.aspx
WEN's site has changed and you can only order it one way now and I don't need all the styling products. -
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Re: Skin problems
Mon, May 5, 2008 - 10:30 PMHoly Moley that's cool a cleansing conditioner without the sodium laur....caca in it. Outside of the sulfur allergy I have continuously dry skin etc. I'm sure it has something to do with medications ...dry mouth, dry skin, rashes, yadda yadda blah blah blah. Thanks for the great tip!
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Re: Skin problems
Tue, April 29, 2008 - 10:46 PMI recently eliminated all gluten products from my diet. I saw a huge improvement in overall fibro symptoms. Soon afterwards, I realized that there is hydrolyzed wheat protein, wheat germ oil or some type of wheat ingredient in nearly everyone of my hair and skin products. I gave up the wheat stuff three weeks ago and magic -- my psoriasis symptoms have disappeared! I'd had this patch above my ear and along the front and back of my hairline for as long as I can remember. Sometimes it turned into small, super-itchy bumps. Now, all gone.
If you are sensitive to gluten in your diet, consider eliminating gluten (and soy!) ingredients in shampoo etc. Watch out for wheat-derived ingredients sounding like chemicals not remotely related to wheat (e.g., "hydrolyzed protein"). Try Dove, Garnier or Burt's.
