Lifelong skin problems
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I am 65 and was born with red raw weeping skin and wrapped in bandages. This improved until early teens when my skin became very dry and flaky all over. I was prescribed by GP an ointment based on coal tar which turned my skin yellow and a white ointment for my scalp based on sulphur which smelt terrible. Told it was eczema. In my late teens my skin improved especially in the summer but stayed dry and flaky. Getting divorced and with a 2 year old and moving home my skin flared up again, whole body covered with itchy red spots and told it was psoriasis and was given a coal tar paste. After 6 months the psoriasis disappeared completely on its own (just due to stress?). In the 1990's had many family problems (mother had serious stroke, father died, son diagnosed with schizophenia, sister had breakdown due to bipolar),and I was trying to work p/t and look after husband and 2 other daughters. Psoriasis began again in places, and skin started splitting down below. I also had endless episodes of thrush. Was referred to gynae for skin splitting and was told it was psoriasis and it had thinned the skin at base of vagina. Various creams did not work so he suggested a "partial Fenton's procedure" which involves taking out the piece of troublesome skin. I agreed but on the day of the procedure another gynae was doing the op. We went ahead but afterwards I could hardly walk and was in such pain. This other gynae had done so much surgery I looked like a piece of raw beef tied up ready for roasting. When it started to heal I ended up with 2 holes instead of one. My husband rang the gynae and he got me in at once and sorted it out and apologised sayin the other gynae had done "too much surgery". (didn't he bother to read the notes?). I suppose I could have sued. Skin no longer splits but is still sore and now the red patches inside the vulva are itchy and sore. I eventually saw a gynae and dermatologist together who said the skin problems down below are lichen planus and what I always thought was eczema is in fact a condition called ichythosis. Since the skin is the largest organ in the body, you would think there would be more knowledge and research on the conditions we all suffer with. I'm on Bisoprolol and Amlodipine for high blood pressure and the skin has worsened especially since starting Amlodipine - anyone else had this?
1 like, 9 replies
Chrisy gill77081
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You have had to endure so many things in your life without the so called specialists making things worse. My heart goes out to you. I suffer from Lichen sclerosus down below and I think on my wrist, also suspected Lichen Planus in my mouth. I had never connected Amlodopine with the LS. I had a hysterectomy 9 years ago and was diagnosed shortly after with Angina and hit with so many tablets in a short period of time, Amlodopine one of them. I was then diagnosed with Ls although I suspect I had this since my twenties undiagnosed. Recently prescribed this year Bisopropol which has caused me problems sleeping. It had not occured to me about the Amlodopine being a problem as I think I already had this condition but it has certainly got worse since the angina diagnoses so maybe. I wonder if others have this problem. I do hope that you manage to control your symptoms. I think we all hope for a cure to be found. It would not only help us but save the NHS and insurance companies many thousands if not millions of pounds. Keep an eye on this sight as we all come up with our own treatments that genuinely help some of us cope with this distressing condition.
I find Epaderm ointment to be invaluable for washing and moisturising to keep the area from cracking and splitting. I also use Manuka Honey for treating sores which I have found invaluable.
gill77081 Chrisy
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lee12629 Chrisy
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Chrisy lee12629
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pat48434 Chrisy
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Guppy007 gill77081
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If you look at the newbies thread you will find a link to a Webinar by Dr Andrew Goldstein, it is worth watching, it lasts an hour, but he does seem to understand vaginal problems more than most. Most of us on this site have had to experiment and find out what works for us, as we all react differently. Some women control their LS through a combination of diet and good maintenance. Sugar is bad for Lichen Sclerosus, and will contribute to symptoms and flare-ups, and so, cutting down on sugar is one of the single most important things you can do to help yourself. Some women use coconut oil, Emu oil or even Vaseline, to keep the undercarriage well lubricated after using the bathroom, using a spray bottle containing water and either salt or bicarbonate of soda, which stops urine aggravating the area.
gill77081 Guppy007
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pat48434 gill77081
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Chrisy pat48434
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