Seborrhea - HELP!
I’ve had it since I was a baby. Over the years it has changed the way
that it manifests. It used to come and go with the changing of
seasons. Now, it only comes, it never goes. I am 38 years old and it
is DRIVING ME CRAZY!
I have been to countless dermatologists. I have paid a fortune for
prescription creams and shampoos. I have spent another fortune for
horrible smelling over-the-counter shampoos. Nothing works for any
substantial period of time.
Let me tell you what I’ve been told, then you tell me what to do. The
doctors have told me that Seborrheic Dermatitis cannot be cured only
treated. Patient with "normal" immune systems should be able to ward
off, or at least control, the outbreaks. Rotating shampoos and creams
is the best way of keeping the seborrhea from getting used to the
treatment and resisting. Diet is not involved.
I have undergone allergy testing, HIV testing, herpes testing, and
anything else I could think of. All tests were negative. And yet, my
scalp itches constantly and my face is ALWAYS red. The red, burning
skin is primarily on my forehead, temples, and cheeks. Friends often
ask if I’ve gotten sun or been in a tanning bed. Little do they know
that it is a stinging, burning, itching rash.
Is there anyone out there in cyber-space who has been able to control
their Seborrhea even though it was a more severe case than normal?
Any tips from anyone out there would be tremendous. I’m at the end of
my rope with this. I’ll try herbs, lotions, baths, teas, maybe even
explosives!!! 
Thanks, in advance, for your help.
Steven/Houston, Texas
May 21st, 2003 at 8:59 am
First, are you sure it’s seborrhea? There are a number of fungal infections
(yeast, tinea) that present similar symptoms. In fact, many dermatologists
feel that most forms of seborrhea have their origins in a fungal infection
(and an eventual hypersensitivity to any fungi in the scalp, however
innocuous they may be).
You could have a test done for this (perhaps you’ve already been tested). A
negative result, however, may simply mean that the infection is not in the
surface tissues.
This is a subject that dermatologists argue back and forth about, so you
might have to shop around before you find one who will test and treat you
for a fungal infection. This would involve an oral (and not topical)
medication.
If you don’t mind the antisocial effects, you might want to try consuming
two or three spoonfuls of garlic puree before you go to bed and then look
for any changes over the next 24 hours. If you notice a visible
improvement, you probably have some kind of fungal infection.
Peter
May 21st, 2003 at 11:36 pm
Go to a health food store and ask for an oral yeast fighter with caprylic
acid. Also, you must cut back on sugar and all sugary carbohydrates such as
fruit, bread, rice, etc., to get rid of yeast or fungi. Read the book Protein
Power, by Dan and Mary Eades MD. Eating only fish, chicken and turkey
breast, and vegetables, killing yeast, and cutting back on "sugary carbs" are
the only things that have ever helped me.
May 24th, 2003 at 8:44 am
–
Hi,I’ve discovered this group only today,and that’s why my
answer to your message comes so late.But I hope you’ll read my
message and the info will help you.I have the same condition as
you,and I’m very sympathetic.I’m fighting seborheic dermatitis
since 1992.I’m using an old recipe recomended by my
dermatologist and it’s helping me a lot.Here it is:
Sulfur PP……….12 gr.
Lactic acid……….1,5 gr.
Glycerin………….10 gr.
Zn Oxide………..8 gr.
Camphorated alcohol…..50 ml.
Distiled water……..ad 120 ml.(add water to the ingredients till
you
have 120 ml.of total suspension)
If you want to try it,take this recipe to your pharmacist and ask
him to make it for you.(I don’t think that you can do it alone).It’s
very cheap and effective.Shake well before use,and apply on your
lesions (use some cotton balls) every day,before you get into
bed.In a few days you will notice the results.I’ve used,like you,a
lot of creams and shampoos and whith very discouraging
results.This is the only recipe that works for me every time.But,as
you know,this condition is incurable.You can only "keep it
quiet".In addition,I’m using a cosmetic cream,which regulates the
sebaceus gland secretion.It’s called Sebocalm.
Important:don’t use this lotion on your scalp.Only on your face
and body.Good luck,and let me know if my message helped you
in any way.If you have any questions,post a message on this
board.I’ll be happy to answer.
PS:Maybe you’ll find some spelling mistakes in the recipe (I’ve
translated it for you from my language),or in the message,but
that’s because english is not my main language.But your
pharmacist will know what to put in it.
May 26th, 2003 at 5:10 pm
Hi Steven
I read your post with sympathy, being a fellow sufferer. I wrote a
long reply, but as I went to send, my PC ‘froze’ and I lost the
letter, so hear I go again with a condensed version!
One thing you didn’t mention was the scaly,flaking skin which co
exists with Seb Derm. I am sure this is part of the problem for
you.It
is for me. For your scalp try a shampoo called Polytar AF, it is a
coaltar, but differs, in that it also contains anti fungal/bacterial
properties and it worked a treat for me after nothing else did.It is
a
Uk product ( I live in Ireland ), locate it on internet.be patient
with it, may take a few weeks but should help.
Another major irritant I find is alcohol, After a nights drinking
my
face is ALWAYS a bit of a mess…..red and flaky.I am going to give
up
the booze for a while to see if it alleviates the problem. Do you
experience the same ?
I’ve tried all cortisone creams etc, not sure which ones work
anymore. Another good facewash is ‘E45 moisturisng wash, recommended
for ezemas etc, I find it stops the scaliness for some time.Give it a
go.
Did you try Dianes ‘recipe’? I would be very interested in the
effectiveness of this. Please let me know.
Swapping ideas is a great help and I hope my info can help others.
Keep posting with ideas and queries.
Stephen