He was the father of rock and roll.
Oh, don't talk to me about Bill Haley. Boomers were barely conscious at the time "Rock Around The Clock" was a hit, if they were alive at all. And Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis were vastly influential, especially in the U.K., but the progenitor who pushed it over the top, made rock a staple, was Chuck Berry.
Not that we had any idea who that was either.
But we knew the songs.
"Tutti Frutti" was already in the rearview mirror.
But not only did the Beatles cover "Rock And Roll Music" and "Roll Over Beethoven"...
But the Beach Boys ripped Chuck off for their gargantuan hit "Surfin' U.S.A.," which was really "Sweet Little Sixteen."
Chuck's got a bad reputation. As being an ungrateful SOB who demanded cash upfront and played with unrehearsed pickup bands. Keith Richards tried to give him a victory lap with that movie, but thereafter the Glimmer Twin testified as to Chuck's bad behavior and I'm not sure if Berry's reputation ever recovered. You usually only get one shot at a second chance.
But you've got to cut the guy a break, he was there at the beginning!
He was punk before punk. As in he did it his own way with the basics, with no trappings. Every band in a garage owes a debt to Chuck Berry.
And for years the road was a cash business. Even at this late date if you haven't been ripped off by a promoter, you're not in the business.
And until Peter Grant flipped the script, the act got the short end of the stick, the promoter made all the money.
And it wasn't until the seventies that sound systems were any good, people basically cheered over the music, did it make any difference whether the band was tight, it was more about the experience, being there, in the presence of a renegade. That's right, once upon a time rock and roll was dangerous.
But that time is long gone.
Don't hate Chuck Berry. The truth is most performers are mercurial jerks. Do you know how hard it is to make it? DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO WRITE A HIT SONG?
When everybody else was using the usual suspects, Chuck composed his own hits. That's the mark of a genius, when you can channel greatness out of thin air.
So by time the British Invasion happened, Chuck was mostly done, he only ended up having one more hit, the novelty "My Ding-A-Ling." But at least that's more hits than today's classic rock acts manage to eke out.
And talk about influence...
ELO's cover of "Roll Over Beethoven" jump-started their career.
And Brian Wilson testifies about the Four Freshmen, the vocal groups, but the band from Hawthorne, California was not a cappella, it needed a soundtrack, and not only were they influenced by Chuck Berry, as I stated above, they ripped him off.
So this is not the twenty first century. Wherein acts have hits and then fade into obscurity along with their music.
And it's certainly not the twenty first century where everything is niche. Berry's hits were not only huge, they've sustained! Even little kids want to know if Maybellene will be true. And "Johnny B. Goode" is a bar band staple.
We know all his songs by heart. Even though most of us were not around when they dominated the hit parade.
And he was a black man in a white man's world. And he refused to accept second-class status. Chuck Berry was a beacon, an artist, who felt if he walked into the wilderness following his own muse the people would come with him.
And they did.
So at this point they die and we shrug. After all, Mr. Berry was ninety and no one lives forever.
But the truth is an era is disappearing in front of our very eyes. One in which experimentation was in music, not tech. One in which people were enthralled by the radio, not their mobile handset. One in which there was television, but if you really wanted to know what was going on you listened to the radio.
And the fuel was rock and roll.
And it was a big tent. Didn't matter how you looked, attitude was key, and Berry had that in spades. Along with talent and inspiration, what a concept.
It was simpler back then. The lightning bolt hit and you tried to capture it in a bottle, get it down on wax, distribute it all over the country, will it into a hit. It was less a battle plan than a skirmish, we were developing it as we went along.
To the point where the highest goal in America is to be a rock star.
People label bankers and techies and athletes, winners in all walks of life, rock stars. It means not only are you rich and successful, but that you're doing it your own way, beholden to no one, forging your own path.
Chuck Berry was there first.
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Saturday, 18 March 2017
Friday, 17 March 2017
More Skin
Okay, this may have to be a regular column. This is the best support group in the world, literally. We've all led similar lifestyles and are somewhat enlightened and open to new possibilities. I don't know who Ernie Canadeo is but he got my attention. I've been on statins since I moved to LA in 85. Oddly, the coconut oil he mentions is high in cholesterol, so I'm confused but that is the dilemma we face when modern science meets nature. But I'm going to try it. As my doctor now says, you're so old now these experiments won't make a big difference if they don't work, so have at it.
Ernie had me before his 'my sex life is better than ever' line. That's shooting the moon. I'll settle for keeping my brain intact as long as possible.
Frank A. provided a nice spiritual perspective.
Vegan, no sugar etc. regardless, we all have our individual Achilles Heels, whatever their nature. I'd recommend going to Lourds, millions of Catholics can't be wrong....or can they?
John Brodey
________________________________________
.....wow!.....that's a shitload of responses!!!!!......
Tommy Allen
________________________________________
There's a reason God doesn't ask young people to be old. They couldn't handle it.
Barry Lyons
________________________________________
Skin!
Stop eating sugar. At least try it for a day and then eat it again and see what happens to your skin. Fucking poison that stuff. And tasty.
Rob Giles
________________________________________
You must try coconut oil. I had issues and coconut oil changed my life.
David Dutton
________________________________________
These letters are laughable. Delete my Benadryl suggestion. Enter the world of Cure for Wellness.
Andy Paciocco
________________________________________
Hey Bob, thanks for posting my response. Moogoo is a great little company making interesting and effective products. I would also definitely heed one of your readers re: diet. My girlfriend has battled eczema for years and a clean diet always resets the skin. It's intense at the start but definitely worth trying.
All the best!
Jason Blynn
________________________________________
go see a chinese herbalist. got my daughters eczema sorted
Michael Richardson
________________________________________
Wow! Is that the most responses you've ever received? I read them all to some degree.
Here's my 2 cents and some of the responses mentioned some of these. Cheers to your health!
Vegan, lasik, coconut oil, crystal deodorant (and little or no meat (dead flesh), no stink), sweat through your skin- my favorite method is yoga (I'm buying if you meet me at Santa Monica Power Yoga after April 5, don't worry it's all levels, all ages), swim in the ocean, weekly one day fast (skip two meals)
Christopher Hawley
________________________________________
Interesting conglomeration of. Opinions. One from an NYU md who was self serving.
As an MD, in my humble opinion, your initial reports of symptoms reflects at least a significant component of the ailment associated with stress factors. Triamcinolone hydrochloride at 0.1% is a mainstay treatable technique which solved local demands for statistics without ever arriving at the root cause.
Hopefully, you will elucidate the root etiology for you ailments.
Ron Linder, MD
________________________________________
You bunch of Old Fucks! Yeh, me too. Dry skin. get over it. Really? An endless blog of replies about this? Yes I'm old and scaly as you all are. But I don't rail about it
Glenn Middleworth
________________________________________
Surprising to see that there are so many people dealing with these skin issues right now! As we speak, I have red blotchy spots on my arms and legs. Thank god they don't itch! What worked for me two years ago is not working this time... so it's nice to see so many people sharing solutions that have worked for them. I personally think that our current skin eruptions are tied to the recent chaos in the world (US). As artists, we have sensitive souls that pick up on the energy of mass consciousness... and our bodies react to the stress. Skin issues are the typical result.
Wishing you clear skin,
Casey Lauren
________________________________________
Have you considered the nasty yeast infection called 'candida'?
Skin itching /rash is a symptom.
Clay Griffith
________________________________________
Don't believe for a second that your skin is its own thing, this is the way of thinking that proves western medicine wrong as fuck. It's an extremely successful business, preying on Americans who are told the same shit since birth so it's engrained deep in the brain, in an almost unchangeable way. Depending on life experiences, some make it out, such as myself, and never have I felt so good, and never has my skin looked so good. It's the largest mode of detox your body has, therefore what you see on your skin is representative of what's going on inside, especially in the gut.
"It am where it ain't".
Find a reputable naturopath and start addressing the actual root causes of your problems, unlike the rest of drugged up America watching their quality of life diminish decades before it had to. You've seen enough of the system failing to serve you, and you're too smart to be another victim of that shit.
Dane Farnsworth
________________________________________
I can't believe how many people had their own "bubbameister" for a
cure... Here's mine.... and its easy...
Change the detergent you wash your clothes and sheets with. Tide does suck.
Go to Whole Foods and buy one of those "eco" friendly brands...
It could work.. what the fuck?
Kindest Cheers,
Jeff Laufer
________________________________________
I have developed a late life auto immune disease on skin of my face. Tried every remedy , steroids, anti biotics, dermatologist cream. Was about to try some hellish biological with frightening side effects when I read a Chinese dermatologists article in a Tampa newspaper about the miraculous results of coconut oil. She had all of her patients use simple coconut oil from health food store on their Rosacea , eczema, cielitis three times a day on their face and use nothing else . Desperate, after several years of frightening outbreaks , I tried it. I religiously used the coconut four times a day, nothing else. It took about six weeks of assiduous application but it worked. I have used it now for two years with amazing results. The oil is 100% pure and I use nothing else. No expensive creams and very little make up, and only rosacea make up called IT. My skin is the best it has ever been.I highly recommend it. No dry weird patches, no acne like breakouts. You can get liquid coconut oil at whole body. And the hardened version at almost any Trader Joe's/drug store. Give it a month of cold water washes and very little soap. It is a miracle.and very cheap.
Susan Nadler
________________________________________
This may sound lame but I experienced what sounds like a similar malady Year s ago.
Taking showers with only the hot water on practically scalding me to get relief
My grandmother suggested I get two gallons of apple cider vinegar and put it in the tub. Fill the tub with hot water get in and soak.
Did it two evenings in a row. It's never been back. And yes you smell like a pickle for a few hours. No free lunch.
James Lee Stanley
________________________________________
yo!
i just finished reading ALL of the remedies.
i whittled it down for you.
ready?
get naked.
stay naked.
eat avocados.
eat coconut oil.
wear coconut oil.
eat plants.
drink water only.
don't eat things that have faces.
except fish.
bathe in the ocean.
don't stress.
that's all.
halloran
________________________________________
Hey Bob. I have suffered for years with skin issues. When you have a seasonal issue.... Kenalog injection. Dermatologists will object. Side affects. But not relevant for our age. It's the wonder drug. It will knock it down for months. A great prescription moisturizer is Hylatopic. Get a humidifier for your bedroom. And if the hot air heating is an issue a radiating room heater . I am happy to discuss with you Bob.
Geoff Bywater
________________________________________
Tell peter Shapiro what's dry is the overpriced ticket to se"Phil and friends" ($104) and it being a drowned out with a little bit of Phil and an incredibly shitty cover band(s)... everyone I went with was disappointed...I hope peters skin thing turns out ok, he seems like a nice man....
Peter Farnan
________________________________________
So sorry that you are having so many skin problems.
Can I recommend the site http://www.mercola.com?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
If you are not familiar with Joseph Mercola, he is a pioneer of self-healing without an undiluted reliance on the medical profession. Not only are his articles worth their weight in gold but his followers (via comments) are a constant and fruitful source of alternative therapies.
Hugs,
Michael Tregaron
________________________________________
I have atopic eczema and these are some of the things that work for me:
- cotton clothing (I used to wear wool when I was younger and it made
me itch so I couldn't concentrate)
- staying cool / try to avoid sweating
- tepid baths ... if you're skin's really bad wash only the parts that
really need it
- when my skin's really dry and itchy I use
https://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/emulsifying-ointment/prd-t?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin in the bath
... it gives just a little bit of protection and there's hardly
anything in it to react with
- I do have a steroid/anti-bacterial cream I use if necessary
http://mcs.open.ac.uk/nlg/old_projects/pills/corpus/base/data/Glaxo/BetnovateN_Cream/BetnovateN_Cream.html?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
which contains a steroid and anti-bacterial
- I find being on holiday tends to improve my skin ... combination of
being outdoors in the sun / also going in the sea seems to help
Andrew Whitehouse
________________________________________
Oy vey.
Bob Kranes
________________________________________
Perhaps your real allergy is Spotify...I know, I love it too, but the long term side effects have proven to destroy entire systems. I work in the movie biz and a "Spotify" for new movies scares me to death.
All joking aside...Coconut Oil does do the trick.
Good luck and keep up the great work.
Chadd Barksdale
________________________________________
drink more water and gatorade and get 40% urea cream.
Innis Nelson
________________________________________
More responses than most of your letters - which goes to the point of people just wanting to help and connect. Some of these people get it - especially the ones who live in CALI - you should connect with them in person and take their advice on natural remedies, diet and turning inward for answers. Maybe try that acupuncturist in SM. Dryness is one thing but the itching is something else. The OCD seems to be exacerbated by the dryness and that evidences an underlying nervous system/emotion/internal challenge. Keep us posted on how you treat it!!
Patti Jones
________________________________________
Hi Bob,
There's also this look at aging...
Thanks for sharing your odyssey!
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/24/dont-dread-old-age-fear-tories-tyranny-austerity?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
"All of you, when young, will make your own history: you will struggle, you will betray some and others will betray you. You will love and lose love. You will feel profound joy and deep sorrow and during all of this you will grow as an individual. That's why it is your duty when you get old to tell the young about your odyssey across the vast ocean of your life."
Kara
________________________________________
Wow. I never experienced that kind of response to a medical question--even when I was a Professor of Medicine at University of Florida. I could feel the love ...
At UF, I had the good fortune of working in the Gatorade lab, where we would run around the campus wearing plastic gloves to collect sweat and the analysis of the various electrolytes became the basis for the drink. The inventor, Dr. Robert Cade, was a physiologist first and foremost and he mentored me during my most impressionable days on the necessity to THINK in terms of fundamentals and not get hung up on the quick fixes that some might say "works for them". BTW, Cade and I also launched JAZZIZ.
My point here is that there are several pathophysiologic reasons for itching--from congenital to autoimmune/allergic, inflammatory, neoplastic and neurologic. In your situation it's likely (and hopefully) a combination of so called "dry skin", inflammatory and allergic. Cold dry air causing desiccation of skin followed by inflammation then inciting an allergic reaction. If it's that simple, then moisturizers (to mitigate dryness), Benadryl (to mitigate the release of histamine) and wearing light PJs to bed (long sleeve and long pants so that skin doesn't touch skin) might do the trick. If that doesn't work, see a good internal medicine doc or dermatologist to rule out the other reasons.
Hope you feel better soon!
Michael Fagien
________________________________________
Hi Bob, wow! Everyone's a doctor!
I have similar dry skin issues. Your line that dermatology is as much an art as as science is on point.
My itchy skin comes and goes, but I know that anxiety increases my symptoms.
For me, it had nothing to do with age. It first appeared my sophomore year of college. A dermatologist assumed it was from the dry apartments, but I was also doing a student teaching assignment in a stressful situation...
I used to bath in hydrocortisone cream.
I use a special detergent for our kid's clothes, and I use it for mine now: Allen's Natural. It's expensive, but it appeared to be helping. I haven't had any symptoms, until:
Michigan had the early spring weather, and returned to weather last week, my skin itchy returned with a vengeance.
Hang in there. You'll find relief!
Mike Vial
PS: I also get those mysterious stress bumps on my palms and heels of my feet. Stress from the health care discussion may have been trigger my anxiety, so I cut out coffee this year, and I haven't had those symptoms return.
________________________________________
And I second, third and fourth (etc.) the virgin organic coconut oil! Temporarily, anyway.
Skidget 17
________________________________________
Well, there you go.
There may be no more mass "shared experiences" in music, movies & TV the way it was, so it looks like we're down to what we all have left in common - our bodies.
It was so cool to see the outpouring of advice and remedies from everyone, even people who have never written you before who felt compelled to share their experiences... and nobody found a way to drag politics into the discussion!
It gives me hope that man does indeed care for his fellow man.
Hope one of those ideas works for you.
Let's go skiing again!
- Tom Fricke
________________________________________
Holy shit look at all this support! You've built something pretty nice for yourself!! Good luck with the skin troubles!
Calvin Flegal
________________________________________
Yes
Good one
I can relate
So far no skin condition but aches and pains in the morning
Scott Irwin
________________________________________
A horse designed by committee… that's a lot of advice.
I'm now sending you the larger size: http://www.onetribetrading.com/earthkeepers-organic-salve-4oz/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Tom Bluewolf makes it himself in the mountains of N Georgia. CBD is great, and all those other anecdotes, but I promise… this will sort you out.
Patrick Ross?VP, Digital Marketing
AWAL / Kobalt
________________________________________
Who cares, Bob? Geez, write about something that's not about yourself.
Leroy Henry
Executive Producer, Global Starbucks | PlayNetwork
________________________________________
Bob, I hope that you are trying EACH AND EVERY method listed below! (heh)
Douglas C. Weinstein
________________________________________
That's a novel Bob! Print it and you'll make millions!
Take care!
Lisa Montez
________________________________________
i live in Wisconsin, and the winters suck for this. we have this giant barrel downstairs where we have to put five or six 50 lb. bags of water softening salt every year....actually my wife does because I have a bad back. and I use Eucerin Eczema lotion every day which helps immensely, but I also have a prescription to use in cases that it won't.
Mike Farley
________________________________________
My advice is probably same as most on here. Dad had horrible psoriasis and at 45 or so (just turned 47) I started getting patches and rashes and itchiness.
Comes from inflammatory diet
No more:
Processed sugar
Processed food
White flour and heavy starch
Fried food
Eat
Strawberries
Blueberries
Avocado
Grass fed meat
Bulletproof coffee (bird safe coffee like allegro early bird with coconut oil and grass fed butter)
Lots and lots of green veggies
Lots of fish.
Take a green supplement like kyogreen or wheatgrass daily.
Our problems all stem from diet and the toxins contained within.
Dan Millen
________________________________________
Just getting all of these concerned, helpful responses in your inbox should make your skin feel better....at least I hope so!
Scott Hazlewood
________________________________________
Get this occasionally too. Of course it can be diet related or an allergy.
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) works for me. I take it before bedtime with that hot shower and apply my favorite skin cream afterwards.
I purchased a couple AcuRite 00613 Indoor humidity monitors, they're $8 on Amazon. Run a humidifier if needed.
Go to bed, relax and get some rest.
I have been prescribed Clobetasol Propionate (corticosteroid) and it work wonders for eczema/psoriasis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clobetasol_propionate?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Hang in there,
G.Robey
Chesapeake Beach, MD
________________________________________
While I disagree with a great deal of your thoughts, especially politics, I'd like to help. And, though it's nice to see so many reaching out to you, lotions etc. only treat symptoms. The best advice is to find a GOOD holistic practitioner and have them find your cause, which sounds like some combination diet/exposure. You seem to be having an allergic reaction which possibly is a new situation for your system, and hopefully temporary, with treatment. Find a medical doctor that practices holistically, or someone that's grounded and practices holistically.
Good luck,
Merky1208
________________________________________
Whoa! You wouldn't have time to try all these ideas before you die. Since that happens in most areas of health,it's really quite overwhelming. Maybe use your intuition to pick a few??? Who knows? probably no one.
queenie taylor
________________________________________
You know how great your original column about your skin was?
The responses are awesome!
And there are even consensus on many possible treatments.
Far out as we used to say!
( i am one of the "check for allergies, change your laundry detergent" people, but I generally don't suffer from skin issues, but do have allergies!)
So many choices to see what works best for you!
Regards
Amy Krakow
________________________________________
Hey Bob.. try going vegan for 30 days. Hey - it's worth a shot for as bad as that sounds, right?
Read this: Meat Is For Pussies, by John Joseph
All the creams and stuff is treating the symptoms not the cause, IMO.
Jerry Cunningham
________________________________________
1. I just hope this is not representative of response ratios. Otherwise it means you write your ass off all these years and the most response you ever got was on a mail about skin issues?
2. When I was scrolling through I fully expected some crazy tongue in-cheek jokemail from John Mayer for some reason
best
sebastian keil
________________________________________
JESUS!
You need to start running AARP Adds so you can make some $$$. I am only 56 but feel old and sad and dry every day. Ahh well, "getting old is not for sissies". Speak the truth with love.
mab
Michael A. Becker
________________________________________
Here are all the treatments suggested in the responses:
(I'd check with the University clinic in Munster/Germany in a heartbeat)
Best Chris
Hot water
Epiceram
Organic Coconut oil
Epsom salt
Almond Oil
Tee Tree oil
Thiel Creme de corps
Kiehl's Intensive Treatment for dried skin
Moogo products
Biologics (Humire)
Aveeno Luiquid Soap
Ejuva liquid cleanse
Amlactin
Oatmeal bath
Minocycline
MenScience Deodorant
Benadryl
Ice
Avocados (eat)
1% Hydrocortisone
Arrid Cream antiperspirant
**Primal Derma
Rodan & Fields Soothe Regimen
Tar
Jason Products Skin Care
Vitamin D
Bag Balm
AmLactin
AD&E Lotion
Gold Bond Creams
Organic essential oils
Cannabis
Triamcinolone acetonide cream
Anthistamines
Acupuncture
Corn starch bath
Clinique clarifying #2
Johnson & Johnson dual action moisterizer
Neutrogene healthy defense moisterizer
Neuragena Daily control
Tangy Tangerine
Niacin
Pantrax
Panthothenic Acid
Psoriatrax Shampoo
Dead Sea swimming
Dr. Jard Ceramidine line
Amlactin
VSL#3 probiotic
Epiceram
Go Vegan
UV Therapy
Cannabis Balm
Origins Skin Products
Shea Butter
Nizoral Sgampoo
Head and Shoulders shampoo
Fish Oil
Olive Oil
Dupilumab
Dupixent
Eucerin calming lotion
Ayurveda
Pure peppermint oil
Comfrey Salve
Manuka Honey
Astaxanthin
Ocean Salt Water
Soothe Regimen
Cera-ve moisterizer
Olay body scrub
Gabriel Couzian Washing Oil
Walnut Oil
Cetaphil Bar Soap and Moisterizer
Aloe Vera
Burt Bee thick cream
Clobetasol (Clobex)
CBD Oil balm
Sombra Menthol Cream
________________________________________
Another idea, buy an aloe Vera plant, break small pieces of and put the "juice" straight on the skin. It's a bit slimey, but it has also proven useful.
Janie Van Halen
________________________________________
Udder Butter !
You'r over thinking this.
RDunn
________________________________________
Olive oil.
For everything.
Jessica Halprin
________________________________________
You might want to get your RA factor checked.
You describe my cousin's condition.
Ken Shain
________________________________________
If it is itching once awhile and is red and feel so much better under hot water it could very well be eczema.
I've had that off and on. I sympathize with you. It's due to "allergies and stress". My Dr. told me that a long time ago.
It could be foods or could be environmentally. I have this really expensive cream that was Rx'd to me a long time ago. But I eat gluten free, no sugar, coconut oil is the best and the aloe Vera.
Just had to add that because that itching is crazy! Also cleansing. I do detox cleanses about twice a year because of even pollution in the air builds up in our bodies. It just cleans everything out.
Ruthie Owen-Moreno
Denver and Phoenix
________________________________________
yikes that's awful...
Kate O'Laughlin
________________________________________
Sorry about your skin issues, but as a result of these responses I seriously want to hang with Frank Gagliano!
Ken Alterwitz
________________________________________
I see you've gotten a ton of advice already, but I'll throw mine in. I have mild psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, plus mild eczema, all now under good control.
Doctor: Look up an integrative medicine doctor as your primary. They are both MD's and Naturopaths, so open to any kind of treatment. They take a systemic approach and can guide your health explorations with other specialists.
Deodorant: I use the crystal mineral stuff. Not an anti-perspirant, just a deodorant, but no irritation at all.
Skin: I itch in many places if I don't manage this. So in the shower, I only use soap in pits and groin (liquid with salicylic acid to manage yeast). I use a loofa pad on arms and legs to gently remove dry skin. That's it. Then when I get out, Cerave cream (over the counter) with prescription Clobetasol steroid liquid mixed in. It's good, non-greasy moisturizing with mild anti-itch. My derm says there is no danger of long-term use (skin thinning) so they let kids slather it on as much as they want.
I am on a med for my psoriatic arthritis, but they are all immunosuppressants to some extent, so have to be careful about getting sick, etc.
I'll let you manage the food aspect. But for me: I drink only water, period. Eat at home 99% of the time, so not processed stuff, but not crazy about cutting out any particular type.
---
You have no idea how much you have influenced my writing. I don't mind music, but I rarely listen to it...I don't own any at all and never have (I'm 53). I have something called Auditory Processing Disorder...I hear fine, but can't concentrate at all with background noise, which to me music is.
But I read you for your insights into authenticity and standing for something. I think music is the canary in the coal mine for where culture is going, and I can appreciate that in an intellectual way without needing to listen to it.
I have dozens of your articles saved that have helped define my writing.
If you are interested, I have cataloged all of my accumulated health conditions for public viewing as part of being honest and transparent to my readers. You can see them here:
https://overexamined.life/health-wellness-status/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Good luck,
Scott Weigle
OverExamined Life
________________________________________
I see you've received a ton of advice, as have I in the past. I probably tried most of those creams and diets, too, to no avail. I've spent zillions on dermatologists who had good intentions but ultimately did nothing to help me but gave me stronger and stronger steroids, including oral steroids. Very dangerous drugs and a path it is best not to go down if avoidable.
First get tested with a skin biopsy to rule out psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder and responds to heavy meds - Methotrexate, Humira and similar. They have some new protocols for that now.
If it's not psoriasis, and you're suffering from 'atopic dermatitis' or eczema, look up Dr. Richard Aron in South Africa. He also has an office in London. https://www.facebook.com/groups/draron/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
http://www.draron.com/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Dr. Aron's protocol treats the underlying staph bacteria that colonize where the skin is broken/irritated. Eczema won't calm down if the bacteria remains present. Traditional Western medicine treats only the inflammation with steroids and your body becomes resistant to them. The trick is you need to add topical antibiotics to the mix. It also allows a much, much lower dose of steroid. He will prescribe a moisturizing base - mine is a big tub of Vanicream, to which a mild topical steroid and a mild topical antibiotic are added. About 90%, 5%, 5% but it differs for every patient and is not supposed to be shared with others. You apply the mixture frequently to start as per his directions and eventually taper. I'm almost a year in and from 5 apps a day, I am down to an occasional application after I shower.
Dr. Aron diagnoses and prescribes via the internet (an extensive Q&A, your history, plus he reviews photos of your skin). You get the script filled locally. I was bed-ridden last year. My eczema is not 100% gone but it is 98% better and under control. No longer the focus of my life. Thousands of others just like me - you'll see on his site.
Yes, diet matters, your own triggers matter (heat, sweat, dust, chemicals, humidity, certain foods, booze, pets, environment, etc. - different for everyone but you learn what sets you off). Clean eating and living help. Sun and salt water help. Health in general helps. But trust me - Dr. Aron's regime changed my life after a lifetime of suffering from dry, itchy, red, inflamed skin.
I never thought I'd be writing a letter like this...
Love your emails! Best wishes to you.
Lori Turoff
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Many of the letters regarding your skin condition were spot on. The gut is the donut hole of the body. Two things I suggest: Order Dr Reckeweg's R30 homeopathic cream, and use it liberally. I used to get horrible rashes and that was the only thing that would calm it down, other than fasting (a clue to the gut relationship). Secondly, I would highly suggest you locate a Functional Doctor in your area, who will order the right type of tests to get to the root cause of what is causing this skin condition. There are fantastic tests out there - one is called the Organic Acid Test (OAT test), via Great Plains Laboratories. There is the GI Effects test as well as the NuttrEval test via Genova Diagnostics. The former will give you a solid breakdown of gut bacteria, oxidative stress, neurotransmitters, nutritional markers, and immune function: https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/organic-acids-test/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
GI Effects is somewhat similar, though usually ordered together with the NutrEval, for the nutritional markers: https://www.gdx.net/product/gi-effects-comprehensive-stool-test?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
https://www.gdx.net/product/nutreval-fmv-nutritional-test-blood-urine?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
You can find some great YouTube tutorials on theses tests.
You may think to yourself that these tests have nothing to do with what you have, but I guarantee you that you will find some kind of bacterial or yeast overgrown going on in your gut, which would be a significant factor.
Alletess is a great way to test for food allergies, or whatever your practitioner thinks is most appropriate.
Chris Kresser is an awesome Functional doc who is in Cali. Might be a start: https://chriskresser.com/ccfmed/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
You can also find other practitioners at this site: https://www.functionalmedicine.org/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Good luck!
Susan Desmarais
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I agree with David Rubinson. Virgin organic coconut oil. The best.
Ray Staar
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Hey Bob,
I agree with people responding saying it may be dietary. I have more or less gotten rid of rosacea and flakey skin myself after exhausting all my options regarding medicine and doctors/dermatologists.
The best approach for me was to troubleshoot and try to figure out what is causing it and what is a trigger. For example - taking showers didn´t cause it. Chilies probably didn´t either but they are a trigger.
Quick advice - for flakey skin stay off all bread, wheat, yeast and gluten stuff for two weeks and see if it improves (it will), and its easy enough, just keep away from bread & pasta mainly. Also dairy is absolutely terrible for my skin. It makes it red and sometimes I get a reaction. If you can avoid this as well for a short period of time, do it. Just be conscious that you shouldn't stay off gluten or dairy fully unless you really need to. You will create an intolerance because for example, the enzyme lactase won't be produced any longer in your gut. Lactase is what is responsible for breaking down lactose from dairy.
Lengthy advice below:
Here´s what i found after troubleshooting my skin conditions for 3 years.
Flakey skin
- I've had this all my life: once i stopped eating bread (yeast / gluten) and pasta etc. my skin stopped flaking on my face and scalp....FULLY. 100% gone.
Red patches / Roacea
- This seems to be caused alcohol, my skin being dehydrated etc.
