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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Lupus / April 2005dry skin problems
Hey group, I have learned many things when it comes to autoimmune disease, but have not learned how to help a dry skin problem. Sorry being graphic, but even in shaving my legs, it poses a huge problem. So much so, as what i literally had to do was debride the old skin from the calves of both of my legs. I think i lost a pound doing so. After that, my skin did not feel as tight and I was able to put some cocoa butter on and the legs felt a hundred times better. For you CTD experts out there, could this be Scleroderma possibly presenting itself. The skin on the bottom of my feet appears to be the same way. Always, ..? ???)) -:?:- ?.?? .????)) ((??.?? ..?? cloud -:?:- -:?:- ((??.??* > Hey group, > I have learned many things when it comes to autoimmune disease, but have not [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ cloud -:¦:- > -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* Try Aloe Vera. gel. Also try Sulphur soap, for example Malki Dead Sea soap. Experiment with different moisturisers. I found some make it worse. Buy small pots and try them before you commit to a large one. Have you been on prednisolone or steroids, they can cause skin thinning. I haven't shaved my legs in years, it does strip off the top layer of skin, can you avoid doing it? Personally I don't wear skirts so I don't see the need, but when I did wear skirts I used to wear thick ribbbed tights. I only expose legs when I go to the Baths. Partner likes my legs as they are. As for feet The Body Shop does a Peppermint Foot Cream which I find really moisturises my feet. Take care when drying yourself after bathing, if you do not dry yourself completely it can make the dry skin worse. There is a product called Oilatum which is popular here in UK which can be put in the bath. Its puts the oil back in your skin. That reminds me, avoid having the bath water too hot. Also avoid harsh washing powders. Use a natural one. Also remember to drink plenty of fluids and use vaporiser if you use central heating. A saucer of water on the radiator will do. Let us know how you get on. Lynne (Survivor of 26 + years of Lupus~) > Hey group, > better. For you CTD experts out there, could this be Scleroderma possibly [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > ((??.?? ..?? cloud -:?:- > -:?:- ((??.??* Hey there, cloud. I don't know much about scleroderma presentation. What meds are you taking. Since i've been on Ditropan (4+ years now) i've developed much drier, more sensitive skin. It was already sensitive but not dry. And I'm allergic to many of the components in most drug store moisturizers so I'm limited in what I can use. Many drugs have an anti-cholinergic effect and this dries our skin, mucous membranes, etc. What might be more likely then is either a drug side effect or perhaps Sjogren's. Sjogren's usually attacks the eyes, nose, throat, and or gut. But it can also cause problems with the female reproductive organs. It's possible then, though I haven't looked it up, that it could cause dry skin as well. Dunno. I'll do a little research and get back you re: scleroderma. I know what you mean though - my right leg is in a constant state of roughness. cortisone helps but of course you can't use that daily. I used a prescription creme for a while that was cortisone, antibiotic and anti-fungal. it helped a lot and made the skin smoother - but thinner and harder to heal. And is another thing you just can't use every day for long term. exfoliating gently and using lotions that don't exacerbate the condition are probably your best bet for now. Cocoa butter might be a bit reactive for some folks - shea butter might be less so. not positive about that but it helped me when I stuck with it. Actually lately I've found that for my legs, Vaseline intensive care "Advanced Healing" has been the best. It has no perfumes which are what usually get me. But as with all such things, YMMV. It's important to drink lots of water if you don't already. Skin isn't hydrated much from the outside in. The lotions help and they attract water, but your skin really needs fluids from the inside to plump up the cells and keep them healthy. [] > Skin isn't >hydrated much from the outside in. That's by design/evolution; otherwise you'd be in trouble if it rained, and having a bath or going swimming would get interesting!  