i went to an allergist this past spring and also came up negative on food allergies though i have a sensitivity to gluten and am allergic to grass, tree pollen, etc. i am currently taking B-2, B-6, B-12, Biotin, C, E, Folic Acid, Garlic, Krill Oil, Calcium-Magnesium-Zinc... you get the idea. not sure if it is helping. should i try fresh oregano, gamma lineoleic acid (GLA)?

i have heard good things about oregano but i didn't notice any difference when i was taking it. i've taken all those others you mentioned except krill oil. honestly i don't know if the vitamins we're helping. i think it's a deeper problem having to do with the gut/liver.

ran out of finacea. pharmacy ran out of it & needs to order more. face turning red again

ran out of finacea. pharmacy ran out of it & needs to order more. face turning red again

Finacea is 15% azelaic acid, it is used mainly for rosacea...do you have it?

has anyone tried rubbing coconut oil or virgin olive oil on their sd, it seems to have helped some people get their sd under control with little visible issues.

i have tried this a couple times and it seems to help the rash pretty quick but then the skin looks greasy all day. i have tried it over night and my skin is really greasy when i wake up, which in turn feeds the yeast one would think. so i'm not sure why adding oil to an area that gets worst by being oily has worked for some. there's a lot of people who swear by this though and i've even read that people have treated sd on their dogs in the same way with success.

not sure if i should continue trying this method again because it only seems to get better for a couple hours before getting bad again. not sure if it's working.

ive had similar experiences adding omega 3,6,9 vitamins to my diet. it is supposed to help with skin issues, but it seems to only make my skin more oily.

ran out of finacea. pharmacy ran out of it & needs to order more. face turning red again

 

Finacea is 15% azelaic acid, it is used mainly for rosacea...do you have it?

 

no, but i was doing some desperate googling and found the results of some study that said that azelaic acid keeps the fungi at bay...i had an old tube of it laying around and my skin already looked horrible so i figured i didn't have anything to lose, and whaddya know, it did the trick. went to the derm on friday and told him about it, he said he'd never heard of that but since my face obviously looked better he didn't have a problem prescribing it.

ran out of finacea. pharmacy ran out of it & needs to order more. face turning red again

 

Finacea is 15% azelaic acid, it is used mainly for rosacea...do you have it?

 

no, but i was doing some desperate googling and found the results of some study that said that azelaic acid keeps the fungi at bay...i had an old tube of it laying around and my skin already looked horrible so i figured i didn't have anything to lose, and whaddya know, it did the trick. went to the derm on friday and told him about it, he said he'd never heard of that but since my face obviously looked better he didn't have a problem prescribing it.

 

Wow cool

You could also try Skinoren which is 5% stronger than that but also very tolerable (every acid should be like azelaic...love it but non-effective on me sadly)

do any of you have white stuff on your tongue. if so, it is a symptom of candida, which can cause a yeast and fungal infection. the condition is then called candidiasis.

as we all know this is also symptoms and the cause of sd. i have already done one anti-candida cleanse, but i'm definitely going to get more serious about it. i've had a white tongue for years and never thought much about it, it must have gotten out of control and is now attacking the skin on my face.

definitely worth a read: [Edited link out]

do any of you have white stuff on your tongue. if so, it is a symptom of candida, which can cause a yeast and fungal infection. the condition is then called candidiasis.

 

as we all know this is also symptoms and the cause of sd. i have already done one anti-candida cleanse, but i'm definitely going to get more serious about it. i've had a white tongue for years and never thought much about it, it must have gotten out of control and is now attacking the skin on my face.

 

definitely worth a read:

thank you for the link, raddude -

Probiotics and digestive enzymes likewise help to keep Candida at bay. Also consider taking a good garlic supplement (unless you love fresh garlic and have found ways to mix it into your daily food intake). Candida is destroyed by garlic, as are any number of other pathogenic gut bacteria.

i had recently started taking garlic and will continue to do so. what does an initial anti-candida cleanse involve?

i have taken and am taking those supplements you mentioned, thanks man.

so i''ve only read one page from this link so far, but it's really crazy how many of the things that are suggested are the exact same things i have been trying or that i've read as suggestions to help with sd. check it out, it's really interesting.

