Re: Recipe for dry itchy skin

[Guest guest]

Hi

That is pretty much the recipe I've come up with, maybe some Aloe Vera

Butter as well. I'll keep everyone posted on the outcome..... Sue :-)

> Hi Sue

> I am sure the MSM would cross the placenta, weather it would be harmful or

not? - well, best to error on the side of caution. The

> greatest percentage of sulphur found in nature is in Human milk, but msm

is not ALL sulphur. If it was me, I would just go for the

> Virgin Oil de Coco Creme, and Emu, they both make the skin very soft.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Angie,

My son has excema that is very bad. He works at Walmart too and whatever he

gets into there makes it much worse. Do you think that a cream with evening

primrose/emu,calendula would help? How much primrose is recommended for oral

supplement? He is very embarressed with this. The doctors have given him the

strongest cortizone on the market and he really hates to use it. Any other

suggestions from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

" Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay for awhile and

leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same "

Anonymous

>There have been some studies on the use of evening primrose oil dietary

>supplements and either psorisis or eczema?? that have shown very promising

>results. My own personal experience is that the supplements do seem to

>help

>with the overall condition of my skin...but who knows?

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/21/2003 1:40:31 PM Central Daylight Time,

kwells@... writes:

> the itching is from the skin being stretched

Yes ... and I forgot ... ALOE hydrates better than water

-

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/21/2003 4:05:48 PM Central Daylight Time,

AngiesHerbarie@... writes:

> ... atopic eczema ... appears to be a genetic pre-disposition and can also

> be triggered by allergic reactions. Obviously that's what is happening to

> your son ...

This is one young man I'd take off of all surfactants. While the right soap

may help, it would have to be specifically formulated for him ... however,

ground-up oats are the best cleanser, very soothing, and full of skin-loving

" gooey " matter (like that for scientific?) ... there's no allergenic risk

with this, and lots of soothing potential.

-

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/22/03 6:31:36 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

36551@... writes:

> This is one young man I'd take off of all surfactants. While the right soap

>

> may help, it would have to be specifically formulated for him ... however,

> ground-up oats are the best cleanser, very soothing, and full of

> skin-loving

> " gooey " matter (like that for scientific?) ... there's no allergenic risk

> with this, and lots of soothing potential.

> -

>

Hi and All,

I will have to disagree a bit about the surfactants Surfactants make up a

very big category of chemicals/ingredients, so we really can't just lump them

altogether as " bad " . The mild surfactants used for cleansing in personal

care--defined as the ones with a very low irritation potential--are

non-sensitizing and gentle enough for a baby's skin or very sensitive skin.

I don't hesitate to recommend them for gentle cleansing of any skin type. I

realize I may offend some folks by saying this, but my experience has been

that liquid soap is one of the harshest, most irritating of cleansers. The

high pH can't be a good thing for skin and certainly not hair. After reading

some of the studies that have been conducted on irritation potential, pH,

sensitive skin/baby skin...my own conclusion is that liquid soap is about

the worst....along with the alkyl sulfates (sorry chemists, but the stuff is

harsh).

Whether you buy it from The Herbarie or somewhere else, the fact remains that

mild (low irritation potential) surfactants are highly desirable in skin/hair

care....particularly sensitive or problem skin. For a facial cleanser or

baby skin or any sensitive skin I would not hesitate to recommend a blend

that we sell---the Polyfactant DLS. We created this blend especially for

sensitive skin. It's our own blend, but the ingredients can be sourced

elsewhere for folks that choose to do so.

As far as the oatmeal goes...I do agree that it can be soothing. It's an

age-old remedy for skin care, along with chamomile, calendula, and various

other herbs/flowers. Even though these are wonderful plants and are some of

my own favorites, there is always a potential for an allergic reaction with

most anything. Maurice posted some excellent abstracts from studies a while

back on calendula (I think). I wish I could find them now But , I do

think you are right about oats...I can't think of any instances where they

have caused an allergic reaction and they are soothing....so I agree with you

there. I just had to defend those poor maligned surfactants

Angie

The Herbarie - Botanicals and Body Care

Natural Source & Specialty Bulk Ingredients...Exceptional Quality

at Wholesale Prices...visit us at http://www.theherbarie.com

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

He uses a very mild soap with calendula and the other with oats. This helps

a lot but the minute he goes to work he is a mess.

" Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay for awhile and

leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same "

Anonymous

>This is one young man I'd take off of all surfactants. While the right

>soap

>may help, it would have to be specifically formulated for him ... however,

>ground-up oats are the best cleanser, very soothing, and full of

>skin-loving

> " gooey " matter (like that for scientific?) ... there's no allergenic risk

>with this, and lots of soothing potential.