- Image Vital-C hydrating serum really helps
- Its diet related, when i switched to a full Paleo diet the symptoms went away
Spots / bad skin
- For me I get bad skin when I eat sugary stuff or unhealthy foods, fried etc.
Foods that really help:
- oily fishes
- fish in general
- avocados
- good probiotics (e.g. - Alflorex but its best to research online or Amazon reviews)
I used to work in IT so I've been a troubleshooter all my working life (I'm 37). I pay more attention to detail than any doctor I've ever met. Granted the human body is a very difficult machine to troubleshoot but I've come across mechanics who care more about finding a solution to a problem than the majority of doctors (and thats saying something!!).
I've resolved my tinnitus alone, stomach issues, really bad skin problems so I feel I know what I am talking about when it comes to health issues that would literally drive you crazy!
For me it feels like a balance issue in my stomach/digestive system. It may well be the same for you. The best advice I can give you is start troubleshooting and develop more and more patience if you see start getting little wins. You've already started troubleshooting anyway because you know what makes it worse. So start eating good foods and avoiding shit foods and see if you can reverse it, if you can - keep it up.
Best of luck and get in contact if you need any further advice from me.
John Duignan
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Go see a different doctor. Don't give up, there is someone out there that can help you. If you're ever up in Vancouver, I'll bring my back scratcher for you.
Try changing you laundry detergent, fabric softener or even different bed sheets.
It's raining in Vancouver much like it always does this time of year...
Take care, okay?
Kimmie.... (Seale)
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"Coconut oil cleans your arteries."
Good lord. I'd love to see the science on that one. Coconut oil is not a cure-all. It's good stuff, no doubt. Probably decent for your skin & hair. And a great source of fat for the body.
The diet suggestions though... I could stand behind that one. Cutting out sugar & carbohydrates especially.
I've read the science on cutting sugar & carbs and they sold me. Diabetes reversal, complete elimination of most heart medications, weight loss, athletic performance.
It's the keto diet. And I've done it for a long time. It's damned hard. Refined carbs & sugar are in EVERYTHING. Even ketchup. Keep your carbs at 20g a day, your protein at around 1g per pound of weight and your dietary fat without limit.
It's not for everyone. And there are quacks out there touting is as a 'miracle'. IT's not. But there is science that says it's beneficial.
Here are some names to google:
Peter Attia
Peter isn't on keto anymore. But he has interesting things to say.
(And i don't love Tim Ferris's show, but he talked with Attia several times)
http://tim.blog/2014/12/18/peter-attia/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Dominic D'Agostino
He's a scientist and keto advocate.
http://tim.blog/2015/11/03/dominic-dagostino/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Good luck Bob.
And Be Skeptical. Not cynical.
Bill Seipel
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Hey Bob,
One outside of the box thought might be to treat it like poison oak/ivy.
I've suffered greatly from it, and the most effective treatment is prednisone, a steroidal treatment.
(Which will require a prescription, so you'll need an open minded doctor.)
Also try the over the counter Calamine lotion?
If everything else seems ineffective, it's certainly worth a try.
Jeff Watson
________________________________________
Hi Bob,
I'm a dermatology professor at ___ with a private practice in Century City. I don't need or want a recommendation but I'd like to help you with your skin because I feel I owe you for your entertaining and provocative emails.
I won't talk to you about celebs!
____ _________, MD
___-___-____
Ernie had me before his 'my sex life is better than ever' line. That's shooting the moon. I'll settle for keeping my brain intact as long as possible.
Frank A. provided a nice spiritual perspective.
Vegan, no sugar etc. regardless, we all have our individual Achilles Heels, whatever their nature. I'd recommend going to Lourds, millions of Catholics can't be wrong....or can they?
John Brodey
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.....wow!.....that's a shitload of responses!!!!!......
Tommy Allen
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There's a reason God doesn't ask young people to be old. They couldn't handle it.
Barry Lyons
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Skin!
Stop eating sugar. At least try it for a day and then eat it again and see what happens to your skin. Fucking poison that stuff. And tasty.
Rob Giles
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You must try coconut oil. I had issues and coconut oil changed my life.
David Dutton
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These letters are laughable. Delete my Benadryl suggestion. Enter the world of Cure for Wellness.
Andy Paciocco
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Hey Bob, thanks for posting my response. Moogoo is a great little company making interesting and effective products. I would also definitely heed one of your readers re: diet. My girlfriend has battled eczema for years and a clean diet always resets the skin. It's intense at the start but definitely worth trying.
All the best!
Jason Blynn
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go see a chinese herbalist. got my daughters eczema sorted
Michael Richardson
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Wow! Is that the most responses you've ever received? I read them all to some degree.
Here's my 2 cents and some of the responses mentioned some of these. Cheers to your health!
Vegan, lasik, coconut oil, crystal deodorant (and little or no meat (dead flesh), no stink), sweat through your skin- my favorite method is yoga (I'm buying if you meet me at Santa Monica Power Yoga after April 5, don't worry it's all levels, all ages), swim in the ocean, weekly one day fast (skip two meals)
Christopher Hawley
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Interesting conglomeration of. Opinions. One from an NYU md who was self serving.
As an MD, in my humble opinion, your initial reports of symptoms reflects at least a significant component of the ailment associated with stress factors. Triamcinolone hydrochloride at 0.1% is a mainstay treatable technique which solved local demands for statistics without ever arriving at the root cause.
Hopefully, you will elucidate the root etiology for you ailments.
Ron Linder, MD
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You bunch of Old Fucks! Yeh, me too. Dry skin. get over it. Really? An endless blog of replies about this? Yes I'm old and scaly as you all are. But I don't rail about it
Glenn Middleworth
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Surprising to see that there are so many people dealing with these skin issues right now! As we speak, I have red blotchy spots on my arms and legs. Thank god they don't itch! What worked for me two years ago is not working this time... so it's nice to see so many people sharing solutions that have worked for them. I personally think that our current skin eruptions are tied to the recent chaos in the world (US). As artists, we have sensitive souls that pick up on the energy of mass consciousness... and our bodies react to the stress. Skin issues are the typical result.
Wishing you clear skin,
Casey Lauren
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Have you considered the nasty yeast infection called 'candida'?
Skin itching /rash is a symptom.
Clay Griffith
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Don't believe for a second that your skin is its own thing, this is the way of thinking that proves western medicine wrong as fuck. It's an extremely successful business, preying on Americans who are told the same shit since birth so it's engrained deep in the brain, in an almost unchangeable way. Depending on life experiences, some make it out, such as myself, and never have I felt so good, and never has my skin looked so good. It's the largest mode of detox your body has, therefore what you see on your skin is representative of what's going on inside, especially in the gut.
"It am where it ain't".
Find a reputable naturopath and start addressing the actual root causes of your problems, unlike the rest of drugged up America watching their quality of life diminish decades before it had to. You've seen enough of the system failing to serve you, and you're too smart to be another victim of that shit.
Dane Farnsworth
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I can't believe how many people had their own "bubbameister" for a
cure... Here's mine.... and its easy...
Change the detergent you wash your clothes and sheets with. Tide does suck.
Go to Whole Foods and buy one of those "eco" friendly brands...
It could work.. what the fuck?
Kindest Cheers,
Jeff Laufer
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I have developed a late life auto immune disease on skin of my face. Tried every remedy , steroids, anti biotics, dermatologist cream. Was about to try some hellish biological with frightening side effects when I read a Chinese dermatologists article in a Tampa newspaper about the miraculous results of coconut oil. She had all of her patients use simple coconut oil from health food store on their Rosacea , eczema, cielitis three times a day on their face and use nothing else . Desperate, after several years of frightening outbreaks , I tried it. I religiously used the coconut four times a day, nothing else. It took about six weeks of assiduous application but it worked. I have used it now for two years with amazing results. The oil is 100% pure and I use nothing else. No expensive creams and very little make up, and only rosacea make up called IT. My skin is the best it has ever been.I highly recommend it. No dry weird patches, no acne like breakouts. You can get liquid coconut oil at whole body. And the hardened version at almost any Trader Joe's/drug store. Give it a month of cold water washes and very little soap. It is a miracle.and very cheap.
Susan Nadler
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This may sound lame but I experienced what sounds like a similar malady Year s ago.
Taking showers with only the hot water on practically scalding me to get relief
My grandmother suggested I get two gallons of apple cider vinegar and put it in the tub. Fill the tub with hot water get in and soak.
Did it two evenings in a row. It's never been back. And yes you smell like a pickle for a few hours. No free lunch.
James Lee Stanley
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yo!
i just finished reading ALL of the remedies.
i whittled it down for you.
ready?
get naked.
stay naked.
eat avocados.
eat coconut oil.
wear coconut oil.
eat plants.
drink water only.
don't eat things that have faces.
except fish.
bathe in the ocean.
don't stress.
that's all.
halloran
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Hey Bob. I have suffered for years with skin issues. When you have a seasonal issue.... Kenalog injection. Dermatologists will object. Side affects. But not relevant for our age. It's the wonder drug. It will knock it down for months. A great prescription moisturizer is Hylatopic. Get a humidifier for your bedroom. And if the hot air heating is an issue a radiating room heater . I am happy to discuss with you Bob.
Geoff Bywater
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Tell peter Shapiro what's dry is the overpriced ticket to se"Phil and friends" ($104) and it being a drowned out with a little bit of Phil and an incredibly shitty cover band(s)... everyone I went with was disappointed...I hope peters skin thing turns out ok, he seems like a nice man....
Peter Farnan
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So sorry that you are having so many skin problems.
Can I recommend the site http://www.mercola.com?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
If you are not familiar with Joseph Mercola, he is a pioneer of self-healing without an undiluted reliance on the medical profession. Not only are his articles worth their weight in gold but his followers (via comments) are a constant and fruitful source of alternative therapies.
Hugs,
Michael Tregaron
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I have atopic eczema and these are some of the things that work for me:
- cotton clothing (I used to wear wool when I was younger and it made
me itch so I couldn't concentrate)
- staying cool / try to avoid sweating
- tepid baths ... if you're skin's really bad wash only the parts that
really need it
- when my skin's really dry and itchy I use
https://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/emulsifying-ointment/prd-t?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin in the bath
... it gives just a little bit of protection and there's hardly
anything in it to react with
- I do have a steroid/anti-bacterial cream I use if necessary
http://mcs.open.ac.uk/nlg/old_projects/pills/corpus/base/data/Glaxo/BetnovateN_Cream/BetnovateN_Cream.html?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
which contains a steroid and anti-bacterial
- I find being on holiday tends to improve my skin ... combination of
being outdoors in the sun / also going in the sea seems to help
Andrew Whitehouse
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Oy vey.
Bob Kranes
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Perhaps your real allergy is Spotify...I know, I love it too, but the long term side effects have proven to destroy entire systems. I work in the movie biz and a "Spotify" for new movies scares me to death.
All joking aside...Coconut Oil does do the trick.
Good luck and keep up the great work.
Chadd Barksdale
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drink more water and gatorade and get 40% urea cream.
Innis Nelson
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More responses than most of your letters - which goes to the point of people just wanting to help and connect. Some of these people get it - especially the ones who live in CALI - you should connect with them in person and take their advice on natural remedies, diet and turning inward for answers. Maybe try that acupuncturist in SM. Dryness is one thing but the itching is something else. The OCD seems to be exacerbated by the dryness and that evidences an underlying nervous system/emotion/internal challenge. Keep us posted on how you treat it!!
Patti Jones
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Hi Bob,
There's also this look at aging...
Thanks for sharing your odyssey!
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/24/dont-dread-old-age-fear-tories-tyranny-austerity?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
"All of you, when young, will make your own history: you will struggle, you will betray some and others will betray you. You will love and lose love. You will feel profound joy and deep sorrow and during all of this you will grow as an individual. That's why it is your duty when you get old to tell the young about your odyssey across the vast ocean of your life."
Kara
________________________________________
Wow. I never experienced that kind of response to a medical question--even when I was a Professor of Medicine at University of Florida. I could feel the love ...
At UF, I had the good fortune of working in the Gatorade lab, where we would run around the campus wearing plastic gloves to collect sweat and the analysis of the various electrolytes became the basis for the drink. The inventor, Dr. Robert Cade, was a physiologist first and foremost and he mentored me during my most impressionable days on the necessity to THINK in terms of fundamentals and not get hung up on the quick fixes that some might say "works for them". BTW, Cade and I also launched JAZZIZ.
My point here is that there are several pathophysiologic reasons for itching--from congenital to autoimmune/allergic, inflammatory, neoplastic and neurologic. In your situation it's likely (and hopefully) a combination of so called "dry skin", inflammatory and allergic. Cold dry air causing desiccation of skin followed by inflammation then inciting an allergic reaction. If it's that simple, then moisturizers (to mitigate dryness), Benadryl (to mitigate the release of histamine) and wearing light PJs to bed (long sleeve and long pants so that skin doesn't touch skin) might do the trick. If that doesn't work, see a good internal medicine doc or dermatologist to rule out the other reasons.
Hope you feel better soon!
Michael Fagien
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Hi Bob, wow! Everyone's a doctor!
I have similar dry skin issues. Your line that dermatology is as much an art as as science is on point.
My itchy skin comes and goes, but I know that anxiety increases my symptoms.
For me, it had nothing to do with age. It first appeared my sophomore year of college. A dermatologist assumed it was from the dry apartments, but I was also doing a student teaching assignment in a stressful situation...
I used to bath in hydrocortisone cream.
I use a special detergent for our kid's clothes, and I use it for mine now: Allen's Natural. It's expensive, but it appeared to be helping. I haven't had any symptoms, until:
Michigan had the early spring weather, and returned to weather last week, my skin itchy returned with a vengeance.
Hang in there. You'll find relief!
Mike Vial
PS: I also get those mysterious stress bumps on my palms and heels of my feet. Stress from the health care discussion may have been trigger my anxiety, so I cut out coffee this year, and I haven't had those symptoms return.
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And I second, third and fourth (etc.) the virgin organic coconut oil! Temporarily, anyway.
Skidget 17
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Well, there you go.
There may be no more mass "shared experiences" in music, movies & TV the way it was, so it looks like we're down to what we all have left in common - our bodies.
It was so cool to see the outpouring of advice and remedies from everyone, even people who have never written you before who felt compelled to share their experiences... and nobody found a way to drag politics into the discussion!
It gives me hope that man does indeed care for his fellow man.
Hope one of those ideas works for you.
Let's go skiing again!
- Tom Fricke
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Holy shit look at all this support! You've built something pretty nice for yourself!! Good luck with the skin troubles!
Calvin Flegal
________________________________________
Yes
Good one
I can relate
So far no skin condition but aches and pains in the morning
Scott Irwin
________________________________________
A horse designed by committee… that's a lot of advice.
I'm now sending you the larger size: http://www.onetribetrading.com/earthkeepers-organic-salve-4oz/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Tom Bluewolf makes it himself in the mountains of N Georgia. CBD is great, and all those other anecdotes, but I promise… this will sort you out.
Patrick Ross?VP, Digital Marketing
AWAL / Kobalt
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Who cares, Bob? Geez, write about something that's not about yourself.
Leroy Henry
Executive Producer, Global Starbucks | PlayNetwork
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Bob, I hope that you are trying EACH AND EVERY method listed below! (heh)
Douglas C. Weinstein
________________________________________
That's a novel Bob! Print it and you'll make millions!
Take care!
Lisa Montez
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i live in Wisconsin, and the winters suck for this. we have this giant barrel downstairs where we have to put five or six 50 lb. bags of water softening salt every year....actually my wife does because I have a bad back. and I use Eucerin Eczema lotion every day which helps immensely, but I also have a prescription to use in cases that it won't.
Mike Farley
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My advice is probably same as most on here. Dad had horrible psoriasis and at 45 or so (just turned 47) I started getting patches and rashes and itchiness.
Comes from inflammatory diet
No more:
Processed sugar
Processed food
White flour and heavy starch
Fried food
Eat
Strawberries
Blueberries
Avocado
Grass fed meat
Bulletproof coffee (bird safe coffee like allegro early bird with coconut oil and grass fed butter)
Lots and lots of green veggies
Lots of fish.
Take a green supplement like kyogreen or wheatgrass daily.
Our problems all stem from diet and the toxins contained within.
Dan Millen
________________________________________
Just getting all of these concerned, helpful responses in your inbox should make your skin feel better....at least I hope so!
Scott Hazlewood
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Get this occasionally too. Of course it can be diet related or an allergy.
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) works for me. I take it before bedtime with that hot shower and apply my favorite skin cream afterwards.
I purchased a couple AcuRite 00613 Indoor humidity monitors, they're $8 on Amazon. Run a humidifier if needed.
Go to bed, relax and get some rest.
I have been prescribed Clobetasol Propionate (corticosteroid) and it work wonders for eczema/psoriasis.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clobetasol_propionate?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Hang in there,
G.Robey
Chesapeake Beach, MD
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While I disagree with a great deal of your thoughts, especially politics, I'd like to help. And, though it's nice to see so many reaching out to you, lotions etc. only treat symptoms. The best advice is to find a GOOD holistic practitioner and have them find your cause, which sounds like some combination diet/exposure. You seem to be having an allergic reaction which possibly is a new situation for your system, and hopefully temporary, with treatment. Find a medical doctor that practices holistically, or someone that's grounded and practices holistically.
Good luck,
Merky1208
________________________________________
Whoa! You wouldn't have time to try all these ideas before you die. Since that happens in most areas of health,it's really quite overwhelming. Maybe use your intuition to pick a few??? Who knows? probably no one.
queenie taylor
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You know how great your original column about your skin was?
The responses are awesome!
And there are even consensus on many possible treatments.
Far out as we used to say!
( i am one of the "check for allergies, change your laundry detergent" people, but I generally don't suffer from skin issues, but do have allergies!)
So many choices to see what works best for you!
Regards
Amy Krakow
________________________________________
Hey Bob.. try going vegan for 30 days. Hey - it's worth a shot for as bad as that sounds, right?
Read this: Meat Is For Pussies, by John Joseph
All the creams and stuff is treating the symptoms not the cause, IMO.
Jerry Cunningham
________________________________________
1. I just hope this is not representative of response ratios. Otherwise it means you write your ass off all these years and the most response you ever got was on a mail about skin issues?
2. When I was scrolling through I fully expected some crazy tongue in-cheek jokemail from John Mayer for some reason
best
sebastian keil
________________________________________
JESUS!
You need to start running AARP Adds so you can make some $$$. I am only 56 but feel old and sad and dry every day. Ahh well, "getting old is not for sissies". Speak the truth with love.
mab
Michael A. Becker
________________________________________
Here are all the treatments suggested in the responses:
(I'd check with the University clinic in Munster/Germany in a heartbeat)
Best Chris
Hot water
Epiceram
Organic Coconut oil
Epsom salt
Almond Oil
Tee Tree oil
Thiel Creme de corps
Kiehl's Intensive Treatment for dried skin
Moogo products
Biologics (Humire)
Aveeno Luiquid Soap
Ejuva liquid cleanse
Amlactin
Oatmeal bath
Minocycline
MenScience Deodorant
Benadryl
Ice
Avocados (eat)
1% Hydrocortisone
Arrid Cream antiperspirant
**Primal Derma
Rodan & Fields Soothe Regimen
Tar
Jason Products Skin Care
Vitamin D
Bag Balm
AmLactin
AD&E Lotion
Gold Bond Creams
Organic essential oils
Cannabis
Triamcinolone acetonide cream
Anthistamines
Acupuncture
Corn starch bath
Clinique clarifying #2
Johnson & Johnson dual action moisterizer
Neutrogene healthy defense moisterizer
Neuragena Daily control
Tangy Tangerine
Niacin
Pantrax
Panthothenic Acid
Psoriatrax Shampoo
Dead Sea swimming
Dr. Jard Ceramidine line
Amlactin
VSL#3 probiotic
Epiceram
Go Vegan
UV Therapy
Cannabis Balm
Origins Skin Products
Shea Butter
Nizoral Sgampoo
Head and Shoulders shampoo
Fish Oil
Olive Oil
Dupilumab
Dupixent
Eucerin calming lotion
Ayurveda
Pure peppermint oil
Comfrey Salve
Manuka Honey
Astaxanthin
Ocean Salt Water
Soothe Regimen
Cera-ve moisterizer
Olay body scrub
Gabriel Couzian Washing Oil
Walnut Oil
Cetaphil Bar Soap and Moisterizer
Aloe Vera
Burt Bee thick cream
Clobetasol (Clobex)
CBD Oil balm
Sombra Menthol Cream
________________________________________
Another idea, buy an aloe Vera plant, break small pieces of and put the "juice" straight on the skin. It's a bit slimey, but it has also proven useful.
Janie Van Halen
________________________________________
Udder Butter !
You'r over thinking this.
RDunn
________________________________________
Olive oil.
For everything.
Jessica Halprin
________________________________________
You might want to get your RA factor checked.
You describe my cousin's condition.
Ken Shain
________________________________________
If it is itching once awhile and is red and feel so much better under hot water it could very well be eczema.
I've had that off and on. I sympathize with you. It's due to "allergies and stress". My Dr. told me that a long time ago.
It could be foods or could be environmentally. I have this really expensive cream that was Rx'd to me a long time ago. But I eat gluten free, no sugar, coconut oil is the best and the aloe Vera.
Just had to add that because that itching is crazy! Also cleansing. I do detox cleanses about twice a year because of even pollution in the air builds up in our bodies. It just cleans everything out.
Ruthie Owen-Moreno
Denver and Phoenix
________________________________________
yikes that's awful...
Kate O'Laughlin
________________________________________
Sorry about your skin issues, but as a result of these responses I seriously want to hang with Frank Gagliano!
Ken Alterwitz
________________________________________
I see you've gotten a ton of advice already, but I'll throw mine in. I have mild psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, plus mild eczema, all now under good control.
Doctor: Look up an integrative medicine doctor as your primary. They are both MD's and Naturopaths, so open to any kind of treatment. They take a systemic approach and can guide your health explorations with other specialists.
Deodorant: I use the crystal mineral stuff. Not an anti-perspirant, just a deodorant, but no irritation at all.
Skin: I itch in many places if I don't manage this. So in the shower, I only use soap in pits and groin (liquid with salicylic acid to manage yeast). I use a loofa pad on arms and legs to gently remove dry skin. That's it. Then when I get out, Cerave cream (over the counter) with prescription Clobetasol steroid liquid mixed in. It's good, non-greasy moisturizing with mild anti-itch. My derm says there is no danger of long-term use (skin thinning) so they let kids slather it on as much as they want.
I am on a med for my psoriatic arthritis, but they are all immunosuppressants to some extent, so have to be careful about getting sick, etc.
I'll let you manage the food aspect. But for me: I drink only water, period. Eat at home 99% of the time, so not processed stuff, but not crazy about cutting out any particular type.
---
You have no idea how much you have influenced my writing. I don't mind music, but I rarely listen to it...I don't own any at all and never have (I'm 53). I have something called Auditory Processing Disorder...I hear fine, but can't concentrate at all with background noise, which to me music is.
But I read you for your insights into authenticity and standing for something. I think music is the canary in the coal mine for where culture is going, and I can appreciate that in an intellectual way without needing to listen to it.
I have dozens of your articles saved that have helped define my writing.
If you are interested, I have cataloged all of my accumulated health conditions for public viewing as part of being honest and transparent to my readers. You can see them here:
https://overexamined.life/health-wellness-status/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Good luck,
Scott Weigle
OverExamined Life
________________________________________
I see you've received a ton of advice, as have I in the past. I probably tried most of those creams and diets, too, to no avail. I've spent zillions on dermatologists who had good intentions but ultimately did nothing to help me but gave me stronger and stronger steroids, including oral steroids. Very dangerous drugs and a path it is best not to go down if avoidable.
First get tested with a skin biopsy to rule out psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder and responds to heavy meds - Methotrexate, Humira and similar. They have some new protocols for that now.
If it's not psoriasis, and you're suffering from 'atopic dermatitis' or eczema, look up Dr. Richard Aron in South Africa. He also has an office in London. https://www.facebook.com/groups/draron/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
http://www.draron.com/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Dr. Aron's protocol treats the underlying staph bacteria that colonize where the skin is broken/irritated. Eczema won't calm down if the bacteria remains present. Traditional Western medicine treats only the inflammation with steroids and your body becomes resistant to them. The trick is you need to add topical antibiotics to the mix. It also allows a much, much lower dose of steroid. He will prescribe a moisturizing base - mine is a big tub of Vanicream, to which a mild topical steroid and a mild topical antibiotic are added. About 90%, 5%, 5% but it differs for every patient and is not supposed to be shared with others. You apply the mixture frequently to start as per his directions and eventually taper. I'm almost a year in and from 5 apps a day, I am down to an occasional application after I shower.
Dr. Aron diagnoses and prescribes via the internet (an extensive Q&A, your history, plus he reviews photos of your skin). You get the script filled locally. I was bed-ridden last year. My eczema is not 100% gone but it is 98% better and under control. No longer the focus of my life. Thousands of others just like me - you'll see on his site.
Yes, diet matters, your own triggers matter (heat, sweat, dust, chemicals, humidity, certain foods, booze, pets, environment, etc. - different for everyone but you learn what sets you off). Clean eating and living help. Sun and salt water help. Health in general helps. But trust me - Dr. Aron's regime changed my life after a lifetime of suffering from dry, itchy, red, inflamed skin.
I never thought I'd be writing a letter like this...
Love your emails! Best wishes to you.
Lori Turoff
________________________________________
Many of the letters regarding your skin condition were spot on. The gut is the donut hole of the body. Two things I suggest: Order Dr Reckeweg's R30 homeopathic cream, and use it liberally. I used to get horrible rashes and that was the only thing that would calm it down, other than fasting (a clue to the gut relationship). Secondly, I would highly suggest you locate a Functional Doctor in your area, who will order the right type of tests to get to the root cause of what is causing this skin condition. There are fantastic tests out there - one is called the Organic Acid Test (OAT test), via Great Plains Laboratories. There is the GI Effects test as well as the NuttrEval test via Genova Diagnostics. The former will give you a solid breakdown of gut bacteria, oxidative stress, neurotransmitters, nutritional markers, and immune function: https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/organic-acids-test/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
GI Effects is somewhat similar, though usually ordered together with the NutrEval, for the nutritional markers: https://www.gdx.net/product/gi-effects-comprehensive-stool-test?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
https://www.gdx.net/product/nutreval-fmv-nutritional-test-blood-urine?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
You can find some great YouTube tutorials on theses tests.
You may think to yourself that these tests have nothing to do with what you have, but I guarantee you that you will find some kind of bacterial or yeast overgrown going on in your gut, which would be a significant factor.
Alletess is a great way to test for food allergies, or whatever your practitioner thinks is most appropriate.
Chris Kresser is an awesome Functional doc who is in Cali. Might be a start: https://chriskresser.com/ccfmed/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
You can also find other practitioners at this site: https://www.functionalmedicine.org/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Good luck!
Susan Desmarais
________________________________________
I agree with David Rubinson. Virgin organic coconut oil. The best.
Ray Staar
________________________________________
Hey Bob,
I agree with people responding saying it may be dietary. I have more or less gotten rid of rosacea and flakey skin myself after exhausting all my options regarding medicine and doctors/dermatologists.
The best approach for me was to troubleshoot and try to figure out what is causing it and what is a trigger. For example - taking showers didn´t cause it. Chilies probably didn´t either but they are a trigger.
Quick advice - for flakey skin stay off all bread, wheat, yeast and gluten stuff for two weeks and see if it improves (it will), and its easy enough, just keep away from bread & pasta mainly. Also dairy is absolutely terrible for my skin. It makes it red and sometimes I get a reaction. If you can avoid this as well for a short period of time, do it. Just be conscious that you shouldn't stay off gluten or dairy fully unless you really need to. You will create an intolerance because for example, the enzyme lactase won't be produced any longer in your gut. Lactase is what is responsible for breaking down lactose from dairy.
Lengthy advice below:
Here´s what i found after troubleshooting my skin conditions for 3 years.
Flakey skin
- I've had this all my life: once i stopped eating bread (yeast / gluten) and pasta etc. my skin stopped flaking on my face and scalp....FULLY. 100% gone.
Red patches / Roacea
- This seems to be caused alcohol, my skin being dehydrated etc.
- Image Vital-C hydrating serum really helps
- Its diet related, when i switched to a full Paleo diet the symptoms went away
Spots / bad skin
- For me I get bad skin when I eat sugary stuff or unhealthy foods, fried etc.
Foods that really help:
- oily fishes
- fish in general
- avocados
- good probiotics (e.g. - Alflorex but its best to research online or Amazon reviews)
I used to work in IT so I've been a troubleshooter all my working life (I'm 37). I pay more attention to detail than any doctor I've ever met. Granted the human body is a very difficult machine to troubleshoot but I've come across mechanics who care more about finding a solution to a problem than the majority of doctors (and thats saying something!!).
I've resolved my tinnitus alone, stomach issues, really bad skin problems so I feel I know what I am talking about when it comes to health issues that would literally drive you crazy!
For me it feels like a balance issue in my stomach/digestive system. It may well be the same for you. The best advice I can give you is start troubleshooting and develop more and more patience if you see start getting little wins. You've already started troubleshooting anyway because you know what makes it worse. So start eating good foods and avoiding shit foods and see if you can reverse it, if you can - keep it up.
Best of luck and get in contact if you need any further advice from me.
John Duignan
________________________________________
Go see a different doctor. Don't give up, there is someone out there that can help you. If you're ever up in Vancouver, I'll bring my back scratcher for you.
Try changing you laundry detergent, fabric softener or even different bed sheets.
It's raining in Vancouver much like it always does this time of year...
Take care, okay?
Kimmie.... (Seale)
________________________________________
"Coconut oil cleans your arteries."
