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| TREATING SUN-POISONING |
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For an acute case of sun-poisoning with redness, itching, burning, and blisters, treat it the same as you would any acute rash.
If the condition is localized, use warm compresses with either
Domeboro Powder or
Bluboro Powder (Herbert)
Directions are on the package. Use as open wet dressings as described.
For a widespread sunburn, take soothing baths in one of the soothing bath oils.
A good point to remember is that sun-poisoning is similar to a burn -- a fire. Just as you would use water to put out a fire, use wet compresses or baths to get fast relief. Never use soap during this stage.
Following the compresses or baths, use either of the following creams to help relieve the itching and permit the skin to maintain its smoothness and softness:
Cort-Aid Cream
Cortizone 10
Directions: Apply every 2 or 3 hours and after your bath.
For the itching that may accompany the healing stage of sun- poisoning, take either of the following antihistamines every 4 hours when necessary:
Chlor-Trimeton Tablets
Benadryl
See directions and cautions on the label for proper dosage.
If the sunburn is painful, take aspirin every 3 or 4 hours as needed. If your sun-poisoning is severe, with a great deal of pain, huge blisters, or denuded skin, see your doctor at once.
To protect from further bouts of sun-poisoning, always use a sun protective sunscreen at least an hour before exposure to the sun.
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| TREATING SHINGLES |
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For the early, blistery rash, use soothing compresses to help relieve the inflammation, control the itching, and dry up the blisters. Follow the directions for applying compresses using the following:
Domeboro or
BluBoro Powder
Directions for use are on the package.
After using the compresses, and when the blisters have begun to dry up, use either of the following anti-itch medications whenever necessary:
Cort-Aid Cream
Cortizone 10
Quitch
Directions for use are on the containers.
If the itching persists, take either of the following antihistamines every 4 hours as necessary.
Chlor-Trimeton
Benadryl
See directions and cautions on the labels for proper dosage.
For the severe pain of post-herpetic neuralgia, try Zostrix and use according to directions on the package
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| TREATING SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS |
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When treating seborrheic dermatitis, it's important to shampoo as often as possible, preferably daily. Try any of the following shampoos:
Tarsum Shampoo
T-Gel Shampoo
DHS Tar Shampoo
Head & Shoulders Shampoot
Directions for use are on each label.
Apply a hydrocortisone preparation to the affected areas 2 or 3 times daily. Use either of the following:
Cort-Aid Cream
Cort-Aid Ointment
Directions for use are on each container.
Use a mild soap substitute or cleanser for your face, such as:
Cetaphil or
Purpose
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| TREATING RECTAL ITCH |
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For symptomatic relief of anal itching, first follow the rules above.
For anal cleansing while you are troubled with the itch, never use soap or toilet paper. Use either of the following instead:
Cetaphil Lotion
Balneol
Tucks Pre-Moistened Pads
For added relief of the itching, use any of the following every 3 or 4 hours and after each bowel movement:
Cortizone 10 Crème
Cort-Aid Cream 0.5%
Preparation H Cream
Directions: Apply every 3 or 4 hours and after every bowel movement.
For persistent, unbearable itching, see your dermatologist.
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| TREATING PSORIASIS |
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For generalized or widespread psoriatic patches, tar baths are very helpful, provided you are not allergic to tar. Try one of the following tar preparation in your bath:
Cutar
Balnetar
Directions for use are on the labels.
Various tar medications can be very helpful in controlling localized patches of psoriasis. They are safer and less expensive than the strong cortisone-type preparations. However, they all stink, sting, and stain. The following are two of the more popular and effective tar preparations:
Tegrin Skin Cream
Cortizone 10 Creme
Directions on the label.
For psoriasis of the scalp, a stubborn area to treat, it is important to shampoo often (daily or twice daily!) and thoroughly. Effective shampoos include those with tar. Try any of the following and find out which is best for you:
Tarsum Shampoo
T-Gel Shampoo
DHS Tar Shampoo
Directions for each are on the labels.
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| TREATING PITYRIASIS ROSEA |
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Since pityriasis rosea is usually fairly widespread, the best method of treating it is with soothing baths. For the scaling and itching that accompany it, use either:
Aveeno Baths
Or any other bath oil
Directions for use are on container.
For localized itching, apply either of the following to the affected areas 2 or 3 times daily:
Cort-Aid Cream 0.5%
Sarna Lotion
Directions for use are on the labels.