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/candida.html

again, another good link. i started checking it out.

i had actually pasted in text above from the previous link you sent:

Probiotics and digestive enzymes likewise help to keep Candida at bay. Also consider taking a good garlic supplement (unless you love fresh garlic and have found ways to mix it into your daily food intake). Candida is destroyed by garlic, as are any number of other pathogenic gut bacteria.

i tried drinking ACV this summer about the same time i also tried betaine hydrochloride. i believe the ACV made my cheeks red, and i stopped both. not sure if i should take a digestive enzyme or which one. i have been trying the low carb vegetables (asparagus, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cucumbers, greens, etc.) i haven't been this thin since high school.

does anyone have any tips for working out with sd? i haven't worked out in months because sweat makes my face feel like it's burning, really starting to feel run down =(

i signed up for kung fu and had to quit because it made my face super red. probably the best thing is to get your sd under control then start introducing exercise slowly back into your regimen. i ride my bike almost everyday at a moderate pace and don't have breakouts that i notice.

has anyone tried to figure out what causes instant bursts of redness to their sd affected areas throughout the day? it happens to me a few times a day and i can't figure out why. i'm not stressed so that's not it

I noticed the itching becomes heavier when i sweat

Does this happen to sum1 else?

yeah, unfortunately, i hesitated to excercise outside in the summer if i could find the time. i'm not much of a swimmer, but has anyone tried swimming pools - does chlorine have any effect on SD? i just p/u burt's bees shave cream. sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate free. paraben free. phthalate free. check it out. maybe it's better than barbasol or aveeno.

chlorine dries the skin out, so i'm guessing it's not good for skin that is stressed by sd.

Hi, for those who use sulfur do you think topical MSM could have the same effect?

Hey guys, just been reading this thread, quite interesting.

Regarding Candida and SD. I had a bad case of SD, lots of flaking and redness on my face and scalp, because of a Candida overgrowth I developed from using a weight gain shake for a few years which consisted of weight gain fitness powder, milk, and peanut butter. When I used to squeeze the skin around my nose, a yellow greasy substance used to come out, and even after I showered it quickly built up again and flaked up, I also had corners of my mouth cracking.

Anyway after i stopped the shakes my face really cleared up a lot, no more flaking and cracks in the corner of my mouth after a few weeks. I also had a lot of other symptoms of candida, the list is a mile long, it can really affect your whole body and mind.

My face is still not 100% perfect as its still slightly redish on my porus and sebum heavy areas of my face, (I have oily skin) like the middle, around the nose and beard area. Its been over a year now since i stopped the shakes but I still think ive got a mild case of candida or something because the SD is persisting. Ive tried all the anti fungal creams out there, like nizoral, candestine, daktarin but they dont seem to have an effect on the slight redness, which is annoying.

Candida is supposed to very common, and many people have it without knowing because the symtoms are SO widespread, so I think it could be the main cause of most peoples problems, and the underlying cause.

Around the time I got it, I was also very seditary not doing any exersise and sitting around a lot, and apparently that is not good for the digestive system and fosters the yeast buildup and overgrowth in the intenstines.

The only other skin problem I have is after ive been out in the sun for a while I get an itch on my arms or legs or hands and when I scratch it, it flares up pretty bad, all red like a rash. Doesnt happen on my face just body. I understand thats eczema? Damn pain in the ass, I hope it all finally goes away. It all started in my late 20s btw. When I was more active and fit I was fine.

Im going to try that zinc water based cream. So thats basically any baby nappy cream?

Thanks.

Hi, for those who use sulfur do you think topical MSM could have the same effect?

I haven't tried topical MSM on my face but I mix powdered MSM in my self mixed shampoo and it's effective. I've recently ordered sublimed sulfur (which I should be getting next week) to see if that works better. If it does work, then I plan to mix some sulfur into my shea butter for face moisturizer.

Hi everybody!

I think this is going to be a really long one, but anyway here I go.

I've never written anything about this topic before (even though it had a huge impact on my life), but after reading your posts I can really relate to you guys and I thought maybe I could add something to the discussion.