SignatureAndy Taylor [Chair, N E Lupus Group] See http://www.northeastlupus.org.uk for more! I have the worst skin in the world IMHO lol! and thankfully, just recently, I was just given a 'new' but apparently 'very old' and often forgotten about skin cream from my lady doc who has come to work in the clinic I go to; she is up on women's issues and knows lupus and all that goes with it as well; she prescribed what is called 'Uremol-cortate' and is a cortisone based skin cream, which over a long time can thin the skin somewhat; however I have been using it only 2 weeks now and have already got a much improved result from the drying, flaking, scaling skin I have on my arms and legs and backs of my hands because of sjogrens and lupus. I would recommend it at this point in time for sure. (and I agree KC, water is huge when it comes to skin health! I drink at least 2 liters daily and usually closer to 4! FWIW, from Shelagh "KCat" wrote in message > Hey there, cloud. > I don't know much about scleroderma presentation. What meds are you > taking. [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > and > keep them healthy. > I have the worst skin in the world IMHO lol! and thankfully, just recently, > I was just given a 'new' but apparently 'very old' and often forgotten about > skin cream from my lady doc who has come to work in the clinic I go to; she > is up on women's issues and knows lupus and all that goes with it as well; > she prescribed what is called 'Uremol-cortate' and is a cortisone based skin > cream, and by the sound of it, a considerable amount of Urea. Urea is in many skin care products and was in a prescription skin creme my mum used in the 70s. sounds ick to some, but the stuff is good. > which over a long time can thin the skin somewhat; however I have > been using it only 2 weeks now and have already got a much improved result > from the drying, flaking, scaling skin I have on my arms and legs and backs > of my hands because of sjogrens and lupus. I wonder if a non-cortisone urea creme would work as well - or at least nearly as well? i've been using some expensive products lately because they're fragrance-free among other reasons. I was considering one of there body lotions which has urea in it 'cause I remember how much it helped mum. Actually KC over the years I think that I have tried 'everything' out there, both cheap and costly that had no 'side effects' (unlike the cortisone base of uremol); but all to no avail and with no success, not even minimal! This uremol is really the last resort for me so I pray it helps; like BJ explained, it is a real problem for me too; dry everywhere!: arms, legs, torso; (cradle cap is a great analogy BJ!) oddly not my face though! I have always used marcelle moisture SPF 30 daily on my face and neck and they are just fine; so I actually did try the marcelle lotion for my exposed arm area which is a bad area, and it wasn't anymore effective than anything else and cost so much more; so I really think it is the type of skin on my face/neck that doesn't have the problems of the rest of my body. I am being referred to a dermatologist at long last so will maybe get some answers as to what to use or if to continue with the uremol; and as I said, so far it is really helpful (and fragrance free too btw) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed as extended health covers it! hugs from Shelagh >> I have the worst skin in the world IMHO lol! and thankfully, just > recently, [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > fragrance-free among other reasons. I was considering one of there body > lotions which has urea in it 'cause I remember how much it helped mum. Yep Shelaugh, I am putting in a call to my doc in the morning about the uremol creme. I tried some stuff (presciption) called Zonalon(s?) but is only an antiitch med. Does not seem to do anything but cost money. Eucerin creme was good, but the dog liked to lick it off me and didn't seem to help me otherwise. Always, ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ cloud -:¦:- -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* > Actually KC over the years I think that I have tried 'everything' out > there, both cheap and costly that had no 'side effects' (unlike the [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] >> fragrance-free among other reasons. I was considering one of there body >> lotions which has urea in it 'cause I remember how much it helped mum. Would agree on the winter but i am in supposely too hot and sunny Floridaland. Oh, and thanks Northerners for the extra puff of winter cool. I only wish I was able to have fun and play in my garden but am sick, sick, sick again. Oh, and KCat, the meds i am on... Lord, if they make 'em, i take them. Asthma stuff. Thankfully, I have not had to have a burst dose of prednisone for a while, but tell you what, I am about ready to volunteer for one now! I am going to ask my lady doc about that skin creme. Heaven knows i tried most of all of them. Hey, and someone told me it is no longer good to use Elidel? Is this so. I come and go from here but in the past few days I am back to being sick. Maybe it is what i believe to be the "outter" yeast infection spurring the flare. Doc wanted to up me to 10mg Methotrexate and I am not so happy about it. Anyone here taking 10mgs or over? Shelaugh... maybe we are twins. I am thinking about replacing my skin with rawhide. Doc told me i was drinking TOO MUCH water and was why my ankles were swelling again. He said I am not able to process all the fluids so quickly. Now anyone every hear of