Replied by Carrie (Bailey, Nc) on 08/15/2012
How long will it take to get an answer? I have been dealing with this for about 6 mths. now.Replied by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 08/15/2012
Hi Carrie, Basically, what you have is severe candida. This is why it is spreading from your scalp to other parts of your body. It's source is internal. You have what is referred to as systemic candida. The worst thing you could do is take antibiotics which only help this condition to strengthen and often are the cause to begin this condition because they kill off the good bacteria in the gut which keep the candida, which we all have, in its proper place (the gut) and keep it from getting out of hand. When the balance of the inner ecology is thrown off the candida runs amuck and wreaks havoc on the system. It's symptoms are many and most doctors don't even acknowledge it! Instead, they treat the isolated condition with antibiotics exacerbating the whole problem. The symptoms are a whole laundry list that candida can be the root cause of.
To begin, you must change your diet to help the body. There is much on this site regarding this and protocols that can be followed. I have given protocols to follow many times on EC so I will not re-iterate but you can do a search and find them. Bill of Luzon, Philippines has done so as well. Start taking a strong probiotic and in addition, begin adding in fermented foods/ drinks such as real sauerkraut and/ or real pickles found only in the refrigerated section. For sure, you could find them at your health food store. It is imperative you begin cleaning up your inner ecosystem! Eliminate all processed food, flour products and sugar immediately.
I hope this beginning can help you. Again, do a search on candida and you will find lots of info. Best to you, Lisa
Replied by Carrie (Bailey, Nc) on 08/16/2012
I'm sorry but it is not systemic candida. My blood was drawn today along with 2 biopsies on my back for this rash. Doctor states that he thinks it is hormonal or thyroid but I know that it's neither. Both had been checked recently by my OB/GYN and my immunolgist.Replied by Carrie (Bailey, Nc) on 08/16/2012
It is not candida. It is also not my thyroid or hormonal. Waiting for lab work to come back and biopsies of the rash. It will take about 2 weeks. The doctor told me to use dandruff shampoo to wash with but I see it like this, if it didn't work using it on the rash then what good will it do to use on my whole body. He also said he thinks it's horminal or thyroid but I know that's not the case. My OB/GYN checked hormones within the last 6 mths. And my immunologist checked my thyroid a few mths. ago. This dermitologist should just state that he is not sure and wait for the blood work and biopsies of the rash to come back. Until then, I really don't know what I can do. It's driving me batty!Replied by Reader Of Ec (Los Angeles, Ca) on 08/16/2012
Im not so sure your condition is Candida as the previous post suggests. Though investigating the cause as bacterial, viral or as a mite infestation are logical possibilities that must be investigated.
Do you have pets? Are they experiencing more itching/scratching than usual. Recently visited someone with animals? Do you itch more so at night? This would indicate a mite presence. Sulfur soap and shampoo will help. Sulfur is very drying to the skin so test to see how your skin reacts 1st before using. The drying action kills mites.
In the event your condition is a mite infestation, one must consider all clothing, bedding, car and house seating a source of constant perpetuation of the condition unless, sanitiezed, cloths/bedding changed every day, laundered in extremely hot temperatures and Borox added to the wash.
Sulfur soaps and creams are also good remedies for bacterial and viral skin infections. They have been used for thousands of years.
Something is causing an inflammation response on your skin. Keep in mind that what ever solution you may try on your skin natural or pharmaceutical, may also trigger an immune response. It does not mean medicated creams or lotions, sulfur soaps are not working but that your skin is reacting to all foreign substances it deems a threat.
Lavender oil mixed with coconut oil is also very healing for viral and bacterial infections. If your skin is just too inflamed to do any topical remedies, I would recommend getting a juicer and juicing 3 times a day 10 organic carrots, one whole green apple (seeds and all) and one whole lemon, seeds, peel and all. You are getting live enzymes, thousands of times of vitamin C daily requirement, a few thousand times the vitamin A of daily required values to aid in the healing and reduction in inflammation of the skin. Do this for 21 days no matter how tiring it gets.
If bacterial or viral you will see your skin improve from the inside out and the texture and color will be visibly healthy.
If a mite infestation, take a look at the section on this site for help.
Replied by Carrie (Bailey, Nc) on 08/16/2012
I do have pets but they are always well bathed. They are not scratching or anything like that. I have dogs only. My rash is not itchy at all. It's gross to say but it is crusty. I will try the lavender and cocnut oil. Thank you for that advice. Seems like doctors just do not take the time to really look for the problem.Replied by Janet (Kendal, U.K) on 08/17/2012
This sounds very much a fungal problem, often occurs in warm, moist areas. A friend of mine developed something similar on her feet. We washed them in anbacterial soap, one that is sold for handwashing. Just one time and it, s gone already.
Your sounds like cradle cap, common in babies. ACV in your rinsing water would also help I, m sure. Good Luck.