First, about myself. I am a 24-year old male and I've been dealing with SD for about 2 years now. I got it after taking stuff similar to accutane. The pretty bad acne I had for years is gone, but now there is SD on my face and scalp. I am not sure what's worse... I guess they both suck in their own way.

When I first got it I was devastated and it was probably the one thing that pushed me over the edge to get seriously (and as it turned out clinically) depressed.

I started spending literally weeks with intensive research looking for reasons and solutions. I was determined, no, obsessed to find a way out of this living hell. Nothing really worked. I made lab tests and I even had an aids test done (no real probability but I wanted to rule that one out, too). Nothing I tried really seemed to work. What I really want to say is that I believe I tried EVERYTHING (shampoos, creams, food supplements, ointments, home remedies, diet etc. etc.).

But it was the wrong approach.

Nothing really seemed to work. I felt ugly, disfigured and worthless, and I almost started to put up with the idea, that in a way, my life was probably over.

I am more or less OK, now, and here is what I've learned over the last 2 years.

I'll start with the obvious stuff, many of you are probably familiar with.

1.) Every individual is different, everybody's skin/body is unique and therefore no SD is alike. SD is usually caused by numerous factors that play a bigger or smaller role in every single case (e.g. some people can eat whatever they want, others have to take great care). There is no universal solution.

I think that's the reason why it's not really understood by medical science.

There is no real "cure", and what works and what helps for others can even do you harm (e.g. aggressive anti-dandruff shampoo).

So in short, you have to find out yourself how your body works and reacts.

2.) In my mind, SD is not really an illness, because most of the pain and distress it causes is psychological. If you weren't scared what other people think of your appearance you probably wouldn't be bothered too much by SD. And in my experience these fears often are exaggerated. Quite often you are the only one who really notices the red spots and the flaking on your face.

It's just how my skin works and expresses itself. Some people are "handicapped" in much worse ways (also by characteristics).

There usually is a significant hereditary factor, it's just who I am. Sometimes your skin will be worse, sometimes it will be better (the SD not even noticeable). Sometimes you can do stuff to improve the condition, sometimes, no matter what you do, you don't stand a chance. It might even entirely go away for some time...

It doesn't mean you are a lesser person because of SD, you can still be beautiful and happy. In fact much happier than many of the "healthy" persons.

It is important to accept your skin as part of yourself. It's good to have somebody to talk about it, too...

3.) It is NOT my fault.

It should be obvious, but I think quite often it isn't. Just be aware of that and be sure to know that it's not your fault.

4.) DO NOT let SD take over your life.

I'm not really talking about the (sometimes time consuming) skin care, that becomes part of the every day routine.

Don't become obsessed with it and look at yourself in the mirror all the time... other people usually don't see you the way you see yourself. They usually aren't as cruel.

Don't become a recluse.

I've noticed, that as soon as I get out of the house and get some fresh air, see some friends or share some nearness/love my skin often gets better, almost instantaneously. The flaking disappears, the itching leaves and the redness becomes less apparent. In short, if I occupy myself with stuff and I feel happy it shows on my skin.

Opposite to that, the worst I can do to my skin is to be sad, alone and inactive.

So there often is that vicious cycle that I feel bad because of my skin, but that one reason my skin is messed up is BECAUSE I feel bad. So in my case mood and emotional stress seem to play a huge part with my SD, and I think that psychological factors play a major role in general. With me it seems to be that and climate changes...

Well, I've been going for far too long already.. and I think I could go on for much longer because there is just so much to get off my chest. Anyway, I'll try to wrap this up with a final conclusion.

In my experience, the best way to deal with SD is to be healthy, both in body and in spirit. Treat yourself well, don't hurt yourself. Don't let your social and love life suffer. You can't stay healthy when you're alone too much.

Learn to relax, enjoy nature if you can. Learn to play an instrument, get a new hobby (preferably social). Do things you LIKE.

Try to make yourself happy and start to deal with eventual unresolved issues you might have. Don't pity yourself. Change things that make you unhappy, accept those you can't change. Resolve self-esteem issues. Prolonged unhappiness will in one way or another, sooner or later, show on your body.

Set yourself goals in life and go after them.

And if you have an especially bad skin day, tell yourself that it's a passing phase and that there will be other days when you are a lot better.