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[Guest guest]

Hi Angie and everyone,

Thanks for the great info. He has to be careful not to use calendula when he

has open skin because he has hay fever and it seems to bug it. If he has

been off work for a few days and the skin is healed he is fine. However when

he is working and his hands are a mess, whatever he comes in contact with at

work along with calendula will make it worse. That is when we use the Oats

in the soap. He is allergic to dust but I think it is the hand cleaner that

they use so much of. It is liquid but it wouldn't be a mild one I'm

thinking. Plus with the heavy lifting his fingers will crack open. I

beginning to wonder if some of it is stress too as he is over worked when he

is there. They tend to under staff with his job. I was thinking of trying to

make a salve that would act like a barrior. I thought that might help. I'm

not sure what all to use. As calendula would be out most of the time. I

would use eo's chamomile,lavender and tree tree. Maybe rosemary too. For

oils, emu,primrose, borage maybe a little avocado. I like kukiki nut oil

too.

Not sure what herbs would be the best. I'm just starting to get in to the

infusing herbs. What about carrot tissue oil? Thanks everyone for all the

help.

" Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay for awhile and

leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same "

Anonymous

>As far as the oatmeal goes...I do agree that it can be soothing. It's an

>age-old remedy for skin care, along with chamomile, calendula, and various

>other herbs/flowers. Even though these are wonderful plants and are some

>of

>my own favorites, there is always a potential for an allergic reaction with

>most anything. Maurice posted some excellent abstracts from studies a

>while

>back on calendula (I think). I wish I could find them now But , I

>do

>think you are right about oats...I can't think of any instances where they

>have caused an allergic reaction and they are soothing....so I agree with

>you

>there. I just had to defend those poor maligned surfactants

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/22/03 11:45:31 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

mystica_rose@... writes:

> Hi Angie and everyone,

> Thanks for the great info. He has to be careful not to use calendula when

> he

> has open skin because he has hay fever and it seems to bug it. If he has

> been off work for a few days and the skin is healed he is fine. However

> when

> he is working and his hands are a mess, whatever he comes in contact with

> at

> work along with calendula will make it worse. That is when we use the Oats

> in the soap. He is allergic to dust but I think it is the hand cleaner that

>

> they use so much of. It is liquid but it wouldn't be a mild one I'm

> thinking. Plus with the heavy lifting his fingers will crack open. I

> beginning to wonder if some of it is stress too as he is over worked when

> he

> is there. They tend to under staff with his job. I was thinking of trying

> to

> make a salve that would act like a barrior. I thought that might help. I'm

> not sure what all to use. As calendula would be out most of the time. I

> would use eo's chamomile,lavender and tree tree. Maybe rosemary too. For

> oils, emu,primrose, borage maybe a little avocado. I like kukiki nut oil

> too.

> Not sure what herbs would be the best. I'm just starting to get in to the

> infusing herbs. What about carrot tissue oil? Thanks everyone for all the

> help.

>

>

>

>

Hi ,

Almost any plants can cause an allergic reactions in some people. Some

people seem to have an allergic response to almost anything. This sounds

like a frustrating situation and I know how it is to want to " do something "

for those we love.

I know this list is for cosmetics and I will try to refrain from going

beyond...but I will say this: It sounds like your son's symptoms could be

from various different sources and likely cannot be attributed to any one

thing. I would not recommend any herbal type product in this situation--at

this time, since many can cause allergic reactions and may complicate, rather

than help the problem. Be careful with essential oils also...same kind of

sensitivity can occur with some of them. You may speak the truth when you

mention stress. Stress can be a major factor, along with diet and some

systemic concerns which can become evident in a skin condition. If your son

has not had a physical exam---some testing, etc. through a health

professional--- then that may be something to strongly consider too. You

would want to eliminate or treat the problem if possible, rather than treat

the symptoms.

If oats seem soothing, then I see no problem in using oats in an infusion or

a bath. I would keep the ingredients of a cream or salve to a minimum and

use the ingredients that seem to be least sensitizing and most soothing. Is

there a possibility of him finding another job? In other words, I think our

common sense and instincts go a long way

I sure do hope you can figure it out soon...take care.

Angie

The Herbarie - Botanicals and Body Care

Natural Source & Specialty Bulk Ingredients...Exceptional Quality

at Wholesale Prices...visit us at http://www.theherbarie.com

[Guest guest]

With all the talk of itchy skin, my wonderful husband " yelled " at me that he

was going to buy a store soap cause mine was making him itchy. Well, I ruled

out any soaps as being the cause by having him use all-natural soap, mp type

soaps, syndet bars, surfactant liquid " soaps " and everything else I could

find. I know his water intake is good and he takes vitamins and eats well,

so I guess a deficiancy is most likely not the problem. So then I looked at

the laundry detergents, but I've used the same one for 6 months and his

itching is recent. So, since I can't find the root of the problem right now,

I formulated a lotion for him that seems to relieve his itchiness (well,

atleast for the last 2 days it has LOL). What I made was a lotion similar to

the GOld Bond ones. Water, Dimethicone, Menthol, Hydrolyzed Oat Flour. I

used Shea Butter (as I have an abundance and love the feel of it anyway),

and Emulsifying Wax NF (to keep it simple to start, will play with other

emulsifiers with this formula later). It's a relatively " flowy " lotion, but

sinks in quick, leaves a good feel and does relieve the itchiness.