drinking too much fluid!??! That sure was a new one on me... but it seemed to be the truth. I try not to go over a gallon a day now. Thank you to whoever it was who suggested the antifungal yeast infection creme. I finally got some relief. Now if only theautoimmune crap would settle down again!! Always, ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ cloud -:¦:- -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* >I have the worst skin in the world IMHO lol! and thankfully, just recently, > I was just given a 'new' but apparently 'very old' and often forgotten > about skin cream from my lady doc who has come to work in the clinic I go [quoted text clipped - 56 lines] >> and >> keep them healthy. > Doc told me i was drinking TOO MUCH water and was why my ankles were > swelling again. He said I am not able to process all the fluids so quickly. > Now anyone every hear of drinking too much fluid!??! oh yeah - there's definitely a too much. This is an extreme and I don't recall where I saw this. Some woman forced her daughter to drink so much water that it killed the little girl. Not only do you need time to process it, but too much will dilute important salts in our tissues and cause heart failure, kidney failure, etc.. Yeah, that takes a lot but as with all things - there's a too much and too little. I probably drink about 50 ozs a day. sometimes less. rarely more. it's enough for me but too little can happen easily when I get distracted and forget to drink the stuff. Yes, I have heard about drinking too much water. Don't panic here but if you have kidney trouble it can be a strain on them. Drink lots, but in moderation. Sorry, sounds wierd, I mean drink a lot but don't overdo it! Also think about other fluids you drink as your kidneys have to process them too. Caffiene drinks can end up dehydrating you. Think about sweat, do you sweat at all as water comes out in your sweat. It comes out in your breath, and more so in central heated houses. I think a gallon of water is rather a lot to be honest. Another thing to think about is salt. That can make you "need" more water and is a big strain on your kidneys and heart. Did your doc check your heart out? I know all this as I have has lupus nepritis twice. Hope you feel better soon. For skin, did any of you try the things I listed in my post about skin, last week? I thought a bit more about diet and skin too. Some foods are very good for dry skin, avocadoes for example. Will post some when I think of them. I have dermatitis and my clothes labels drive me mad. I have to cut them off. Just behind my neck and lower back are bad spots for label rub, and are really painful at the moment. Must eat some avocadoes ;-) > Would agree on the winter but i am in supposely too hot and sunny > Floridaland. Oh, and thanks Northerners for the extra puff of winter cool. [quoted text clipped - 88 lines] >>> and >>> keep them healthy. >Yes, I have heard about drinking too much water. Don't panic here but if you >have kidney trouble it can be a strain on them. Drink lots, but in [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >more so in central heated houses. I think a gallon of water is rather a lot >to be honest. It'll be a U S gallon, which is 16 fluid ounces, compared with the Great British Gallon which is 20 fl oz. SignatureAndy Taylor [Chair, N E Lupus Group] See http://www.northeastlupus.org.uk for more! Believe it or not, I have not had a can of soda or pop for over 3 years now. I found out a number of things when it came to drinking carbonated beverages and one was the salt content in the drinks. The other being, I feel better more often either because of the meds I am on OR because I have quit drinking them. My caffeine is very limited. I awoke one morning when suddenly my body said NO-NO to coffee. That was a very sad day in my life, having been a coffee lover all my life. But would rather not drink coffee then feel sick to my stomach so I concluded no more coffee. No capuccinos. Gosh, life is hard! I can drink tea as tea has one-third the amount of caffeine in it that coffee has. So hence, I am happy that I can partake in a hot cup of tea one or two times a week and drink the Crystal Lite make believe ice tea mixes. Another thing is, I do not use table salt. I do use Season All or nothing at all. My sodium tests have all come back low so I know the salt is not an issue. I do have a problem sweating profusely, more often then not. But then again, a lot of this can be caused from my hypothyroid levels jumping around or who knows what else! I LOVE AVACADO DIP... at least when i make it! I could eat a gallon of that a day. I think i will cut some of the fresh aloe outside and try this on my legs for a while and see if perhaps i notice a difference. Maybe i can find some recipes for aloe in making cremes and so forth online. Good idea!! Thanks for helping stick it in this thick skull of mine!!! Always, ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ cloud -:¦:- -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* > Yes, I