Trial and Error: Where I Stand Today

The below posts are all the discoveries I've made during trial and error to heal my skin. Although I cannot claim any one of them has led to complete success, I do believe they have all helped calm my flaming skin.

Up to this point, the common reader would probably believe I live a paranoid life. On a daily basis, I try to avoid things the average person may not think twice about. Should I wash my hands with that soap and water or am I better off with the germs on my hands? Can I eat over at the Johnson's for dinner or will I embarrass myself by asking about every ingredient in the foods? Should I risk having a glass of water or is it best to remain parched?

Keep in mind, I employ a mainly vegetarian diet, rich in organic raw fruits and vegetables, dehydrated fruits and vegetables (excluding those with the toxin sulfur dioxide), fruit juices (without additives), but on occasion I do include meat and eggs (grass-fed, antibiotic and hormone free). Unfortunately, it's not possible to eat like this 100% of the time, but I've been pretty close.

I have banished all coffee, caffeine, soda, diet drinks and foods, refined sugars, refined carbohydrates, dairy, cheese, and alcohol from my diet for the past 2-3 months. I realize it may take longer to get those toxins out of my body, but given the addictions I had to the above listed foods, it is a huge feat for me which I am proud.

I have experimented with candida diets, anti-candida diets, thyroid diets, and the Atkins diet, all to say that I don't believe any of them impacted my skin enough to convince me of their relativity, for my condition.

On 4/12/13, I will be seeing an allergist to determine if there's something in the environment or in my diet causing these skin eruptions.

In the meantime, my current lab results show my body has elevated bilirubin and iron levels. This may indicate a problem with my liver. I am scheduled to be re-tested in 6 weeks to determine if the levels are fluctuating (which would indicate no real problem), or if the levels are constant (which would result in extensive liver testing). 

I recently discovered the high dosage of Fluconazole my doctor prescribed for me last month, is directly related to liver dysfunction/failure. I received a dosage of 600mg, which is 3x the strength of the recommended dosage, 200mg. I orally ingested this dosage in ONE sitting. This is likely the cause of my elevated bilirubin.

I will keep you posted on the discoveries I deem share-worthy, as in our western society it proves more difficult to stay healthy every day . You MUST do extensive homework on your doctors, drugs, herbs, supplements, water, hygienic and cosmetic products, foods and clothing fibers, to the point where you start wondering why we our poisoning ourselves for profits.

Omitting Petrochemicals: Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, GMOs

Why should you worry about using products that contain the chemicals listed above? The skin is a super-absorber of substances both good and bad, and the products you put on your skin end up in your body. On average, consumers use about 10 personal care products containing 126 ingredients per day. The government does not require health studies or pre-market testing for these products. The FDA has a GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) list, but almost every chemical is included in that list.

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives found in many skincare products. You can spot them easily on the product label because they end with the word paraben. Examples include: methylparaben, proplyparaben, isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, butylparaben, and sodium butylparaben.
Although the FDA has determined that parabens are safe for inclusion in skincare products, many scientist and layperson alike agree that they are not a wise choice. One reason has to do with the chemical structure of a paraben, which is close to that of estrogen and can fit into estrogen receptors at the cellular level. This is not good because research suggests that when this happens, the delicate endocrine (hormone) system is disturbed and may eventually lead to breast and other forms of cancer.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemical compounds that are used as plasticizers – ingredients that give plastics their elasticity and change the texture and quality of skincare products. The most widely used phthalates are di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP). There are many other forms too. Just check the ingredient label for words ending in phthalate. Butyl ester and plasticizer are other words to watch for.
As with parabens, phthalates are considered estrogen disruptors and the cause of reproductive problems, especially in males. They also have been indicated as causing fat-related health risks.
A University of Rochester Medical Center study connected common chemicals to rising obesity rates. The analysis found that several phthalate metabolites showed a positive correlation with abdominal obesity. Men with the highest levels of phthalates in their urine had more belly fat and insulin resistance. Researchers adjusted for other factors that could influence the results, such as the men’s age, race, food intake, physical activity levels and smoking. (8) Who wants their skincare products adding to the already difficult task of battling the bulge?