Good lord. I'd love to see the science on that one. Coconut oil is not a cure-all. It's good stuff, no doubt. Probably decent for your skin & hair. And a great source of fat for the body.
The diet suggestions though... I could stand behind that one. Cutting out sugar & carbohydrates especially.
I've read the science on cutting sugar & carbs and they sold me. Diabetes reversal, complete elimination of most heart medications, weight loss, athletic performance.
It's the keto diet. And I've done it for a long time. It's damned hard. Refined carbs & sugar are in EVERYTHING. Even ketchup. Keep your carbs at 20g a day, your protein at around 1g per pound of weight and your dietary fat without limit.
It's not for everyone. And there are quacks out there touting is as a 'miracle'. IT's not. But there is science that says it's beneficial.
Here are some names to google:
Peter Attia
Peter isn't on keto anymore. But he has interesting things to say.
(And i don't love Tim Ferris's show, but he talked with Attia several times)
http://tim.blog/2014/12/18/peter-attia/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Dominic D'Agostino
He's a scientist and keto advocate.
http://tim.blog/2015/11/03/dominic-dagostino/?utm_source=phplist5777&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=More+Skin
Good luck Bob.
And Be Skeptical. Not cynical.
Bill Seipel
________________________________________
Hey Bob,
One outside of the box thought might be to treat it like poison oak/ivy.
I've suffered greatly from it, and the most effective treatment is prednisone, a steroidal treatment.
(Which will require a prescription, so you'll need an open minded doctor.)
Also try the over the counter Calamine lotion?
If everything else seems ineffective, it's certainly worth a try.
Jeff Watson
________________________________________
Hi Bob,
I'm a dermatology professor at ___ with a private practice in Century City. I don't need or want a recommendation but I'd like to help you with your skin because I feel I owe you for your entertaining and provocative emails.
I won't talk to you about celebs!
____ _________, MD
___-___-____
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Challenges/Rewards
CHALLENGE
Getting attention.
REWARD
Barrier to entry nonexistent.
CHALLENGE
Getting publicity.
REWARD
Publicity is nearly irrelevant and the means of spreading the word are at your fingertips.
CHALLENGE
Making money.
REWARD
Successful artists are making more money in adjusted dollars than they ever were, just not as much as bankers or techies. Furthermore, there are many avenues of revenue. Endorsements, merch, privates...and live pays better than ever before.
CHALLENGE
Only Top Forty counts/can make you go nuclear.
REWARD
We're disruption ready. Radio will embrace the left field, the public wants it, if you can do something different well, you can break through. But you must be persistent.
CHALLENGE
Takes forever for a track to move up the chart.
REWARD
You can continue to release new music for no cost on YouTube and nearly no cost on streaming services to satiate your fans and bond them to you.
CHALLENGE
You're competing against the history of music/greatest music of all time.
REWARD
Separates the men from they boys (and the women from the girls!) If you're not good enough, drop out. And ignore those not good enough. Today you have to have a great voice and great tunes. The bar is ever higher, but if you can reach it...
CHALLENGE
Fake news.
REWARD
Art is about truth, ignore the hype. Don't feel bad when someone else gets a review in the "Times" and you don't, it doesn't matter!
CHALLENGE
You can't get booked.
REWARD
Festivals need undercards. Believe me, Bowie, Blondie and a whole host of acts could have broken out of festivals. Not only does your performance/music have to be good, you have to have a show, you must assault the audience, wow people.
CHALLENGE
You can't get paid.
REWARD
Unless you make Top Forty music you don't need a label and streaming services pay regularly and fairly. You can make 70 cents on the dollar if you own your rights. Ignore the old farts with their disinformation campaigns decrying progress. They just want to suck at the tit of the old record company CD paradigm which is not coming back.
CHALLENGE
Record labels rip you off.
REWARD
Not for long, new systems employed by millennials are coming online. They believe in transparency. A boomer cries peace and love and stabs you in the back a millennial will pay you your cash as long as they make some.
CHALLENGE
Getting on Letterman.
REWARD
Late night is meaningless. But YouTube is your tool, and it's FREE! It's better than MTV.
CHALLENGE
Being heard.
REWARD
Go back to the basics, the Beatles could sing, write songs with changes and looked good to boot. Adele sells ten times what everybody else does, because she focuses on songs and melody and she can sing!
CHALLENGE
Me-too business.
REWARD
Don't work with the usual suspects, do it your own way, the means of production are at your fingertips, experiment, failure is forgotten, keep striving for the stars, see what resonates.
--
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/?utm_source=phplist5776&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Challenges%2FRewards
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Getting attention.
REWARD
Barrier to entry nonexistent.
CHALLENGE
Getting publicity.
REWARD
Publicity is nearly irrelevant and the means of spreading the word are at your fingertips.
CHALLENGE
Making money.
REWARD
Successful artists are making more money in adjusted dollars than they ever were, just not as much as bankers or techies. Furthermore, there are many avenues of revenue. Endorsements, merch, privates...and live pays better than ever before.
CHALLENGE
Only Top Forty counts/can make you go nuclear.
REWARD
We're disruption ready. Radio will embrace the left field, the public wants it, if you can do something different well, you can break through. But you must be persistent.
CHALLENGE
Takes forever for a track to move up the chart.
REWARD
You can continue to release new music for no cost on YouTube and nearly no cost on streaming services to satiate your fans and bond them to you.
CHALLENGE
You're competing against the history of music/greatest music of all time.
REWARD
Separates the men from they boys (and the women from the girls!) If you're not good enough, drop out. And ignore those not good enough. Today you have to have a great voice and great tunes. The bar is ever higher, but if you can reach it...
CHALLENGE
Fake news.
REWARD
Art is about truth, ignore the hype. Don't feel bad when someone else gets a review in the "Times" and you don't, it doesn't matter!
CHALLENGE
You can't get booked.
REWARD
Festivals need undercards. Believe me, Bowie, Blondie and a whole host of acts could have broken out of festivals. Not only does your performance/music have to be good, you have to have a show, you must assault the audience, wow people.
CHALLENGE
You can't get paid.
REWARD
Unless you make Top Forty music you don't need a label and streaming services pay regularly and fairly. You can make 70 cents on the dollar if you own your rights. Ignore the old farts with their disinformation campaigns decrying progress. They just want to suck at the tit of the old record company CD paradigm which is not coming back.
CHALLENGE
Record labels rip you off.
REWARD
Not for long, new systems employed by millennials are coming online. They believe in transparency. A boomer cries peace and love and stabs you in the back a millennial will pay you your cash as long as they make some.
CHALLENGE
Getting on Letterman.
REWARD
Late night is meaningless. But YouTube is your tool, and it's FREE! It's better than MTV.
CHALLENGE
Being heard.
REWARD
Go back to the basics, the Beatles could sing, write songs with changes and looked good to boot. Adele sells ten times what everybody else does, because she focuses on songs and melody and she can sing!
CHALLENGE
Me-too business.
REWARD
Don't work with the usual suspects, do it your own way, the means of production are at your fingertips, experiment, failure is forgotten, keep striving for the stars, see what resonates.
--
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Thursday, 16 March 2017
Re-My Skin
At Phil Lesh at the Captiol and just finished rubbing my eyes and face and thinking "damn, my skin never used to get dry!!!"
Peter Shapiro
________________________________________
I feel your pain! Hot water, cold & dry weather, certain foods, stress, alcohol-it sucks!!
Dermatologist did nothing for me, totally useless! Have a biopsy done, get it diagnosed. Then you know how to deal. The dermatologist misdiagnosed me-total waste of time!
Jo Faloona
________________________________________
did any of your doctors prescribe Epiceram for the skin blotches?
Keith McCarthy
________________________________________
Careful Bob, your sneaking up on sounding like Jerry Seinfeld's parents at the early-bird dinner special at Del Boca Vista… Getting old, not for sissies. It's all good as long as your on the right side of the grass.
Best,
Jim Gilmore
________________________________________
Have you gone to an allergist?
I grew up with really touchy skin and lots of dryness and there was a food connection.
I've done a lot of alternative medicine to deal with it with some success.
In holistic medicine, a reaction that shows up on your skin with some strength is an indication that there's some internal issue.. Could be as simple as your body needs a break from something you're eating or doing..
But, in my experience as someone who has had a ton of skin issues, rubbing stuff on the skin can relieve some of the pain, and in some cases make mild things go away, but looking deeper is the thing that did the trick
Karen Gordon
________________________________________
Virgin organic coconut oil.
David Rubinson
________________________________________
Organic coconut oil.
Great on your skin. Buy it on Amazon. It's cheap.
And if you also take a tablespoon a day, I put it in my cappuccino every morning, it will cleanse the plaque out of your arteries.
I just scored a 0 on a calcium scoring, my Dad died of heart disease at 58, and I always had cholesterol issues. I'm 62 and have been on statins almost 20 years. I'm now off, my sex life is better, actually amazing, and my memory has improved. I never believed in this crap until I met this girl who is a holistic health coach, and now I'm a believer. And I'll never leave her.
The shit works.
Good luck.
Thanks,
Ernie Canadeo
________________________________________
I hope you realize that to a guy 93 you seem very, very young. 63 ain't old. Unless, of course, you think it is. Quit whining. Get lasik. Exercise. Live young. Feel young. And quit living in the past. Right now are the good old days. You are at the peak of who you are, you have a lifetime of valuable experience that you didn't have at 25. Use this wisdom to live each day in a way that you could never have as a twenty or thirty year old. Nostalgia has its place, but the 1960's are never coming back... Live NOW!
Frank A. Gagliano
________________________________________
1) Is is possible that you're having a reaction to the agent they use in more modern thermal layers [like Biogene] to keep the clothes from getting the foul "old locker" smell?
2) A different allergy?
Perhaps you need an allergist, not a dermatologist?
Good luck. You're not alone in this.
________________________________________
Try a bath with Epsom salt, almond oil, coconut oil, tea tree oil in it. Works wonders.
Devon P
________________________________________
Try Kiehls products. An old GF turned me on to the stuff.
Creme de corps is the normal heavy duty stuff that I use.
http://www.kiehls.com/creme-de-corps/259.html?cgid=body-moisturizers&dwvar_259_size=8.4 fl. oz. Bottle&utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin#start=1&cgid=body-moisturizers
They also have this nuclear stuff for exceptionally dry skin.
http://www.kiehls.com/intensive-treatment-and-moisturizer-for-dry-or-callused-areas/295.html?dwvar_295_size=3.4 fl. oz. Tube&cgid=body-moisturizers&utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin#start=3&cgid=body-moisturizers
Mishpucha, I'm telling you!
Best
Jack Morer
________________________________________
Hey Bob, sorry to hear about the skin problems. This product has seemed to work for me. They have everything from a scalp cream to Excema creams. More on the natural side of things, but maybe that's what you wanna try at this point??
They're an Aussie company, and they use cows milk in all their products:
https://moogoousa.com/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Jason Blinn
________________________________________
I've dealt with different/similar skin issues for the past 20 years, while I'm still relatively young (39) having them in your late teens and 20's can do more long term damage to your self esteem than you could ever imagine. The physical part is obviously horrible, but adding the psychological and emotional element to it just shifts the entire way you look at your life.
For me, the worst part was when the skin issue attacked my joints (psoriatic arthritis). In my early 20's I was here in NYC and finally making it as a touring and session drummer. One day my ankles flared, then it slowly moved to my fingers. I thought I was done.
The topicals help for a sec, but what I've learned is that it's really down to a complete lifestyle change (if you can't move to climates that suit you better). For me (and most folks) it's an autoimmune backlash, that generally roots in inflammation. For me, it was about shifting diet (Alkalizing), lukewarm showers, cutting back on the coffee and booze and well, figuring out how to better deal with the number one cause of inflammation...stress.
I know, it's a bummer. All the best food is white and starchy and a total acid bomb for your body, but you just have to weigh it all in the end.
For the severe cases, the Biologics (humira etc) work. Very well. But for me when I was on them it was more about jump starting my celluar memory along with the lifestyle change.
I've been 100% clear for years now.
Hang in there sir, it feels like a horrible penance but it can be beaten!
-Guy Licata
________________________________________
Ain't too late bobby. Kill the processed foods. Go to the farm market. Get close to the earth. No more itching.
David Elkins
________________________________________
So sorry to hear about this. I know your followers will send you their remedies which is the positive result of sharing both the good and not so good in your life in your posts. Sounds like an imbalance in your body chemistry. Perhaps internal medication could help correct this. A form of psoriasis or eczema?
http://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/pictures?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Sussman
________________________________________
Aveeno! Aveeno liquid soap for the shower using a washcloth; aveeno lotion for after; give it shot.
(I'm in the same boat as you, sucks...and Aveeno seems to be helping as of a few weeks ago) Good luck Bob.
David Epstein
Oakland
________________________________________
It's your diet Bob
Change it
Go raw
Jump start the change w/Ejuva's 28 day cleanse
It's an intestinal cleansing & rejuvenation, cleans the colon... large & small intestines.. blood.. etc
Do a little recon here... Ejuva.com
& then enjoy the astounding results
You're entire system will recalibrate
I know I sound nuts but trust me.
-Mike McGlaflin
________________________________________
No more scalding showers, aveeno lotion- not amlactin which is harsh. No ointments. Oatmeal baths. Drink lots of water and get minocycline from your dr. If you're itchy... cool water/ compress. No scratching and NO heat. You may also need prednisone to break the cycle. Good luck .... as my Dad used to say re dermatologists..." view the rash, collect the cash".
L G
________________________________________
I hear you. It started around the time I moved to the OC when I was in my 20s. We're moving in a couple of months and I told my wife, first thing, we are replacing the shower head with a hand hold model. OMG the hot shower feels so good when I itch, which is all the time. Not quite as bad as you, but still... It started on my eyelids. Went away and came back on my back. That's when I learned the hot shower trick. Left there went to the leg. Now it is mainly around the lower stomach and below (and one ear is scaling a lot these days). I have to shampoo and condition every day or I'd scratch my hair out. As bad as the hot water is for you, it is better then self wounding yourself with your nails.
The last time I looked, there was only one hospital in the world that had a focus on eczema. Why? There's no money in it. They do make a lot of money selling you creams that don't work though. They found a curious relationship between itching and pain. They haven't figured out why pain cures itching, but that seems the only way these days. If you do come across something, please let me know.
Bruce Greenberg
________________________________________
Thoroughly enjoy your musings, and truly know and understand ( grok) that health is truly more important than wealth.
I also know that I am blessed that at 70 I have been spared the afflictions of many my age. No prescription meds. 30 days at Vail and Beaver Creek so far this season and I've taken off the last week in March for "spring break" at Vail .
I wish you speedy relief.
Pray for Snow
mark birnbach
________________________________________
I'm allergic to nickel and have sensitive skin and tried tons of deodorants and antiperspirants that ultimately left me rashy. I've settled on Men's Science deodorant. The only thing that works for me, but it does cost $20. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GAO1PE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_1gGYybM1K7MMM?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
And I'm only 29!
Best of luck in the winters (puts the lotion on its skin),
Justin McCraw
________________________________________
I'm so sorry about your itching, dry skin. Sounds like allergic psoriasis or something of the sort. Terrible to itch all over. Your dermatologist probably gave you steroid creams to treat it. Won't work, as you discovered.
My pharmacist at Pharmaca Pharmacy on San Vicente Blvd in Brentwood ( his name is Arian) told me that ice actually helps to stop the itch. He's better and more knowledgeable than some doctors I know. He diagnosed frost-nip on my heel after a noted podiatrist told me it was a bug bite. Arian told me exactly what to do to treat it ( it was very puffy, red etc) and it worked. Yes, frost-nip is a real condition. Sounds laughable but it's a mild version of frost bite. I'd been pressing an ice pack on my heel directly on the skin.
Back to you. Are you taking any new medications? Sometimes the inactive ingredients in generics can cause allergic reactions. Some medications period can cause allergic reactions which can include itchiness.
Have you tried taking a Benadryl to see if it helps reduce your itchiness? If you haven't you might consider it. I'm stabbing in the dark with this but if it's caused by allergy a Benadryl might help. If so Bernie Geller MD in Santa Monica is a great allergy doc.
If none of the above feels right or you've been down each road already, consider talking to Arian at Pharmaca. He's super smart and nice as can be.
I really hope you feel better. Don't give up. It might be worth getting another opinion from your internist, a different dermatologist and quite possibly an MD who specializes in allergy. Good luck.
Take care,
Martine Ehrenclou
________________________________________
I am with you Bob. Your piece nailed it about Dermatologists.
I am 46 and suffer from Rosacea. It's on your face and affects your confidence and how others treat you.
Been to several dermatologists. Prescribed many creams and lotions. Who wants to slather that stuff on twice a day? Not to mention it doesn't work.
Antibiotics help a little but it can't be healthy to be on them for years at a time.
Good luck with your skin struggles and thanks for sharing. Know you are not alone.
Patrick
Philadelphia PA
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Yes ! the damn itching that wakes you up ! no bugs, just skin insanity !
Martin Katon
________________________________________
Erma Bombeck ghostwriting for you?
Russell Bassett
________________________________________
You need to eat lots of avocados and coconut oil - healthy fats. And drink lots of water. And switch to lukewarm showers. And probably look at switching your shampoo and soap to something natural.
Seriously with the fats and water - it will help. Good luck.
Karen Martin
________________________________________
Was married to a brainiac doc who constantly used steroid ointments on his skin. Current hubby just saw Mayo dermatologist who said to use otc 1% hydrocortisone cream (steroids but otc and simply available). Mayo docs are into outcomes and not pushing drug rep suggestions. Worked with a bunch of guys and several noticed they had scaley skin when they drank hard liquor. You may have a food sensitivity.
Arrid cream antiperspirant deodorant is hard to find although I've seen at Walgreens. Amazon is easier, cheaper to buy 12 pack. Works great and your pits won't be irritated. This is old school cream in a jar.
Dove soap is the best and avoid scrubbing with washcloth. Shorter and not too hot showers. Pat dry.
Laundry? Maybe too much fragrance and additives. Wash your sheets without detergent to get rid of the excess and use less and rinse twice.
I enjoy your column. Hope you don't think this is intrusive but no risk and will help you.
Regards, Kathy Clifford
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wow, I had no idea. do you remember this?
"At War With My Skin"
By John Updike
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1985/09/02/at-war-with-my-skin?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
John Hughes
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Did you catch "The Night Of" on HBO. John Turturro with his eczema? Reminds me of your plight...
John A. Roberts
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As gratitude for all the great music you have showed me and reminded me that I loved I would be grateful to send you some of my skincare product Primal Derma (primalderma.com) to help your skin - I think it might. It is made primarily of grass-fed beef tallow which has been the skincare product of choice for humans for at least 20,000 years except for the last 150 or so.
It is made by hand in my home in Harlem and has no petrochemicals, stabilizers, preservatives or any junk in it. Tallow is virtually bio-identical to our own skin and fat cells and is easily absorbed and nutritious for your skin and is a natural anti-inflammatory and has been shown to help with psoriasis and other skin disorders.
Just send me your address and I'll pop some in the mail to you right away.
Thanks again for all the music,
Matthew Stillman
________________________________________
Dr burns in Woodland Hills. Go once and he'll find the prob! Promise. Google him and go.
Sandra
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Dear Mr. Lefsetz
I am a regular reader of your blog. I always enjoy your outlook on day to day activities and you have a wonderful way with words.
With that said ... I can relate to your skin issues as I have been battling something similar since October 2013.
As much as the heat relieves the itch from your skin, it's honestly the worst thing for it. The hot showers are really horrible (but I know how good they make your skin feel!). Rubbing it when it itches is also bad.
Probably TMI, but I've had a horrible rash on my ankle that started in 2013. I thought it was from a pair of shoes I bought from QVC that had a edge of the shoe that was higher than normal. Of course, it didn't heal, and that ended up being a $900 vascular issue because the blood in my ankle pooled and it wasn't circulating right.
I have tried every potion, lotion, antibiotic, cortisone cream, etc. to keep my ankle from looking like my leg was just oozing everywhere. I can relate as the skin on my ankle appeared to be growing too fast -- so it was so thin it just peeled off.
The one thing that worked? Rodan and Fields Soothe Regimen. The doctors who invented Proactiv are the same doctors that make Rodan + Fields. It's really easy to use and it's a 3 (or 4) step process that takes no more than 5 minutes
Since it was the only thing that worked, and I wanted to get it cheaper, I started selling it. If you want to try this and see if it will work for you, there's a 60 day money back guarantee.
If you like, I can send you photos of my ankle, but suffice to say, from a rash that took up my entire ankle, it's healed now except one tiny spot in the front. Although not this week (as it's back in the 20's) but last week I was able to wear skirts without hose (I'm in DC ... and it was 70). This week we're freezing our buns off so I'm back to skirts and boots!
Take a look at my web site -- and there are a lot of Before/After's I can send you if you want more information. I know how painful these skin issues can be, and I can certainly relate.
https://sbeavan.myrandf.com/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
You might also consider changing your laundry detergent to something like All Clear and make sure that any dryer sheets you use are unscented.
Wishing you the best of luck with your skin issue. I'm sure lots of folks will have all sorts of information for you to try! Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Best of luck to you!
DCSharon
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This area isn't fun - I'm lucky - hasn't happened to myself, but it's a big area for my partner.
Sounds like it could be Psoriasis?
My partner is still at the younger end of things (compared to us ;) so it's not just an age thing..
She manages to stay on top of her condition though, but for her it's all about diet.
She's tried all sorts of stuff on the journey - Tar in her hair (I can couch for that), heavy duty creams (which work but are damaging and only fix the symptoms), many types of lighter creams and washing products etc.
The diet is the one thing that keeps it under control for her.
She is a foodie though, and so has managed to find tasty stuff for the most part.
I eat a lot of it and it's great (although I can't go near Quinoa).
It's still not easy (she loves her potato chips and cake) but it helps that she's Vietnamese, and was brought up on their foods & portion sizes.
The other area is clothing - wearing nothing but 100% cotton or wool, head to toe.
If you find yourself looking at the diet area and think it might help, let me know and I'll pass her email address across, she might be able to suggest a few ideas that don't taste like crap and are easy enough to make.
Might be an excuse to visit the Asian supermarket.
And if you want someone who might even be happy to scratch your back, and you have a vacancy, I'd highly recommend looking (carefully) in that part of the world also :)
Evan Linwood
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I'm sorry about your skin. I keep telling you though... Fix your diet. It will change your life.
jbflame8
________________________________________
Please try using 1/2 cup of coconut oil mixed with 10 drops of tea tree oil. Take your shower and while you're still in there, rub your skin head to toe with the coconut oil mixture. Get out, pat dry and do it every day for a week. Then, let me know how your skin is!
You're welcome!
Jo Ann Rossi
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Have you tried Aveeno body wash? I had a a case of hives and I've used it ever since. Also maybe try a sensitive skin detergent. Hope you feel better,
Blake Einhorn
________________________________________
All my sympathy and understanding even it doesn't help.
I am 83 and I never thought I live this long. It is strange and
I have similar things like you do and I am not prepared for this.
I also have a very sick husband who could reach my back if I ask for it, but I don't.
I went through the Holocaust as a child and a revolution in Budapest Hungary. Changed countries and culture. Most of the time I don't even know the songs and music you write about. But my son is a drummer and he is a sound designer and I send your letters to him.
My very best to you-keep on writing: Susanne
Susanne Palagy
________________________________________
Are YOU now the Fathers and the Uncles at your teenage camps?
Or the crusty grandfather for whom "out-complaining" is the BADGE?
Dennis Brent
________________________________________
Go on amazon
Buy the Whole 30 book
Commit to 30 days, don't cheat, reset you body and watch it go away
It works......
Jean Sievers
________________________________________
Bob, make the investment and get food tested via a naturopath (blood test). Then remove the recommended foods from your diet until things improve, whilst most likely, taking a few supplements to modulate your immune system and heal your gut. Sound too woo hoo? Whatever! Look under every rock if this is truly bothering you. Most skin conditions can be improved if not eradicated through diet.
Meanwhile,
"Saving lives? She's one step above working at the Clinique counter."
And I'm so frustrated with the state of my eyes right now (51) I could scream, on and off, all day. Put on cheaters, hallelujah...I can read! Okay, not important stuff like pharmaceuticals and supplements...still need additional optical instruments for that. But I can't "see" anything else, clearly. The rest of life is effing perpetually blurry. And I don't have the cheaters with me at all times (even though we are always reading something), because they fall out of collars. They rip out my hair when I put them on my head. Those pendant chain things don't work. I'm in-between stages of deterioration and have the largest collection of "cheaters" of anyone I know (and when I'm in need of the next strength, I have almost a dozen to replace...I have them stashed...everywhere). Most of the day now, I actually cannot see clearly. Am looking forward to this plateauing. Jeezus.
Wishing you well, skin, eyes, and ears aside...
C
________________________________________
Bravo Bob. And the Oscar goes to.... If you ask me I think you were getting too much hate mail about your new found celebrity lifestyle so you figured you better throw in with the peasants. I think you're fine so please stop bitching. Or maybe you are miserable which in that case I say sorry bud. I feel your pain
Cheers
J.Vieira
________________________________________
Seriously, there is absolutely nothing better.
ttps://ca.iherb.com/pr/udderly-smooth-body-cream-original-formula-12-oz-340-g/70825
Byron Suley
________________________________________
Try JASON products Skin Care | J?SÖN - Natural Pioneer since 1959. Link below
I've been using since early 70's when I first started going to HAWAII.
http://www.jason-personalcare.com/body-loving-products/body/skin-care?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
And check your laundry detergent and conditioners...
Olie Kornelsen
Sorry to hear about this, Bob, and I can imagine the itch is maddening. Hope you find some relief from it soon. As for dermatologists, a doctor friend of mine describes the primary treatment arsenal for rashes/itching -- if it dries, wet it, if it's wet dry it, if there is no improvement hammer the patient with steroids. We'll look back on many of these approaches in 50 years and they will seem slightly more evolved than leeches and bloodletting.
Sean Moriarty
________________________________________
If you have anything resembling psoriasis....read this. It's really helped me. The stuff the derm gave me made everything much worse.
I'm doing a month or so of heavy Vit D. 5,000. Every other, or every 3rd day. Seems to be helping.
https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/how-vitamin-d-can-help-psoriasis?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Lisa Freedman
________________________________________
Try Aveeno Eczema Care or Eucerin Eczema Relief. Both have ceramids, which are the essential lipids in human skin that lock in its natural moisture. Has worked great for me.
Sacha Spindler
________________________________________
That's tough. There's always that tried and true remedy from Vermont - Bag Balm! Good for chafed teets too.
Get well.
Tom Quinn
________________________________________
I'm 73. My itches are in part related to alcohol consumption. Could be a co-factor. Dryness is an issue as well here in West Quebec with wood heat. And yes showers are great but they too promote some itchiness for me for a day or so.
Hit my left shoulder on some ice a month ago. I have regained some mobility but it still hurts when I go to far. Guess I'll have to get it looked at. ;)
All the best,
Brian Fisher
________________________________________
Cold weather eczema? An East Coast girl, I had it in Sun Valley a day after getting in the hot mineral springs thermal pool. And the itching was insane. And there's no Spring in Cape Cod so I don't know where the hell you found mosquitos. However, I may have the answer to your woes. It will take a bit of time, but it works. Blue Emu Oil. Thunder Ridge is the one recommended to me by someone who actually researched it and used it to cure a form of psoriasis. Puritan Pride is the reasonably priced online source. It works, but just like everything else it takes consistency. Try a spot and rub it at least once a day…S.
Stephanie O'Neill
________________________________________
http://www.storenectarine.com/Unscented-ADE-Moisturizer-1-gallon-p/mz-400-41-a.htm?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
AmLactin's lame. AD&E lotion is the best. Gold Bond creams are good to but scented. I was turned on to AD&E many years ago by promo goddess Vicki Leben.
Jean Johnson
________________________________________
Go see an allergist too ASAP.
He can run patch tests etc and also give you something to dampen what might be an allergy of unknown origin.
This will sound crazy too but did you change your meds or med strength or add some vitamin or supplement and change your body chemistry.
Hope you get better.
Rick Vogt
________________________________________
sorry to hear of your skin woes. I hope you have a speedy recovery and it all clears up very soon!
Some ideas:
try to go fragrance free with everything.
Skin stuff is tricky and there's no clear answer
Steroids just push stuff in, don't cure the problem . But they work for the short term.
Don't do hot extreme or cold temperatures.
use gloves to wash dishes
limit the amount of times your skin gets wet.
don't try organic essential oils...those have fragrance and will irritate
If you use sun block, it must be fragrance free!
limit the sugar you consume.
perhaps cannabis coconut oil would help alleviate some of the pain!
I get flair ups...I use steriod cream but don't like to because It just masks the problem
That's about all I have to share
rachel loonin
________________________________________
"Mr. Skin"
Spirit
"Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus"
Mike Marrone
________________________________________
Get Triamcinolone acetonide cream prescript. From yur dermatologist.
Alan Robbins
________________________________________
Love your posts. It's sad to see you resign yourself accepting your afflictions. I hope you don't 'cause selfishly I'm getting lots of good insight from you as I embark on my music journey in South Korea at 45 years old :).
I know, I know you have afflictions.... but hear me out. Our bodies are always trying to heal themselves. You must believe this. I'm far from being a doctor but I think health is predominantly affected by diet and this can help or hinder the healing process. It appears most of the top 10 leading causes of death of Americans can be mitigated/and maybe reversed (including cancer, heart disease, stroke!) by a plant-based diet alone. Obviously I'm assuming you are not eating like this... but based on the fact that you stink, I think I'm probably not too off base. Plenty of science out there if you want verification then to the task of changing behavior.... do your best to eat a plant-based diet--over 70% fresh fruits and green veggies, 20% grains/legumes and stay away from refined sugar and salt. Really limit meat, milk/cheese or ideally eliminate all of them at least for awhile. Try to stay away from most anything processed. If you want to be aggressive about getting healthy (which I'd recommend from experience), consider a fast and/or detox. Or try intermittent fasting. So much health info out there these days (from scientific to wacko), pick one and go for it and see if you can make positive progress on your health. If you want my opinion on specifically what I'd recommend, ping me back. I'm definitely no expert, but I can give you the skinny on what seems to be working for me on my journey.