have heard about drinking too much water. Don't panic here but if you > have kidney trouble it can be a strain on them. Drink lots, but in > moderation. Sorry, sounds wierd, I mean drink a lot but don't overdo it! [quoted text clipped - 133 lines] >>>> and >>>> keep them healthy. I don't drink coffee either. I drink tea but weak. I have not had a taste for coffee since my late teens! Tea is really popula in UK and I make it with real leaves in a teapot, not bags. Here in UK we can get a wide range of herbal teas in health food shops and a smaller range in supermarkets. I love the Yogi brand which does one called Eygypian Spice, which is liquorice based. I also drink a lot of Barleycup, which is a coffee substitute naturally caffiene free. Peppermint tea and fennel tea are nice too and settle the stomach. Try the avocado dip. Nuts are also a good source of skin nutrients. I mean real nuts, not peanuts. In UK we don't have any aloe growing in wild, are you sure it is aloe vera in your garden? If so give it a try! I know aloe grows wild in warmer climes than ours. I put aloe vera gel on my face after a moisturising cream, twice a day, I also use the toothpaste which has really helped my gingivitis. On Fri, 22 Apr 2005 03:04:18 +0100, cloud wrote (in article <CYY9. e.12904$_t3.6022@tornado.tampabay.rr.com>): > Believe it or not, I have not had a can of soda or pop for over 3 years now. > I found out a number of things when it came to drinking carbonated beverages [quoted text clipped - 166 lines] >>>>> and >>>>> keep them healthy. Yep, it is real aloe vera. I live in the tropicals of Florida. I have too much. But often, they sell the plants so might try looking in a garden shop there. They can grow well on the window sill with plenty of light and warmth. That Egyptian Spice tea sounds quite interesting. I have some orange-spiced tea which is good and my favorite, peach tea. I will have to look in the stores around here to see if they carry the Yogi brand. Never heard of Barleycup. As far as nuts, I am a nut! LOL Only kidding, i can not eat nuts anymore because of the diverticulosis, but if i puree all my nuts into a peanut butter concoction then it is okay. I sure am tired today. I hope my thyroid is not acting up again... or should i say, needs a boost. Always, ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ cloud -:¦:- -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* >I don't drink coffee either. I drink tea but weak. I have not had a taste > for coffee since my late teens! Tea is really popula in UK and I make it [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > I put aloe vera gel on my face after a moisturising cream, twice a day, I > also use the toothpaste which has really helped my gingivitis. > Yep, it is real aloe vera. I live in the tropicals of Florida. I have too > much. But often, they sell the plants so might try looking in a garden shop > there. They can grow well on the window sill with plenty of light and > warmth. I don't know how you would prepare it from fresh plants. If you do, make sure they have not been spayed with insecicide or herbicide. It would probably be easier just to buy the stuff in a tube, if you did fancy trying it. > That Egyptian Spice tea sounds quite interesting. I have some orange-spiced > tea which is good and my favorite, peach tea. > I will have to look in the stores around here to see if they carry the Yogi > brand. Never heard of Barleycup. I just got a packet of the Eygyptian spice liquorice and the Mexican spice Choco yesterday. The Choco is made from cocoa nut shell and is divine. They have a website http://www.goldentemple.nl nl as it is based in netherlands (nl) Barleycup is made from European roasted barley grain, it is made in the same way as instant coffee. > As far as nuts, I am a nut! LOL Only kidding, i can not eat nuts anymore > because of the diverticulosis, but if i puree all my nuts into a peanut I met a lady who had that when I was in hospital a whole back. She said she was supposed to be eating more vegetables. Or was it diverticulitis? Maybe thats what she had. How does it affect you, is it from lupus? As for nuts, the nut butters might be easier for you to digest. I imagine they would be just as good for you as raw nuts. Also some nuts are more fatty than others, for example brazil nuts are very fatty while almonds are not. I made a delicious sugarfree marzipan lat week. I girind the almonds (about 250grammes) to a fine powder. I cook 60 g dried apricots in a little soya milk and blend it with some vanilla extract and mix it in with the ground almonds, until it is a dough, then a I form it into little balls which I coat in cocoa powder. Delicious! > butter concoction then it is okay. I sure am tired today. I hope my > thyroid is not acting up again... or should i say, needs a boost [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] >> I put aloe vera gel on my face after a moisturising cream, twice a day, I >> also use the toothpaste which has really helped