Hey, I know steroids are bad for us lymees, but how about hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching? If not, what should I use for skin irritation?
Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :
I've been told it's OK. I've had to use it many many times.
The only thing is, if you want to do a saliva stress test or blood tests to check your adrenal function, your cortisol level will be skewed.
Posted by kgg (Member # 5867) on :
I use the cream without hesitation. The one concern I have about using hydrocortisone cream is that it can thin the skin after prolonged use. So you only want to use it for a short time.
I have found that if I use it and the skin irritation is worse, then the irritation is probably fungal in nature.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
Topicals are OKAY.
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
I've heard it's not a good idea to use it. My LLMD is not in favor of it either.
Maybe try something like pure coconut oil to start and see if that helps.
I've heard it said that when the body is trying to express itself (such as with a skin rash, etc) that it is not a good idea to stop the process, because by doing so you force the problem to go inward and it will need to find another way to express itself....often in a less desirable way.
I've been having itchy eyelids and my eye doctor and allergist both suggested cortisone cream. But then my LLMD said no. And another person on this board said when they used it it caused permanent eyesight damage. And she didn't even put it on her eyelids, but it was somewhere near her head, if I remember correctly. That scared me and I decided to not take a chance.
My husband has had a stubborn itchy patch on the back of his head for 2 years....finally he decided to use the cream because he just couldn't take it anymore (understandable....it was itchy, flakey, bleeding, etc.) Except now it is just coming back.....so suppressing the symptom did nothing to address the problem. What is he suppose to do, just keep reapplying steroids? It's very frustrating. We are trying to get at the cause, but it hasn't been easy. We're thinking maybe ozone injections may be an option.
Anyway, good luck. I know it's not easy. Take care.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by kgg:
I have found that if I use it and the skin irritation is worse, then the irritation is probably fungal in nature.
- True
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I've read in several places, articles by LL authors who say that steroid creams, topicals are NOT okay to use for someone with lyme.
Topic: what do STEROIDS actually do to those with lyme? -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Mountainn Rose Herbs - search their site for salves.
Herb Pharm has a good salve as do other places that carry plant based products. A Goldenseal salve is very nice. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- From my file notes when I was searching. Not neatly organized but I just can't do that right now.
Vegan Made in Utah with Organic Oatmeal Olive Oil Shea Butter 4 oz. bar $7.00 - Utah - hard to order� said my name would be posted - but I can find elsewhere, surely.
Salve contains Echinacea, Burdock, Goldenseal Root, Chapparal, Calendula, Sage, Tea Tree, Black Walnut Hulls and other herbs. 8 oz. is $27.
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This was in some salve. Rain-Tree has capsules. Calaguala is an extract from Polypodium decumanum, a type of fern used historically for medicinal purposes.
It is also known as kalawalla, and a number of other spellings occur. It is recommended as a treatment for vitiligo, also some reports have indicated it may help with symptoms of multiple sclerosis