Hi, I've noticed recently, especially when I wake up in the morning, that I have small amounts of dried blood on my hands. If I look close enough after washing it off I can see tiny holes or cracks, they are on the inside of my fingers just above the last knuckle. I have babesia, could it be from that? I am also treating Candida with Nystatin. I just want to make sure its nothing too serious.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
It can be from antibacterial soap.
Posted by RyanXC (Member # 43390) on :
Oh really? How's that?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Anti-bacterials are not good for anyone. There's an ingredient that does what you are saying .. but I'm still searching for the name of it.
Still looking...
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Shoot .. I can't find it. I'll keep thinking of how to Google it.
It starts with an "M" and it's a long word. It's in most liquid hand soaps. I'm very sensitive to it.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- TuTu, thanks for flagging that.
I've got detail on that "M" chemical. I'll be back when I figure out how I filed it. It's even in some "natural" soaps. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
A MYSTERIOUS RASH ON A WOMAN'S HANDS & LIPS STUMPED SPECIALISTS
The Washington Post - Health & Science - July 28, 2014
- By Sandra G. Boodman
Excerpts:
. . . At her second appointment [the doctor] examined her back, confirming his hunch: The only strong reaction Omiatek displayed was to a chemical called
methyllisothiazolinone, MI for short, Methyl Isethionate
--- THIS WAS IN MY SEVENTH GENERATION DISH SOAP [stopped using that after reading this]
which is used in high concentration in hundreds of beauty and personal care products.
In Omiatek’s case, MI was in the new brand of “sensitive” baby wipes she had begun using a few weeks before the hand rash erupted. The pattern of the rash, which was on her right, dominant hand, matched the way one would use a wipe.
MI was also in the dishwashing soap she used as well as in her soap and shampoo. . . .
. . . estimates that about half of the approximately 300 MI allergy patients he has seen were using wipes. . . .
. . . Unlike shampoo or soap that is rinsed off, the substances in toilet wipes remain on the skin, in a part of the body where evaporation does not occur.
“It gets driven into the skin, perpetuating the problem,” said Zirwas, noting that it takes months for the rash to clear entirely after a patient stops using the product. . . .
. . . The concentration of MI in some personal-care products was increased about five years ago to replace other preservatives, including formaldehyde, which have been linked to health problems.
“People thought it was going to be” an effective replacement, Zirwas said, “but around two or three years ago, we started seeing an incredible increase in the number of people allergic to it.” . . .
. . . She also learned she was allergic to the brand of “sensitive baby sunscreen . . . . -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
When considering a product, first try to get the full list of ingredients at the manufacturer's own website. If not all there (that is never a good sign) . . . but it's good to consult other listings as well.
Also be aware that "natural" is not necessary a good descriptive. And that at the manufacturer's site, wording can hide some things.
Avoid PETROLEUM products in anything you put on your skin.
VitaCost.com is just on vendor that usually lists all ingredients so it's a great aid to study. iHerb may, as well.
After that, the EWG / Skin(?) data bases will carry you home to the best choices. -
[ 04-08-2015, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- BETTER LIFE - Dish It Out - hand dish liquid - unscented
works very well for me for dishes & hand laundry (and all my clothes have to washed in sink, so my hands have gotten some exposure and are doing better). -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- ACURE - shampoo (I also used for hand soap) & shower gel. MINT, I think. Their unscented is too strong and could not do it at all.
MINT has some small flower kick to it but I can handle it (and I have MCS). The MINT is the only one of theirs I could handle.
ACURE - HAND LOTION - they have a very good unscented one
and also one other brand of hand cream. I'll be back to clean this up later.
Avoid ALCOHOL in any product, too, very drying. Try to get gluten-free if you can, as well. ACURE is gluten-free. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Nutrients / oils / liver support matters, too. A stressed liver can cause skin issues but on your hands like that, most suspect would be product issues.
Be sure you are hydrated, too. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Here's that link. This is an excellent organization.
Environmental Working Group -
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
I used to be fine with unscented 7th Gen. products until they started adding the MI to it. Now, if I'm around it, my eyes itch, burn & water, and my nose runs profusely. Sometimes also the roof of my mouth & back of my throat will itch.
