09/08/2012: Josey from Tulsa, 0l: "I had crust and cracking behind my ears for about a year and could not cure it with anything. Then I began applying ACV and by the next day it was gone, and in a week of applying it, it never returned."

10/29/2012: Abhishek from Muzaffarpur, Bihar replies: "How can I reduce my ichtyhosis skin problem?"

02/28/2012: Jen from Bozeman, Mt, Us: "I have been wearing my 14k gold wedding ring for 15 years now. I have never had any problems with it before but suddenly it is turning my finger black wear it touches. I have googled this issue and found there is a name for it. Black Dermographism. I also found that there are lots of theories on what causes it but nothing too exact. Does anyone on here have any idea what might be causing this? I haven't really changed any of my supplements lately but I take lots:) They are iodine, selenium, zinc, copper, iron, magnesium, D3, cod liver oil, Vit c, niacin, meletonin, 5-htp, thymus gland extract, relora, B complex, theonine, siberian ginsing, senna, black strap molasas, coconut oil, and acv/baking soda. I don't know what might have changed other than hormones possibly as I am 37 and possibly perimenopausal but not sure why all of a sudden now. I drink lots of water and coconut water to keep my electrolytes balanced but have recently been unable to buy the coconut waters like usual. I know the potassium has been thought of a possible cause before, so that is a thought. I have also read it might be iron deficiency or hormone changes. Just wanted to see if any of you folks had any experience or wisdom on the topic?"

07/10/2012: Garrowk from Williamsburg, Virginia, Usa replies: "I have had the same experiences. What I have been told and it seems accurate, is that it is high acid in your system. Whenever I eat a lot of tomatoes ( typically in summer) I have the same issue."

09/08/2011: Jfm from London, England: "Not sure where to start with this one. I don't know if this is relevant to my current problem that I am seeking advice on but ever since childhood whenever I did any physical exertion or got hot my face always went a very deep red colour. I didn't take an awful lot of notice all those years ago but I've still got the same thing happening now. However, this is not really what I'm seeking help with although if anyone does know how to stop looking like a tomato I would be grateful.

Over the last 10 years or so my face has been looking very blotchy with a lot of redness to it (cheeks, nose, chin, forehead). This is permanent and never gets any better. I also have broken capillaries on my face. I have what I would describe as Celtic skin (Irish background). My skin used to be quite pale (apart from when I got hot!) with a few freckles.

I have tried the Linus Pauling protocol (Vitamin C and L-Lysine) to see if that would tone down the redness and clear up the broken capillaries but no luck so far.

I then wondered if I might have the infamous Butterfly Rash associated with Lupus. However, having read about the symptoms of Lupus I have only the redness on my face and no other health problems, thank God. So really not sure whether this would be the cause of it.

I'm at a loss now as to what has caused this. If anyone has any similar problem or knows what I could do to get my pale skin back I would love to hear from you. Thank you."

09/10/2011: Catherine from Wellington, New Zealand replies: "I absolutely know what you are talking about. All my life I would flame up on exertion, or in hot weather, not to mention if I had one glass of wine. Lately this has eased though slowly. What happened was I discovered I had hemochromatosis.. That is my body stores all dietry iron, common among celtic types. I have been treated for the last 8 months by regular bleedings at the blood clinic.. This is critical as the buildup of iron is dangerous (check out internet for more info) What I had thought was a malar flush (lupus symptom) on my face is almost gone now. The last two weeks the fading has been much more noticable as I have increased my iodine supplement. Dr. Can check for iron overload with a serum ferritin test. They don't usually check that one when they do the hemoglobin test for iron in the blood (anemia) which is a different thing altogether."

02/26/2012: Ozlady from Bonshaw, Nsw Australia replies: "This beut little remedy for skin problems is WELL WORTH trying.

Vegemite and honey mixed.

Spread it on the skin problem, leave until you can't stand it any loger then wash it off.

My skin is pale with freckles, now I am older it was pretty horrific on my Aussie hot sun exposed arms untill I tried this little beauty. I do it pretty often now.

I just guess the mix as it's all good/safe ingredients.

cheers, Ozlady"

08/08/2012: Philo from Sydney, Nsw replies: "To Ozlady from Bonshaw: I used to live in Texas (Qld)! What exactly does the Vegemite and honey mix do? Is it okay for the face?"

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  05/26/2013: Sandy55 from White Pine, Tennessee, Usa: "This has gone on for over 4 years. I have tiny white balls all everywhere I have a pore. Last Dr thought I looked like a had a tan when I had not been out in the sun for over three years. I was DX with Morgellons by a Dr in Atlanta. I have lots of black specks. I have been doing the borax and baking soda soaks and drinks. This seems to be helping already. I would like to hear from Ted. My skin will lather with just water with lots of white things. Skin also feels like grit. Eyes full of gunk. Please read my message again to be sure I am mixing borax to for internal Morgellons. Sandy"

07/21/2011: Lmargw from Santa Monica, Ca: "I'm hoping Ted can answer this one or someone who knows about this auto-immune skin disease. My father who is 81 was diagnosed with this condition. He as been on the pharma protocol which cleared it up but now it has returned and we don't want to put him back on the prednisone as it makes him very agitated. Are there any natural remedies to knock this thing out of his system?

Thanks for your help!"

05/19/2013: Kay from Fort Worth, Texas replies: "My husband suffers from Bullous Pemphigoid on occasion. The last outbreak I took him to see his doctor was in the spring 2012. Because there was some deal going on between my drugstore chain and our insurance, I delayed a few days getting his litany of RXs filled. Meanwhile I upped the dosage of coconut oil I was giving him and he suddenly cleared up. There is a warning here in using the coconut oil. You cannot become lax with it because if you do, he will have another outbreak. I don't know if the coconut oil will work as effectively as it does when you catch the Bullous Pemphigoid very early. I did and there was only a small outbreak. Good luck."

