Tb (Pennsylvania) on 05/24/2016:

When I saw the dermatologist who finally diagnosed me, I was at the end of my rope. The rash was all over my back, neck, and chest, and speckled on my hips, legs, arms--well, it was pretty much everywhere. It was burning and itching and I just wanted to peel my skin off. When the biopsy came back, I was so happy to have an answer but disheartened to know that there is no real cure. The doctor told me to take 10,000 iu of vitamin A and a vitamin E capsule every day, to keep the rash well hydrated with cetaphil cream, and to see him in 6 weeks.

Initially, this regimen did help a bit, as the itching went away almost instantaneously. However, after the bumps remained so I began to research other treatments and found the boards here at Earth Clinic to be the most helpful. I began taking many supplements in addition to the A and E, including garlic pills, copper, zinc, D, and a probiotic. I also began drinking bentonite clay and eating a lot of cilantro to do a heavy metal cleanse. During the time, I've been off of gluten and alcohol as well. At night, I would break open 3-4 vitamin A capsules and mix them with vitamin E oil I got at the pharmacy, and cover my rash in it. In areas that were prone to sweat, like my chest and neck, I would put a medicated powder that contained zinc.

The rash was improving, but very slowly. I had to stop taking the zinc tablets because I kept throwing them up when they interacted with the copper. My face began to break out terribly, and I realized that I was probably just putting too many supplements in my body, so I decided to strip it down to the bare minimum: A, E, and garlic, along with the clay and cilantro.

The rash was still there, but slowly improving. I discovered by accident that the zinc was the thing that was helping. On Mother's Day, I wanted to wear a dress but my back was covered in red spots, so I decided to try covering it up with a thick makeup I have: Dr. Jart Dis-A-Pore. It covered beautifully and I had the confidence to go out in public without worrying that people were staring at my back and shoulders, even though the texture was still very bumpy. I left it on for a couple of days and when I finally washed it off, I realized that many of the bumps had healed completely. I looked at the ingredients of the makeup, and Zinc Oxide was one them, which got me to thinking...

I went to Costco and bought two double packs of Honest Company's Mineral Sunscreen, which is 19% zinc oxide and have been covering my body in it since Saturday. Today is Tuesday, and I am happy to say that the bumps on my back are pretty much non-existent now and all the others are healing up very quickly. I also added the zinc supplements back into my diet, but am sure to take them on a full stomach with no copper. I have still been taking the clay and cilantro as well, but I really feel like the zinc was the thing that made the biggest difference. The results were dramatic, and practically came overnight.

Again, yes, I have tried many different supplements and therapies, but I honest to God feel zinc is the thing making the most difference. This whole experience has been such a nightmare, I wanted to share my findings here in case I could help one other person avoid the suffering I went through. I'm looking forward to seeing my dermatologist soon and reporting my findings and I can only hope that he takes me seriously enough to help his other patients.