Question's about Seborrheic Dermatitis and Atopic Dermatitis
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009
Dear David,
I wanted to ask you for your opinions on which one of your products that I should consider.
I am in mid 30's and have had a long history of atopic dermatitis, starting at age 3. It affects my entire facial
skin. It used to affect my entire body but as I got older it's now restricted to my facial skin. My conditions are
normally controllable by the combination of Aquaphore (Eucerin) and over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream, together
with anti-histamine pills.
For some unknown reason, however, the skin condition of my eyebrows area (specifically in eyebrows) has become worse
and worse the past 2 years or so. My dermatologist and I have tried Zn-containing shampoo as well as
ketoconazole (prescription)-containing shampoo, and also salicylic acid-containing shampoo but in vain.
Indeed, it seems that these attempts either did nothing to the skin condition or even made it worse.
The "on-going" diagnosis is still Seborrheic dermatitis, but I am not quite sure. I might be allergic to
these active ingredient or anything that's in the shampoos. All i know is that, when I wake up in the morning,
my eyebrows are full of "dead-skin", causing some eyebrows hair to fall out. And, after taking a shower in the
morning, my eyebrows skin is very very dry causing itchiness. AT this point, we're not sure whether I am suffering
from any fungal or bacterial infection, though I need to mention that I've been suffering from "nail-fungus" infection the
past 2 years or so (.. coincidence? or does it just mean my weakened immune system?)
This is the summary of my current condition, but the keywords that best describe my condition would be:
- atopic dermatitis
- seborrheic dermatitis only in eyebrows (dead skin, some sort of dandruff?, itchiness)
- dry skin
Last, I would like to mention that I have proven to be highly allergic to a lot of things when put on my facial skin.
I am in medical research myself. So, please, do not hesitate to get into any details when you need to in explanation.
Thank you very much for your time and help.
Hi,
I suspect the eyebrow problem may be sebhorrheic dermatitis with a possible mild underlying fungal problem.
Fungal problems do cause the hair to break off almost level with the skin so the areas of hair loss on your eyebrows
may have hairs present as almost a stubble in very small patches.
The fact it is only on one eyebrow is promising since it indicates you are otherwise healthy and this seems to be a
local problem confined to that eyebrow.
Shampoo allergies are probably unlikely since the shampoo tends to wash down the face and from what you have said
the condition is confined to one area so your shampoos are probably fine for you to use.
Considering this, our Psorexederm cream may help you. I say "may" since you
have tried lots of products with limited success so I don't want to make wild promises but I think there is a good
chance of success with the Psorexederm cream.
To apply it the Psorexederm cream is dabbed on the eyebrows just at night
and it melts into the skin, excess is wiped off with a tissue as it is zinc based and white in color
so this is just to reduce it rubbing on your pillow. Note that hair from your eyebrows that is embedded in dead skin
scale seems to come off in clusters. As the scale is replaced by healthy skin some scale may come away with hairs in it.
Do not be concerned as this was going to occur anyway. Use gentle rubbing to wash your eyebrows with the intention of
removing the scale. If you are too soft in massaging the area the hair and scale will matt together so be gentle but
firm when washing and massaging the eyebrows. Use a circular motion then stroke along the brow from the nose out to
the temple. Sounds complicated typing it but it is simple.
Any good face wash can be used to remove it in the morning. Cetaphil may be applied, massaged in and washed off
for example.
Any good wash wash would be fine.
If itching is a problem during the day, then apply the hydrocortisone sparingly to control it but you should
find you need it less and less.
The Psorexederm contains Wool Fat USP (the highest purity of lanolin) to penetrate the dry skin to reduce scaling, Coal tar is present to sooth itching and reduce any inflammation that may be present,
Boric acid (a mineral antiseptic/antifungal) is present to eliminate fungal problems without the possibility of resistance to antibiotics occurring , zinc oxide to soothe itch is present and also vitamin A & D
in small quantities to assist healing.
Assuming you are not allergic to this you are quite likely to benefit from this product applied every night and washed out in the morning. The overnight period is sufficiently long to allow the cream sufficient contact time to produce
fairly rapid response. I would expect if the cream works well you should get good results within 2 weeks, if you didn't have a good improvement within 2 weeks then it is likely not to work for you.
I would say as an educated guess you have about a 70% chance of the psorexederm working well for you. In the unlikely case you find it doesn't help we are always happy to refund your money including postage.
As for your nail fungus, this is a common problem which worsens as you get older. If you are sitting around a public swimming pool and have a look around most people 50 years old and over have it to some degree.
It is probably not related to your eyebrows but needs fairly aggressive treatment to control. Keep the nails trimmed as short as you can and clean any buildup of scale from underneath the nail.
Wash the nail implements in some form of antiseptic to prevent spread to other nails.
If the nails are affected mainly near the tips you have a good chance of controlling the infection.
If the nail infection has travelled close to the base of the nail then antibiotics for fungal infection may be needed.
Hope this helps,
Kind Regards,
David Hosking.
4 Feb 2009
QUESTION: I have seborrheic dermatitis on forehead eyebrows and around the nose as well as chin area.
Would your sulphur cream help this condition ?
-----Original Message-----
From: David Hosking
Sent: Wednesday, 24 January 2007 11:37
Subject: Re: Seborrheic dermatitis on forehead, eyebrows and around the nose & chin area
Hi,
The best product would be the zinc and coal tar containing Psorexederm Cream.
Apply it at night sparingly then wash it off with a soap free cleanser such as cetaphil or NS wash
in the morning.
If you shower in the evening, simply apply the Psorexederm Cream
to the affected areas wiping
any surplus off with a dry, soft cloth such as an old face washer or towel. Leave on for
2 hours or more then wash off in the shower. The overnight method will give faster results.
Psorexederm may be somewhat drying if you have dry skin (unusual with the problem you
describe) but if so , the dryness can be prevented by alternating every second night with our
Lavender Face and Body Balm.
The Sulphur Cream would work on very mild cases , but
if yours is scaling and itchy then I would use the Psorexederm Cream.
It is especially good at relieving itch and can be safely used
on the face and forehead. Even applying it up into the hairline can be easily done.
To wash the area , apply the cleanser on the area you applied the cream without water,
blend in to dissolve the cream for a minute or 2 then wash out with water.
Should give good results within 14 days.
Kind Regards,
David Hosking
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