One of my more recent symptoms is that my skin is deteriorating. I am 47 yrs old but I feel that my skin looks more like a 60 yr old. Over the past year I have developed tons of tiny white and larger dark spots all over my arms, hands and legs ( I know this can be sun related). I'm also having strange "break outs", which are more like tiny sores than pimples, on my back and shoulders. I've had these since July and some take 2 months to heal!
The other thing I've noticed this week is I keep getting tiny cuts all over. I don't know how I am getting them...I'll just look down and be bleeding or I'll feel a little pain and see I have a tiny scratch. I assume I am bumping up against things and my skin is so thin that it is "tearing". I'll get 1-3 a day it seems.
anyone else have this problem or know what I can do to help improve my skin?
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Vitamins and Minerals, water, protein, and fats are essential to healthy skin. Deficiency or imbalance in any of these components can affect skin, and chronic infections will cause imbalances.
However, supplementing the following can help with skin:
** Sulfur (MSM is the best way to get good sulfur; also epsom salt bath soaking) ** Vitamin A ** Vitamin E ** Vitamin C ** Essential Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) ** Water intake adequate for your weight, medications and activity level (minimum = half your weight in ounces of water daily; soda/juice/coffee don't count towards this amount because these things either increase dehydration or are treated by the body as food and not liquid)
Other things that may help:
Digestive enzymes, probiotics, and good quality protein intake is also important for healthy skin. A buttermilk bath is wonderful for the skin.
Avoid putting products on your skin that you would not want to eat. Everything that is applied to the skin is absorbed into the body - you wouldn't want to eat synthetic cosmetics, parabens, etc. so you shouldn't put them on your skin either.
Castile soap (organic is best) is the gentlest and least dehydrating soap. No need for "antibacterial" soaps, as just washing with warm soapy water is sufficient to cleanse most germs away.
Aloe Vera Gel is very healing to the skin because it is rich in some of the necessary nutrients needed by the skin.
After bathing/showering, always apply a moisturizing cream or lotion. Do this without first scrubbing off all the moisture from your bath/shower so that the moisture gets mixed with the cream/lotion and absorbed into your skin along with the lotion/cream.
The above has come from a variety of sources - personal experience, Dermatologists, etc. While I don't have "perfect" skin, I have struggled with a lot of skin issues and have learned a lot about how to take care of my own skin in spite of multiple sensitivities to common ingredients (even healthy ingredients) in skin care products. I hope this is helpful information...take care,
Posted by TxLymie (Member # 20847) on :
Thank you Razzle! Yes this is very helpful...I am doing some of those things already but will try some of the things you mentioned.
Posted by shadesofpurple (Member # 23923) on :
TxLymie- I struggle with this also,
It is almost as if my skin is paper on my arms. And I discover scrtaches etc that I don't recall bumping into things to get. I also have that blotchy white spot looks on my arms which is definately more prominent at certain times.
I can only compare the thin skin to that of the skin of an ancient person. Lol... Which i am not ancient although I feel it some days, I am the same age as you.
I use lots of aloe that helps sometimes.
I only use organic shampoos & soaps.
I think when I regularly use the sauna my skin is better. Also I think the aloe does help.
I do notice when I adhere to my exercise/sauna/regular bedtime schedule & eat certain foods/ supplements my skin seems to be better.
Posted by shadesofpurple (Member # 23923) on :
Razzle- great suggestions,
I don't do epsom salts nearly as much as i used to, maybe i should increase that again. Ty
Posted by sk8ter (Member # 8671) on :
These can be signs of late stage lyme where it has manefested into the collegen of the skin which it loves. Go to Dr. J of Ct site and he has pics of ACA...it can also be scleroderma which lyme can trigger.....
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
You said.. "... my skin is so thin that it is "tearing"."
That is exactly what could be happening. ACA - the skin manifestations related directly to "chronic" Lyme disease, could be affecting you.
Here are some quotes from a paper I submitted to the IDSA Review Panel, challenging the IDSA guidelines on its "ACA" section and treatment of ACA. These quotes come from various papers on Lyme and/or ACA manifestations.
Also, as Sk8 mentioned, there are photos you can review, some that were submitted to the IDSA Review panel with my paper. Here is a direct link to some of them.
�Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA) usually appears on the distal part of at least one extremity, predominantly on the extensor surfaces on the bony prominences.� �
�Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans does not heal spontaneously; gradual conversion into its atrophic phase may occur during many years of infection.
The skin becomes thin, atrophic, wrinkled, dry, and translucent. The hair is lost; the number of sebaceous and sweat glands are decreased.�
�Herxheimer and Hartmann described it in 1902 as a tissue paper�like cutaneous atrophy."
�It is evident on the extremities, particularly on the extensor surfaces, beginning with an inflammatory stage with bluish red discoloration and cutaneous swelling and concluding several months or years later with an atrophic phase.�
�The later, atrophic phase of acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans is more characteristic clinically. The affected skin has a dark red or brownish red discoloration; focal hyperpigmentation; telangiectasias; and a thin, wrinkled, cigarette paper�like, translucent appearance.�
Hope that helps some!
Posted by nenet (Member # 13174) on :
My skin has been very thin and papery too. Sometimes it would get a white-ish sheen to it, if that makes any sense. I'm only in my 30s, and this started at least at the beginning of my 30s.
It has gotten a great deal better (very slowly) with antibiotics and also yeast treatment/diet changes.
Vitamin C is very important.
In the Buhner book "Healing Lyme" he goes into a lot of detail about how Lyme lives among/damages collagen-rich areas (skin, joints, CNS, nerves, brain, heart tissue, etc.).
He recommends supplementing with Vitamin C (rose hips - like in a tea- are a great alternative to OTC vitamins for those sensitive to vitamin pills).
Vitamin C is directly involved in production of collagen.
Posted by TxLymie (Member # 20847) on :
Tincup- Thanks for the info. I looked at those pictures and I don't think I have ACA....I'm not too familiar with that but I don't have swelling in my feet or joints.
My skin issues are mostly discoloration (probaby sun damage), dry skin, cut easily and these sores on my back that won't go away. I do think some of this has to be lyme related
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
The tiny cuts can be from parasites. I have had this and the thin skin. Getting better with tx. Applying coconut oil helps as does taking antiparasitc herbs, and salt/c.
Parasites/worms can be a co-infection of lyme and is often overlooked even by LLMDs. Dr. K. treats ALL of his pts FIRST for parasites and Lyme SECOND.
Gael
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
P. S. google skin parasite forum
Posted by TxLymie (Member # 20847) on :
Thanks glm. Where is Dr. K located? I've saved up some $ and am considering going out of state for treatment. Although I have a lyme friendly doc here....I feel I need more help than she is giving me.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)