I challenge you to do this for 1 month. Oh, and share your experience with us loyal readers. I hope you live longer because, seriously, your advice is so needed.
Peace, love & health,
Luke McQueen
________________________________________
Sorry that you're suffering so much!
What is the affliction ? Or is that still a mystery ?
Anyway, I hope you gain some relief....
Chipley Trombley
________________________________________
I doctor up audio in pro tools in my studio, so some call me a doctor, and sometimes a surgeon, but I'm just a engineer, guitarist, songwriting producer type.
Try using all natural ingredients on your skin.mine likes it. Let me.know.how that works for you.
Rock.n.Roll
Marc Amendola
________________________________________
Hello Bob
I have a truly amazing Dr in Los Angeles for you to see. I actually drive from SF to see him, but he's been my Dr 9 years now. One of my best decisions. He's always said to me to bring him any patients I know that have the most difficult symptoms. I saw his 95 year old mentor in his office a few months back. Telling the young nurses he needed a discount! Encouraging. Haha
Anyway, he's phenomenal. I've sent numerous people to him. I think or I know he can help you.
Best
Cheryl Schayer
________________________________________
Bob, have you tried antihistamines?....might help with night time routine so you don't claw yourself bloody throughout the night. Think about incriminating foods that might be the culprit as well.
I deal with skin stuff at 50 that I didn't have to before. Currently skiing with family and hot tub is a no no.....cold showers hell yes! They give immediate relief for the itching which sometimes is all consuming.
Best of luck with it.
Sean
________________________________________
Hey Bob
Hang in there.
Have you tried a juice fast or a vegan fast or a water fast?
Or simply skipping eating one day a week.
My heart goes out to you man
Good luck and hang in there
Thanks for all your great pieces!!!!
Tony Maimone
Studio G Brooklyn
________________________________________
http://byrnesfamilywellness.com/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Sandra
________________________________________
Ok I know I'm always offering u unsolicited advice, but...Michael Fox in Silverlake - acupuncturist who has ongoing certified on skin disorders including long seminars in London. I have the driest skin and had horrible itching and terrible side affects on my legs, couldn't do anything and dermatologists just said oh well. He was treating me for anxiety and then saw my legs and was like - I can help you. Prepped some pouches of mud liquid that literally cleared up a 20 year problem in six weeks. No issues in the 8 years since. Michael Fox in Silverlake. Highly recommend. He works with people who have a disease that has a 50% (!) suicide rate because they never stop itching. Anyway. Be well Bob.
Buffy Visick
________________________________________
I was itchy for months. Started in July last year under my boobs and grew up my chest to my neck and head. It was so bad it was keeping me up at night. After a particularly rough night, my husband said, didn't you start putting milk in your cereal at the end of June last year? Maybe it's the milk.
I had started having milk (whole organic) with my cereal to try to help my teeth, don't ask. Ugh. Anyway, I stopped the milk and voila, the itch started to subside immediately and was gone within four days. That, after six months of itchy hell. From having milk once a day in my morning cereal!
I'm not saying that drinking milk or eating dairy is what's causing your itch, but it's damn well worth a try. No milk, no cheese, no yogurt, no dairy. Give it a week.
It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it.
Gay Bartholomew
________________________________________
Hey there-
Sorry to hear about your skin problems...
My pop suffered from psoriasis when he approached his 50s.
I totally sympathize...being itchy really sucks. I have similar skin problems, but to a much lesser degree.
In some cases, medications like heart and blood pressure medication can worsen it (and certain antibiotics), stress, caffeine and such.
Once your doc is able to get the inflammation under control as far as your body goes, you can see if a cool (luke-warm) bath with a little corn starch might help the itching (like they do for chicken pox). Once your face is not inflamed, you can try and clean in the morning it a dab of Clinique clarifying no. 2. (They also have a sensitive skin one) on a cotton ball to clean your face in the morning.
Once it's better (meaning cleared up) you can test a bit of Johnson and Johnson dual action moisturizer for face lotion to balance it followed by some neutragena healthy defense moisturizer (it has a sunscreen in it).
Gold bond ultimate healing might help you for arms and legs once not inflamed.
But I'd test everything on a small inconspicuous spot at first and see how your body tolerates it.
Btw-Has your dermatologist given you any triamcilone acetonide cream (kinda like extra strength topical cortisone)?
Have you tried an allergist?
I've been asthmatic and severely allergic to pretty much everything. One time I took some cold medicine (not realizing it had aspirin in it ----which contains sulfa ---which I'm extremely allergic too.) The scales and red spots that popped out made me look like I had leprocy. The tiamcilone acettonide cream and prednisone was the only thing that made it go away.
Good luck, Bob.
Keeping fingers crossed...
Gaby
________________________________________
I'm freaking out about turning 25 in July. Thanks for putting things in perspective.
Mike Kunzweiler
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Try washing with Neutragena Daily Control. It's a dandruff shampoo but my doc said to wash my red itchy face with it and it worked. Nothing else did. Leave the lather on for a few minutes before you rinse it off. And use lukewarm water.
Joseph Barbarotta
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Have you been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis? If not, disregard.
If so – like I have – I suggest listening to Ben Fuchs ("Pharmacist Ben") on this issue:
http://archives2014.gcnlive.com/Archives2014/apr14/BrightSide/042414.mp3?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
He answers a call about it starting at 32:35 with a commercial break interrupting his recommendations.
I avoid sugar, sip Beyond Tangy Tangerine (water soluble vitamin/mineral complex) throughout the day, and every day I take 200 mg of time-released niacin (100 mg 2x/day) plus 3000 mg of pantothenic acid (aka "Vitamin B5" - 1500 mg 2x/day). The latter two items absolutely have helped keep my rash under control, although stress or bad soaps can irritate and bring it back to an extent.
More on Ben Fuchs:
http://pharmacistben.com?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
http://www.benfuchsarchive.com?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin - search here for a health issue to find a podcast where he discusses it
My dermatologist has been great for many things but has had no good answers for this issue that just started one day and wouldn't go away.
Ben Fuchs is an amazing resource for learning how to use food to improve many health issues and I recommend looking into him. I have no connection with the guy but friends turned me on to him and his approach has helped A LOT in my health journey. I hope this is helpful to you.
(please don't publish my name)
________________________________________
Pentrax or psoriatrax shampoo, applied in a steam shower.
John Currin
________________________________________
Bob... on my 50th birthday, (a little over 13 years ago) the wise and iconic Tony Dow, yes THE Tony Dow, told me; "It only gets worse".
Its been my mantra ever since.
Ohhh, the pain... the pain.
Have a good day. Have a real good day.
Cuz it only gets worse.
Bill Mumy
________________________________________
Sorry to hear that. Next year when we get you out to Tune-In Tel Aviv, let's go to the Dead Sea. The minerals in the water, the mud and the sun do miracles for all kinds of skin ailments. My father in law has scoriasis (sp?) and spends a week there in the fall, a week in the winter and it helps immensely.
Or, just call the expert on skin...Mr. Skin.
Peace and love,
Jonathan Schwartz
SiriusXM's JamON
________________________________________
I'm not going to pretend I know what this problem with your skin is, exactly but I do sympathize. I'm a few years older than you and a female. I know exactly what you're talking about when you say that dermatology is somewhat bogus. I have rosacea. When it first hit about 25 years ago I did the rounds, tried the ointments listened to all the bull shit. I quickly realized they had no solutions and finally ended up taking a minimalist approach, giving up most makeup, keeping my skin clean using gentle cleansers, and following the advice of those who advised against doing anything that made my condition flare up. AND AVOIDING THE CRAP THEY WANTED ME TO PUT ON MY SKIN.
It hasn't been a problem in years. I also learned that diet is everything. One year, I was itchy, all over. Nearly drove me mad. So I stopped eating sugar for 4 months. The itching stopped. Now it's many years later and I'm trying to eat an extremely low carb, no sugar diet and I can see after only a few weeks that it helps everything, arthritis, skin issues, and various other issues I've acquired over the last few years.
I guess I'm suggesting that you try purifying yourself. I don't know what kind of diet you have but it could probably use some pruning. If it's a really bad one you could try cutting out the complete crap first so you're body doesn't go into shock when trying to eat too healthy all at once. The most important thing is to reduce your sugar intake including simple carbs. You must be in pretty good shape of you're skiing so much but something is not right if you have this skin thing. I hate to think of you suffering as you have described. Do you read any of the health gurus? I get a newsletter from a guy named Mercola. He's a shill for his products but when I read his explanations for his advice, it all makes sense. I buy a lot of his supplements because I trust him to push good quality vitamins etc. Right now I'm trying a modified ketogenic diet. Do you know what that is? It's the new thing. Supposed to be good for cancer (if you have it and if you don't want to get it) and everything else.
Please, don't lay there suffering, slathering yourself with who knows what. Try changing your diet. It's the only way.
It's empowering when you realize that you can control what's happening to your body with a change in diet.
I really like reading your stuff and don't like hearing that you're suffering like that.
Feel better.
Louise Nieves
________________________________________
Long time reader but this one really caught my interest because I'm obsessed with my skin too. Currently swear by Dr Jart Ceramidin line. Very soothing and calming, you can get it at Sephora! The liquid goes on first to soften and hydrate the skin then the cream seals it all in. While you're at it, use a humidifier too!
If you use too much Amlactin you might be over exfoliating (it's a gentle chemical exfoliant) and that will cause your skin to go crazy!
Phoebe Lai
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First of all, this piece was hilarious. I can relate, unfortunately. Thanks for the laugh tonight.
Second, even though I know that every other person on your list is going to write to you with their obnoxious lay medical advice now, sadly I will have to also be one of them... Are you still there? Ok good... So my question is: is this eczema or another condition? It may sound crazy but I've found that limiting sugar, alcohol and processed foods has drastically reduced the itching I've had, and I'm 38. It's been hellish for 10 years. 10 years of itching and scratching and not being able to think straight! Jesus!
But it worked for me: no sweeteners or alcohol, and limiting processed food, gluten, and dairy. Hard to do but you'll be rewarded if you can make it a habit. Hell, you should notice a difference within a week.
Take "VSL#3" also, a very powerful probiotic that is likely to help balance the gut… Digestion and skin are connected.
And you are so right on about dermatologist. I don't even bother anymore.
Couldn't hurt to give it a whirl. Took me 10 years to figure out that sequence and I have 5% of the problem I used to have. I seriously had elephant-man-like rashes all over my face at one point.
Good luck. And thanks for your writings; you and your brilliance are a part of my week, so of course we gotta keep you going. :)
Thanks,
Ariana Hall
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Damn, Bob, truly sorry to hear. But I bet sharing it will help many. Hang in there. DG
________________________________________
My advice is to throw out all those deodorants. You won't smell bad if you don't wear plastic. See my post:
http://endurancefreeliving.com/throw-them-away/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
If I were you, I'd stop using all those chemical crap ointments and try something natural to put on your skin, like coconut oil, for instance.
The skin problem may also be a reaction to other medication that you're taking or treatments that you've been having.
The important thing is not to give up and to go with your gut feelings about what might work.
Good luck!
Richard Morgan
________________________________________
You don't know me, I'm just another one who enjoys reading your script every day.
I grew up in LA so I get a lot of what you're saying. Its like I relive many happy memories! My mom moved to Hollywood when I was 7 and lived with a gal named Jill Jones. She wrote tunes and wrote the B side of a Turtles hit. It was FUN going to The Trip to see Marvin Gaye or It's Boss to see the Lovin Spoonful. Those were the days.
But what spurned me on to write was The Skin. lol. I am itchy. Allergic to the Sun? Auto immune lacking or just old? Really frustrating since vacations are for going somewhere sunny!( I live near Seattle). Now I've heard that everyone is using coconut oil. It's worth a try. Non toxic and smells good. I've also heard vinegar works for certain things like psoriasis. Anyway, sorry you're itchy too!
Best,
Lori Carter
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Ahhhhh welcome to eczema life!
The good news is this is not about you getting old. I'm 36 and have been dealing with it my whole life.
Here's my unsolicited advice:
-Experiment with your caffeine intake and stress levels. Old or not, you can't really argue with that.
-Try Epiceram - its the shit! (very expensive prescription lotion) It basically creates an invisible shield on your skin and eliminates the itch feeling.
-This is so obvious its ironic, but I guarantee you're not drinking enough water. Drink more water.
Cheers, good luck!
Mike Merriman
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I read this with mystery red blotches on my face!
You rock!
Verity Breen
________________________________________
I get a bad reaction on my skin as well. It took me many dermatologists and diagnosis (one dipshit said I had lupus. Recommended a trip to a Rheumotalogist. She said, "nope," especially after reading the pathology from the dermatologist's office. I was misdiagnosed as the pathology was mid-read.)
Finally ended up at a dermatologist who eventually gave me a 35 panel patch test. Revealed I had a strong allergy to Isothiazolinone. More commonly used as methylisothiazolinone. Or, "MCI." It's found in soaps, shampoos, laundry detergents, paints...Paint is usually what gets me every time.
My reactions are apparent on the face in red swaths and then dry, itchy, flaky skin. The most recent outbreak was on my face, neck, armpits, arms. It's awful.
I am also allergic, it turns out, to any cortisone. So the usual derma solution of hydrocortisone doesn't work. It's a great way to live. When I have an outbreak I can't workout which only leads to weight gain and depression. I don't like showing my face in public. If I'm walking down the hallway at work I gaze upon my shoes so no one can see my face.
Your skin problem may not be a seasonal issue. I thought mine was due to Santa Ana winds. It wasn't. It is an allergy that my immune system went haywire over later in life. Only had this problem in the last few years.
I hope this helps. Get a patch test for sure. The panel of 35 or you're wasting your time.
Good luck for real.
Paul Nordlund
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I'm sorry to hear about your skin. I have suffered with severe itchy skin / eczema too and it's terrible.
Things that helped me were 1- Anti-histamine (to stop itching) 2- Warm Epsom Salt bath (don't know why... reminds me of swimming in saltwater and saltwater always cured my skin) I recommend taking the bath every night until you see a difference... I added a tablespoon of olive oil to my bath. Be sure not to shower after the bath. You will feel strange, but it's no worse than all the creams they prescribe. Don't know if it will help you or why it helped me, but it's cheap to try and also relaxing.
I agree with you that dermatology is more an art than a science. Good luck... it took me almost 2 years to get one itchy patch on my leg finally in remission, so I know the frustration.
Jeff Jones
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GO VEGAN. Telling you boss. Heal from the inside out.
Drew Chadwick
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I can totally relate to how you feel Bob.
As a child I had grown accustomed to having eczema. Then suddenly after a visit to a dermatologist, it disappeared with the help of ointments and an oral steroid.
Now I am 26 and I've had it for 2 years and it's been so frustrating. Every dermatologist I've been too prescribes a cream for me but it always comes back. I have it on my back, thighs, feet and face right now. And I can't seem to stop scratching. I used to have a nightly ritual where I scratched for about an hour.
I definitely don't do that much anymore but I can't shake the sadness I feel knowing I'll be stuck in a never ending itch - scratch cycle. There's no cure for it. And as of right now only $1.11 is spent on trying to find a cure for it.
Next I'll do UV therapy and then who knows? Supposedly new eczema drugs are coming but they're biologic and could cost thousands.
Allison McKenzie
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Bob-I am not a doctor but I have done some reading on skin conditions. In many cases they have to be treated from the inside I.e. diet. There are also many videos on the net that address diet, skin and general health.
Good luck!
Rick Riccobono
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Well. I think you'll get a tom of people chiming in that you're not alone in the "my skin's telling me it's pissed" department. When we're young our immunity's whirring along, then one day your days of carefree diet, habits, and median stress level have taken their toll, and your skin says "Fuck It!"
There are so many intricate interdependences, good luck trying to have a doctor lead you out. Get yourself to a Naturopath. I had stress related psoriasis for nearly 3 years -- just on my palms, elbows, and bottoms of my feet, but it was debilatating. I finally went to something called Vedic Vibration at the TM Center in Palo Alto, and it went away almost immediately.
I know of bad cases that have also been solved by low sugar, low acid diets coupled with high colonics. Because there is apparently a connection between the state of your intestines and the skin, which loses it's battle to keep up appearances when it suddenly can't process the toxins it's being dosed with. It's also good to get to the cause. It's not always stress, but stress doesn't help.
I'm living proof that a chronic, acute malady could totally go away, even after my Kaiser Dermatologist said it would never 'turn itself off' once the switch was flipped to 'on'. I hope you can turn it around quick. Try a Naturopath. Try a simpler diet. Keep a journal about your food choices and how it goes after everything Take D3, Omega 3 Oil, MSM. Get 7 hours of sleep at night. And don'tt worry about money.
Sorry, but it can impruve :)
Joan Carlson
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Have you tried using a cannabis balm for your skin condition?
If you want I could send you some I hand craft myself
Xavier Ramirez
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Sorry to hear about your skin issue!
I'm in NYC, grew up in Delaware,.. I used get seriously embarassing spring time facial excema-
Imagine a big pinkish-red Comrade Gorbechev looking splotch from the bottom eyelid down the cheek. Every since I can remember,..
buuuut
Since using Origins "make a difference", http://www.origins.com/make-difference?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
I haven't had major flare ups, a small spot sometimes, but nothing like it used to be.
Try it, it might work for you!
I like the serum because it's really light. the 'plus" formula is very silky (my husband likes it)
it also has a very pleasant scent, but not overly "girly".
It's semi pricey, If you explain your dilemma , the ladies at the counter will give you a free sample to see if it works.
I hope this helps!
oh, and if you can find pure shea butter. Usually the pure stuff can be found in any African market and the street vendors in Harlem have big tubs of the stuff they scoop out of a thing that looks like an overgrown coconut.
Though I'm not sure if you have anything like that in your area.
I use it in the winter for my hands, for bug bites and any other kind of splotchy skin ailment found elsewhere and it's lovely. it's heavy though and application is sometimes difficult as it's hard and melts with your body heat. the best thing is it isn't perfumey.
https://www.amazon.com/African-Shea-Butter-Cream-100/dp/B0009MHJE4?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
https://www.amazon.com/Unrefined-Shea-Butter-Better-Products/dp/B00D9NV2D4?th=1&utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
best of luck!
:)
denise barbarita
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Being a foodie i found it hard to except that my dietary choices were what effected my skin the most. And having read your pieces for years I know you are.
I can relax a bit in the summer as the the central heating and the additional layers in the winter exacerbates any condition, but the skin is an organ yet we don't treat it with the same respect we do our lungs or our hearts.
I eat fatty greasy food, my skin let's me know. Takes a day or two to take effect and a day or two to clear. So reducing anything fried or dairy makes a big difference. Don't kid yourself that doing it by halves will have an effect. Give it a straight shot for at least a couple of weeks and monitor. A food diary helps. Boring and monotonous, but once you know what works and what creates havoc, you are then in the driving seat. Want the fries? Sure, but get ready for the onslaught.
We hate advice that gets in the way of our way of life and it took me a long time to adapt, but which would rather have?
There are no magic lotions. Just keep it simple. Soap free, and a simple moisturiser everyday after the shower. Keep the bedroom cool.
Good luck bob.
Jake Fisher
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When was the last time you went for a swim in the sea? Once a day for a week cured my kids eczema.
Giles Woodhead
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Hey Bob! Sorry to hear. Starts with the food and then the gut. Check out. Chris Kesser, Sarah Ballantyne, Mark Sisson. These folks in the paleo community.
Eat walnuts. Egg yolks. These are good for sehborric dermatitis situations as they bring moisture back to the skin.
Eat as much healthy fats as u can. Cut as many carbohydrate grain and sugar stuff as u can. Fats are good for the skin.
Livers. Bone marrow. Offal. They have nutrients other muscle foods don't have.
Take pro-biotics internally and get pro-biotic skin cream at Sephora or Whole Foods. One company makes it. Your skin needs bacteria to heal. If always washed it doesn't have the bacteria culture to heal itself.
Cut out alcohol, caffeine and gluten.
Sleep with humidifier. Get your sun.
Dax Martinez-Vargas
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Goddamit Bob this sounds unbearable. Send me your mailing address, and I will send you some products which I hope might help. From London, UK. With love but mostly concern...
Nieros
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Not your suffering. I love the honesty. I guess I am getting old too.
Love this.
Scott Cohen
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Greetings from Toronto. Great to hear I'm not alone. 63 and winter-itchy, longing for spring to come to relieve it. We chuckled over your email, having slathered cream on each other's backs last night. And you're bang-on re: health vs. wealth as you age: only the former really matters. I tried rubbing loonies on my skin: didn't help.
All the best,
George Goodwin
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Once a doctor revealed to me - and then others confirmed - this about dermatologists:
Those who couldn't take muster school become derms.
It's the lowest rung for the lazy, the losers who need MD in their title.
A doctor job with no evening or weekend hours.
You never get an emergency call. No surgery.
And other than college or what pharm reps teach you, they stop learning.
Dermatologists are Degreed QUACKS!
Wish I'd been told this decades ago. Oh the money I could have saved.
I solved my own acne. It's ABSOLUTELY about diet. Every derm will tell you otherwise.
Quacks.
The salves they gave me for patches of psoriasis made it worse. And then blamed me for using it wrong.
Quacks.
Have you tried coconut oil for your skin?
If not, please get a jar today and give it a spin.
Completely natural and works like a champ on your skin (great for cooking, too!).
Hydrating from within also helps. Drinks tons of water and "wet" foods: celery, watermelon (all the melons). Avoid foods that suck moisture like alcohol, coffee.
And acupuncture for the pain and discomfort. If you haven't tried it, please suspend judgement and try it. High probability you will be amazed. And relieved.
And acupuncturists are like holistic doctors.
It's how I learned about wet and dry foods. And to put coconut oil on my irritated skin.
3 suggestions for you that a quack derm will never tell you because what the fuck do they care?
Toby
________________________________________
Is your condition eczema?
Kind regards,
Chris Byrne
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I've recently had really frustrating skin problems such as pompholyx and bad bad acne ("back-nee"). I've experimented with steroid cream prescribed from the docs and all other kinds of ointments, even trying 'good' bacteria pills to strengthen the gut which apparently can improve skin as symptoms can be linked to the immune system.
However, all these have failed. The one thing that has made a difference has been the type of Shampoo I've switched to based on recommendations which are Nizoral and Head and Shoulders. The issue hasn't been irradiated but it's a significance improvement. Good luck.
Matt Garrity
________________________________________
Finally a letter on a topic I can relate to especially directly. Sorry you're suffering! Skin is an indirect indicator of your body reacting to something else. Often food, sometimes synthetic fibers or wool in your clothes. Potions don't work because they don't address the root cause of your skin attacking itself. Sometimes other components of your body will attack themselves as well, without you knowing right away -- in my case the adrenal glands.
If you haven't already, try cotton clothing only, no synthetics, no Under Armour, no microfiber, not half a day, not an hour, nonthing. And if you don't have any other complicating issues that would prevent a diet change, there's nothing to lose by testing a diet that eliminates common allergens and things bodies react to often. Some people to read are Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, Dr. Terry Wahls, and perhaps the Whole 30 website although they do a bunch of hokey stuff unrelated to diet. A trial of a non-reactive diet and cotton for three months could change your life.
Best wishes,
G. McWilliams
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Change laundry detergents & conditioners, you will be amazed.... worked for me after dealing with all the aforementioned misery,
Thanks Clint
Silver Hammer LTD
________________________________________
Getting old is not for sissys, Bob. :)
stevei2
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Have you tried cannabinoid topicals at all Bob? They're amazing for anti-inflammation so it might be worth a try,
Also in this womens travel group I'm in, they're all always raving about coconut oil and it's magical properties. I think it's super moisturizing to skin as well. I found a link to get a jar for free, you just pay s&h, so maybe worth a try! http://thrv.me/penncocoblog?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
I remember getting out of the shower in Colorado back in college, I think we had hard water? and itching, itching my legs like crazy! I wouldn't wish that on anyone, hoping your condition gets better :/
dasha davis
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Dude,
Totally with you on that whole body itch thing. I love the Winter here in Ohio but the furnace dries up the air and I can't breathe at night and itch like a grizzly.
Relationships? I dunno, Bob. I'd rather itch.
Bill Shafer
________________________________________
This will sort your skin out: http://www.onetribetrading.com/earthkeepers-organic-salve-2oz/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Thank me later,
Patrick Ross?VP, Digital Marketing
AWAL / Kobalt
________________________________________
What's The Deal With Cannabis-Based Beauty?
From Medicine, a Flipboard magazine by Nylon
After a season full of harsh cold temperatures and drying indoor heat, I can say that the winter has been pretty rough on my skin. My normally clear…
https://flipboard.com/@flipboard/flip.it%2FLIiZvv-whats-the-deal-with-cannabis-based-beau/f-7e4ccfd293%2Fnylon.com?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Greg
________________________________________
I'm scratching my lower legs as I read this. Perfect.
Barry K. Herman, MD, MMM
________________________________________
Take fish oil.
Anne Amann
________________________________________
Take a hot shower, then slather on petroleum jelly while you're still hot and wet. Only thing that ever worked for me.
David Bohn
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Soak your body in olive oil...good piece and hope u feel better
iradio
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As a long time psoriasis sufferer I find swimming in the ocean helps my skin problems the best... also I'd advise that you check your diet glyphosphate is in a ton of things including organic wine beer and 90% of the US wheat. Dairy also can cause flare ups.
All the best,
Charles A Bull
________________________________________
I have long suffered many of these same issues. I have lived in Minnesota all my life where dry winters can cause major havoc on skin.
2 yrs ago I finally found a study for the drug Dupilumab. I have had clear skin ever since. Hoping the drug gets FDA approved soon but for now I am getting weekly injection for free through study.
Good luck
Lance Voelker
Robbinsdale, MN
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Thanks for writing this. Getting old sucks and blows simultaneously, that's for sure.
I started swimming because I can't take running in the cold and my knees were getting messed up. But the pool gives me the full body itchies for 3 days, so I can't go every day. I get little itchy bumps and so on randomly all the time, usually in the winter when it's really dry and cold in Boston/NYC.
Try two things: humidifier in your bedroom (this really helped with my skin) and Eucerin calming lotion, which does what cortisone cream and others were not able to do for me. Slather it on after your shower (and I'm with you on the daily bathing). For me, the lotion calms down the reactivity in the skin.
And of course you know that really hot water is the worst thing for your skin. Try just warm water and short showers and soap with nothing in it—like the hippie oatmeal soap from our salad days. Or Dr. Brauner's, remember that stuff?
I get another old-person thing—spontaneous bruises that look like someone beat me up. I make up some pretty good stories to scare the children…
Anyway. good luck. Many of us out here are still alive, kicking and screaming, and reading you. Thanks for giving voice….
bonnie hayes
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Maybe it's psoriasis?
love4nerd
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I keep mentioning alternative therapies. The doctors can't help. We are the masters of our bodies. You have it all wrong. The condition is coming from your nervous system and emotions. Do you want a bibliography and a list of practitioners? It takes work to change. As long as you keep putting this stuff on the page, you are part of the broken system. You can change it but it won't be fun. You can reach a lot of people with the truth if you are willing to try something different.
Patti Jones
________________________________________
I've had skin problems all my life. Psoriasis since I was a kid, etc. and was lucky enough in my 20s to become good friends with a bright guy who was head of dermatology at both the University of Toronto and Toronto General Hospital.
He told me that most dermatologists don't really keep up after they leave school. And he told me...
The skin is an organ. The largest that your body has.
It's telling your something.
In about 20% of cases it's telling you about something going on inside your body that's manifesting on the skin.
Meanwhile dermatologists treat symptoms and hope it works.
A breakout like yours can result from allergies. A simple change in laundry detergent can set it off. And when it starts, it can become a chain reaction.
But, on the head and behind the ears too? Hmmm.
My body broke out in huge hives a month ago. Huge. Everywhere. Lasted a month on and off even with heavy meds.
After all the specialists had seen me, the verdict was "virus" and even then they said they were guessing.
You might want to go to a dermatologist who is with a University or at a research hospital if this doesn't respond.
For your sake, I hope it does. And I'm sorry to hear about it because almost no one takes skin stuff seriously but it can be hell.
John Parikhal
________________________________________
I've been reading your letter for years, as well as "similar" blogs (eg Winer, philg, Altucher) but never, ever considered contacting anyone for any reason....but...
We were born a month apart. Your experiences and thoughts and background are almost like a brother from another mother. A Vulcan Mind Meld. So similar, it's frightening. Great stuff, keep it up. I understand everything you're talking about (mostly). (Itching my skin as I type this).
You. Are. Not. Alone.
But then again, we all are.
Ron Wayne
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Yup...we're falling apart...will you still need me, will you still feed me...
Bernice Lewis
________________________________________
good luck, friend.
You are an inspiration in my life akin to a tech titan, politician, or ancient philosopher.
Thank you for the many resonances. I contemplate many of the things you write about and you may have saved my life and even my marriage a few times.
michael walworth
________________________________________
I've gotten this every Winter for the last few years - mainly on my legs .
I don't think it's an age thing... but it is brutal!
Jason Steidman
________________________________________
I sympathize 100%. Your skin is freaking out; meanwhile I'm in the midst of a horrible bout of insomnia that I'm sure is age-related. (I'm a woman of a certain age; I will leave it at that.)