Replied by Reader Of EC (Los Angeles, Ca) on 08/17/2012
Glad to hear its not itchy. Try the sulfur soap to see if that works. Remember its very drying so use good lotion after showering. If it is a fungus or bacteria try to sit in the sun with the affected areas exposed for 20 mins every day. By the 3rd day you should see results.
My best friend had a skin issue that cleared up with sunlight. Her insurance refused to pay for medical UV treatments recammended by her doc.
I read on this site that a few people had similar skin issues that cleared up after swimming in the ocean for a few days.
Replied by Carrie (Bailey, NC) on 08/17/2012
I get a good amount of sunlight every day. I take vitamins daily and also 50,000 units of vitamin D every 2 weeks due to a mild form of Cystic Fibrosis. (I have a CF Gene and an SP Variant) I also take B-12 everyday in addition to the rest. I am now trying the ACV, it doesn't burn but it stinks reallly bad. Lol... I cannot take things internally due to my 2 heart conditions. It don't take much to trigger the one heart condition that I have which is Long QT Syndrome. All I can do is topical. Where can I get sulfur soap? I seen where some people on here stated that he had to be presrcibed due to mixture.Replied by Tracy (San Augustine, Texas) on 08/19/2012
Fresh whey is also good for removing scalp infection, especially that known as "cradle cap". Whey is the liquid separated from the curds in milk when making cheese. You should be able to buy whey at a health food store or from a dairy if there is one in your area. Just apply the whey like you would your shampoo. Leave on overnight if you can, wearing a showercap to bed.Replied by Kay (Destin, Fl) on 09/02/2012
Re: SULPHUR SHAMPOO & Soap: Can anyone reccomend any brands of shampoo (available in the USA) with sulphur; and where I might find it?
After trying most everything else, I am having some notable success with Mexican made sulphur soap on scalp & skin infection; but the soap leaves an unmanagable sticky/murky residue on my hair. I am also not able to find sulphur soap in the USA (my old bar is from Mexico and almost gone). Any help greatly appreciated!
Good Health & Blessings to All contributors here!
Replied by Lou (Tyler, Tx) on 10/09/2012
Try onion juice. Apply gently with a Q-Tip. Then put on a disposable shower cap (from the dollar store). Leave on 1/2 hour. Shampoo with tea tree oil shampoo. Condition with tea tree oil conditioner.Replied by Francis (New Castle, Pennsylvania) on 03/14/2013
Carrie, from your description of bumps on the neck, back and upper arms it sounds like keratosis pilaris and perhaps actinic pilaris on the scalp. Keratin deposits build up under the skin. They are not pus filled, but filled with a hard white keratin substance. On your head, you may have grain like particles. The keratin builds up at the base of the hair follicle and blocks it from blood supply and nutrients. The hair becomes very dry. For the scalp lactic acid or uric acid desolve the build up. Though sometimes can dry the hair even more. As disgusting as it sounds, urine will disolve the build up, and damage the hair less. Morning urine is best. Pour on scalp; let stand for 1/2 hour before washing. Your scalp will improve quickly. Once a week until the problem is resolved. On your neck and shoulders--gently exfoliate follow by moisturizing. These steps will treat the symptoms and restore the balance. To treat the core problem, check your alkalinity. Your body may be too acidic. Adjust your diet to a more alkaline diet. Also consider going gluten free. Since most wheat is genetically modified it contains much larger amounts of gluten than in the past. It binds to the cilli of the small intestines and flattens them out, creating a barrier that makes it difficult to absorb the vitamins and nutrients needed for healthy hair. The remedies should show results within weeks; the gluten free diet may take six weeks before the situation is improved with absorption. Alkalinity can be tested with ph strips, either testing the inside of your mouth or your urine. Goo luck. Wish you the bestReplied by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 03/19/2013
I have two suggestions: vinegar, and coconut oil. Don't use them together but do this. Wet hair, and before normal shampoo and conditioning, pour 1 cup of white vinegar (I suppose you could use ACV but I use white vinegar for my scalp health and hair shine) over your head under a running shower. Keep eyes closed til vinegar is confidently rinsed out. You'll know because the whiff will be largely gone. A few days later, if no improvement, try a coconut oil scalp mask. Cover your scalp in organic coconut oil, and leave it for 20-30 minutes. It will take some effort (and hot water) to rinse it out, but coconut oil works wonders on infections and dandruff, etc. Alternate these every few days if needed.Replied by Bili (Toronto) on 07/27/2014
Years ago, I used ACV for the dandruff, rubbing in the scalp and leave it for 30 min before the shower.
Lately, I have been noticing hair loss patches, and decided to apply castor oil on the scalp, and cover with shower cap for 1hour, which was OK for hair loss.
Since my hair also got dull and dry, no dandruff though, I remembered using ACV and applied it now after the castor oil, and left it there for 30 mins before shower. Soaking scalp in ACV helped greatly shower hair and rinsing the oil out. Easy for bathtub too, no oily slippery residue.