my gingivitis. > > Yep, it is real aloe vera. I live in the tropicals of Florida. I have too > > much. But often, they sell the plants so might try looking in a garden shop [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > they have not been spayed with insecicide or herbicide. It would probably be > easier just to buy the stuff in a tube, if you did fancy trying it. well.. i've had excellent results from just squeezing the goo out of the leaf. Pepared gels tend to have citric acid or a similar preservative in them and this can be irritating to some with sensitive skin. Plus, I just haven't gotten the same relief from those that I get from a freshly cut leaf. Since my plants are just in my house - no pesticides or the like have been used. I don't prepare anything - I just break off a leaf and get as much out of it as I can. I have had a couple of really nasty burns and spending the evening slathering aloe leaf goo onto those burns has lead to, imo, perfect healing. The next day the blister is completely gone, a little skin peels off and no scar *at all* is left behind. It still amazes me considering how excruciating those burns were (albeit, not life-threatening unless you count ego.) Unless you are trying to use it over large areas (larger than your face or your hands) then I don't see any reason not to just use the plant as is. other than the fact that the fresh squeezed goo is a bit smelly. :) I'll take a little unpleasant smell over scarring and pain any day. Signature--- KCat For Pen Talk, Images, Trading and Reviews: The Fountain Pen Network http://pagesperso.laposte.net/fpnet For Lupus Support and Info http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/ASLFAQ/ >>> Yep, it is real aloe vera. I live in the tropicals of Florida. I have > too [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > other than the fact that the fresh squeezed goo is a bit smelly. :) I'll > take a little unpleasant smell over scarring and pain any day. Oh I see. That sounds fantastic. I wold much prefer home grown stuff to stuff in a tube but I didn't realise it was so easy to do. I thought it would be difficult to prepare. I wish we had them here. Our climate in UK is too cold and damp. Hi Cloud, I had to reply to this one. I know exactly what you are talking about. I don't have scleroderma but my skin gets incredibly dry and flakey for months at a time. For some unknown reason, it then improves. It isn't just my arms and legs. It is my back and abdomen as well. It is like having cradle cap all over my body. (And you thought you were being graphic lol) There is nothing I can buy in the beauty dept that is rough enough to remove the layer of dead skin, or any cream that really works when it is that bad. I am not going to tell you what power tool mysteriously disappears from my husband's shop then. <g> You will have to guess. I do find that Aveeno lotion and cream do work okay for me when my skin is just "normal" dry. It works best if I apply it right after my bath when pores are open and things absorb better. It is an awful problem, isn't it? Let me know if you find anything that fixes it. BJ-Sk. Canada > Hey group, > I have learned many things when it comes to autoimmune disease, but have not [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > ((??.?? ..?? cloud -:?:- > -:?:- ((??.??* Thanks BJ, I will keep in mind the Aveeno stuff. Is there any alcohol in it... seems so hard to find something without the alcohol. Always, ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ cloud -:¦:- -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* > Hi Cloud, > I had to reply to this one. I know exactly what you are talking about. I [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] >> ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ cloud -:¦:- >> -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* I am supporting someone with eczema at the moment and I sent her this website http://www.talkeczema.com/index.html Eczema, dermatitis and dry sin all seem to respond to similar treatments so I thought it might help some of us here with skin problems! > Hey group, > I have learned many things when it comes to autoimmune disease, but have not [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ cloud -:¦:- > -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* >I am supporting someone with eczema at the moment and I sent her this >website >http://www.talkeczema.com/index.html > >Eczema, dermatitis and dry sin I like the idea... >all seem to respond to similar treatments SignatureAndy Taylor [Chair, N E Lupus Group] See http://www.northeastlupus.org.uk for more! >> I am supporting someone with eczema at the moment and I sent her this >> website [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >> all seem to respond to similar treatments Dry *Skin* Okay Andy we aren't all professional typists :-) > Dry *Skin* > Okay Andy we aren't all professional typists :-) heh... Dry Sin sounds painful! |
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