So much about getting older has been awesome – especially the combination of increasing confidence + decreasing concern about what other people think with each passing year. But the downsides are starting to accumulate as well.
Hang in there, and I will too.
PS please don't print my name- I work in a very fickle business, where it's bad enough to be female and immeasurably worse to be a little older! :-)
________________________________________
Bob, have you tried Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil? It works wonders for me and it's completely natural, full of antioxidants that regenerate the skin.... It's what people traditionally use in Southeast Asia, giving them that healthy glow... Smells delicious too! Google it!
Camilo Navarro
________________________________________
Sorry to hear about your skin. In my experience, celebrity doctors are better at networking than medicine- like the style over substance you always talk about in your columns. When I was a resident, Mehmet Oz was still known as an excellent cardiac surgeon.
For something like this, you should go to UCLA or an academic center where people are up on the latest research and can get you into a clinical trial or tell you about the new medications coming out - hopefully at the end of this month- that should help you.
Dupixent (Dupilumab) is the closest to being on the market [I almost worked at Regeneron so have been following their portfolio].
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/03/01/517933633/targeting-the-immune-system-may-help-stop-the-itch-of-eczema?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Ironically my back was super itchy last night from all the cold weather we're having here in NYC and for the first time in years I had to ask my wife to scratch it!
Hope this helps. Keep up the great columns.
best,
Michael Cantor MD
NYU School of Medicine
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Look into ayurveda, its an Indian form of medicine. I have bad skin and dermatologists always prescribe shit. Ayurveda is a diet first approach to healing the skin, since what we eat affects us.
Nick Sosin
________________________________________
You poor thing. This stuff is da bomb. My husband had a sample, which he acquired through work at a 'NATSO' trade show. I used it recently when I got some eczema on my palms. I just bought full sizes this morning on Amazon.
Hope you feel better one way or another. Aging does not mean suffering, although, I agree, it does mean loss. Love your column.
http://www.tropiceel.com/ultimate-healing-cream.html?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Susan Derrico
________________________________________
Hey Bob, Doctors pretty much try to treat the symptoms and not the root
cause. Try these things.
1. First and foremost, seek a homeopathic Doctor. My gut feeling is that
your problem is inside of you. In your blood, like a fungus and it
manifests on your skin
2. Get a Chlorine filter to attach to your shower head. Its the Chlorine
in the public water that is truly horrible for your skin.
3. Try cutting out refined sugar from your diet completely. If it is a
fungus in your blood stream, it feeds off of sugar, just like cancer does.
It will make your mind crave it. I would also say cut back on alcohol
but I know you don?t really drink.
4. Go buy tea tree oil to apply to infected areas in sensitive areas such
as your face/nose. Its a strong anti fungal/bacterial and viral. For
areas not near your face, buy pure peppermint oil. Rub a few drops in
infected areas on arms legs chest. You will smell really good and it
feels good. Put one drop in your shampoo and your head will feel
amazing!!!! Just be VERY careful not to get mint oil near your eyes! And
wash your hands throughly after applying. You don?t want to touch your
privates. /
You can get the shower filter, peppermint oil and tea tree oil at Whole
foods
Nick Attaway
________________________________________
I'm an herbalist. I make a great herbal comfrey salve that is really great for ur skin. It's got comfrey and calendula in bees wax, all natural but very effective. It has helped many people with skin afflictions over the years. Comfrey can be very healing to the tissue.
I'd be happy to send you some if you want to try it. No charge. Just tell me where to send it.
I'm a big fan. Hang in there...
Penny Valladares
________________________________________
Yes Bob, it would be so funny if it weren't true! ...Hang in pal...hahah..Cheers!
Randy Dawson
________________________________________
Got the same-ish thing.
Starts at my head - gotta special Rx shampoo for that. And also a steroid dabber thing when it gets way bad (scaly and itchy) but I can only use that my on head and nowhere else. Something about it being a steroid.
Will often times appear in the nose creases and eye brows - gotta another Rx for that that I apply daily - this works the best.
If it gets outta control, it goes to ears which is unbearable - gotta special Rx for just that, that I'm not to use anywhere else.
All of this works (okay keeps it at bay) and I constantly think, "gosh, women must have it much worse...the primping...the rules..."
I have a new car with black interior that I hate bc it reminds me that the dead skin is coming from no one other than me.
Written while listening to Gary debate Shuli.
Nicholas Consula
________________________________________
Hey man,
Looks like you get Seborrhea. It's a sort of dermatitis. Check it up with a dermatologist once to confirm the diagnosis. Even if its psoriasis it does have a treatment but both these conditions are chronic. You gotta take it easy in the mind or it's going to react due to mind levels jumping around. I got Seborrhea too, i use holistic medicine to keep it under control.
Take care.
Parth M. Pandya
________________________________________
Why do you think old people move south? To escape the punishment of cold dry air that makes their skin itch and their joints ache. My mom moved us from NH to FL in 68 becasue of her arthritis. She was better, and I became a surfer and skateboarder. Now I'm a journalist in Chicago loving the job, but when that cold, dry air hits in Dec and lingers until April and your lips crack and my eczema breaks out I long for the warm, moist air of South Florida. To where I will return upon retirement.
Maybe you need a change of climate?
Chris Beytes
________________________________________
Have you asked your doctor about psoriasis? It sounds from just your brief description that it could be a form of that auto immune issue that is causing your skin to go bonkers. Though I'm shocked that your derm wouldn't diagnose that right away (it is fairly common). If it is in the psoriasis family you'll want to go something stronger than a cream - likely one of the injectables or pills (stelera or ortezlo). As a long time sufferer I know that it is such a frustrating and painful / itchy problem and hopefully you get it solved.
Best of luck
Ashleigh Overly
________________________________________
Sorry to hear of your suffering. I hope you get better soon. Looks like Bette Davis was right when she said "Old age ain't no place for sissies."
I'm 58 now, and feeling it more every day. The thing that bugs me most is my nocturia - having to get out of bed to pee 2 or 3 times per night. Makes a guy miserable…
Hang in there, Bob!
Bob Davis
Retired Tour Accountant
Living in the Blue Ridge Mountains
________________________________________
Thank you for sharing Bob. That's all we want. Authenticity. Truth. That's why you and Howard keep growing.
-I won't judge you for having blotches on your head or for being imperfect.
-I will judge you and turn from you if you promote perfection and deny reality.
-I will stay and listen and care if you share your truth with me.
In a world that's all show, all social media and glitz, there is a strong undertow for real connection.
That's why your newsletter rocks. Good luck with your condition, I have no advice…
Gregg Terrence
________________________________________
Bob, SO sorry! I am totally with you on this HELL called "old age." How
did that sneak up on us? I'm a redhead. Sensitive skin my entire life. I
live in fear of skin cancer, despite the fact I stopped doing sun years
ago. Even so, those stupid teen years of sunburns no doubt took their
toll.
At any rate, not sure this will help, but something to consider. Maybe you
already have. Your laundry detergent. If I go hiking in socks washed in
the wrong laundry detergent, I get a skin rash-burn on my legs that you
wouldn?t believe. Itchy, beet red and actually hot to the touch. It?s much
WORSE in places like Italy or Arizona where climate is dry. Arm & Hammer
makes a color & odor free detergent for sensitive skin. Give it a try.
Made a world of difference for me.
Good luck.
ArtsWarrior
________________________________________
Hey bob, chadwick here from dispatch and state radio,, you might curse yourself because of all the recommendations but try www.motherdirt.com
________________________________________
I've been going through that too -- and I live in GA - not exactly the driest of environmental conditions! I had it so bad last year that I literally could not sleep at night because of the itching. That is torture! You're right, most of the dermatologists I have seen didn't really help. Then I began to get educated about what I put in my body. Turns out that your skin is the first place something shows up to which you have a reaction. Could be any number of things. I try to do a regular detox - it's amazing that it helps. Can't say I've yet identified exactly what the culprit is (wheat, dairy, corn, alcohol) but I'm on a mission of trial and error to help me find out.
I'll be praying for you, because I know what you're going through. There is hope my friend! There IS HOPE!!:-)
Mike Mullis
________________________________________
Thank you for your writings.
Two words for all the things that make you suffer: Francis Lucille.
I live in Argentina, but I'd love to live there! Francis is alive and kicking 1,5 hours from your home.
And, I love music, making and listening and enjoying. If you want my musical picks from here, let me know.
Thanks again. Best wishes for your health.
Yamil
________________________________________
Ever since my recent flu shot, I itch all over....you are not alone, my friend!
Scott Hazlewood
________________________________________
I have been receiving and reading (most) of your e-mail letters over the years, thank you for many thoughtful reads.
I have enclosed a link to one of the best University Clinics with a specialty division for your chronical pruritus:
http://klinikum.uni-muenster.de/index.php?id=1095&utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
http://www.juckreiz-informationen.de?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Run this article through Google translation:
https://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/article706677/Kribbeln-kratzen-bluten-Juckreiz-Ambulanz-hilft.html?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Contact the clinic and see what they can do for you.
I hope this information can help you deal with your problem.
Good luck and best regards
Chris Sievernich
________________________________________
We all get something. Yours sounds like a drag. I might suggest a real short dose of steroids just to knock it out and then you could start from ground zero.
Or not. But it could be worse.
10 years ago I got an angiosarcoma, you don't want one. I've had multiple Head and neck surgeries and 72 rounds of radiation and I'm still kicking. I have some issues with a drippy Eye and lack of feeling and skin problems from all the radiation.
But I don't give a shit, I just keep moving. Satchel Paige was right; don't look back, they might be gaining on you.
Hang in.
Rik shafer
________________________________________
I thought you'd get a kick out of this reaction to your column today about aging.
When I see one of your newsletters I want to completely read, I copy and paste the text to a Word Document and then increase the font size to about 22 and hit BOLD, so I can comfortably read it. I did that today.
Tom
________________________________________
Can I suggest two things? Astaxanthin to help the skin from the inside, and Manuka honey for your nose. It's very messy/sticky, so I'd put it on while you're awake and not going out. I've spent eight years refining my regiment to help my lungs last longer, and the meds cause lots of side effects, which you then have to treat separately. Good luck Bob.
Armand Sadlier
________________________________________
Good morning Felice,
I was just reading about Bob's skin condition and I had a few thoughts.
Sorry, I am sure he has tried everything and most of what I suggest may be something he has already tried, but if not, hopefully he finds helpful.
1. Hot showers are typically not great for skin in general. And try to shower not as often. I know a lot of people are creeped out by that thought, but it's how your skin heals and maintains its natural oils.
2. In regards to deodorant, try a crystal which you can find at Whole Foods. Or, none at all. I had always been a traditional deodorant user and was hesitant to trust a crystal to keep me stink free, but it does work ironically. In fact, if your diet is clean enough, you don't even need the crystal. You do however need to wash up under your arms every day or every other day as eventually you will get B.O., how fast depends on your activity level and your body's chemical make up.
3. If you have access to a true homeopathic doctor, I remember when I was young, our doctor prescribing a calendula balm. It's consistency is sort of like vasaline and I don't think that it smelled spectacular because it is just the plant and the base, no artificial scents, colors, etc., but it didn't smell disgusting.
If I think of anything else, I will let you know.
Have a great day!
Janie Van Halen
________________________________________
so sorry you are itchy. don't worry about showering. people can just live with stink occasionally. I have a dermatologist I like, but I don't think he knows any stars. I started with his office (not him) when I was 16 and all my family (currently 18 to 92) all see him. He has kept my dad alive despite his youth of surfing before anyone knew what sunscreen was (although the whole sunscreen thing is another topic).
Time for drugs? like that make you just sleep all the time? probably not. but maybe that extended vacation in Ireland...
queenie taylor
________________________________________
BUMMER for you Bob.
I recommend the OCEAN SALT WATER.
If you can't dive in ; try filling some large containers
and bring them home.
Pour it on the affected areas.
Let it sit and dry.
REPEAT.
Best,Don de Brauwere
________________________________________
Hey Bob,
At the risk the of sounding unsympathetic, have you thought about posting a picture of your skin condition to see if anyone else has had it and dealt with it successfully? You have lots of followers, but you will have to hire someone to wade through the hokum for you to find a nugget, that is if there is one to be found. I feel for you though. My first allergic reaction gave me a new insight into itch I had never appreciated in the whining I heard from chronic allergy sufferers.
Good luck
Tim Van Dam
________________________________________
happy to fill you in on my progress...gave up on dermatologists and treating everything more internally, holistically. can give you a buncha lanes to explore. the key thing to think about is those creams are not cures or really treatment, they are SUPPRESSION. so when you suppress whatever's going on it goes somewhere. it doesnt go away. it usually goes inside, and your skin condition turns into a stomach condition and a withdrawal condition to the medicine you were taking. anyway, happy to tell you what i've found from my research and work on my own skin.
Sean Glass
________________________________________
This is the best deodorant I have ever used, bar none. It will not irritate your underarms and the olive oil can soften your skin:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009VGNVL4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Best,
Teri Landi
________________________________________
I've had a really nasty eczema since I was 10. I'm 58. It comes and goes, but I have found that using moisturiser helps a lot. Using prescription stuff is expensive (even in Canada where I pay out of pocket and then I am re-imbursed) and usually not that much more effective than over the counter stuff.
I need to slather the crap on EVERY DAY. Usually 2x a or 3x a day. Mostly on my arms and lower legs. Most other mouisturisers make me feel like I have goo on me. Yuk. A friend of mine turned me on to Eucerin.It's on the "more expensive side" of cheap moisturisers, but I don't feel like I've been slathered in animal fat when I use it.
Give it a try. Good luck man - the condition you described has been the bane of my entire adult life.
best,
Henry Warwick
________________________________________
Hey Bob, your piece on epidermal issues strikes home with me. Life-long dry skin. And some skin cancer.
A 10-minute soak in a lukewarm tub with plain-old bath oil (Alpha Keri or the cheaper house brand) works very well for me,
at least for itching and dryness.
Good luck!
Mike Rieman
Age 62
Austin, Texas
________________________________________
Sorry to read your emai, yikes.
I've no doubt you've had hundreds of replies but here's my tuppence worth:
I'm allergic to both harsh washing detergents and soaps and certain foods. I can't use regular soap on my skin or washing detergents
in the washing machine otherwise i come out in an itchy rash all over my torso (not limbs) same with my niece…she has the same thing. We can't use anything with perfumes or parabens. I also am allergic to all soy products, soy sauce, soy milk everything to do
with soy. So no asian foods for me! (or her). Anything high in sugar guarantees
i get Psoriasis on my elbows, sometimes its so bad I go to my doctor for a prescription creme with cortisone in. (itchy red patches).
I have a friend in LA who has a range of chemical free skin products as she has the same thing.
I have never heard of not being able to take
showers, that's completely new to me and I lived in LA for 16 years on a high A&R salary and went to every
expert under the sun when I lived there. I would have thought water was essential for skin to buff off the dead skin cells.
Very cold brief showers if you can stand them will activate the immune system and will probably help. Sugar & processed foods,
are a nightmare, so is everything you basically enjoy eating except raw foods dressed with olive oil and lemon.
Hope this is a help
Enjoy your newsletters!
best wishes
Susan Collins
________________________________________
https://rachelbaron.myrandf.com/Shop/Soothe?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
best.ever
Changed everything
~rachel seiden baron
________________________________________
I have CDO, it's like OCD but the letters are in alphabetical order like they should be.
James Sadler
________________________________________
Re: My Skin= coal tar or pine tar soap/shampoo
I know, everybody has there own remedy, but as with many things the oldest is the best. I've had seborrheic dermatitis my whole life and it wasn't until a hippy girlfriend gave me some coal tar shampoo that is was cured. My wife has plaque psoriasis and while she needs a biologic pine tar soap and coal tar shampoo heal her bad flair ups. Its been know since the Romans started writing about medicine but I've never had a doctor ever acknowledge that it was anything more than at best an old wives tale or at worst snake oil. Your results may vary. Regards Chris Kavanaugh
________________________________________
I am not a doctor, but I do have common sense.....& I love your blog.
Stop with the HOT showers! TEPID is best. Rinse with COOL water, it. closes pores. OATMEAL soaks baths might help.
Best of luck!
Rita Deck
________________________________________
Your so funny. But it's all true. I have to forward to my sons. I turn 65 July 12. Where did my life go? I had rotator cuff surgery now it arthritic. It sucks but what do u do. Lol. Well, we're still upright & warm. Just keep up the great articles, have a great summer
Bob Grunow
________________________________________
Try a clarisonic brush with a good retinol cleanser- its done wonders for my skin. Really gets into your pores and makes a huge difference in your skin condition. Heals things many derms I went to couldn't! Also Cera-ve moisturizer (at any drug store) if you haven't already tried it, is the only thing that works for me and several of my friends. I have super sensitive skin. Hope you feel better!
-Andrea Goode Barber
________________________________________
Good Luck with your skin, Bob
Tom Reynolds
________________________________________
Diet ?
http://drhyman.com/about-2/about-dr-mark-hyman/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Jonathan Whitton
________________________________________
AmLactin makes me break out. A dermatologist recommended it for me, too, and I used it a couple of weeks and had red bumps everywhere. It was awful. I have very sensitive skin. Dermatologist are always surprised how sensitive. I've had to deal with issues like dry skin a long time.
I'm sure you're going to get a multitude of advice after your blog today, but I'm throwing my advice in anyway. Get yourself a loofah and a bottle of Olay body scrub for dry skin. Then gently use it on your skin when you shower. When you get out of the shower, pat dry. Don't scrub hard with a towel. Then apply Lancome's Nutrix Royal Body before your skin is completely dry. The theory is to get the layer of dead skin cells off so that the body lotion can penetrate. This advice is for body only; not head or face.
And adding flax seed oil in a smoothie or somehow adding in a tablespoon or 2 of flax seed oil nearly every day wouldn't hurt.
Good luck, dude! I feel the dry skin pain.
Beth Thornley
________________________________________
You are going to get lots of letters with home remedies from this e-mail
but I swear to you COCONUT OIL cures all skin ills.
Put coconut oil on your skin things and they will go away. It is the
answer to skin ailments. It is also the answer to dry skin. It can be messy.
If you ever get any sort of mouth sore, put coconut oil on it - try to keep
it there as long as you can. The mouth sore will heal almost immediately!
I do this when I occasionally bite my cheek in my sleep - cures it asap!!
And you are right on about dermatologists.
Katie Bradford
Portland, OR
________________________________________
Have you tried the products from Gabriel Couzian? It's a French company that an old neighbor of mine was at one time the US distributor for (but no longer). For a while it was unavailable in the States, but this website seems active: http://www.gabrielcouzian.com/en/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Both my old neighbor and my father-in-law swear this stuff cured their psoriasis and itchy skin when doctors could not. You need both the Washing Oil (which you use in the shower instead of soap) and the Highly Nourishing Cream which you put all over after the shower. It may take a couple weeks, but enough people have testified to me about this stuff really working that I believe it. (And no, I am not in any way connected to the company).
Good luck!
-Dave Lackey
Inner Sanctum Audio
v
http://itsan.org/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Angelique Knights
________________________________________
Hi Bob,
I'm sorry to read about your skin troubles. Just a note here to wish you well in finding some succor.
Best regards,
Joe Mackin
________________________________________
Feel better Bob!
Alex Speer
________________________________________
Have you ever tried just a little walnut oil? It helps me some when I get like you're describing.
Terry Maraccini
I have been battling itchy dry skin for 10+ years. I went to dermatologists too and they prescribed lots of of creams and ointments too. And none of them worked all that well.
Then an Italian friend told me to try olive oil. Italians have been using olive oil to sooth and smooth their skin and hair since Roman times. I was skeptical. Any particular kind I asked, and he said no, just make sure it is real olive oil and not cut with other types of vegetable oil. So I buy good California 100% organic olive oil. And I rub it all over my body and get my wife to rub it on my back. It works.
Rub olive oil on your dry itchy skin and watch it soak in. It feels good. The itching doesn't go away immediately but you can feel your skin responding. Rub some on and let it soak in right before bed. In the morning you will feel better. After a couple of weeks you are going to feel a whole lot better. I've been doing this for about seven years now. I swear by it. I hope it works for you.
Peace and Love,
Michael Hugos
________________________________________
Cetaphil bar soap & moisturizer
Plus fish oil orally
No conditioner in laundry
Helped me 10 years ago
All the best,
George J. Silva
________________________________________
You think you have skin problems ? Have you ever had scabies ?
Try this for 36 months:
Try using ivory soap to shower.
Exercise at least an hour a day, get on a treadmill and walk at 3.8. - 4.0 speed and walk 3 miles a day, then do 1/2 hour of weights.
Stop using processed sugar, stay away from all sweets.
Stop eating red meat.
Stay away from hard liquor.
Do this for 3 months and your condition will clear up.
I'm 72, I look 55, I ingest no medication, nothing.
Follow this routine and your skin and life will improve, guaranteed !
Robert Pisaneschi
________________________________________
I know you get so many emails and everyone has their $.02 ... but PLEASE ... hear me out...
I only care because I had a terrible red itchy ailment myself. The dermatologist prescribed me an ointment that actually burned off layers of my skin until I had open sores that were more painful than the red itchy stuff.
I found Gods cure, it was the biggest breakthrough because it's all natural and won't kill you if it gets on your pillow and then in your mouth.
ALOE VERA.
REAL, WHOLE ALOE VERA CUT FROM A PLANT.
I have my own plant now, but at the time I was afflicted I bought it at Whole Foods.
(DO NOT buy the crap they sell you in bottles, there is little aloe and added alcohol which dries your skin, go figure.)
Cut the aloe open, gob it on yourself after the shower and as you'd like, over and over... YOU WILL HEAL. it's a miracle. Please give it a try. Messy yes, but no negative side affects, and will actually work.
...flabbergasted dermatologists don't advise the use of Aloe Vera. But just goes to show there's no money in it for the pharma guys and they have to shove poison down our throats until we're left with no hope.
I'm looking forward to you feeling better :)
Best,
Ash
________________________________________
Dear Bob,
Try a visit to acupuncturist Dr Mao in Santa Monica. (310)917 2200.
He's a wonder... and the experience will probably give you another email to write!
I hope you get it sorted.
Sylvie Lewis
________________________________________
Sorry to hear about your skin. No doubt the biggest contributor is your meds that are keeping you alive, so the best is to try a more natural approach. I've had dry skin, cracked heels, etc all my life yet better now that I have some techniques. Using Ayurvedic oil massage, you massage your whole body, including head (yes, there are applicators you can get to cover your back side if no one is available to do it for you) and then get into a hot shower and continue to massage it in using long strokes on long bones and swirling technique on joints. The hot water opens your pores so that it penetrates even more. Then, you don't use soap! except under your pits, and leave the oil on. After lightly drying off it will be a thin coating that won't get on your clothes. It will change your skin condition considerably. If you're inspired, read some of the comments of people who have banished red scaly blotches using this. Warming the oil a bit first is even better. I've found self massage with oil to not only treat my life long dry skin but also calm me down a lot. It's best done in the morning, or whatever your morning is.
Best wishes,
Melissa Ward
________________________________________
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yjem3XdLxI&utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
David Rubien
________________________________________
It's weird but in Arizona it's hot as heck but the air is humid so (and I'm in my mid 50's. Used to do the drink, smoke, drug thing until my early 30's) my skin is much better there. I fake bake and sunscreen outside with the golfers.
We get dehydrated so much more when older so I drink aloe, vitamin E drinks. Calcium and vitamin D is good, too.
The best, and this sounds weird to women, but Burt's Bees thick cream in the round dispenser. It was compared to cow udder cream... lol.... but the heck with clogging pores at night. I put that all over before bed and wear moisturizer gloves. Thank God my husband still thinks I am sexy.
Drinking coffee and alcohol makes skin dry.
Avocado masks are good.
Ruthie Owen-Moreno
Denver and Phoenix
________________________________________
Bob, please leave my name and employer private (this is personal advice for you anyway) as my company is notorious for not allowing public commentary.
I've suffered from psoriasis for about 15 years. I'm much better now following a lengthy (1.5 year) regimen of UV-B "laser" treatment from a dermatologist. Before the laser, I tried just about every cream and ointment known for my various symptoms. The only thing that ever made any headway, and I mean the ONLY thing, was a topical steroid called Clobetasol (brand name Clobex) and the ONLY version of it that was worth a crap is the "spray" variety (the ointment and cream of the same brand were worthless). There's something about the spray, it just seemed to work. It kept my psoriasis at bay pretty well, and some will tell you that adding a combination of diet, sunlight, and even salt water (e.g., seawater) helps even more. Perhaps it (Clobetasol spray) will help you with your condition. The only reason I dropped the spray and went for UV-B laser therapy was that I had large spots on my back that I just could not reach without having someone spray it for me. I still keep some for touch-ups. It used to be ungodly expensive ($300 for a small bottle – a hard pill to swallow given that as a spray, much of it ends up on the floor), but now it's off patent and is easily coverable by insurance or not so insane in generic form. It's a pretty strong steroid, so a lot of docs don't like to prescribe it first and you have to keep it out of tender areas (face, groin, etc.).
Not sure if UV-B therapy applies to your condition or not, but Its helped me quite a bit. The machine is expensive, so not a lot of Docs have it. Keep that in mind when asking your Dermatologist if they offer or suggest it. I've found (now that I've moved to _______) that dermatologists will downplay its effectiveness if they don't have a machine. That also strikes a note, shop around for second and third opinion dermatologists. As you mention, there is an art to it. I've had varying amounts of luck with them over the years. In particular, I find that younger Dermatologists are much better at the job (yes, a generalization, but based on my personal success and failures) than the older ones. Dermatology residencies are the hardest to get now (low insurance overhead, regular office hours, a lot of cosmetic work that pays cash and doesn't need to involve resource-sucking insurance companies, etc.) so the top students in Med School are getting those gigs whereas in years past, it was Anesthesia and Surgery that was hard to get into (everybody in my family but me is a physician). So shop around and don't be afraid to take a flier on a doc that's only been out of med school for 10 years or less.
Take care… sorry to hear about your skin issue.
Also good for the skin is a visit to Charleston, S.C. Where they have humidity, history and great food!
Weldon Smith
________________________________________
Hey Bob,
Sorry to hear about this. But have you tried this ?
http://www.neutrogena.com/category/hair/t-gel-.do?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Basically it's coal tar extract
It's not going t work on your body, but should help your scalp & face too. I had something similar on my head about 15 years ago and this helped.
Have been using it ever since as my shampoo.
best regards,
David
________________________________________
Hey Bob, maybe it's your diet? Gluten intolerance? Try going gluten-free for a bit--you can always go back. They've modified the wheat a lot...not necessarily GMO but hybridization to make it hearty and fast-baking. I know a lot of people having trouble with it and it manifests differently in different people. Just a thought.
Matt Meils
________________________________________
Ahh Bobby!
You poor bastard. At least you have the decency to suffer in silence LOL!
I hope someone has something for you.
Gordon Burke
________________________________________
Bob - gotta juice. In a vitamix, a cucmber, 2 sticks celery (hit it), a lemon and/or a lime (hit it again), a cut of ginger, a bit of parsely, a a bit of cilantro (hit it), now stuff it full of kale and (hit it). And a little water here and there. You get 40 oz, almost a full blender. Split that over 2 days. 20 oz over the course of the day. It's of smoothy consistency. You have to play with the balance to get "your" taste. Sometimes I get it wrong because I ran out of something. But I suck it up and drink it anyway. Your skin wil love it.
Hard core juicers will say to separate the juice from the pulp. That's a lot of food.
Good luck,
Randy Pettersen
Texas
________________________________________
They must have naturopaths where you live. First thing I learned after 60
was get a naturopath who knows their stuff . The regular doctors only know
drugs and drugs. And the drugs all have side effects. My mother died at 92
but she was on so many drugs that kept her alive. It helps the medical
industry but what kind of life is that.
I have a good naturopath who knows natural ways of treating me. Hospitals
and drugs kill you as you get old.
Good Luck.
Cheers
Greg
Toronto
________________________________________
Good luck with your skin. I hate growing older. People who say it's great are idiots.
Richard Metzger
________________________________________
You poor thing. I have a friend dealing with the same thing who found great relief using natural protocols recommended by Dr. Josh Axe, a naturopath. Check out his site:
Natural Eczema Remedies and Treatment - Dr. Axe
https://draxe.com/natural-eczema-remedies-treatment?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
And get yourself some quality homemade bar soap made from coconut oil or olive oil, etc. They are lovely & healing - my husband loves it. I'll mail you a bar if you like.
Wishing you relief!
Ann Heiligstedt
Montana
________________________________________
This seems so weird to be writing you about this......
But I MIGHT be able to help.
I may or may not be able to fix the WHOLE thing, but I feel most certain I can help relieve you of the itchiness and irritation.
I am so sorry that you have to go through this, it must be terrible for you:( no fun:(
Usually the skin is a reflection of something going on internally in your gut, which is 80% of your immune system. So you may need to work on yourself internally as well. If you could work on possible leaky gut syndrome so that possibly you are not losing the nutrients you are putting in your body. Something is not getting through to your system to heal itself. You might be taking and eating the right things, but if your intestines have holes in them and things are escaping and not being absorbed properly you actually can be deficient. This is a guess......but truly, your gut is a large part of any condition.
Ok.....so I'm writing cause I am a Rodan and Fields skincare consultant, we do skin very very well. I'm not a dermatologist but our line is created by dermatologists. We have a regimen called Soothe that I would love you to try. I'd give it to you at my consultant pricing just so you would try it. If it doesn't help you in some way we just send it back within 60 days.
I'm not asking for referrals or you to mention this EVER......I truly want to help. It gives me great GREAT joy when I truly help people with their skin.