It's one part to find appropriate skin treatments that work, another part is your lifestyle and personal mindset.

So that's my approach, and for me it seems to be the only one where one day it might all be okay.

I hope I could add something useful.

I wish you all the very best, take care my friends!

Hi, for those who use sulfur do you think topical MSM could have the same effect?

 

I haven't tried topical MSM on my face but I mix powdered MSM in my self mixed shampoo and it's effective. I've recently ordered sublimed sulfur (which I should be getting next week) to see if that works better. If it does work, then I plan to mix some sulfur into my shea butter for face moisturizer.

 

Hey Ceci,

I just made up from your first post that the sulphur soap helped you completely together with the moisturizer... but after reading your last post (plan mix sulfur with shea butter..works better)

I am a little confused..

Can you maybe discribe how much in percentage the first remedy helped you.

I am so lucky that they finally post my sulfur soap..

Hi, for those who use sulfur do you think topical MSM could have the same effect?

 

I haven't tried topical MSM on my face but I mix powdered MSM in my self mixed shampoo and it's effective. I've recently ordered sublimed sulfur (which I should be getting next week) to see if that works better. If it does work, then I plan to mix some sulfur into my shea butter for face moisturizer.

 

 

Hey Ceci,

I just made up from your first post that the sulphur soap helped you completely together with the moisturizer... but after reading your last post (plan mix sulfur with shea butter..works better)

I am a little confused..

Can you maybe discribe how much in percentage the first remedy helped you.

I am so lucky that they finally post my sulfur soap..

 

Hi Joellie,

Sulfur also helps with cystic acne which I can get during TTOM. I get maybe one a month and use Adult Acnomel to keep it down or to keep it from appearing. I'd rather use a mix with my shea butter than use Adult Acnomel. I'm trying to keep things as simple and natural as possible.

Hi, for those who use sulfur do you think topical MSM could have the same effect?

 

I haven't tried topical MSM on my face but I mix powdered MSM in my self mixed shampoo and it's effective. I've recently ordered sublimed sulfur (which I should be getting next week) to see if that works better. If it does work, then I plan to mix some sulfur into my shea butter for face moisturizer.

 

Thanks for the information I didn't knew about sublimed sulfur, at what percentage do you plan to use it?

Im going to try that zinc water based cream. So thats basically any baby nappy cream?

hard to say. i thought diaper (nappy, lol) creams were petroleum based but i just looked it up and it says that desitin is water-based...

Whats up all.. I am new to this forum.. Just joined today as I had been reading previous posts for the past couple of weeks..

So my story.. I am a 22 year old male that got seb derm about a year and a half ago.. As much as I would like to say this doesnt suck and I don't care what people think about me.. it does SUCK and I guess I do care what people think about me otherwise this condition wouldnt bother me so much.. Not to be cocky or conceited but I am a good looking guy (or at least I think I am haha) and this has definitely hurt my confidence. I feel like everything happens for a reason and this is something that can definitely be controlled with the right products.. Unfortunately I have not found that yet.. I have used ovace, coal tar, locoid, znp. Out of those products the best one I have found is Ovace, but the cream is kind of oily and it started breaking me out.. After waiting a couple of weeks to go to the derm, I had an appointment today with a well known dermatologist in my area. Of course I saw him for maybe 2 minutes and he prescribed me Avar which is sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur. I used it today and it is kind of drying which is why I think I am not going to use it..

My plan of attack- I remember someone writing on here that BP helped out alot.. BP is AMAZING when it comes to acne.. I had some acne on my back and after 3 weeks it was all gone, and I continue to stay clear by using panoxyl wash 2.5% one time a day in that area. I always thought it was too harsh for my skin, but I figure it can kill acne bacteria, probably similar to the fungus that causes seb derm.. It will also help control the oil which is a contributor for the seb derm.. I will use it once a day and use oil of oil oil free moisturizer where my skin gets dry.. I'll let you know how it goes...

Sorry for the long post, just needed to vent somewhere.. Let's keep this post going and find a cure for this horrible condition.. Whenever i think this sucks, I always come back to the phrase, what doesnt kill you, only makes you stronger... Just think how good we will all feel once we have our seb derm under control..

One more note to ship in the bottle- Your really pretty