If itching persists, take either of the following antihistamines:
Chlor-Trimeton
Benadryl 25 mg
Directions for use and cautions are on the labels.
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| TREATING EXCESSIVE PIGMENTATION |
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How can you treat excessive pigmentation of the skin?
Above all, protect those pigmented areas from sunlight by using a sunscreen with an SPF of over 30
Protect the areas from irritation: no strong soaps, no abrasive cleansers, no Buf-Pufs, no loofah pads. Use only a mild, gentle soap for washing.
Try one of the over-the-counter bleaching creams (Porcelana, Esoterica, Artra, Eldoquin) and use only as directed. Ironically, some of these can cause further pigmentation if they are too strong for your particular skin.
If these don't work, try Cort-Aid Cream 0.5% once or twice daily.
If your condition does not respond to any type of treatment, or while waiting for the dark areas to disappear, you can mask them with a cover-up such as Covermark or Dermablend.
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| TREATING LUPUS |
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The treatment for LE is up to your physician. However, to prevent aggravating the condition, always use a "high-powered" sunscreen – at least one with an SPF of over 30 – before sun exposure.
For any itching that is associated with LE patches, use the following cream 2 or 3 times daily:
Cort-Aid Cream 0.5%
Cosmetic coverups, such as Covermark or Dermablend, can be used to hide any disfiguring scars.
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| TREATMENT OF LICHEN PLANUS |
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Itching is probably the most obvious symptom of lichen planus. It is also the most difficult symptom to control.
The localized patches are best managed with creams and ointments, and gels. Either of the following preparations may provide some symptomatic relief:
Cort-Aid Cream or
Cort-Aid Ointment
Directions for use are on the packages.
For the extensive or generalized variety of lichen planus, try
Sarna Lotion (Stiefel)
For the itching that invariably accompanies the rash of lichen planus, take either of the following antihistamines every 4 hours when necessary:
Chlor-Trimeton Tablets
Benadryl 25 mg
Directions and cautions on the labels.
For persistent, unmanageable itching, and when none of the above medications offers any relief, it is important to see your dermatologist.
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| TREATING LICE |
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The following are a couple of good, over-the-counter treatments for head lice:
Rid Shampoo
Permethrin Lotion
Nix Creme Rinse or Mousse
Directions for use are on the labels.
To restore body and lustre to hair following scalp applications, follow with a mild shampoo.
If necessary, you can repeat this treatment, but do not exceed 2 applications within 24 hours.
To prevent reinfestation with lice, thoroughly wash all articles of clothing that are suspected of having nits or adult lice.
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| TREATING SCABIES |
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There are no over-the-counter remedies for scabies. If you suspect that you or members of your family have scabies, or if you have had any recent contact with someone who had scabies, see your dermatologist. He or she can make the diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate medication.
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| TREATING JOCK ITCH |
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In the acute stage of jock itch, when there's redness, burning, and pain, do not apply any creams or powders to the affected areas. he only treatment that will alleviate this phase is to soak the areas in a tub of warm water. This will soothe the burning and itching and help dry up wet, weeping areas.
After the baths, apply one of the following twice daily:
Lamisil Cream
Tinactin Cream
When the rash is nearly healed, dust an antifungal powder – Tinactin Powder – in the groin areas twice daily to prevent a recurrence of the jock itch.
Remember also to put on your socks before your boxer shorts. No jockey shorts!
Also, it's important to treat any athlete's foot you may have. No athlete's foot, no jock itch . . .
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| TREATING BITES & STINGS |
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For a few, localized insect bites, where there is redness, swelling, and itching, the best immediate treatment is applying ice. An ice cube, held on the bite areas for 5 to 10 minutes, will usually give prompt relief of the pain, itching, and swelling.
Another good "home remedy" is the application of a paste made up of one teaspoonful of unseasoned meat tenderizer and a few drops of water. Applying this to the bite or sting may provide immediate relief.
Other preparations that can give relief of the itching associated with insect bites include the following:
Cort-Aid Cream
Phenolated Calamine Lotion
Campho-Phenique Liquid or Gel
Directions for use are on the labels.
To relieve prolonged itching of insect bites, take either of the following antihistamines every 3 or 4 hours:
Chlor-Trimeton Tablets
Benadryl
See directions and cautions on the labels for proper dosage.