Sulfates

Ingredients to look for include: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Myreth Sulfate. These ingredients generally act as detergents or foaming agents and are found in cleansers and shampoos.
Tests show that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can penetrate into the eyes as well as systemic tissues (brain, heart, liver, etc.) and show long-term retention in those tissues, especially when used in soaps and shampoos. This is especially important in infants, where considerable growth is occurring and because a much greater uptake occurs in the tissue of younger eyes. SLS also changes the amounts of some proteins in cells in eye tissue of all ages.
SLS forms nitrates. When SLS is used in shampoos and cleansers containing nitrogen-based ingredients, it can form carcinogenic nitrates that can enter the blood stream in large numbers. They can cause eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions.
As well as containg GMO's, most products today are made from petrochemical derivatives of non renewable crude oil. Many lotions, cosmetics and other product have mineral-oil base--and mineral oil is a petrochemical. Mineral oil is such a common ingredient that you may be applying this petrochemical to your skin daily.
Cancer and health risk experts just concluded reviews that indicate mainstream cosmetics and personal hygiene products pose the highest cancer risk exposures to the general public, higher than smoking.
After cosmetologists complained of headaches, loss of balance, memory loss, asthma, nervous system damage and respiratory damage in a 1989 government hearing on the safety of cosmetics, a House sub-committee called for the analysis of nearly 3,000 chemicals used in cosmetics.
The results were disturbing. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health studied 2,983 ingredients and found 884 to be toxic. Of the 884 toxic ingredients, biological mutations could be caused by 314, reproductive problems by 218, acute toxicity by 778, cancer tumors by 146, and skin and eye irritation by 376. And they are still being used!

Easily Recognizable Petrochemicals and Harmful Ingredients:

Mineral Oil
Petrolatum
Petroleum
Artificial Dyes
Artificial Colors
Artificial Fragrances
Sodium Fluoride
Collagen
Citric Acid
Corn Starch
Glycerin
Lecithin
Soy Isoflavones
Hydrolized soy protein
Sugar
Lauric Acid

Ingredients that are often or usually from GMO's:

Xanthan Gum
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin E (Tocopheral)
Cosmetic ingredients potentially derived from Genetically Modified Organisms include ingredients such as corn oil, corn flour, soybean oil, lecithin and proteins produced by yeast. These are just a few of the common ingredients in personal care that are often genetically modified. There are many, many more.

The best way to avoid the Genetically Modified Organisms in your products is to buy CERTIFIED Organic.

Take charge of your health today by using a combination of botanicals vitamins, and herbs that work synergistically together to promote healing, anti-aging, moisturizing and healthy living.
http://www.nogmo4michigan.org/toxin_awareness_gmo_s_in_our_toiletries

Support the Safe Cosmetics Act!

The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 (H.R.2359) gives consumers, parents and environmental health advocates a real chance at national legislation that will eliminate harmful chemicals from the products women, men and children put on their bodies every day.

It's EASY! Just copy and paste the link below into your web browser!

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5500/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=702

Synonyms: Crystal Light, Splenda, Formaldehyde

Refined sugar, artificial sweeteners (toxic aspartame, Splenda) and products such as jams, jellies, preserves, marmalades, yogurts, ice cream, sherbets, jello, cake, candy, cookies, chewing gum, sodas and diet drinks, pies, pastries, and all sugared fruit juices and fruits canned in sugar syrup.(Health stores have delicious healthy replacements for sugar, such as organic Stevia.)

The formaldehyde exposure from aspartame is significant. Aspartame breaks down into methanol, amino acids and several other chemicals. The methanol is quickly absorbed and converted into formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is known to cause gradual damage to the nervous system, the immune system and has recently been shown to cause irreversible genetic damage at long-term, low-level exposure. The most recent, independent research shows that the situation related to aspartame may be more serious than simply regular formaldehyde exposure. This research on animals demonstrates that the formaldehyde appears to accumulate as adducts (bound to protein molecules) in the organs and tissues of the animals (when aspartame is ingested at relatively low doses): "These are indeed extremely high levels for adducts of formaldehyde, a substance responsible for chronic deleterious effects that has also been considered carcinogenic. .... "It is concluded that aspartame consumption may constitute a hazard because of its contribution to the formation of formaldehyde adducts." [Life Sciences (scientific journal), Vol. 63, No. 5, pp. 337+, 1998]
Some of the many aspartame toxicity symptoms reported include seizures, headaches, memory loss, tremors, convulsions, vision loss, nausea, dizziness, conufsion, depression, irritability, anxiety attacks, personality changes, heart palpitationns, chest pains, skin rashes, loss of blood sugar control, arthritic symptoms, weight gain (in some cases), fluid retention, excessive thirst or urination. Clearly, regular exposure to a toxic substance such as formaldehyde may worsen, or in some cases contribute to the development of chronic diseases. www.fda.gov