05/24/2013: Johnny from Watertown, Massachusetts: "My skin feels like sunburned: I have been feeling like my skin is sunburned in certain areas like the shoulders, arms, and thighs. Some days having clothes kind of irritating. Would deeply appreciate some kind relief."

05/25/2013: Joy from Battleground, Wash replies: "Let's see.... Did you try on new clothes? Get some new fabric softener sheets, new laundry soap? New medicine, tea, food or vitamin? Did you get into an area that was treated with chemicals? Neighbor spray their yard or fertilize? Treat one of your pets for fleas, or bug bomb the house? Spray room freshener, or a new scented candle in the house? When did it start? Just a baseline! Maybe a new pet ? New carpet.... Painted rooms?"

05/26/2013: Courtney from Granite Bay, Ca replies: "It sounds like you might have shingles. Did you have Chicken Pox as a child? If so, you might want to look into shingles as a possibility."

05/30/2013: Kt from The Usa replies: "I agreed with Courtney and wondered if you followed up with a shingles inquiry."

[YEA]  08/06/2012: Buddsk from Saskatoon, Sask, Canada: "I have or I should say did suffer from itchy shins, for years, , somedays it seemed I could have scratched my skin right off. This may sound silly, and I have no explaination as to why it worked but it did. I had used some castor oil to treat a hemorrhoid. I first tried the usuall treatment eg. Prep H to no avail, Then I found out about Castor oil, 5 or 6 days later, gone, I was impressed. One day while scratching my shins I thought, why not try some Castor oil on my shins. I just poured a little straight from the bottel and rubbed it lightly over my skin. WOW one week of treatments and my shins have not itched now for over a year, and I have Never applied any more oil. I just had to pass this along as I suffered from itchy shins for so long and even would wake myself in the middle of the night from scratching my shins I hope this might help someone else. Budd"

[YEA]  05/31/2013: Christin from Westfield, Ny: "My daughter had these bumps on her elbows that kept getting better and now they're virtually gone from applying virgin coconut oil! It's like a miracle cure for practically anything! I have become a believer in coconut oil. Also, I started using it instead of butter so we love it on toast or even a piece of bread, which my daughter loves and it's a great way for her to add the coconut oil in her diet."

06/08/2011: Tj from Mockville, Nc replies: "I have found that baking soda is the best at exfoliating the skin. Put some in your hand and make a paste, use your personal preference on consistancy. Get face wet and gently rub in circular motions. Rinse off throughly. It will burn at first. That means its working. Use once a day till your skin gets used to it. Use a good moisturiser afterwards. I have had major improvements with this."

09/06/2012: Anon from Anon: "Milk thistle makes it less red looking. I have tiny red blood vessels on my nose and cheeks and the milk thistle seems to make my face and hands less red looking. I just take one capsule a day, the bottle says you can take three a day. I have celiac and lupus type symptoms."

03/06/2012: Kay from Destin, Fl replies: "It's probably a fungal infection known as "jock itch" (some people have discoloration but not much itching); it's the same fungus as athletes foot/ring worm. It usually spreads from the feet (or dirty floors/tubs/showers) to the groin when pulling pants/underwear and dragging it up to the groin area where it grows in the warm moisture of the crotch. Or you catch it during intimate/sexual contact from someone who has it; or you touch/scratch your feet then scratch elsewhere and it spreads. It is VERY common, and infects most Gym locker rooms, public showers, and many athletes (and their floors/showers at home); thus you should always wear "shower shoes" in other peoples showers, and always put your socks on before your underwear/pants always sit on your towel etc. Use bleach to clean your own shower/tub/toilet seat and in your laundry to keep from re-infecting yourself! White & cotton socks and underwear help keep it under control (that's why athletes wear whites! )

Besides the embarassment, it is highly contagious and can easily and quickly spread to other area of the body (yours and your partners) so you must treat it ASAP using fungal sprays, spray powders, ointments for Athletes Foot/Jock Itch available at all drug stores; or getting a stronger RX from your doctor, esp if it covers a large area or you have had it awhile. (BEWARE: it is much more problematic for women, so you do not want to give it to a girl! ) It takes daily treatments for awhile to get rid of; the sprays are very convenient and widely available (Walmart carrys "TING" speay/spray powder which is half the price of the name brands and works better! )! Be sure to treat your feet as well as your groin area or you may reinfect yourself. Many people like the spray/powder during the day, and the ointment at night while sleeping. Good Luck!

Here's the link to the Jock itch page: http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/jock_itch.html

You may want to Google it and look at photos & descriptions for comparison. Best of Luck"

07/04/2012: Citygirl27 from Richardson, Tx, Usa replies: "He's in England so he might not have walmart there. Try the pharmacy area at ASDA or Boots for athletes foot/jock itch (tinea) treatments. Look up tinea cruris online either here or Google. Here's an eHow link http://www.ehow.com/way_5200309_cures-tinea-cruris.html . Try not to be embarrassed, it happens, and is more common than you think."

02/07/2012: Ananta from Kerala, India replies: "I have almost the same problem as Kalki. An allergic flare up on the skin with all the associated problems, itching, dryness, swelling etc. For me this came from taking ayurvedic medicine. They said it was a healing crisis and to hang on but the crisis just continued and I stopped the medicine after two months of intense physical difficulty, not to mention emotional ones. I now have patches of discolouration on my face and several parts of my body that lightens and darkens but doesn't go away. They itch too. I'm worse off than when I started. It's been 4 months now and I'm getting desperate. I noticed Kalki hasn't got a reply so far. Is there anybody out there who can help with this embarassing discolouration?"