If none of the above remedies relieves your symptoms, call your doctor.
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| TREATING IMPETIGO |
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Wash the affected areas thoroughly 3 or 4 times daily with an antibacterial soap.
Dial Soap
Safeguard Soap
After washing thoroughly, gently remove any loosely attached crusts. This is best done with clean, washed tweezers. Then apply one of the following antibacterial ointments 3 times daily:
Polysporin Ointment
Bacitracin Ointment
Note: Many people are, or become allergic to, these ointments. So be watchful.
I ordinarily do not recommend these, but if you can see a dermatologist, or a pediatrician for this problem, I would recommend Bactroban Cream or Ointment. These are prescription items.
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| TREATING ICHTHYOSIS |
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The topical application of soothing, lotions, creams, and ointments immediately following comforting oil baths is all that is necessary in the milder cases. Deodorant and other harsh soaps are poorly tolerated.
Soaps
Cetaphil
Basis Soap
Oilatum Soap
Bath Oils
Aveeno Bath
Directions for use on the labels.
Emollient Creams and Lotions
Amlactin Cream or Lotion
Amlactin XL
Directions for use on the labels.
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| TREATING HIVES |
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Until you've identified and eliminated the culprit that's causing your hives, you can try to ease its annoying symptoms.
To soothe the itching of generalized hives, take lukewarm baths in either of the following bath oils:
Aveeno Bath
Directions for use are on the labels.
Apply any of the following anti-itch preparations every 3 or 4 hours:
Cort-Aid Cream
Sarna Lotion
Directions for use are on the labels.
If you need extra relief from itching, try either of the following antihistamines:
Benadryl (25 mg)
Chlor-Trimeton
Directions for use and cautions are on the labels.
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| TREATING COLD SORES |
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Before a cold sore blister appears, there may be a tingling and itching sensation of the affected part. To help reduce the size of the cold sore that's sure to show up, apply an ice cube to the area for about 5 minutes every half hour or so.
There are many over-the-counter cold sore preparations that may help if applied early enough. Try either of the following:
Campho-Phenique Liquid or Gel
Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment
Abreva
Follow the directions on the label of each container.
If your cold sores show up when you're exposed to the sun, use a sunscreen lip balm such and take two aspirins a couple of hours before you go out in the sun.
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| HAIR CARE PRODUCTS |
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There are dozens of shampoos flooding the shelves of your drugstore and supermarket. There are shampoos for normal hair, dry hair, and oily hair. For dandruff, psoriasis, eczema. For “thinning” hair. For hair repair. For infants and children. And there are shampoos containing sulfur, salicylic acid, tar, zinc, and selenium. Any or all of them may be good for you. It’s basically a matter of choosing one that works.
For normal scalp and hair, try:
Neutrogena Shampoo
DHS Shampoo
For oily scalp and hair, try:
DHS Sal Shampoo
Nizoral Shampoo
Head & Shoulders Shampoo
For creme rinses, try the following:
DHS Conditioning Rinse
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| TREATING ATHLETE'S FOOT |
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In the acute stage, when your toewebs and toes are red, oozing, and blistered, do not apply any surface medication. The only helpful therapy at this stage is to soak your feet in antiseptic solutions every 4 o 6 hours. See pages (000) for the proper method to soak the feet. The following compress should be used:
Bluboro Powder or
Domeboro Powder
Directions: Dissolve contents of one packet in a pint (16 ounces) of warm water as soaks as directed on pages (000-000).
During the soaking process, keep your toewebs separated by thin strips of linen or cotton material, such as old washed sheets or shirts or handkerchiefs. Never use cotton balls or batting, as their wood fiber content can be irritating.
CREAM
After the soaking, or when the lesions have begun to dry up, apply any of the following to the affected areas:
Lamisil Cream
Tinactin Cream
POWDER
Dust the following powder on your feet and between your toes twice daily:
Zeasorb AF or
Tinactin Powder
While treating athlete's foot, it is important to keep your toes separated. Purchase lamb's wool from your drugstore, and use it day and night.
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| TREATING FROSTBITE |
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The recommended procedure for treating frostbite is to soak the affected part in a water bath at a temperature of 104º to 110º F (40º to 44º C).
For the blisters that may develop during the thawing process, apply wet compresses for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours with the following antiseptic solution:
Domeboro Powder
Bluboro Powder
Directions for use are on the container. The temperature of the solution should be the same as above.