The Soothe regimen is for irritated, dry, sensitive skin & we have some success with people who have things like rosacea, psoriasis and eczema, even though we can't make medical claims. It's worth a shot.
I am first and foremost a singer/songwriter but honestly, this is how I feed my family now and this company is helping me fund a new project just for the love of it AGAIN ???
As far as this company goes, I wouldn't do it if I didn't believe in the products and the opportunity. It has helped me to not have to go work at Macy's or waitress somewhere again, as I have an 8 and 7 year old to take care of too. Blah blah blah, you don't need my story, I just want you to try the Soothe. My aunt had terrible terrible psoriasis on her arm and her feet, she lives in Vancouver. It took away the big strange looking scaly stuff on her arm and although it didn't clear her feet (she also stands all day in a humid environment selling car insurance, so not great for her feet) she said it was the first time in years she didn't go to bed without burning on her feet or wanting to itch her feet non stop for days. She was able to put the lotion on her feet, then put on her socks and peacefully go to sleep.
If you're remotely interested in trying, please let me know. I'd love to help. I'm not creepy:) and I won't advertise. I'm not like that. I have some "famous" friends who use my products but that stays w me. I get it, I've been famous too:) I wouldn't out you. I can't believe I'm even writing this!!!! But you don't know me....I keep my word.
Ok
No worries if not, just thought I'd send a possible lifeline.
I'm once again so sorry you have to go through this:(
I enjoy your blog!!! Very much!! Thank you for your time, words and effort!!
Sincerely,
Carolyn Dawn Johnson
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Two things to IMMEDIATELY help you with this...two HUGE TIPS that I guarantee will work with THIS VERY skin condition. First, go get some CBD oil Balm (rub on cream containing the oil)--it WILL WORK for this. CBD OIL BALM--Pc Greens has it in Malibu and Erewhon Foods in Venice, WeHo and Agoura has it too. You should also take CBD oil drops under the tongue (get Charlotte's Web CBD OIL PLUS at Erewhon) this will be IMMENSELY HELPFUL for that condition!!! Secondly, find yourself some SOMBRA MENTHOL (Cool)Cream to rub on that--asap. You can get SOMBRA air freighted out from ITHACA SPORTS in New York--800-716-9382--SOMBRA menthol cream will KNOCK THAT DOWN all over...100% guaranteed. THIS STUFF WORKS LIKE A MIRACLE FOR ITCHY SKIN, bc I have it TERRIBLY. VERY VERY VERY highly recommended. I am SO SOLD on SOMBRA menthol cream, I even have a BIG UNOPEN JAR of it here in the Palisades you can HAVE...i will drop OFF to you. YES, it's THAT GOOD. With Sombra Cream (order some at the 800#, use my extra jar) and with CBD Oil and Balm--your SKIN ISSUES WILL BE SOLVED. I am going out on a limb here, bc I KNOW IT IS TRUE!!!!! Alden Marin ***Seriously, I'll bring you a free jar of Sombra even now, tonight, or tomorrow. I'm that convinced. And those in the KNOW, are fully aware that CBD oil IS THE MIRACLE CURE...for almost everything...!!!!!!
Alden Marin
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Several things could be happening here. You might be allergic to certain kinds of fabrics synthetic and or natural.
Your body is telling you that there is a deficiency or more that it needs to combat the problems also.
Are you up to speed with all the vitamins and nutrients that your body requires every day.
Coffee is a diuretic, so you excrete all the valuable minerals you need daily.
Try ingesting colloidal silver. There is also a natural rock crystal that many people use as a deodorant too.
A Chinese herbalist may help also.
There are many avenues for better health that do not involve expensive medical treatments.
Research the net when you have the time, because it is after all 'your time'
Best of luck,
Mykl
AURArecords
Australia
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Take one Benadryl before you go to sleep. Works for me.
Andy Paciocco
Peter Shapiro
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I feel your pain! Hot water, cold & dry weather, certain foods, stress, alcohol-it sucks!!
Dermatologist did nothing for me, totally useless! Have a biopsy done, get it diagnosed. Then you know how to deal. The dermatologist misdiagnosed me-total waste of time!
Jo Faloona
________________________________________
did any of your doctors prescribe Epiceram for the skin blotches?
Keith McCarthy
________________________________________
Careful Bob, your sneaking up on sounding like Jerry Seinfeld's parents at the early-bird dinner special at Del Boca Vista… Getting old, not for sissies. It's all good as long as your on the right side of the grass.
Best,
Jim Gilmore
________________________________________
Have you gone to an allergist?
I grew up with really touchy skin and lots of dryness and there was a food connection.
I've done a lot of alternative medicine to deal with it with some success.
In holistic medicine, a reaction that shows up on your skin with some strength is an indication that there's some internal issue.. Could be as simple as your body needs a break from something you're eating or doing..
But, in my experience as someone who has had a ton of skin issues, rubbing stuff on the skin can relieve some of the pain, and in some cases make mild things go away, but looking deeper is the thing that did the trick
Karen Gordon
________________________________________
Virgin organic coconut oil.
David Rubinson
________________________________________
Organic coconut oil.
Great on your skin. Buy it on Amazon. It's cheap.
And if you also take a tablespoon a day, I put it in my cappuccino every morning, it will cleanse the plaque out of your arteries.
I just scored a 0 on a calcium scoring, my Dad died of heart disease at 58, and I always had cholesterol issues. I'm 62 and have been on statins almost 20 years. I'm now off, my sex life is better, actually amazing, and my memory has improved. I never believed in this crap until I met this girl who is a holistic health coach, and now I'm a believer. And I'll never leave her.
The shit works.
Good luck.
Thanks,
Ernie Canadeo
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I hope you realize that to a guy 93 you seem very, very young. 63 ain't old. Unless, of course, you think it is. Quit whining. Get lasik. Exercise. Live young. Feel young. And quit living in the past. Right now are the good old days. You are at the peak of who you are, you have a lifetime of valuable experience that you didn't have at 25. Use this wisdom to live each day in a way that you could never have as a twenty or thirty year old. Nostalgia has its place, but the 1960's are never coming back... Live NOW!
Frank A. Gagliano
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1) Is is possible that you're having a reaction to the agent they use in more modern thermal layers [like Biogene] to keep the clothes from getting the foul "old locker" smell?
2) A different allergy?
Perhaps you need an allergist, not a dermatologist?
Good luck. You're not alone in this.
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Try a bath with Epsom salt, almond oil, coconut oil, tea tree oil in it. Works wonders.
Devon P
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Try Kiehls products. An old GF turned me on to the stuff.
Creme de corps is the normal heavy duty stuff that I use.
http://www.kiehls.com/creme-de-corps/259.html?cgid=body-moisturizers&dwvar_259_size=8.4 fl. oz. Bottle&utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin#start=1&cgid=body-moisturizers
They also have this nuclear stuff for exceptionally dry skin.
http://www.kiehls.com/intensive-treatment-and-moisturizer-for-dry-or-callused-areas/295.html?dwvar_295_size=3.4 fl. oz. Tube&cgid=body-moisturizers&utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin#start=3&cgid=body-moisturizers
Mishpucha, I'm telling you!
Best
Jack Morer
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Hey Bob, sorry to hear about the skin problems. This product has seemed to work for me. They have everything from a scalp cream to Excema creams. More on the natural side of things, but maybe that's what you wanna try at this point??
They're an Aussie company, and they use cows milk in all their products:
https://moogoousa.com/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Jason Blinn
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I've dealt with different/similar skin issues for the past 20 years, while I'm still relatively young (39) having them in your late teens and 20's can do more long term damage to your self esteem than you could ever imagine. The physical part is obviously horrible, but adding the psychological and emotional element to it just shifts the entire way you look at your life.
For me, the worst part was when the skin issue attacked my joints (psoriatic arthritis). In my early 20's I was here in NYC and finally making it as a touring and session drummer. One day my ankles flared, then it slowly moved to my fingers. I thought I was done.
The topicals help for a sec, but what I've learned is that it's really down to a complete lifestyle change (if you can't move to climates that suit you better). For me (and most folks) it's an autoimmune backlash, that generally roots in inflammation. For me, it was about shifting diet (Alkalizing), lukewarm showers, cutting back on the coffee and booze and well, figuring out how to better deal with the number one cause of inflammation...stress.
I know, it's a bummer. All the best food is white and starchy and a total acid bomb for your body, but you just have to weigh it all in the end.
For the severe cases, the Biologics (humira etc) work. Very well. But for me when I was on them it was more about jump starting my celluar memory along with the lifestyle change.
I've been 100% clear for years now.
Hang in there sir, it feels like a horrible penance but it can be beaten!
-Guy Licata
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Ain't too late bobby. Kill the processed foods. Go to the farm market. Get close to the earth. No more itching.
David Elkins
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So sorry to hear about this. I know your followers will send you their remedies which is the positive result of sharing both the good and not so good in your life in your posts. Sounds like an imbalance in your body chemistry. Perhaps internal medication could help correct this. A form of psoriasis or eczema?
http://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/pictures?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Sussman
________________________________________
Aveeno! Aveeno liquid soap for the shower using a washcloth; aveeno lotion for after; give it shot.
(I'm in the same boat as you, sucks...and Aveeno seems to be helping as of a few weeks ago) Good luck Bob.
David Epstein
Oakland
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It's your diet Bob
Change it
Go raw
Jump start the change w/Ejuva's 28 day cleanse
It's an intestinal cleansing & rejuvenation, cleans the colon... large & small intestines.. blood.. etc
Do a little recon here... Ejuva.com
& then enjoy the astounding results
You're entire system will recalibrate
I know I sound nuts but trust me.
-Mike McGlaflin
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No more scalding showers, aveeno lotion- not amlactin which is harsh. No ointments. Oatmeal baths. Drink lots of water and get minocycline from your dr. If you're itchy... cool water/ compress. No scratching and NO heat. You may also need prednisone to break the cycle. Good luck .... as my Dad used to say re dermatologists..." view the rash, collect the cash".
L G
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I hear you. It started around the time I moved to the OC when I was in my 20s. We're moving in a couple of months and I told my wife, first thing, we are replacing the shower head with a hand hold model. OMG the hot shower feels so good when I itch, which is all the time. Not quite as bad as you, but still... It started on my eyelids. Went away and came back on my back. That's when I learned the hot shower trick. Left there went to the leg. Now it is mainly around the lower stomach and below (and one ear is scaling a lot these days). I have to shampoo and condition every day or I'd scratch my hair out. As bad as the hot water is for you, it is better then self wounding yourself with your nails.
The last time I looked, there was only one hospital in the world that had a focus on eczema. Why? There's no money in it. They do make a lot of money selling you creams that don't work though. They found a curious relationship between itching and pain. They haven't figured out why pain cures itching, but that seems the only way these days. If you do come across something, please let me know.
Bruce Greenberg
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Thoroughly enjoy your musings, and truly know and understand ( grok) that health is truly more important than wealth.
I also know that I am blessed that at 70 I have been spared the afflictions of many my age. No prescription meds. 30 days at Vail and Beaver Creek so far this season and I've taken off the last week in March for "spring break" at Vail .
I wish you speedy relief.
Pray for Snow
mark birnbach
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I'm allergic to nickel and have sensitive skin and tried tons of deodorants and antiperspirants that ultimately left me rashy. I've settled on Men's Science deodorant. The only thing that works for me, but it does cost $20. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GAO1PE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_1gGYybM1K7MMM?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
And I'm only 29!
Best of luck in the winters (puts the lotion on its skin),
Justin McCraw
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I'm so sorry about your itching, dry skin. Sounds like allergic psoriasis or something of the sort. Terrible to itch all over. Your dermatologist probably gave you steroid creams to treat it. Won't work, as you discovered.
My pharmacist at Pharmaca Pharmacy on San Vicente Blvd in Brentwood ( his name is Arian) told me that ice actually helps to stop the itch. He's better and more knowledgeable than some doctors I know. He diagnosed frost-nip on my heel after a noted podiatrist told me it was a bug bite. Arian told me exactly what to do to treat it ( it was very puffy, red etc) and it worked. Yes, frost-nip is a real condition. Sounds laughable but it's a mild version of frost bite. I'd been pressing an ice pack on my heel directly on the skin.
Back to you. Are you taking any new medications? Sometimes the inactive ingredients in generics can cause allergic reactions. Some medications period can cause allergic reactions which can include itchiness.
Have you tried taking a Benadryl to see if it helps reduce your itchiness? If you haven't you might consider it. I'm stabbing in the dark with this but if it's caused by allergy a Benadryl might help. If so Bernie Geller MD in Santa Monica is a great allergy doc.
If none of the above feels right or you've been down each road already, consider talking to Arian at Pharmaca. He's super smart and nice as can be.
I really hope you feel better. Don't give up. It might be worth getting another opinion from your internist, a different dermatologist and quite possibly an MD who specializes in allergy. Good luck.
Take care,
Martine Ehrenclou
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I am with you Bob. Your piece nailed it about Dermatologists.
I am 46 and suffer from Rosacea. It's on your face and affects your confidence and how others treat you.
Been to several dermatologists. Prescribed many creams and lotions. Who wants to slather that stuff on twice a day? Not to mention it doesn't work.
Antibiotics help a little but it can't be healthy to be on them for years at a time.
Good luck with your skin struggles and thanks for sharing. Know you are not alone.
Patrick
Philadelphia PA
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Yes ! the damn itching that wakes you up ! no bugs, just skin insanity !
Martin Katon
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Erma Bombeck ghostwriting for you?
Russell Bassett
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You need to eat lots of avocados and coconut oil - healthy fats. And drink lots of water. And switch to lukewarm showers. And probably look at switching your shampoo and soap to something natural.
Seriously with the fats and water - it will help. Good luck.
Karen Martin
________________________________________
Was married to a brainiac doc who constantly used steroid ointments on his skin. Current hubby just saw Mayo dermatologist who said to use otc 1% hydrocortisone cream (steroids but otc and simply available). Mayo docs are into outcomes and not pushing drug rep suggestions. Worked with a bunch of guys and several noticed they had scaley skin when they drank hard liquor. You may have a food sensitivity.
Arrid cream antiperspirant deodorant is hard to find although I've seen at Walgreens. Amazon is easier, cheaper to buy 12 pack. Works great and your pits won't be irritated. This is old school cream in a jar.
Dove soap is the best and avoid scrubbing with washcloth. Shorter and not too hot showers. Pat dry.
Laundry? Maybe too much fragrance and additives. Wash your sheets without detergent to get rid of the excess and use less and rinse twice.
I enjoy your column. Hope you don't think this is intrusive but no risk and will help you.
Regards, Kathy Clifford
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wow, I had no idea. do you remember this?
"At War With My Skin"
By John Updike
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1985/09/02/at-war-with-my-skin?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
John Hughes
________________________________________
Did you catch "The Night Of" on HBO. John Turturro with his eczema? Reminds me of your plight...
John A. Roberts
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As gratitude for all the great music you have showed me and reminded me that I loved I would be grateful to send you some of my skincare product Primal Derma (primalderma.com) to help your skin - I think it might. It is made primarily of grass-fed beef tallow which has been the skincare product of choice for humans for at least 20,000 years except for the last 150 or so.
It is made by hand in my home in Harlem and has no petrochemicals, stabilizers, preservatives or any junk in it. Tallow is virtually bio-identical to our own skin and fat cells and is easily absorbed and nutritious for your skin and is a natural anti-inflammatory and has been shown to help with psoriasis and other skin disorders.
Just send me your address and I'll pop some in the mail to you right away.
Thanks again for all the music,
Matthew Stillman
________________________________________
Dr burns in Woodland Hills. Go once and he'll find the prob! Promise. Google him and go.
Sandra
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Dear Mr. Lefsetz
I am a regular reader of your blog. I always enjoy your outlook on day to day activities and you have a wonderful way with words.
With that said ... I can relate to your skin issues as I have been battling something similar since October 2013.
As much as the heat relieves the itch from your skin, it's honestly the worst thing for it. The hot showers are really horrible (but I know how good they make your skin feel!). Rubbing it when it itches is also bad.
Probably TMI, but I've had a horrible rash on my ankle that started in 2013. I thought it was from a pair of shoes I bought from QVC that had a edge of the shoe that was higher than normal. Of course, it didn't heal, and that ended up being a $900 vascular issue because the blood in my ankle pooled and it wasn't circulating right.
I have tried every potion, lotion, antibiotic, cortisone cream, etc. to keep my ankle from looking like my leg was just oozing everywhere. I can relate as the skin on my ankle appeared to be growing too fast -- so it was so thin it just peeled off.
The one thing that worked? Rodan and Fields Soothe Regimen. The doctors who invented Proactiv are the same doctors that make Rodan + Fields. It's really easy to use and it's a 3 (or 4) step process that takes no more than 5 minutes
Since it was the only thing that worked, and I wanted to get it cheaper, I started selling it. If you want to try this and see if it will work for you, there's a 60 day money back guarantee.
If you like, I can send you photos of my ankle, but suffice to say, from a rash that took up my entire ankle, it's healed now except one tiny spot in the front. Although not this week (as it's back in the 20's) but last week I was able to wear skirts without hose (I'm in DC ... and it was 70). This week we're freezing our buns off so I'm back to skirts and boots!
Take a look at my web site -- and there are a lot of Before/After's I can send you if you want more information. I know how painful these skin issues can be, and I can certainly relate.
https://sbeavan.myrandf.com/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
You might also consider changing your laundry detergent to something like All Clear and make sure that any dryer sheets you use are unscented.
Wishing you the best of luck with your skin issue. I'm sure lots of folks will have all sorts of information for you to try! Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Best of luck to you!
DCSharon
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This area isn't fun - I'm lucky - hasn't happened to myself, but it's a big area for my partner.
Sounds like it could be Psoriasis?
My partner is still at the younger end of things (compared to us ;) so it's not just an age thing..
She manages to stay on top of her condition though, but for her it's all about diet.
She's tried all sorts of stuff on the journey - Tar in her hair (I can couch for that), heavy duty creams (which work but are damaging and only fix the symptoms), many types of lighter creams and washing products etc.
The diet is the one thing that keeps it under control for her.
She is a foodie though, and so has managed to find tasty stuff for the most part.
I eat a lot of it and it's great (although I can't go near Quinoa).
It's still not easy (she loves her potato chips and cake) but it helps that she's Vietnamese, and was brought up on their foods & portion sizes.
The other area is clothing - wearing nothing but 100% cotton or wool, head to toe.
If you find yourself looking at the diet area and think it might help, let me know and I'll pass her email address across, she might be able to suggest a few ideas that don't taste like crap and are easy enough to make.
Might be an excuse to visit the Asian supermarket.
And if you want someone who might even be happy to scratch your back, and you have a vacancy, I'd highly recommend looking (carefully) in that part of the world also :)
Evan Linwood
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I'm sorry about your skin. I keep telling you though... Fix your diet. It will change your life.
jbflame8
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Please try using 1/2 cup of coconut oil mixed with 10 drops of tea tree oil. Take your shower and while you're still in there, rub your skin head to toe with the coconut oil mixture. Get out, pat dry and do it every day for a week. Then, let me know how your skin is!
You're welcome!
Jo Ann Rossi
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Have you tried Aveeno body wash? I had a a case of hives and I've used it ever since. Also maybe try a sensitive skin detergent. Hope you feel better,
Blake Einhorn
________________________________________
All my sympathy and understanding even it doesn't help.
I am 83 and I never thought I live this long. It is strange and
I have similar things like you do and I am not prepared for this.
I also have a very sick husband who could reach my back if I ask for it, but I don't.
I went through the Holocaust as a child and a revolution in Budapest Hungary. Changed countries and culture. Most of the time I don't even know the songs and music you write about. But my son is a drummer and he is a sound designer and I send your letters to him.
My very best to you-keep on writing: Susanne
Susanne Palagy
________________________________________
Are YOU now the Fathers and the Uncles at your teenage camps?
Or the crusty grandfather for whom "out-complaining" is the BADGE?
Dennis Brent
________________________________________
Go on amazon
Buy the Whole 30 book
Commit to 30 days, don't cheat, reset you body and watch it go away
It works......
Jean Sievers
________________________________________
Bob, make the investment and get food tested via a naturopath (blood test). Then remove the recommended foods from your diet until things improve, whilst most likely, taking a few supplements to modulate your immune system and heal your gut. Sound too woo hoo? Whatever! Look under every rock if this is truly bothering you. Most skin conditions can be improved if not eradicated through diet.
Meanwhile,
"Saving lives? She's one step above working at the Clinique counter."
And I'm so frustrated with the state of my eyes right now (51) I could scream, on and off, all day. Put on cheaters, hallelujah...I can read! Okay, not important stuff like pharmaceuticals and supplements...still need additional optical instruments for that. But I can't "see" anything else, clearly. The rest of life is effing perpetually blurry. And I don't have the cheaters with me at all times (even though we are always reading something), because they fall out of collars. They rip out my hair when I put them on my head. Those pendant chain things don't work. I'm in-between stages of deterioration and have the largest collection of "cheaters" of anyone I know (and when I'm in need of the next strength, I have almost a dozen to replace...I have them stashed...everywhere). Most of the day now, I actually cannot see clearly. Am looking forward to this plateauing. Jeezus.
Wishing you well, skin, eyes, and ears aside...
C
________________________________________
Bravo Bob. And the Oscar goes to.... If you ask me I think you were getting too much hate mail about your new found celebrity lifestyle so you figured you better throw in with the peasants. I think you're fine so please stop bitching. Or maybe you are miserable which in that case I say sorry bud. I feel your pain
Cheers
J.Vieira
________________________________________
Seriously, there is absolutely nothing better.
ttps://ca.iherb.com/pr/udderly-smooth-body-cream-original-formula-12-oz-340-g/70825
Byron Suley
________________________________________
Try JASON products Skin Care | J?SÖN - Natural Pioneer since 1959. Link below
I've been using since early 70's when I first started going to HAWAII.
http://www.jason-personalcare.com/body-loving-products/body/skin-care?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
And check your laundry detergent and conditioners...
Olie Kornelsen
Sorry to hear about this, Bob, and I can imagine the itch is maddening. Hope you find some relief from it soon. As for dermatologists, a doctor friend of mine describes the primary treatment arsenal for rashes/itching -- if it dries, wet it, if it's wet dry it, if there is no improvement hammer the patient with steroids. We'll look back on many of these approaches in 50 years and they will seem slightly more evolved than leeches and bloodletting.
Sean Moriarty
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If you have anything resembling psoriasis....read this. It's really helped me. The stuff the derm gave me made everything much worse.
I'm doing a month or so of heavy Vit D. 5,000. Every other, or every 3rd day. Seems to be helping.
https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/how-vitamin-d-can-help-psoriasis?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Lisa Freedman
________________________________________
Try Aveeno Eczema Care or Eucerin Eczema Relief. Both have ceramids, which are the essential lipids in human skin that lock in its natural moisture. Has worked great for me.
Sacha Spindler
________________________________________
That's tough. There's always that tried and true remedy from Vermont - Bag Balm! Good for chafed teets too.
Get well.
Tom Quinn
________________________________________
I'm 73. My itches are in part related to alcohol consumption. Could be a co-factor. Dryness is an issue as well here in West Quebec with wood heat. And yes showers are great but they too promote some itchiness for me for a day or so.
Hit my left shoulder on some ice a month ago. I have regained some mobility but it still hurts when I go to far. Guess I'll have to get it looked at. ;)
All the best,
Brian Fisher
________________________________________
Cold weather eczema? An East Coast girl, I had it in Sun Valley a day after getting in the hot mineral springs thermal pool. And the itching was insane. And there's no Spring in Cape Cod so I don't know where the hell you found mosquitos. However, I may have the answer to your woes. It will take a bit of time, but it works. Blue Emu Oil. Thunder Ridge is the one recommended to me by someone who actually researched it and used it to cure a form of psoriasis. Puritan Pride is the reasonably priced online source. It works, but just like everything else it takes consistency. Try a spot and rub it at least once a day…S.
Stephanie O'Neill
________________________________________
http://www.storenectarine.com/Unscented-ADE-Moisturizer-1-gallon-p/mz-400-41-a.htm?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
AmLactin's lame. AD&E lotion is the best. Gold Bond creams are good to but scented. I was turned on to AD&E many years ago by promo goddess Vicki Leben.
Jean Johnson
________________________________________
Go see an allergist too ASAP.
He can run patch tests etc and also give you something to dampen what might be an allergy of unknown origin.
This will sound crazy too but did you change your meds or med strength or add some vitamin or supplement and change your body chemistry.
Hope you get better.
Rick Vogt
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sorry to hear of your skin woes. I hope you have a speedy recovery and it all clears up very soon!
Some ideas:
try to go fragrance free with everything.
Skin stuff is tricky and there's no clear answer
Steroids just push stuff in, don't cure the problem . But they work for the short term.
Don't do hot extreme or cold temperatures.
use gloves to wash dishes
limit the amount of times your skin gets wet.
don't try organic essential oils...those have fragrance and will irritate
If you use sun block, it must be fragrance free!
limit the sugar you consume.
perhaps cannabis coconut oil would help alleviate some of the pain!
I get flair ups...I use steriod cream but don't like to because It just masks the problem
That's about all I have to share
rachel loonin
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"Mr. Skin"
Spirit
"Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus"
Mike Marrone
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Get Triamcinolone acetonide cream prescript. From yur dermatologist.
Alan Robbins
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Love your posts. It's sad to see you resign yourself accepting your afflictions. I hope you don't 'cause selfishly I'm getting lots of good insight from you as I embark on my music journey in South Korea at 45 years old :).
I know, I know you have afflictions.... but hear me out. Our bodies are always trying to heal themselves. You must believe this. I'm far from being a doctor but I think health is predominantly affected by diet and this can help or hinder the healing process. It appears most of the top 10 leading causes of death of Americans can be mitigated/and maybe reversed (including cancer, heart disease, stroke!) by a plant-based diet alone. Obviously I'm assuming you are not eating like this... but based on the fact that you stink, I think I'm probably not too off base. Plenty of science out there if you want verification then to the task of changing behavior.... do your best to eat a plant-based diet--over 70% fresh fruits and green veggies, 20% grains/legumes and stay away from refined sugar and salt. Really limit meat, milk/cheese or ideally eliminate all of them at least for awhile. Try to stay away from most anything processed. If you want to be aggressive about getting healthy (which I'd recommend from experience), consider a fast and/or detox. Or try intermittent fasting. So much health info out there these days (from scientific to wacko), pick one and go for it and see if you can make positive progress on your health. If you want my opinion on specifically what I'd recommend, ping me back. I'm definitely no expert, but I can give you the skinny on what seems to be working for me on my journey.
I challenge you to do this for 1 month. Oh, and share your experience with us loyal readers. I hope you live longer because, seriously, your advice is so needed.
Peace, love & health,
Luke McQueen
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Sorry that you're suffering so much!
What is the affliction ? Or is that still a mystery ?
Anyway, I hope you gain some relief....
Chipley Trombley
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I doctor up audio in pro tools in my studio, so some call me a doctor, and sometimes a surgeon, but I'm just a engineer, guitarist, songwriting producer type.
Try using all natural ingredients on your skin.mine likes it. Let me.know.how that works for you.
Rock.n.Roll
Marc Amendola
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Hello Bob
I have a truly amazing Dr in Los Angeles for you to see. I actually drive from SF to see him, but he's been my Dr 9 years now. One of my best decisions. He's always said to me to bring him any patients I know that have the most difficult symptoms. I saw his 95 year old mentor in his office a few months back. Telling the young nurses he needed a discount! Encouraging. Haha
Anyway, he's phenomenal. I've sent numerous people to him. I think or I know he can help you.
Best
Cheryl Schayer
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Bob, have you tried antihistamines?....might help with night time routine so you don't claw yourself bloody throughout the night. Think about incriminating foods that might be the culprit as well.
I deal with skin stuff at 50 that I didn't have to before. Currently skiing with family and hot tub is a no no.....cold showers hell yes! They give immediate relief for the itching which sometimes is all consuming.
Best of luck with it.
Sean
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Hey Bob
Hang in there.
Have you tried a juice fast or a vegan fast or a water fast?
Or simply skipping eating one day a week.
My heart goes out to you man
Good luck and hang in there
Thanks for all your great pieces!!!!
Tony Maimone
Studio G Brooklyn
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http://byrnesfamilywellness.com/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Sandra
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Ok I know I'm always offering u unsolicited advice, but...Michael Fox in Silverlake - acupuncturist who has ongoing certified on skin disorders including long seminars in London. I have the driest skin and had horrible itching and terrible side affects on my legs, couldn't do anything and dermatologists just said oh well. He was treating me for anxiety and then saw my legs and was like - I can help you. Prepped some pouches of mud liquid that literally cleared up a 20 year problem in six weeks. No issues in the 8 years since. Michael Fox in Silverlake. Highly recommend. He works with people who have a disease that has a 50% (!) suicide rate because they never stop itching. Anyway. Be well Bob.
Buffy Visick
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I was itchy for months. Started in July last year under my boobs and grew up my chest to my neck and head. It was so bad it was keeping me up at night. After a particularly rough night, my husband said, didn't you start putting milk in your cereal at the end of June last year? Maybe it's the milk.
I had started having milk (whole organic) with my cereal to try to help my teeth, don't ask. Ugh. Anyway, I stopped the milk and voila, the itch started to subside immediately and was gone within four days. That, after six months of itchy hell. From having milk once a day in my morning cereal!
I'm not saying that drinking milk or eating dairy is what's causing your itch, but it's damn well worth a try. No milk, no cheese, no yogurt, no dairy. Give it a week.
It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it.
Gay Bartholomew
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Hey there-
Sorry to hear about your skin problems...
My pop suffered from psoriasis when he approached his 50s.