Invest in Water Filters and Non-Fluoridated Toothpastes

Fluoride has long been known to be a very toxic substance. This is why, like arsenic, fluoride has been used in pesticides and rodenticides (to kill rats, insects, etc). It is also why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires that all fluoride toothpaste sold in the U.S. carry a poison warning that instructs users to contact the poison control center if they swallow more than used for brushing.

Excessive fluoride exposure is well known to cause a painful bone disease (skeletal fluorosis), as well as a discoloration of the teeth known as dental fluorosis. Excessive fluoride exposure has also been linked to a range of other chronic ailments including arthritis, bone fragility, dental fluorosis, glucose intolerance, gastrointestinal distress, thyroid disease, and possibly cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.In hypersensitive individuals, fluorides occasionally cause skin eruptions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema or urticaria. Gastric distress, headache and weakness have also been reported.

While the lowest doses that cause some of these effects are not yet well defined, it is clear that certain subsets of the population are particularly vulnerable to fluoride’s toxicity. Populations that have heightened susceptibility to fluoride include infants, individuals with kidney disease, individuals with nutrient deficiencies (particularly calcium and iodine), and individuals with medical conditions that cause excessive thirst.


-Fluoride Action Network, http://www.fluoridealert.org/take-action/

Protect Yourself from Chlorinated Water

I can't say enough about how harmful chlorine is.Chlorine is a toxic chemical. It is used in water treatment to reduce and kill forms of biological agents, such as bacteria and viruses found in water systems. Chlorine is harmful when we drink it and when it is absorbed into our skin and inhaled into our lungs when we shower. It has been estimated that the shower steam in your bathroom can contain up to 100 times the amount of chlorine than the water, because chlorine evaporates out of water at a relatively low temperature. If you bathe or shower in unfiltered tap water you are inhaling and absorbing chlorine into your body.

Conditions contributed to or aggravated by chlorine exposure:
· Respiratory Conditions (nose, throat, lungs, sinuses): Asthma, bronchitis
· Hair: Dry, brittle
· Skin: Dry, flaking, dandruff, itching, rashes
· Eye irritations and other conditions

Chlorine readily passes through the cell wall and attaches to the fatty acids of the cell, disrupting the life sustaining functions. The human body is composed of billions of cells. Most people are aware that the quality of their drinking water can be improved by filtering their tap water or buying bottled water. However, many do not realize that they are addressing only a part of the problem.

One half of our daily chlorine exposure is from showering. Chlorine is not only absorbed through the skin, but also re-vaporized in the shower, inhaled into the lungs, and transferred directly into the blood system. In fact, the chlorine exposure from one shower is equal to an entire day's amount of drinking the same water. For people who are concerned about their health and are willing to take the responsibility to do something about it, a top quality shower water filter is an affordable solution to the problem.

Dr. Herbert Schwartz of Cumberland County College in Vineman, N.J. says: "Chlorine has so many dangers it should be banned. Putting chlorine in the water supply is like starting a time bomb. Cancer, heart trouble, premature senility, both mental and physical, are conditions attributable to chlorine treated water supplies. It is making us grow old before our time by producing symptoms of aging such as hardening of the arteries."
Environmental Systems Distributing

"Although concentrations of these carcinogens are low...it is precisely these low levels which cancer scientists believe are responsible for the majority of human cancers in the United States." Report Issued By The Environmental Defense Fund

Today's Revelation: Crucial to Eat Organic, Chemicals Not Just in the Peel...

Paul Bragg, The Miracle of Fasting


"Tons upon tons of all kinds of deadly sprays are not only sprayed in the air to kill insects, but many more tons are sprayed on our sick fruits and vegetables. Salads are healthy and appetizing, but often are deadly because of the use of insecticide sprays. This year's crop of fruit and vegetables are exposed to more poisonous pesticide chemicals than ever before. You should constantly be on guard to protect your health.