Just thought I'd share since the topic was " afloat " )

www.sssoaps.com

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[Guest guest]

> However when

> he is working and his hands are a mess, whatever he comes in contact

> with at

> work along with calendula will make it worse. That is when we use the

> Oats

> in the soap. He is allergic to dust but I think it is the hand cleaner

> that

> they use so much of. It is liquid but it wouldn't be a mild one I'm

> thinking. Plus with the heavy lifting his fingers will crack open. I

> beginning to wonder if some of it is stress too as he is over worked

> when he

> is there.

I love to make my own balms and salves to help some minor skin problems

that I have, but this sounds very serious and I would really advise him

should seek medical attention from a specialist. If he's become

sensitized to something at work and his hands get so bad that he cannot

do his job effectively, then there might also be OSHA or workman's comp

issues involved. At the very least, he should find out what is

triggering such a strong reaction and then do what he can to avoid it.

I'd worry about what continued exposure to this allergen would do to

his auto-immune system over time.

> I was thinking of trying to

> make a salve that would act like a barrior. I thought that might help.

> I'm

> not sure what all to use. As calendula would be out most of the time. I

> would use eo's chamomile,lavender and tree tree. Maybe rosemary too.

> For

> oils, emu,primrose, borage maybe a little avocado. I like kukiki nut

> oil

> too.

I, too, have some problems with allergic patches on my hands that react

instantly to detergents, dust, friction, mold, etc. The skin starts to

peels away within a few minutes of exposure to something it dislikes,

but sometimes it's very sudden and the skin just cracks open and

bleeds. I make products to help soothe the skin once it's angry with

me, but I've not succeeded in making something that is a true barrier

cream, that can be relied upon to protect my hands from contact with

the irritants. I really think that for something this critical, he

should get advice from a medical professional about appropriate

commercial barrier creams -- as there are many different types,

depending on what is actually irritating his skin.

Just FYI -- if he's sensitive to calendula and has hayfever, then be

careful with the chamomile as well. Patients with hayfever have shown

cross-sensitivity to topical chamomile products. (I don't have the

research abstracts handy, but you can check Medline. There have been a

number of studies about it.)

Good luck. And really -- get him to see a good dermatologist and get

those hands checked out. This isn't something to play around with, not

when he earns his livelihood with his hands.

Elaine

----------------------

Elaine Benfatto (Cambridge, MA)

elaine@...

http://www.urbanspinner.com/

[Guest guest]

We have had him checked already and he was put on the strongest cortizone

there is. He doesn't like to take it because it can cause so many problems

with long term use.

" Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay for awhile and

leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same "

Anonymous

>Good luck. And really -- get him to see a good dermatologist and get

>those hands checked out. This isn't something to play around with, not

>when he earns his livelihood with his hands.

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[Guest guest]

Thank you Angie and everyone for the help. I told him that finding another

job might be part of the answer. Our family has a lot of allergies and with

his type of job he faces a few. So that doesn't help. We are going to go

over the diet and add some vit. etc.. maybe so omega oils etc.. making sure

he isn't missing anything, and see if that helps. We are going to stick with

the oatmeal soap which helps to soothes. He used alittle primerose oil

tonight straight and he had no problem so that will keep his hands from

cracking.

" Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay for awhile and

leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same "

Anonymous

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/23/2003 5:18:07 PM Central Daylight Time, ggagos@...

writes:

> I guess you don't have to use as much detergent as they tell you!

>

My clothes come just as clean when I cut the amount up to half. Less than

half the recommend doesn't do as well ... and cutting amounts sure saves

money!

-

[Guest guest]

Already do that! ) Actually I use half what " you're supposed to use " . We

still haven't figured out the cause, but the new lotion has taken care of

the itchies. He applies it after his shower and he's fine. I swear it's the

house we live in! Another good reason for our upcoming move.

Re: Recipe for dry itchy skin

> ,

>

> I had this problem also, and started using less laundry detergent than

> the box instructions called for. Lo & behold, the problem disappeared.

> I guess you don't have to use as much detergent as they tell you!

>

> Gretchen

>

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[Guest guest]

,

I had this problem also, and started using less laundry detergent than

the box instructions called for. Lo & behold, the problem disappeared.

I guess you don't have to use as much detergent as they tell you!

Gretchen

Sami's Scent-sational Soaps wrote:

> ...So then I looked at the laundry detergents, but I've used the same

> one for 6 months and his

> itching is recent.

> www.sssoaps.com

[Guest guest]

,

This is a very good idea...PLEASE check with your Doctor. This does

sound scary.

Gretchen

> Good luck. And really -- get him to see a good dermatologist and get

> those hands checked out. This isn't something to play around with, not

> when he earns his livelihood with his hands. Elaine