When the blisters have begun to dry up, you may discontinue the compresses.
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| TREATING ECZEMA |
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For the acute, weeping, and oozing type of eczema, soothing wet dressings and baths will help relieve the inflammation and itching.
For acute, localized eczema, use the following as an open wet dressing:
Bluboro Powder
Domeboro Powder
Directions are on the package. Use as open wet dressings as described on page 000.
For acute, widespread eczema, the best form of therapy is a soothing bath taken in either of the following bath oils:
Alpha Keri Bath Oil
Aveeno Bath Oil
Directions are on the bottles.
When the weeping and oozing have begun to dry up, discontinue the wet dressings. Now you can use a cream or lotion to help relieve the itching and help the skin maintain its smoothness and resiliency. Try any of the following:
Hytone Cream 0.5%
Cort-Aid Cream
Quitch Cream
Directions: Apply every 2 or 3 hours and after your bath.
For the dry, scaly chronic variety of eczema, where the skin is tight and thickened, you may try the following lubricating preparation:
Cort-Aid Ointment
Quitch Ointment
For generalized, chronic eczema use the following bath additive:
Balnetar
Directions for use are on the bottle.
For any stage of eczema, never use soap. Use the following cleanser or soap substitute bar for all cleansing purposes:
Cetaphil
Aveeno Bar
For the itching that accompanies all eczema, take either of the following antihistamines every 4 hours as necessary.
Benadryl (25 mg)
Chlor-Trimeton Tablets (4 mg)
See directions and cautions on the labels for proper dosage.
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| TREATING DRY SKIN |
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Judging from the number of ads on TV and in magazines for products promising relief for dry skin, everyone in this country must suffer at some time from this condition. The products used to treat dry skin of the body include bath oils, emollient creams, lotions, and soaps.
Since skin dryness results from lack of water, an excellent way to replace this loss is by bathing in water that has a bath oil in it. These coat the body and seal in the needed moisture to plump up the skin cells and make the skin more soft and pliable. (CAUTION: All bath oils make the tub surface slippery. Be very careful getting in and out of the tub. They also make the tub hard to clean, so you'll have to give it a good scrubbing with cleanser when you're finished.)
I suggest you try any moisturizing bath oil such as Aveeno.
Directions for use are on the bottle.
The following emollient preparations help soften and lubricate the skin:
Cetaphil Cream or Lotion
Aveeno Moisturizing Lotion
Eucerin Lotion
Directions for use on each container.
The following moisturizing preparations contain special ingredients to treat excessive dryness of the body, relieve itching, and help make the skin more supple and springy:
Amlactin Cream or Lotion
Directions for use on each container.
Avoid harsh soaps which tend to strip the oils from the skin surface, and try any of the following:
Cetaphil
Dove (for sensitive skin)
Aveeno Bar
Purpose Soap
Note: I do not recommend any of the aforementioned products for use on the face. They will only plug up oil glands and cause whiteheads and blackheads.
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| TREATING DIMPLE WARTS |
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Since dimple warts are viral tumors, it is often difficult to get rid of them with anything except surgical or freezing techniques used by a dermatologist. The following preparations, however, may help destroy an “early” wart:
Compound W
Wart Medicine (Dr. Scholl ‘s)
Directions: Apply once daily -- very carefully -- to the top of each dimple wart. Stop if irritation occurs.
If, after a couple of weeks, the warts show no sign of budging or if new lesions have appeared, see your dermatologist.
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| TREATING DIAPER RASH |
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For the weeping and oozing of acute diaper rash, apply soothing wet dressings of the following to help relieve the inflammation and make the child more comfortable:
DomeBoro Powder Packets
Bluboro Powder Packets
Directions: Dissolve the contents of one packet in a pint (16 ounces) of warm water and apply as open wet dressings for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. (See page 000 for directions for applying wet dressings.)
After the acute inflammation has subsided with the wet dressings, apply the following:
Triple Paste or
Zinc Oxide Ointment
Directions: Apply at night to the affected areas.
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| TREATING PRICKLY HEAT |
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Baths:
Aveeno Bath Regular Formula or
Linit Starch
Directions: See directions on the labels.
Cleansing Agents:
Cetaphil or
Aveeno Bar
Powder:
Any Baby Powder
Lotion:
Plain Calamine Lotion
Directions: Apply 2 or 3 times daily and after the bath.