Tide, dryer sheets, and most all other products from the laundry & dishwasher detergent section (even if "unscented," "fragrance free" or "free & clear") do the exact same thing to me.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Razzle, glad you mentioned dishwasher, too. It can take a while for most of to connect the fact that
Dishwasher detergents can wind up on our skin, in our eyes, sinuses, lungs, too.
The steam that comes out of dishwasher just showers us with whatever kind of soap was used. And any finishing gels, too (plus leaving a film of that stuff to consume with our next meals). -
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Dry cracked hands and feet can be caused by a deficiency of the good fats also. Might try supplementing with fish oil.
Bea Seibert
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
methyllisothiazolinone, MI for short, Methyl Isethionate
Yep.. Thanks so much!! I know I'm very sensitive to it.
By the way, 7th Generation's automatic dishwasher POWDER is much "cleaner" than their liquid. The liquid is pretty toxic.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Razzle .. Buy soap nuts. Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Lymetoo,
Thanks for the tip - never heard of soap nuts 'til now! I see Mountain Rose Herbs has them...now I just hope my Husband isn't allergic to them (he's allergic to all raw foods, even on contact)...
Can soap nuts be used to wash hands?
Thanks,
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Yes, they can!! You can make your own or buy what's on their site.
If you buy the nuts, be sure to buy extra little bags for them. I bought 6 and I'm glad I did. I give samples of it to friends sometimes.
Also, my 2 lb bag has lasted more than 2 yrs .. so you don't want to run out of bags and then pay shipping for bags that cost about 60 cents each!!
What does your husband eat?
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
quote:Originally posted by RyanXC: Oh really? How's that?
I think it's because of the changes in bacterial balance/fungus on your hands.
My teenagers get TERRIBLE rashes on their hands from it and my hands crack and bleed if I use it.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It's toxic.
Posted by RyanXC (Member # 43390) on :
Ok, but I'm not getting rashes.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
quote:Originally posted by RyanXC: Ok, but I'm not getting rashes.
My children get rashes.
My hands crack and bleed.
Sorry if that was unclear.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Some of the same principles: SOMETHING has caused irritation & breakage / cracking of skin (a rash is just a different manifestation of that - skin is "cracked" for sure).
Some of the same things that can cause a rash will also cause cracking / bleeding of skin.
In addition to chemicals on the skin (check ALL you use) --- nutrient connections (Fish oil usually helps) are also both common to rashes and cracked / dry / bleeding skin.
I had a lot of what you describe and by changing from what I thought had been "kind" soaps, etc. to some that really ARE . . . finding the right lotions, it got so much better.
Include salmon, sardines, etc. and fish oil in your diet as well and other good oils. You might see a remarkable turn around in a couple weeks. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Folate and some B-vitamins may be involved as well, regarding deficiency or absorption.
Be sure to tell your doctor in case some Rx you take is excessively drying your skin, too.
Undiagnosed celiac (gluten issues) should also be considered, regarding inability to absorb nutrients. If you are not gluten-free, you might give that a try for a few weeks. -
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
quote: Dry cracked hands and feet can be caused by a deficiency of the good fats also. Might try supplementing with fish oil.
Bea Seibert
. I agree with Bea here.
If the skin on your hands is chapped and cracked, and the skin on the back of your upper arms above the elbows is rough, then supplementing with essential fatty acids will help.
This improves the quality of the cell membranes and reduces inflammation.
Once I began taking fish oil, I no longer needed any hand cream. The rough blocked hair follicles on the backs of my upper arms liqufied and cleared up, as did pimples.
Depending on which brand I use, fish oil reduces my headaches and joint pain.
If you decide to try this, you may see some results within a week or so.
Posted by RyanXC (Member # 43390) on :
I already take fish oil as well as methylated folate because of a gene mutation and I am a diagnosed celiac. I haven't seen anymore bleeding as of now.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
A lot of my skin problems are now resolving after finally being put on NatureThroid. My tests always showed "low normal."
I will continue to avoid the soaps, however! Lesson learned!
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