HELP for sebborheic dermatitis

[Mialsse]

I've had this "rash" (circles of red, flakey, sometimes itches spots) on my face for about 13 years now. It gets progressively worse as the years go by. A few years ago *they* finally diagnosed it as sebborheic dermatitis - which is essentially dandruff. Nothing I have tried in the past 13 years has helped. Apple Cider Vinegar helped with the flakey*ness of it, but it didn't do anything for the red sores under that flake. I've only been raw for about 6 weeks, so I know that *if* raw foods could help, it will take some time. My questions are - are there certain foods I should try to incorporate more of in order to help this condition? Or any method that you, or someone you know, has used to treat dandruff? I'll try just about anything. This condition is so very crippling to me. It has taken over my entire face... the first thing people see when they meet me. It has lowered my self esteem drastically. I just don't feel very good about myself. Every where I go someone comments on it, claiming they know what it is, and they know what will work to treat it. I know most of them have good intentions, but it makes me want to disappear into a corner. So anything that may help - I'm all ears!

Thanks :)

[hypnocmt]

I have had probs with this too. Some docs diagnosed it same as you, whereas others said it was psoriasis. All I know is tha mine would improve when I ate less fat and when I was paying good attention to the health of my liver and colon.

My background in Chinese Medicine also made me feel like this was also a side effect of a body system running too hot ("heat" as known in Chinese Med) with mucus and stagnation along with excess issues slowing elimination. (THe fat/liver and colon issues).

To counter focus on foods and environments which are cooling and cleansing- cucumbers, pears, limes, lemons, greens, strawberries.

Avoid super sweet fruits like raisins, dates, figs, grapes, and bananas. Sugar produces excess "heat" in the body, and encourages inflammation (hence the red irritation).

No grains. No dairy. No soy.

VERY few fats...just avos (1/2-1 per day, RAW sesame or olive oil (no more than 2-3 TBSP a day) No nuts. Very few seeds. This is to give your liver a rest.

Take cool showers instead of hot. Sip lemon water thru the day. HAve a green salad for lunch and dinner. Apply cool compresses to the affected area...perhaps even dabbed with some cucumber water.

If you take supplements- consider evening primrose oil- it's a miracle worker for skin issues. Also Vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid work to combat inflammation and heal wounds. Zinc is also something to consider. Milk thistle will support your liver.


Once or twice a week, take either a sea salt bath, or an epsom salt bath to draw out toxins.

For the face, I would use this mask a few times a week, It is super soothing.

cool, purified water (just enough to moisten the following mix into a loose paste)
2-3 drops geranium essential oil
2-3 drops lavender " "
Juice/milk of 1/2 cucumber (Just grate some cuke and press the juice out of the resulting mash)


Drink only purified water, Chlorine in tap water wreaks havoc on this condition! If you can swing it, get a filter for your shower. Wash your face ONLY with tepid/cool water!!

NO petroleum products in your moisturizers/sunscreens: these include but are not limited to silicones (anything that ends with "-icone") mineral oil, isoparaffin, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, etc. NO parabens. Even better, make your own gentle moisturizer out of evening primrose oil caplets mixed with a drop or two of geranium essential oil and a couple drops of jojoba.

Too get a quick soothing fix, I would use Rescue remedy cream. When nothing else would really get down and moisturize deeply while soothing redness...THIS STUFF WORKED! The area would stay soft until my next shower and healed exceptionally fast. The other internal measures are imprtant for lasting results, but this cream is amazing instant gratification in a tube. A little goes a LONG way.

Rememeber too that your hairspray, shampoo, perfumeetc is all touching this area of your face. Switching to natural products has made a tremendous difference in the formerly itchy (I would scratch until it was bloody in my sleep) and scaliness of the patches on my scalp and neck. I have found that Giovanni products are gentle and also leave my hair in excellent condition...better than the Aveda products I used for years and half the price.

Hope this helps. IT WILL CLEAR UP! Raw and oil pulling have helped me with a body which was, for a long time, like a test kitchen of every bad skin condition on earth. I now have pretty clear skin all over...very soft...and the skin on my face is damn near insanely clear and smooth!

[Mialsse]

Wow! That is a lot of great useful information. Thank you so much!!! I'm going to run to the health store in just a bit to pick up some of your suggestions.

thank you, thank you!

[Mialsse]

I picked up every product, supplement, and oil you suggested... fingers are crossed!

thank you again!!! I'm feeling very optimistic.

[Rawmommie]

I understand the pain with having unwanted stuff on your face. I have battled acne for a long time, since I had my first child (strange time to start getting acne!) Raw has almost banished it, but once a month I start to break out (hormones?) and I'm not completely free from it.

I would agree with cutting out the fats, they are harder to digest, but you may want to think about adding coconut oil to your diet or just put on your skin once a day if you already don't. It has helped me a great deal.

[puffysmom]

WOW. What great information. I have printed this out for myself. I have psoriasis and have never ever heard of rescue cream. I would think it would work for this also. At least I am going to try it. Already placed an order.:D If it does not help at least i have a great cream to use as i find it hard to find a good one that does not make my face break out worse.
Thanks

[RAWCA]

I hve the same inflamed problem on my elbows...who makes the rescue remedy Cream/