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| TREATING DANDRUFF |
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To take care of an occasional few flakes of dandruff, try any of the following shampoos:
DHS Zinc Shampoo
Head & Shoulders Shampoo
Nizoral Shampoo
Selsun Blue
For stubborn scaling and itching of the scalp, one of the following tar shampoos might help:
Tarsum Shampoo
T-Gel Shampoo
Following your tar shampoo, try the following conditioner:
DHS Conditioning Rinse
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| TREATING CANKER SORES |
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Other than the tetracycline "gargles" mentioned in the chapter on CANKER SORES, there is no good, reliable, over-the-counter preparation that works for everybody.
You can, however, try treating your canker sores with tea bags at home. The tannic acid in tea, for some unexplained reason, helps heal the sores.
Directions: Immerse a tea bag in tepid water, remove it, and squeeze out most of the water. Then apply the tea bag directly to the canker sore. You may be pleasantly surprised at the result.
For those who are plagued with recurrent canker sores, I recommend that you eat at least 4 tablespoonfuls of unflavored yogurt every day. If you do this daily, you may never have a canker sore again!
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| ORAL ANTIHISTAMINES |
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For the itching that accompanies all eczema, take either of the following antihistamines every 4 hours as necessary.
Benadryl (25 mg)
Chlor-Trimeton Tablets (4 mg)
See directions and cautions on the labels for proper dosage.
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| TREATING TINEA VERSICOLOR |
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Wash the affected areas thoroughly for 5 minutes daily for a period of two weeks. Repeat these washings monthly for at least a year. Use any of the following "washes":
ZNP Bar
DHS Zinc Shampoo
Selsun Blue (
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| TREATING ACNE |
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The following is a list of some of the specific measures and products I recommend to reduce, eliminate, or “mask” zits and other acne lesions. There are countless products available for controlling acne, and new products are being developed all the time. I have limited this list to a few of those over-the-counter products that many dermatologists recommend and that give my patients best results.
One of the mainstays in the treatment of acne is washing. Proper washing gets rid of all the accumulated greases, oils, soot, and debris that all of us are exposed to on a daily basis. Wash your face thoroughly at least three times a day. For mild acne, where there are mainly blackheads and some oiliness, use a Benzoyl Peroxide soap or cleanser.
Benzoyl Peroxide comes in many strengths. For cleansing, I recommend the weakest form of this product, 2.5%. If you are still greasy, up this to 5 or 10%.
A favorite of mine is PanOxyl Bar 5% or 10% (Stiefel)
For mild acne, apply any of the following to the pimples at bedtime:
Acnomel
Rezamid Lotion
Clearasil
For more severe acne, try any of the following acne preparations:
Neutrogena
Clean & Clear
Clearasil
Stridex
Note that Benzoyl Peroxide comes in many forms: soaps and cleansers, creams, lotions, masks, sticks, gels, liquids and even shave creams. *
These preparations should cause slight peeling to help dry up your pimples. If your face gets too dry, use the products less often. If your face begins to itch, burn, or turn red, you may be allergic to one of the ingredients. Stop the medication, and apply cool, wet compresses to your face. Do not use the medication again; use a different or milder preparation.
If your face is very greasy, use the following astringents several times a day to remove the excess oil that accumulates:
Seba-Nil Liquid Cleanser
Shampoo daily, if possible. Patients with acne usually have oily hair. When too much oil collects on the scalp and hair, it gets onto your face and further plugs up the already clogged oil glands. An interesting phenomenon is that young women (and men) with unusually long hair -- no matter how they style it -- very often have acne on their backs.
For exceptionally oily hair, use either of the following:
DHS Clear Shampoo
DHS Shampoo
Keep your hair off your face, eliminate bangs, and avoid hair-sprays, mousses, gels and greasy hair dressings. Use creme rinses in moderation.
Avoid greasy cosmetics. An oil-free, water-based cosmetic cover-up is the best type of make-up even for those who do not have acne problems.
Note: If you have acne on one cheek only, or more on one cheek, you may have the habit of being (figuratively) glued to your cell phone! In addition, resting that cheek on your palm while talking on the telephone or while asleep will prevent the oils in your skin from escaping, thus causing a plugging up of the oil follicle. Try to break the habit.
As a disclaimer, note that any acne preparation can cause burning, stinging, itching, and peeling. If this happens, discontinue the culprit at once.
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