I totally sympathize...being itchy really sucks. I have similar skin problems, but to a much lesser degree.
In some cases, medications like heart and blood pressure medication can worsen it (and certain antibiotics), stress, caffeine and such.
Once your doc is able to get the inflammation under control as far as your body goes, you can see if a cool (luke-warm) bath with a little corn starch might help the itching (like they do for chicken pox). Once your face is not inflamed, you can try and clean in the morning it a dab of Clinique clarifying no. 2. (They also have a sensitive skin one) on a cotton ball to clean your face in the morning.
Once it's better (meaning cleared up) you can test a bit of Johnson and Johnson dual action moisturizer for face lotion to balance it followed by some neutragena healthy defense moisturizer (it has a sunscreen in it).
Gold bond ultimate healing might help you for arms and legs once not inflamed.
But I'd test everything on a small inconspicuous spot at first and see how your body tolerates it.
Btw-Has your dermatologist given you any triamcilone acetonide cream (kinda like extra strength topical cortisone)?
Have you tried an allergist?
I've been asthmatic and severely allergic to pretty much everything. One time I took some cold medicine (not realizing it had aspirin in it ----which contains sulfa ---which I'm extremely allergic too.) The scales and red spots that popped out made me look like I had leprocy. The tiamcilone acettonide cream and prednisone was the only thing that made it go away.
Good luck, Bob.
Keeping fingers crossed...
Gaby
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I'm freaking out about turning 25 in July. Thanks for putting things in perspective.
Mike Kunzweiler
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Try washing with Neutragena Daily Control. It's a dandruff shampoo but my doc said to wash my red itchy face with it and it worked. Nothing else did. Leave the lather on for a few minutes before you rinse it off. And use lukewarm water.
Joseph Barbarotta
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Have you been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis? If not, disregard.
If so – like I have – I suggest listening to Ben Fuchs ("Pharmacist Ben") on this issue:
http://archives2014.gcnlive.com/Archives2014/apr14/BrightSide/042414.mp3?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
He answers a call about it starting at 32:35 with a commercial break interrupting his recommendations.
I avoid sugar, sip Beyond Tangy Tangerine (water soluble vitamin/mineral complex) throughout the day, and every day I take 200 mg of time-released niacin (100 mg 2x/day) plus 3000 mg of pantothenic acid (aka "Vitamin B5" - 1500 mg 2x/day). The latter two items absolutely have helped keep my rash under control, although stress or bad soaps can irritate and bring it back to an extent.
More on Ben Fuchs:
http://pharmacistben.com?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
http://www.benfuchsarchive.com?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin - search here for a health issue to find a podcast where he discusses it
My dermatologist has been great for many things but has had no good answers for this issue that just started one day and wouldn't go away.
Ben Fuchs is an amazing resource for learning how to use food to improve many health issues and I recommend looking into him. I have no connection with the guy but friends turned me on to him and his approach has helped A LOT in my health journey. I hope this is helpful to you.
(please don't publish my name)
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Pentrax or psoriatrax shampoo, applied in a steam shower.
John Currin
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Bob... on my 50th birthday, (a little over 13 years ago) the wise and iconic Tony Dow, yes THE Tony Dow, told me; "It only gets worse".
Its been my mantra ever since.
Ohhh, the pain... the pain.
Have a good day. Have a real good day.
Cuz it only gets worse.
Bill Mumy
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Sorry to hear that. Next year when we get you out to Tune-In Tel Aviv, let's go to the Dead Sea. The minerals in the water, the mud and the sun do miracles for all kinds of skin ailments. My father in law has scoriasis (sp?) and spends a week there in the fall, a week in the winter and it helps immensely.
Or, just call the expert on skin...Mr. Skin.
Peace and love,
Jonathan Schwartz
SiriusXM's JamON
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I'm not going to pretend I know what this problem with your skin is, exactly but I do sympathize. I'm a few years older than you and a female. I know exactly what you're talking about when you say that dermatology is somewhat bogus. I have rosacea. When it first hit about 25 years ago I did the rounds, tried the ointments listened to all the bull shit. I quickly realized they had no solutions and finally ended up taking a minimalist approach, giving up most makeup, keeping my skin clean using gentle cleansers, and following the advice of those who advised against doing anything that made my condition flare up. AND AVOIDING THE CRAP THEY WANTED ME TO PUT ON MY SKIN.
It hasn't been a problem in years. I also learned that diet is everything. One year, I was itchy, all over. Nearly drove me mad. So I stopped eating sugar for 4 months. The itching stopped. Now it's many years later and I'm trying to eat an extremely low carb, no sugar diet and I can see after only a few weeks that it helps everything, arthritis, skin issues, and various other issues I've acquired over the last few years.
I guess I'm suggesting that you try purifying yourself. I don't know what kind of diet you have but it could probably use some pruning. If it's a really bad one you could try cutting out the complete crap first so you're body doesn't go into shock when trying to eat too healthy all at once. The most important thing is to reduce your sugar intake including simple carbs. You must be in pretty good shape of you're skiing so much but something is not right if you have this skin thing. I hate to think of you suffering as you have described. Do you read any of the health gurus? I get a newsletter from a guy named Mercola. He's a shill for his products but when I read his explanations for his advice, it all makes sense. I buy a lot of his supplements because I trust him to push good quality vitamins etc. Right now I'm trying a modified ketogenic diet. Do you know what that is? It's the new thing. Supposed to be good for cancer (if you have it and if you don't want to get it) and everything else.
Please, don't lay there suffering, slathering yourself with who knows what. Try changing your diet. It's the only way.
It's empowering when you realize that you can control what's happening to your body with a change in diet.
I really like reading your stuff and don't like hearing that you're suffering like that.
Feel better.
Louise Nieves
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Long time reader but this one really caught my interest because I'm obsessed with my skin too. Currently swear by Dr Jart Ceramidin line. Very soothing and calming, you can get it at Sephora! The liquid goes on first to soften and hydrate the skin then the cream seals it all in. While you're at it, use a humidifier too!
If you use too much Amlactin you might be over exfoliating (it's a gentle chemical exfoliant) and that will cause your skin to go crazy!
Phoebe Lai
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First of all, this piece was hilarious. I can relate, unfortunately. Thanks for the laugh tonight.
Second, even though I know that every other person on your list is going to write to you with their obnoxious lay medical advice now, sadly I will have to also be one of them... Are you still there? Ok good... So my question is: is this eczema or another condition? It may sound crazy but I've found that limiting sugar, alcohol and processed foods has drastically reduced the itching I've had, and I'm 38. It's been hellish for 10 years. 10 years of itching and scratching and not being able to think straight! Jesus!
But it worked for me: no sweeteners or alcohol, and limiting processed food, gluten, and dairy. Hard to do but you'll be rewarded if you can make it a habit. Hell, you should notice a difference within a week.
Take "VSL#3" also, a very powerful probiotic that is likely to help balance the gut… Digestion and skin are connected.
And you are so right on about dermatologist. I don't even bother anymore.
Couldn't hurt to give it a whirl. Took me 10 years to figure out that sequence and I have 5% of the problem I used to have. I seriously had elephant-man-like rashes all over my face at one point.
Good luck. And thanks for your writings; you and your brilliance are a part of my week, so of course we gotta keep you going. :)
Thanks,
Ariana Hall
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Damn, Bob, truly sorry to hear. But I bet sharing it will help many. Hang in there. DG
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My advice is to throw out all those deodorants. You won't smell bad if you don't wear plastic. See my post:
http://endurancefreeliving.com/throw-them-away/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
If I were you, I'd stop using all those chemical crap ointments and try something natural to put on your skin, like coconut oil, for instance.
The skin problem may also be a reaction to other medication that you're taking or treatments that you've been having.
The important thing is not to give up and to go with your gut feelings about what might work.
Good luck!
Richard Morgan
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You don't know me, I'm just another one who enjoys reading your script every day.
I grew up in LA so I get a lot of what you're saying. Its like I relive many happy memories! My mom moved to Hollywood when I was 7 and lived with a gal named Jill Jones. She wrote tunes and wrote the B side of a Turtles hit. It was FUN going to The Trip to see Marvin Gaye or It's Boss to see the Lovin Spoonful. Those were the days.
But what spurned me on to write was The Skin. lol. I am itchy. Allergic to the Sun? Auto immune lacking or just old? Really frustrating since vacations are for going somewhere sunny!( I live near Seattle). Now I've heard that everyone is using coconut oil. It's worth a try. Non toxic and smells good. I've also heard vinegar works for certain things like psoriasis. Anyway, sorry you're itchy too!
Best,
Lori Carter
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Ahhhhh welcome to eczema life!
The good news is this is not about you getting old. I'm 36 and have been dealing with it my whole life.
Here's my unsolicited advice:
-Experiment with your caffeine intake and stress levels. Old or not, you can't really argue with that.
-Try Epiceram - its the shit! (very expensive prescription lotion) It basically creates an invisible shield on your skin and eliminates the itch feeling.
-This is so obvious its ironic, but I guarantee you're not drinking enough water. Drink more water.
Cheers, good luck!
Mike Merriman
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I read this with mystery red blotches on my face!
You rock!
Verity Breen
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I get a bad reaction on my skin as well. It took me many dermatologists and diagnosis (one dipshit said I had lupus. Recommended a trip to a Rheumotalogist. She said, "nope," especially after reading the pathology from the dermatologist's office. I was misdiagnosed as the pathology was mid-read.)
Finally ended up at a dermatologist who eventually gave me a 35 panel patch test. Revealed I had a strong allergy to Isothiazolinone. More commonly used as methylisothiazolinone. Or, "MCI." It's found in soaps, shampoos, laundry detergents, paints...Paint is usually what gets me every time.
My reactions are apparent on the face in red swaths and then dry, itchy, flaky skin. The most recent outbreak was on my face, neck, armpits, arms. It's awful.
I am also allergic, it turns out, to any cortisone. So the usual derma solution of hydrocortisone doesn't work. It's a great way to live. When I have an outbreak I can't workout which only leads to weight gain and depression. I don't like showing my face in public. If I'm walking down the hallway at work I gaze upon my shoes so no one can see my face.
Your skin problem may not be a seasonal issue. I thought mine was due to Santa Ana winds. It wasn't. It is an allergy that my immune system went haywire over later in life. Only had this problem in the last few years.
I hope this helps. Get a patch test for sure. The panel of 35 or you're wasting your time.
Good luck for real.
Paul Nordlund
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I'm sorry to hear about your skin. I have suffered with severe itchy skin / eczema too and it's terrible.
Things that helped me were 1- Anti-histamine (to stop itching) 2- Warm Epsom Salt bath (don't know why... reminds me of swimming in saltwater and saltwater always cured my skin) I recommend taking the bath every night until you see a difference... I added a tablespoon of olive oil to my bath. Be sure not to shower after the bath. You will feel strange, but it's no worse than all the creams they prescribe. Don't know if it will help you or why it helped me, but it's cheap to try and also relaxing.
I agree with you that dermatology is more an art than a science. Good luck... it took me almost 2 years to get one itchy patch on my leg finally in remission, so I know the frustration.
Jeff Jones
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GO VEGAN. Telling you boss. Heal from the inside out.
Drew Chadwick
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I can totally relate to how you feel Bob.
As a child I had grown accustomed to having eczema. Then suddenly after a visit to a dermatologist, it disappeared with the help of ointments and an oral steroid.
Now I am 26 and I've had it for 2 years and it's been so frustrating. Every dermatologist I've been too prescribes a cream for me but it always comes back. I have it on my back, thighs, feet and face right now. And I can't seem to stop scratching. I used to have a nightly ritual where I scratched for about an hour.
I definitely don't do that much anymore but I can't shake the sadness I feel knowing I'll be stuck in a never ending itch - scratch cycle. There's no cure for it. And as of right now only $1.11 is spent on trying to find a cure for it.
Next I'll do UV therapy and then who knows? Supposedly new eczema drugs are coming but they're biologic and could cost thousands.
Allison McKenzie
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Bob-I am not a doctor but I have done some reading on skin conditions. In many cases they have to be treated from the inside I.e. diet. There are also many videos on the net that address diet, skin and general health.
Good luck!
Rick Riccobono
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Well. I think you'll get a tom of people chiming in that you're not alone in the "my skin's telling me it's pissed" department. When we're young our immunity's whirring along, then one day your days of carefree diet, habits, and median stress level have taken their toll, and your skin says "Fuck It!"
There are so many intricate interdependences, good luck trying to have a doctor lead you out. Get yourself to a Naturopath. I had stress related psoriasis for nearly 3 years -- just on my palms, elbows, and bottoms of my feet, but it was debilatating. I finally went to something called Vedic Vibration at the TM Center in Palo Alto, and it went away almost immediately.
I know of bad cases that have also been solved by low sugar, low acid diets coupled with high colonics. Because there is apparently a connection between the state of your intestines and the skin, which loses it's battle to keep up appearances when it suddenly can't process the toxins it's being dosed with. It's also good to get to the cause. It's not always stress, but stress doesn't help.
I'm living proof that a chronic, acute malady could totally go away, even after my Kaiser Dermatologist said it would never 'turn itself off' once the switch was flipped to 'on'. I hope you can turn it around quick. Try a Naturopath. Try a simpler diet. Keep a journal about your food choices and how it goes after everything Take D3, Omega 3 Oil, MSM. Get 7 hours of sleep at night. And don'tt worry about money.
Sorry, but it can impruve :)
Joan Carlson
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Have you tried using a cannabis balm for your skin condition?
If you want I could send you some I hand craft myself
Xavier Ramirez
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Sorry to hear about your skin issue!
I'm in NYC, grew up in Delaware,.. I used get seriously embarassing spring time facial excema-
Imagine a big pinkish-red Comrade Gorbechev looking splotch from the bottom eyelid down the cheek. Every since I can remember,..
buuuut
Since using Origins "make a difference", http://www.origins.com/make-difference?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
I haven't had major flare ups, a small spot sometimes, but nothing like it used to be.
Try it, it might work for you!
I like the serum because it's really light. the 'plus" formula is very silky (my husband likes it)
it also has a very pleasant scent, but not overly "girly".
It's semi pricey, If you explain your dilemma , the ladies at the counter will give you a free sample to see if it works.
I hope this helps!
oh, and if you can find pure shea butter. Usually the pure stuff can be found in any African market and the street vendors in Harlem have big tubs of the stuff they scoop out of a thing that looks like an overgrown coconut.
Though I'm not sure if you have anything like that in your area.
I use it in the winter for my hands, for bug bites and any other kind of splotchy skin ailment found elsewhere and it's lovely. it's heavy though and application is sometimes difficult as it's hard and melts with your body heat. the best thing is it isn't perfumey.
https://www.amazon.com/African-Shea-Butter-Cream-100/dp/B0009MHJE4?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
https://www.amazon.com/Unrefined-Shea-Butter-Better-Products/dp/B00D9NV2D4?th=1&utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
best of luck!
:)
denise barbarita
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Being a foodie i found it hard to except that my dietary choices were what effected my skin the most. And having read your pieces for years I know you are.
I can relax a bit in the summer as the the central heating and the additional layers in the winter exacerbates any condition, but the skin is an organ yet we don't treat it with the same respect we do our lungs or our hearts.
I eat fatty greasy food, my skin let's me know. Takes a day or two to take effect and a day or two to clear. So reducing anything fried or dairy makes a big difference. Don't kid yourself that doing it by halves will have an effect. Give it a straight shot for at least a couple of weeks and monitor. A food diary helps. Boring and monotonous, but once you know what works and what creates havoc, you are then in the driving seat. Want the fries? Sure, but get ready for the onslaught.
We hate advice that gets in the way of our way of life and it took me a long time to adapt, but which would rather have?
There are no magic lotions. Just keep it simple. Soap free, and a simple moisturiser everyday after the shower. Keep the bedroom cool.
Good luck bob.
Jake Fisher
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When was the last time you went for a swim in the sea? Once a day for a week cured my kids eczema.
Giles Woodhead
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Hey Bob! Sorry to hear. Starts with the food and then the gut. Check out. Chris Kesser, Sarah Ballantyne, Mark Sisson. These folks in the paleo community.
Eat walnuts. Egg yolks. These are good for sehborric dermatitis situations as they bring moisture back to the skin.
Eat as much healthy fats as u can. Cut as many carbohydrate grain and sugar stuff as u can. Fats are good for the skin.
Livers. Bone marrow. Offal. They have nutrients other muscle foods don't have.
Take pro-biotics internally and get pro-biotic skin cream at Sephora or Whole Foods. One company makes it. Your skin needs bacteria to heal. If always washed it doesn't have the bacteria culture to heal itself.
Cut out alcohol, caffeine and gluten.
Sleep with humidifier. Get your sun.
Dax Martinez-Vargas
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Goddamit Bob this sounds unbearable. Send me your mailing address, and I will send you some products which I hope might help. From London, UK. With love but mostly concern...
Nieros
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Not your suffering. I love the honesty. I guess I am getting old too.
Love this.
Scott Cohen
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Greetings from Toronto. Great to hear I'm not alone. 63 and winter-itchy, longing for spring to come to relieve it. We chuckled over your email, having slathered cream on each other's backs last night. And you're bang-on re: health vs. wealth as you age: only the former really matters. I tried rubbing loonies on my skin: didn't help.
All the best,
George Goodwin
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Once a doctor revealed to me - and then others confirmed - this about dermatologists:
Those who couldn't take muster school become derms.
It's the lowest rung for the lazy, the losers who need MD in their title.
A doctor job with no evening or weekend hours.
You never get an emergency call. No surgery.
And other than college or what pharm reps teach you, they stop learning.
Dermatologists are Degreed QUACKS!
Wish I'd been told this decades ago. Oh the money I could have saved.
I solved my own acne. It's ABSOLUTELY about diet. Every derm will tell you otherwise.
Quacks.
The salves they gave me for patches of psoriasis made it worse. And then blamed me for using it wrong.
Quacks.
Have you tried coconut oil for your skin?
If not, please get a jar today and give it a spin.
Completely natural and works like a champ on your skin (great for cooking, too!).
Hydrating from within also helps. Drinks tons of water and "wet" foods: celery, watermelon (all the melons). Avoid foods that suck moisture like alcohol, coffee.
And acupuncture for the pain and discomfort. If you haven't tried it, please suspend judgement and try it. High probability you will be amazed. And relieved.
And acupuncturists are like holistic doctors.
It's how I learned about wet and dry foods. And to put coconut oil on my irritated skin.
3 suggestions for you that a quack derm will never tell you because what the fuck do they care?
Toby
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Is your condition eczema?
Kind regards,
Chris Byrne
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I've recently had really frustrating skin problems such as pompholyx and bad bad acne ("back-nee"). I've experimented with steroid cream prescribed from the docs and all other kinds of ointments, even trying 'good' bacteria pills to strengthen the gut which apparently can improve skin as symptoms can be linked to the immune system.
However, all these have failed. The one thing that has made a difference has been the type of Shampoo I've switched to based on recommendations which are Nizoral and Head and Shoulders. The issue hasn't been irradiated but it's a significance improvement. Good luck.
Matt Garrity
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Finally a letter on a topic I can relate to especially directly. Sorry you're suffering! Skin is an indirect indicator of your body reacting to something else. Often food, sometimes synthetic fibers or wool in your clothes. Potions don't work because they don't address the root cause of your skin attacking itself. Sometimes other components of your body will attack themselves as well, without you knowing right away -- in my case the adrenal glands.
If you haven't already, try cotton clothing only, no synthetics, no Under Armour, no microfiber, not half a day, not an hour, nonthing. And if you don't have any other complicating issues that would prevent a diet change, there's nothing to lose by testing a diet that eliminates common allergens and things bodies react to often. Some people to read are Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, Dr. Terry Wahls, and perhaps the Whole 30 website although they do a bunch of hokey stuff unrelated to diet. A trial of a non-reactive diet and cotton for three months could change your life.
Best wishes,
G. McWilliams
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Change laundry detergents & conditioners, you will be amazed.... worked for me after dealing with all the aforementioned misery,
Thanks Clint
Silver Hammer LTD
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Getting old is not for sissys, Bob. :)
stevei2
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Have you tried cannabinoid topicals at all Bob? They're amazing for anti-inflammation so it might be worth a try,
Also in this womens travel group I'm in, they're all always raving about coconut oil and it's magical properties. I think it's super moisturizing to skin as well. I found a link to get a jar for free, you just pay s&h, so maybe worth a try! http://thrv.me/penncocoblog?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
I remember getting out of the shower in Colorado back in college, I think we had hard water? and itching, itching my legs like crazy! I wouldn't wish that on anyone, hoping your condition gets better :/
dasha davis
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Dude,
Totally with you on that whole body itch thing. I love the Winter here in Ohio but the furnace dries up the air and I can't breathe at night and itch like a grizzly.
Relationships? I dunno, Bob. I'd rather itch.
Bill Shafer
________________________________________
This will sort your skin out: http://www.onetribetrading.com/earthkeepers-organic-salve-2oz/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Thank me later,
Patrick Ross?VP, Digital Marketing
AWAL / Kobalt
________________________________________
What's The Deal With Cannabis-Based Beauty?
From Medicine, a Flipboard magazine by Nylon
After a season full of harsh cold temperatures and drying indoor heat, I can say that the winter has been pretty rough on my skin. My normally clear…
https://flipboard.com/@flipboard/flip.it%2FLIiZvv-whats-the-deal-with-cannabis-based-beau/f-7e4ccfd293%2Fnylon.com?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Greg
________________________________________
I'm scratching my lower legs as I read this. Perfect.
Barry K. Herman, MD, MMM
________________________________________
Take fish oil.
Anne Amann
________________________________________
Take a hot shower, then slather on petroleum jelly while you're still hot and wet. Only thing that ever worked for me.
David Bohn
________________________________________
Soak your body in olive oil...good piece and hope u feel better
iradio
________________________________________
As a long time psoriasis sufferer I find swimming in the ocean helps my skin problems the best... also I'd advise that you check your diet glyphosphate is in a ton of things including organic wine beer and 90% of the US wheat. Dairy also can cause flare ups.
All the best,
Charles A Bull
________________________________________
I have long suffered many of these same issues. I have lived in Minnesota all my life where dry winters can cause major havoc on skin.
2 yrs ago I finally found a study for the drug Dupilumab. I have had clear skin ever since. Hoping the drug gets FDA approved soon but for now I am getting weekly injection for free through study.
Good luck
Lance Voelker
Robbinsdale, MN
________________________________________
Thanks for writing this. Getting old sucks and blows simultaneously, that's for sure.
I started swimming because I can't take running in the cold and my knees were getting messed up. But the pool gives me the full body itchies for 3 days, so I can't go every day. I get little itchy bumps and so on randomly all the time, usually in the winter when it's really dry and cold in Boston/NYC.
Try two things: humidifier in your bedroom (this really helped with my skin) and Eucerin calming lotion, which does what cortisone cream and others were not able to do for me. Slather it on after your shower (and I'm with you on the daily bathing). For me, the lotion calms down the reactivity in the skin.
And of course you know that really hot water is the worst thing for your skin. Try just warm water and short showers and soap with nothing in it—like the hippie oatmeal soap from our salad days. Or Dr. Brauner's, remember that stuff?
I get another old-person thing—spontaneous bruises that look like someone beat me up. I make up some pretty good stories to scare the children…
Anyway. good luck. Many of us out here are still alive, kicking and screaming, and reading you. Thanks for giving voice….
bonnie hayes
________________________________________
Maybe it's psoriasis?
love4nerd
________________________________________
I keep mentioning alternative therapies. The doctors can't help. We are the masters of our bodies. You have it all wrong. The condition is coming from your nervous system and emotions. Do you want a bibliography and a list of practitioners? It takes work to change. As long as you keep putting this stuff on the page, you are part of the broken system. You can change it but it won't be fun. You can reach a lot of people with the truth if you are willing to try something different.
Patti Jones
________________________________________
I've had skin problems all my life. Psoriasis since I was a kid, etc. and was lucky enough in my 20s to become good friends with a bright guy who was head of dermatology at both the University of Toronto and Toronto General Hospital.
He told me that most dermatologists don't really keep up after they leave school. And he told me...
The skin is an organ. The largest that your body has.
It's telling your something.
In about 20% of cases it's telling you about something going on inside your body that's manifesting on the skin.
Meanwhile dermatologists treat symptoms and hope it works.
A breakout like yours can result from allergies. A simple change in laundry detergent can set it off. And when it starts, it can become a chain reaction.
But, on the head and behind the ears too? Hmmm.
My body broke out in huge hives a month ago. Huge. Everywhere. Lasted a month on and off even with heavy meds.
After all the specialists had seen me, the verdict was "virus" and even then they said they were guessing.
You might want to go to a dermatologist who is with a University or at a research hospital if this doesn't respond.
For your sake, I hope it does. And I'm sorry to hear about it because almost no one takes skin stuff seriously but it can be hell.
John Parikhal
________________________________________
I've been reading your letter for years, as well as "similar" blogs (eg Winer, philg, Altucher) but never, ever considered contacting anyone for any reason....but...
We were born a month apart. Your experiences and thoughts and background are almost like a brother from another mother. A Vulcan Mind Meld. So similar, it's frightening. Great stuff, keep it up. I understand everything you're talking about (mostly). (Itching my skin as I type this).
You. Are. Not. Alone.
But then again, we all are.
Ron Wayne
________________________________________
Yup...we're falling apart...will you still need me, will you still feed me...
Bernice Lewis
________________________________________
good luck, friend.
You are an inspiration in my life akin to a tech titan, politician, or ancient philosopher.
Thank you for the many resonances. I contemplate many of the things you write about and you may have saved my life and even my marriage a few times.
michael walworth
________________________________________
I've gotten this every Winter for the last few years - mainly on my legs .
I don't think it's an age thing... but it is brutal!
Jason Steidman
________________________________________
I sympathize 100%. Your skin is freaking out; meanwhile I'm in the midst of a horrible bout of insomnia that I'm sure is age-related. (I'm a woman of a certain age; I will leave it at that.)
So much about getting older has been awesome – especially the combination of increasing confidence + decreasing concern about what other people think with each passing year. But the downsides are starting to accumulate as well.
Hang in there, and I will too.
PS please don't print my name- I work in a very fickle business, where it's bad enough to be female and immeasurably worse to be a little older! :-)
________________________________________
Bob, have you tried Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil? It works wonders for me and it's completely natural, full of antioxidants that regenerate the skin.... It's what people traditionally use in Southeast Asia, giving them that healthy glow... Smells delicious too! Google it!
Camilo Navarro
________________________________________
Sorry to hear about your skin. In my experience, celebrity doctors are better at networking than medicine- like the style over substance you always talk about in your columns. When I was a resident, Mehmet Oz was still known as an excellent cardiac surgeon.
For something like this, you should go to UCLA or an academic center where people are up on the latest research and can get you into a clinical trial or tell you about the new medications coming out - hopefully at the end of this month- that should help you.
Dupixent (Dupilumab) is the closest to being on the market [I almost worked at Regeneron so have been following their portfolio].
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/03/01/517933633/targeting-the-immune-system-may-help-stop-the-itch-of-eczema?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Ironically my back was super itchy last night from all the cold weather we're having here in NYC and for the first time in years I had to ask my wife to scratch it!
Hope this helps. Keep up the great columns.
best,
Michael Cantor MD
NYU School of Medicine
________________________________________
Look into ayurveda, its an Indian form of medicine. I have bad skin and dermatologists always prescribe shit. Ayurveda is a diet first approach to healing the skin, since what we eat affects us.
Nick Sosin
________________________________________
You poor thing. This stuff is da bomb. My husband had a sample, which he acquired through work at a 'NATSO' trade show. I used it recently when I got some eczema on my palms. I just bought full sizes this morning on Amazon.
Hope you feel better one way or another. Aging does not mean suffering, although, I agree, it does mean loss. Love your column.
http://www.tropiceel.com/ultimate-healing-cream.html?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Susan Derrico
________________________________________
Hey Bob, Doctors pretty much try to treat the symptoms and not the root
cause. Try these things.
1. First and foremost, seek a homeopathic Doctor. My gut feeling is that
your problem is inside of you. In your blood, like a fungus and it
manifests on your skin
2. Get a Chlorine filter to attach to your shower head. Its the Chlorine
in the public water that is truly horrible for your skin.
3. Try cutting out refined sugar from your diet completely. If it is a
fungus in your blood stream, it feeds off of sugar, just like cancer does.
It will make your mind crave it. I would also say cut back on alcohol
but I know you don?t really drink.
4. Go buy tea tree oil to apply to infected areas in sensitive areas such
as your face/nose. Its a strong anti fungal/bacterial and viral. For
areas not near your face, buy pure peppermint oil. Rub a few drops in
infected areas on arms legs chest. You will smell really good and it
feels good. Put one drop in your shampoo and your head will feel
amazing!!!! Just be VERY careful not to get mint oil near your eyes! And
wash your hands throughly after applying. You don?t want to touch your
privates. /
You can get the shower filter, peppermint oil and tea tree oil at Whole
foods
Nick Attaway
________________________________________
I'm an herbalist. I make a great herbal comfrey salve that is really great for ur skin. It's got comfrey and calendula in bees wax, all natural but very effective. It has helped many people with skin afflictions over the years. Comfrey can be very healing to the tissue.
I'd be happy to send you some if you want to try it. No charge. Just tell me where to send it.
I'm a big fan. Hang in there...
Penny Valladares
________________________________________
Yes Bob, it would be so funny if it weren't true! ...Hang in pal...hahah..Cheers!
Randy Dawson
________________________________________
Got the same-ish thing.
Starts at my head - gotta special Rx shampoo for that. And also a steroid dabber thing when it gets way bad (scaly and itchy) but I can only use that my on head and nowhere else. Something about it being a steroid.