Medical researchers have discovered that DDT and other agricultural chemicals, such as fertilizers, applied to the soil remain there for many months, and are picked up constantly by succeeding crops grown in the fields. The poison finally ends up in the pulp of the vegetable itself. It is part of it and cannot be washed off. I suppose it has occurred to you that, if the vegetables in your salad are contaminated, you should make some effort to get rid of the residue before you eat too much of it. You might feel that peeling the skin of a tomato or removing the outer layer of the lettuce will do the job. It won't. Some of the residue will be removed, certainly, but there will be more in lower leaves, and in the pulp. The chemicals cannot even be broken down by cooking. The poison is there to stay."

My Daily Battle: Perioral Dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis is a condition I have been struggling with over the past four years. I have tried all of the common treatments, listed below, to no avail. In fact, what was once just a pesky rash affecting my nose, manifested into an uncontrollable all-over-the-body itch.
Below, I have listed the side effects of each "remedy" for perioral dermatitis. Please consider this as your warning; me as the guinea pig. Not only have the treatments below proven unsuccessful, but I believe they are the direct cause of my progressive skin irritation, elevated bilirubin levels, and developing allergies. I also believe there is a candida/leaky gut issue, but I have yet to prove this theory.

Definition:
Perioral dermatitis is related to acne vulgaris, consisting of red pustules that appear around the nostrils, perioral area (around the mouth), or perioccular area (around the eyes). It usually affects women between the ages of 20 and 45. It is not uncommon, and has a tendency to recur in individuals who have had it once.

Causes:
Although the cause is unknown, there is a link between perioral dermatitis and chloride or fluoride exposure, strong prescription (halogenated) cortisone creams/ointments, and asthma inhalers. (http://www.drbaileyskincare.com/blog/tips-for-treating-perioral-dermatitis)

Treatments:

1. Steriods/Cortisone creams

An anti-inflammatory agent that causes resistance to the medicine (meaning you must constantly increase the amount to induce the same affect), thinning of the skin, easy bruising, permanent dilation of certain blood vessels, burn marks on skin, liver and kidney damage and a weakened immune system.

2. Anti-bacterials

Doug Kauffman, http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/06/18/antibiotics-bacteria.aspx,"every time you swallow antibiotics, you kill the beneficial bacteria within your intestines. When you do so, you upset the delicate balance of your intestinal terrain. Yeasts grow unchecked into large colonies and take over, in a condition called dysbiosis.
Yeasts are opportunistic organisms. This means that, as the intestinal bacteria die, yeasts thrive, especially when their dietary needs are met. They can use their tendrils, or hyphae, to literally poke holes through the lining of your intestinal wall. This results in a syndrome called leaky gut. Yeasts are not the only possible cause of this syndrome. Some scientists have linked non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as naproxen and ibuprofen to the problem. Given their ability to alter intestinal terrain, antibiotics also likely contribute to leaky gut syndrome.
In addition to possibly causing leaky gut syndrome, I believe that parasitic yeasts can also cause you to change what you eat in that they encourage you to binge on carbohydrates including pasta, bread, sugar, potatoes, etc. So, it should come as no surprise that weight gain counts as one of the telltale signs of antibiotic damage and subsequent yeast overgrowth.
By altering the normal terrain of the intestines, antibiotics can also make food allergies more likely. An array of intestinal disorders can ensue, as well. Sadly, most doctors claim ignorance concerning their patients’ intestinal disorders rather than admit that the drugs they themselves prescribed actually caused the disorders to begin with.
According to the 2001 Allergy and Asthma Report, the first immunodeficiency syndrome was identified in 1952. This document tells us that since that time, "more than 95 immune syndromes have been identified, with new conditions coming to light every day." The report goes on to say that research indicates that "increased antibiotic use in human infancy may be associated with increased risk of developing allergies."

3. Antifungals

Antifungal medications can cause life-threatening side effects when a person utilizes the oral or injectable forms. Besides possibly causing serious harm to a person's life, antifungals can also be hazardous to your health when combined with other medications.Therefore, a person taking or utilizing an antifungal must be very careful of all the medications she is taking. Affects liver and kidney function and can cause liver damage or failure, particularly when combined with alcohol or certain medicines. Antifungals weaken the heart's ability to contract, leading to heart failure.