Will often times appear in the nose creases and eye brows - gotta another Rx for that that I apply daily - this works the best.
If it gets outta control, it goes to ears which is unbearable - gotta special Rx for just that, that I'm not to use anywhere else.
All of this works (okay keeps it at bay) and I constantly think, "gosh, women must have it much worse...the primping...the rules..."
I have a new car with black interior that I hate bc it reminds me that the dead skin is coming from no one other than me.
Written while listening to Gary debate Shuli.
Nicholas Consula
________________________________________
Hey man,
Looks like you get Seborrhea. It's a sort of dermatitis. Check it up with a dermatologist once to confirm the diagnosis. Even if its psoriasis it does have a treatment but both these conditions are chronic. You gotta take it easy in the mind or it's going to react due to mind levels jumping around. I got Seborrhea too, i use holistic medicine to keep it under control.
Take care.
Parth M. Pandya
________________________________________
Why do you think old people move south? To escape the punishment of cold dry air that makes their skin itch and their joints ache. My mom moved us from NH to FL in 68 becasue of her arthritis. She was better, and I became a surfer and skateboarder. Now I'm a journalist in Chicago loving the job, but when that cold, dry air hits in Dec and lingers until April and your lips crack and my eczema breaks out I long for the warm, moist air of South Florida. To where I will return upon retirement.
Maybe you need a change of climate?
Chris Beytes
________________________________________
Have you asked your doctor about psoriasis? It sounds from just your brief description that it could be a form of that auto immune issue that is causing your skin to go bonkers. Though I'm shocked that your derm wouldn't diagnose that right away (it is fairly common). If it is in the psoriasis family you'll want to go something stronger than a cream - likely one of the injectables or pills (stelera or ortezlo). As a long time sufferer I know that it is such a frustrating and painful / itchy problem and hopefully you get it solved.
Best of luck
Ashleigh Overly
________________________________________
Sorry to hear of your suffering. I hope you get better soon. Looks like Bette Davis was right when she said "Old age ain't no place for sissies."
I'm 58 now, and feeling it more every day. The thing that bugs me most is my nocturia - having to get out of bed to pee 2 or 3 times per night. Makes a guy miserable…
Hang in there, Bob!
Bob Davis
Retired Tour Accountant
Living in the Blue Ridge Mountains
________________________________________
Thank you for sharing Bob. That's all we want. Authenticity. Truth. That's why you and Howard keep growing.
-I won't judge you for having blotches on your head or for being imperfect.
-I will judge you and turn from you if you promote perfection and deny reality.
-I will stay and listen and care if you share your truth with me.
In a world that's all show, all social media and glitz, there is a strong undertow for real connection.
That's why your newsletter rocks. Good luck with your condition, I have no advice…
Gregg Terrence
________________________________________
Bob, SO sorry! I am totally with you on this HELL called "old age." How
did that sneak up on us? I'm a redhead. Sensitive skin my entire life. I
live in fear of skin cancer, despite the fact I stopped doing sun years
ago. Even so, those stupid teen years of sunburns no doubt took their
toll.
At any rate, not sure this will help, but something to consider. Maybe you
already have. Your laundry detergent. If I go hiking in socks washed in
the wrong laundry detergent, I get a skin rash-burn on my legs that you
wouldn?t believe. Itchy, beet red and actually hot to the touch. It?s much
WORSE in places like Italy or Arizona where climate is dry. Arm & Hammer
makes a color & odor free detergent for sensitive skin. Give it a try.
Made a world of difference for me.
Good luck.
ArtsWarrior
________________________________________
Hey bob, chadwick here from dispatch and state radio,, you might curse yourself because of all the recommendations but try www.motherdirt.com
________________________________________
I've been going through that too -- and I live in GA - not exactly the driest of environmental conditions! I had it so bad last year that I literally could not sleep at night because of the itching. That is torture! You're right, most of the dermatologists I have seen didn't really help. Then I began to get educated about what I put in my body. Turns out that your skin is the first place something shows up to which you have a reaction. Could be any number of things. I try to do a regular detox - it's amazing that it helps. Can't say I've yet identified exactly what the culprit is (wheat, dairy, corn, alcohol) but I'm on a mission of trial and error to help me find out.
I'll be praying for you, because I know what you're going through. There is hope my friend! There IS HOPE!!:-)
Mike Mullis
________________________________________
Thank you for your writings.
Two words for all the things that make you suffer: Francis Lucille.
I live in Argentina, but I'd love to live there! Francis is alive and kicking 1,5 hours from your home.
And, I love music, making and listening and enjoying. If you want my musical picks from here, let me know.
Thanks again. Best wishes for your health.
Yamil
________________________________________
Ever since my recent flu shot, I itch all over....you are not alone, my friend!
Scott Hazlewood
________________________________________
I have been receiving and reading (most) of your e-mail letters over the years, thank you for many thoughtful reads.
I have enclosed a link to one of the best University Clinics with a specialty division for your chronical pruritus:
http://klinikum.uni-muenster.de/index.php?id=1095&utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
http://www.juckreiz-informationen.de?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Run this article through Google translation:
https://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/article706677/Kribbeln-kratzen-bluten-Juckreiz-Ambulanz-hilft.html?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Contact the clinic and see what they can do for you.
I hope this information can help you deal with your problem.
Good luck and best regards
Chris Sievernich
________________________________________
We all get something. Yours sounds like a drag. I might suggest a real short dose of steroids just to knock it out and then you could start from ground zero.
Or not. But it could be worse.
10 years ago I got an angiosarcoma, you don't want one. I've had multiple Head and neck surgeries and 72 rounds of radiation and I'm still kicking. I have some issues with a drippy Eye and lack of feeling and skin problems from all the radiation.
But I don't give a shit, I just keep moving. Satchel Paige was right; don't look back, they might be gaining on you.
Hang in.
Rik shafer
________________________________________
I thought you'd get a kick out of this reaction to your column today about aging.
When I see one of your newsletters I want to completely read, I copy and paste the text to a Word Document and then increase the font size to about 22 and hit BOLD, so I can comfortably read it. I did that today.
Tom
________________________________________
Can I suggest two things? Astaxanthin to help the skin from the inside, and Manuka honey for your nose. It's very messy/sticky, so I'd put it on while you're awake and not going out. I've spent eight years refining my regiment to help my lungs last longer, and the meds cause lots of side effects, which you then have to treat separately. Good luck Bob.
Armand Sadlier
________________________________________
Good morning Felice,
I was just reading about Bob's skin condition and I had a few thoughts.
Sorry, I am sure he has tried everything and most of what I suggest may be something he has already tried, but if not, hopefully he finds helpful.
1. Hot showers are typically not great for skin in general. And try to shower not as often. I know a lot of people are creeped out by that thought, but it's how your skin heals and maintains its natural oils.
2. In regards to deodorant, try a crystal which you can find at Whole Foods. Or, none at all. I had always been a traditional deodorant user and was hesitant to trust a crystal to keep me stink free, but it does work ironically. In fact, if your diet is clean enough, you don't even need the crystal. You do however need to wash up under your arms every day or every other day as eventually you will get B.O., how fast depends on your activity level and your body's chemical make up.
3. If you have access to a true homeopathic doctor, I remember when I was young, our doctor prescribing a calendula balm. It's consistency is sort of like vasaline and I don't think that it smelled spectacular because it is just the plant and the base, no artificial scents, colors, etc., but it didn't smell disgusting.
If I think of anything else, I will let you know.
Have a great day!
Janie Van Halen
________________________________________
so sorry you are itchy. don't worry about showering. people can just live with stink occasionally. I have a dermatologist I like, but I don't think he knows any stars. I started with his office (not him) when I was 16 and all my family (currently 18 to 92) all see him. He has kept my dad alive despite his youth of surfing before anyone knew what sunscreen was (although the whole sunscreen thing is another topic).
Time for drugs? like that make you just sleep all the time? probably not. but maybe that extended vacation in Ireland...
queenie taylor
________________________________________
BUMMER for you Bob.
I recommend the OCEAN SALT WATER.
If you can't dive in ; try filling some large containers
and bring them home.
Pour it on the affected areas.
Let it sit and dry.
REPEAT.
Best,Don de Brauwere
________________________________________
Hey Bob,
At the risk the of sounding unsympathetic, have you thought about posting a picture of your skin condition to see if anyone else has had it and dealt with it successfully? You have lots of followers, but you will have to hire someone to wade through the hokum for you to find a nugget, that is if there is one to be found. I feel for you though. My first allergic reaction gave me a new insight into itch I had never appreciated in the whining I heard from chronic allergy sufferers.
Good luck
Tim Van Dam
________________________________________
happy to fill you in on my progress...gave up on dermatologists and treating everything more internally, holistically. can give you a buncha lanes to explore. the key thing to think about is those creams are not cures or really treatment, they are SUPPRESSION. so when you suppress whatever's going on it goes somewhere. it doesnt go away. it usually goes inside, and your skin condition turns into a stomach condition and a withdrawal condition to the medicine you were taking. anyway, happy to tell you what i've found from my research and work on my own skin.
Sean Glass
________________________________________
This is the best deodorant I have ever used, bar none. It will not irritate your underarms and the olive oil can soften your skin:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009VGNVL4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Best,
Teri Landi
________________________________________
I've had a really nasty eczema since I was 10. I'm 58. It comes and goes, but I have found that using moisturiser helps a lot. Using prescription stuff is expensive (even in Canada where I pay out of pocket and then I am re-imbursed) and usually not that much more effective than over the counter stuff.
I need to slather the crap on EVERY DAY. Usually 2x a or 3x a day. Mostly on my arms and lower legs. Most other mouisturisers make me feel like I have goo on me. Yuk. A friend of mine turned me on to Eucerin.It's on the "more expensive side" of cheap moisturisers, but I don't feel like I've been slathered in animal fat when I use it.
Give it a try. Good luck man - the condition you described has been the bane of my entire adult life.
best,
Henry Warwick
________________________________________
Hey Bob, your piece on epidermal issues strikes home with me. Life-long dry skin. And some skin cancer.
A 10-minute soak in a lukewarm tub with plain-old bath oil (Alpha Keri or the cheaper house brand) works very well for me,
at least for itching and dryness.
Good luck!
Mike Rieman
Age 62
Austin, Texas
________________________________________
Sorry to read your emai, yikes.
I've no doubt you've had hundreds of replies but here's my tuppence worth:
I'm allergic to both harsh washing detergents and soaps and certain foods. I can't use regular soap on my skin or washing detergents
in the washing machine otherwise i come out in an itchy rash all over my torso (not limbs) same with my niece…she has the same thing. We can't use anything with perfumes or parabens. I also am allergic to all soy products, soy sauce, soy milk everything to do
with soy. So no asian foods for me! (or her). Anything high in sugar guarantees
i get Psoriasis on my elbows, sometimes its so bad I go to my doctor for a prescription creme with cortisone in. (itchy red patches).
I have a friend in LA who has a range of chemical free skin products as she has the same thing.
I have never heard of not being able to take
showers, that's completely new to me and I lived in LA for 16 years on a high A&R salary and went to every
expert under the sun when I lived there. I would have thought water was essential for skin to buff off the dead skin cells.
Very cold brief showers if you can stand them will activate the immune system and will probably help. Sugar & processed foods,
are a nightmare, so is everything you basically enjoy eating except raw foods dressed with olive oil and lemon.
Hope this is a help
Enjoy your newsletters!
best wishes
Susan Collins
________________________________________
https://rachelbaron.myrandf.com/Shop/Soothe?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
best.ever
Changed everything
~rachel seiden baron
________________________________________
I have CDO, it's like OCD but the letters are in alphabetical order like they should be.
James Sadler
________________________________________
Re: My Skin= coal tar or pine tar soap/shampoo
I know, everybody has there own remedy, but as with many things the oldest is the best. I've had seborrheic dermatitis my whole life and it wasn't until a hippy girlfriend gave me some coal tar shampoo that is was cured. My wife has plaque psoriasis and while she needs a biologic pine tar soap and coal tar shampoo heal her bad flair ups. Its been know since the Romans started writing about medicine but I've never had a doctor ever acknowledge that it was anything more than at best an old wives tale or at worst snake oil. Your results may vary. Regards Chris Kavanaugh
________________________________________
I am not a doctor, but I do have common sense.....& I love your blog.
Stop with the HOT showers! TEPID is best. Rinse with COOL water, it. closes pores. OATMEAL soaks baths might help.
Best of luck!
Rita Deck
________________________________________
Your so funny. But it's all true. I have to forward to my sons. I turn 65 July 12. Where did my life go? I had rotator cuff surgery now it arthritic. It sucks but what do u do. Lol. Well, we're still upright & warm. Just keep up the great articles, have a great summer
Bob Grunow
________________________________________
Try a clarisonic brush with a good retinol cleanser- its done wonders for my skin. Really gets into your pores and makes a huge difference in your skin condition. Heals things many derms I went to couldn't! Also Cera-ve moisturizer (at any drug store) if you haven't already tried it, is the only thing that works for me and several of my friends. I have super sensitive skin. Hope you feel better!
-Andrea Goode Barber
________________________________________
Good Luck with your skin, Bob
Tom Reynolds
________________________________________
Diet ?
http://drhyman.com/about-2/about-dr-mark-hyman/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Jonathan Whitton
________________________________________
AmLactin makes me break out. A dermatologist recommended it for me, too, and I used it a couple of weeks and had red bumps everywhere. It was awful. I have very sensitive skin. Dermatologist are always surprised how sensitive. I've had to deal with issues like dry skin a long time.
I'm sure you're going to get a multitude of advice after your blog today, but I'm throwing my advice in anyway. Get yourself a loofah and a bottle of Olay body scrub for dry skin. Then gently use it on your skin when you shower. When you get out of the shower, pat dry. Don't scrub hard with a towel. Then apply Lancome's Nutrix Royal Body before your skin is completely dry. The theory is to get the layer of dead skin cells off so that the body lotion can penetrate. This advice is for body only; not head or face.
And adding flax seed oil in a smoothie or somehow adding in a tablespoon or 2 of flax seed oil nearly every day wouldn't hurt.
Good luck, dude! I feel the dry skin pain.
Beth Thornley
________________________________________
You are going to get lots of letters with home remedies from this e-mail
but I swear to you COCONUT OIL cures all skin ills.
Put coconut oil on your skin things and they will go away. It is the
answer to skin ailments. It is also the answer to dry skin. It can be messy.
If you ever get any sort of mouth sore, put coconut oil on it - try to keep
it there as long as you can. The mouth sore will heal almost immediately!
I do this when I occasionally bite my cheek in my sleep - cures it asap!!
And you are right on about dermatologists.
Katie Bradford
Portland, OR
________________________________________
Have you tried the products from Gabriel Couzian? It's a French company that an old neighbor of mine was at one time the US distributor for (but no longer). For a while it was unavailable in the States, but this website seems active: http://www.gabrielcouzian.com/en/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Both my old neighbor and my father-in-law swear this stuff cured their psoriasis and itchy skin when doctors could not. You need both the Washing Oil (which you use in the shower instead of soap) and the Highly Nourishing Cream which you put all over after the shower. It may take a couple weeks, but enough people have testified to me about this stuff really working that I believe it. (And no, I am not in any way connected to the company).
Good luck!
-Dave Lackey
Inner Sanctum Audio
v
http://itsan.org/?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Angelique Knights
________________________________________
Hi Bob,
I'm sorry to read about your skin troubles. Just a note here to wish you well in finding some succor.
Best regards,
Joe Mackin
________________________________________
Feel better Bob!
Alex Speer
________________________________________
Have you ever tried just a little walnut oil? It helps me some when I get like you're describing.
Terry Maraccini
I have been battling itchy dry skin for 10+ years. I went to dermatologists too and they prescribed lots of of creams and ointments too. And none of them worked all that well.
Then an Italian friend told me to try olive oil. Italians have been using olive oil to sooth and smooth their skin and hair since Roman times. I was skeptical. Any particular kind I asked, and he said no, just make sure it is real olive oil and not cut with other types of vegetable oil. So I buy good California 100% organic olive oil. And I rub it all over my body and get my wife to rub it on my back. It works.
Rub olive oil on your dry itchy skin and watch it soak in. It feels good. The itching doesn't go away immediately but you can feel your skin responding. Rub some on and let it soak in right before bed. In the morning you will feel better. After a couple of weeks you are going to feel a whole lot better. I've been doing this for about seven years now. I swear by it. I hope it works for you.
Peace and Love,
Michael Hugos
________________________________________
Cetaphil bar soap & moisturizer
Plus fish oil orally
No conditioner in laundry
Helped me 10 years ago
All the best,
George J. Silva
________________________________________
You think you have skin problems ? Have you ever had scabies ?
Try this for 36 months:
Try using ivory soap to shower.
Exercise at least an hour a day, get on a treadmill and walk at 3.8. - 4.0 speed and walk 3 miles a day, then do 1/2 hour of weights.
Stop using processed sugar, stay away from all sweets.
Stop eating red meat.
Stay away from hard liquor.
Do this for 3 months and your condition will clear up.
I'm 72, I look 55, I ingest no medication, nothing.
Follow this routine and your skin and life will improve, guaranteed !
Robert Pisaneschi
________________________________________
I know you get so many emails and everyone has their $.02 ... but PLEASE ... hear me out...
I only care because I had a terrible red itchy ailment myself. The dermatologist prescribed me an ointment that actually burned off layers of my skin until I had open sores that were more painful than the red itchy stuff.
I found Gods cure, it was the biggest breakthrough because it's all natural and won't kill you if it gets on your pillow and then in your mouth.
ALOE VERA.
REAL, WHOLE ALOE VERA CUT FROM A PLANT.
I have my own plant now, but at the time I was afflicted I bought it at Whole Foods.
(DO NOT buy the crap they sell you in bottles, there is little aloe and added alcohol which dries your skin, go figure.)
Cut the aloe open, gob it on yourself after the shower and as you'd like, over and over... YOU WILL HEAL. it's a miracle. Please give it a try. Messy yes, but no negative side affects, and will actually work.
...flabbergasted dermatologists don't advise the use of Aloe Vera. But just goes to show there's no money in it for the pharma guys and they have to shove poison down our throats until we're left with no hope.
I'm looking forward to you feeling better :)
Best,
Ash
________________________________________
Dear Bob,
Try a visit to acupuncturist Dr Mao in Santa Monica. (310)917 2200.
He's a wonder... and the experience will probably give you another email to write!
I hope you get it sorted.
Sylvie Lewis
________________________________________
Sorry to hear about your skin. No doubt the biggest contributor is your meds that are keeping you alive, so the best is to try a more natural approach. I've had dry skin, cracked heels, etc all my life yet better now that I have some techniques. Using Ayurvedic oil massage, you massage your whole body, including head (yes, there are applicators you can get to cover your back side if no one is available to do it for you) and then get into a hot shower and continue to massage it in using long strokes on long bones and swirling technique on joints. The hot water opens your pores so that it penetrates even more. Then, you don't use soap! except under your pits, and leave the oil on. After lightly drying off it will be a thin coating that won't get on your clothes. It will change your skin condition considerably. If you're inspired, read some of the comments of people who have banished red scaly blotches using this. Warming the oil a bit first is even better. I've found self massage with oil to not only treat my life long dry skin but also calm me down a lot. It's best done in the morning, or whatever your morning is.
Best wishes,
Melissa Ward
________________________________________
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yjem3XdLxI&utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
David Rubien
________________________________________
It's weird but in Arizona it's hot as heck but the air is humid so (and I'm in my mid 50's. Used to do the drink, smoke, drug thing until my early 30's) my skin is much better there. I fake bake and sunscreen outside with the golfers.
We get dehydrated so much more when older so I drink aloe, vitamin E drinks. Calcium and vitamin D is good, too.
The best, and this sounds weird to women, but Burt's Bees thick cream in the round dispenser. It was compared to cow udder cream... lol.... but the heck with clogging pores at night. I put that all over before bed and wear moisturizer gloves. Thank God my husband still thinks I am sexy.
Drinking coffee and alcohol makes skin dry.
Avocado masks are good.
Ruthie Owen-Moreno
Denver and Phoenix
________________________________________
Bob, please leave my name and employer private (this is personal advice for you anyway) as my company is notorious for not allowing public commentary.
I've suffered from psoriasis for about 15 years. I'm much better now following a lengthy (1.5 year) regimen of UV-B "laser" treatment from a dermatologist. Before the laser, I tried just about every cream and ointment known for my various symptoms. The only thing that ever made any headway, and I mean the ONLY thing, was a topical steroid called Clobetasol (brand name Clobex) and the ONLY version of it that was worth a crap is the "spray" variety (the ointment and cream of the same brand were worthless). There's something about the spray, it just seemed to work. It kept my psoriasis at bay pretty well, and some will tell you that adding a combination of diet, sunlight, and even salt water (e.g., seawater) helps even more. Perhaps it (Clobetasol spray) will help you with your condition. The only reason I dropped the spray and went for UV-B laser therapy was that I had large spots on my back that I just could not reach without having someone spray it for me. I still keep some for touch-ups. It used to be ungodly expensive ($300 for a small bottle – a hard pill to swallow given that as a spray, much of it ends up on the floor), but now it's off patent and is easily coverable by insurance or not so insane in generic form. It's a pretty strong steroid, so a lot of docs don't like to prescribe it first and you have to keep it out of tender areas (face, groin, etc.).
Not sure if UV-B therapy applies to your condition or not, but Its helped me quite a bit. The machine is expensive, so not a lot of Docs have it. Keep that in mind when asking your Dermatologist if they offer or suggest it. I've found (now that I've moved to _______) that dermatologists will downplay its effectiveness if they don't have a machine. That also strikes a note, shop around for second and third opinion dermatologists. As you mention, there is an art to it. I've had varying amounts of luck with them over the years. In particular, I find that younger Dermatologists are much better at the job (yes, a generalization, but based on my personal success and failures) than the older ones. Dermatology residencies are the hardest to get now (low insurance overhead, regular office hours, a lot of cosmetic work that pays cash and doesn't need to involve resource-sucking insurance companies, etc.) so the top students in Med School are getting those gigs whereas in years past, it was Anesthesia and Surgery that was hard to get into (everybody in my family but me is a physician). So shop around and don't be afraid to take a flier on a doc that's only been out of med school for 10 years or less.
Take care… sorry to hear about your skin issue.
Also good for the skin is a visit to Charleston, S.C. Where they have humidity, history and great food!
Weldon Smith
________________________________________
Hey Bob,
Sorry to hear about this. But have you tried this ?
http://www.neutrogena.com/category/hair/t-gel-.do?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
Basically it's coal tar extract
It's not going t work on your body, but should help your scalp & face too. I had something similar on my head about 15 years ago and this helped.
Have been using it ever since as my shampoo.
best regards,
David
________________________________________
Hey Bob, maybe it's your diet? Gluten intolerance? Try going gluten-free for a bit--you can always go back. They've modified the wheat a lot...not necessarily GMO but hybridization to make it hearty and fast-baking. I know a lot of people having trouble with it and it manifests differently in different people. Just a thought.
Matt Meils
________________________________________
Ahh Bobby!
You poor bastard. At least you have the decency to suffer in silence LOL!
I hope someone has something for you.
Gordon Burke
________________________________________
Bob - gotta juice. In a vitamix, a cucmber, 2 sticks celery (hit it), a lemon and/or a lime (hit it again), a cut of ginger, a bit of parsely, a a bit of cilantro (hit it), now stuff it full of kale and (hit it). And a little water here and there. You get 40 oz, almost a full blender. Split that over 2 days. 20 oz over the course of the day. It's of smoothy consistency. You have to play with the balance to get "your" taste. Sometimes I get it wrong because I ran out of something. But I suck it up and drink it anyway. Your skin wil love it.
Hard core juicers will say to separate the juice from the pulp. That's a lot of food.
Good luck,
Randy Pettersen
Texas
________________________________________
They must have naturopaths where you live. First thing I learned after 60
was get a naturopath who knows their stuff . The regular doctors only know
drugs and drugs. And the drugs all have side effects. My mother died at 92
but she was on so many drugs that kept her alive. It helps the medical
industry but what kind of life is that.
I have a good naturopath who knows natural ways of treating me. Hospitals
and drugs kill you as you get old.
Good Luck.
Cheers
Greg
Toronto
________________________________________
Good luck with your skin. I hate growing older. People who say it's great are idiots.
Richard Metzger
________________________________________
You poor thing. I have a friend dealing with the same thing who found great relief using natural protocols recommended by Dr. Josh Axe, a naturopath. Check out his site:
Natural Eczema Remedies and Treatment - Dr. Axe
https://draxe.com/natural-eczema-remedies-treatment?utm_source=phplist5775&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=Re-My+Skin
And get yourself some quality homemade bar soap made from coconut oil or olive oil, etc. They are lovely & healing - my husband loves it. I'll mail you a bar if you like.
Wishing you relief!
Ann Heiligstedt
Montana
________________________________________
This seems so weird to be writing you about this......
But I MIGHT be able to help.
I may or may not be able to fix the WHOLE thing, but I feel most certain I can help relieve you of the itchiness and irritation.
I am so sorry that you have to go through this, it must be terrible for you:( no fun:(
Usually the skin is a reflection of something going on internally in your gut, which is 80% of your immune system. So you may need to work on yourself internally as well. If you could work on possible leaky gut syndrome so that possibly you are not losing the nutrients you are putting in your body. Something is not getting through to your system to heal itself. You might be taking and eating the right things, but if your intestines have holes in them and things are escaping and not being absorbed properly you actually can be deficient. This is a guess......but truly, your gut is a large part of any condition.
Ok.....so I'm writing cause I am a Rodan and Fields skincare consultant, we do skin very very well. I'm not a dermatologist but our line is created by dermatologists. We have a regimen called Soothe that I would love you to try. I'd give it to you at my consultant pricing just so you would try it. If it doesn't help you in some way we just send it back within 60 days.
I'm not asking for referrals or you to mention this EVER......I truly want to help. It gives me great GREAT joy when I truly help people with their skin.
The Soothe regimen is for irritated, dry, sensitive skin & we have some success with people who have things like rosacea, psoriasis and eczema, even though we can't make medical claims. It's worth a shot.
I am first and foremost a singer/songwriter but honestly, this is how I feed my family now and this company is helping me fund a new project just for the love of it AGAIN ???
As far as this company goes, I wouldn't do it if I didn't believe in the products and the opportunity. It has helped me to not have to go work at Macy's or waitress somewhere again, as I have an 8 and 7 year old to take care of too. Blah blah blah, you don't need my story, I just want you to try the Soothe. My aunt had terrible terrible psoriasis on her arm and her feet, she lives in Vancouver. It took away the big strange looking scaly stuff on her arm and although it didn't clear her feet (she also stands all day in a humid environment selling car insurance, so not great for her feet) she said it was the first time in years she didn't go to bed without burning on her feet or wanting to itch her feet non stop for days. She was able to put the lotion on her feet, then put on her socks and peacefully go to sleep.
If you're remotely interested in trying, please let me know. I'd love to help. I'm not creepy:) and I won't advertise. I'm not like that. I have some "famous" friends who use my products but that stays w me. I get it, I've been famous too:) I wouldn't out you. I can't believe I'm even writing this!!!! But you don't know me....I keep my word.
Ok
No worries if not, just thought I'd send a possible lifeline.
I'm once again so sorry you have to go through this:(
I enjoy your blog!!! Very much!! Thank you for your time, words and effort!!
Sincerely,
Carolyn Dawn Johnson
________________________________________
Two things to IMMEDIATELY help you with this...two HUGE TIPS that I guarantee will work with THIS VERY skin condition. First, go get some CBD oil Balm (rub on cream containing the oil)--it WILL WORK for this. CBD OIL BALM--Pc Greens has it in Malibu and Erewhon Foods in Venice, WeHo and Agoura has it too. You should also take CBD oil drops under the tongue (get Charlotte's Web CBD OIL PLUS at Erewhon) this will be IMMENSELY HELPFUL for that condition!!! Secondly, find yourself some SOMBRA MENTHOL (Cool)Cream to rub on that--asap. You can get SOMBRA air freighted out from ITHACA SPORTS in New York--800-716-9382--SOMBRA menthol cream will KNOCK THAT DOWN all over...100% guaranteed. THIS STUFF WORKS LIKE A MIRACLE FOR ITCHY SKIN, bc I have it TERRIBLY. VERY VERY VERY highly recommended. I am SO SOLD on SOMBRA menthol cream, I even have a BIG UNOPEN JAR of it here in the Palisades you can HAVE...i will drop OFF to you. YES, it's THAT GOOD. With Sombra Cream (order some at the 800#, use my extra jar) and with CBD Oil and Balm--your SKIN ISSUES WILL BE SOLVED. I am going out on a limb here, bc I KNOW IT IS TRUE!!!!! Alden Marin ***Seriously, I'll bring you a free jar of Sombra even now, tonight, or tomorrow. I'm that convinced. And those in the KNOW, are fully aware that CBD oil IS THE MIRACLE CURE...for almost everything...!!!!!!
Alden Marin
________________________________________
Several things could be happening here. You might be allergic to certain kinds of fabrics synthetic and or natural.
Your body is telling you that there is a deficiency or more that it needs to combat the problems also.
Are you up to speed with all the vitamins and nutrients that your body requires every day.
Coffee is a diuretic, so you excrete all the valuable minerals you need daily.
Try ingesting colloidal silver. There is also a natural rock crystal that many people use as a deodorant too.
A Chinese herbalist may help also.
There are many avenues for better health that do not involve expensive medical treatments.
Research the net when you have the time, because it is after all 'your time'
Best of luck,
Mykl
AURArecords
Australia
________________________________________
Take one Benadryl before you go to sleep. Works for me.
Andy Paciocco
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