I am just a lay person researching some causes of Parkinson's which I have. Although not a root cause, I am interested if PwP has the symptom of Seborrheic Dermatitis (oily skin, red rash) and/ or Dandruff, especially in the eyebrows, around the side of nostrils and at the back of the ears. I need this information as I intend experimenting on myself to see if I can improve matters and if I find out anything of interest I shall of course share it with you.
Thank you.
Norton
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Norton1
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yes - big time. my last GP gave me Oilatum shampoo which is as much use as a chocolate teapot. i find Vosene Medicated Original shampoo keeps it down to a tolerable level
As an interim measure until I try something else, I found the best shampoo to be Selsun Blue, if you can stand the smell. I used it twice a week for three weeks and then p a week thereafter. However, I want to eliminate it entirely using another approach.
Thank you for your quick and informative responses to my question. I find them helpful to my thinking as to the cause which I will try to prove to myself and share if my theory proves correct.
The sebhorretic warts you mention are they just flat like skin patches or are they the raised kind of warts. I have not been diagnosed with PD but I have loads of flat headed warts on my tummy torso area. Was just intersted to know if that is what you are talking about. Lin
I don't want to say too much as it is early days yet, but I am trying one or two things and seeing evidence of some success, but in the meantime consider my suggestion to Alllowercase above if it is dandruff that you have. The oily, flaky, skin and rash is rather more difficult.
I was,but have troble swollowing eor the last 3 months so I mostly eat yogart and bananas. Sorry for my spelllinf just another PD problem I am dealing witk.
Am I hearing correctly? You see a linkage of eating starches with the skin conditions? Or is it being linked with PD? I eat considerable potatoes, pasta, and have skin/scalp/eczema probs. Others in family are gluten free, dairy free, and nut-allergy related. Is there anything else left to eat. Brings another ?? Is there any emperical connection between Celiac and PD?
Right now, I am only interested in Seborrheic Dermatitis which I know can affect quite a few PwP. As you are probably aware it also affects many people who do not have Parkinson's. At present, I control my dandruff with shampoo, but want to reduce/eliminate my SD at a deeper level. I have to start somewhere and think that there may be a connection between the two groups mentioned which could be starch. So, I am attempting to eliminate all grains, potatoes, starchy vegetables from my diet to see if there is any effect on my SD. I am eating from the following food groups, non starchy vegetables, fruit, fish, meat and nuts. I do not think that I have a nut allergy otherwise I would cut them out too.
I know that there are many people who suspect a connection between gluten and PD. Certainly, until 10000 years ago (not long in evolutionary time) gluten did not feature in man's diet, so that is not a long time to adapt and many haven't. Have you looked on Amazon.com at the synopsis and a couple of reviews on a book called 'wheat belly'? If not, do so and prepared to be amazed!
As for my little experiment on trying to find a solution to the Seborrheic Dermatitis, well, I am finding out from further research that not many have cured it and then, the methods are hit and miss. It is mostly a condition you have to try and control. I shall still write a blog on what I have found out.
One aspect I am looking at is if their is a connection with the intake of starch. Would you mind telling me if you eat bread, potatoes, rice, biscuits and even candy?
Thank you for responding. Will you please fill us in what Flocinonide topical solution is and where do you get it. Presumably you use it for dealing with dandruff?
Thank you again.
Norton
I too have problems with dermatitis since the early 80s.
My scalp, face, chest, flaky rash very sore at times. very thick scabs on the head Prescribed Ketoconazole shampoo.
I have tried coal tar shampoo all sorts nothing seems to shift it, I use a steroid cream for the face but I am not keen on its long term use.
Thank you Oldtyke for your interesting reply. I looked at your 'about me' and noticed that you have been involved with a Tearoom in recent years. I am guessing here, but presumably you eat similar food to that which you provide in the Tearoom! Would that be pastries, sandwiches, biscuits and the like? As said in other replies above, there are one or two avenues I am investigating but one of them is a possible starch connection.
It would be extremely helpful if you would confirm my thoughts about the food you eat and what you eat for your breakfast.
I hope to hear from you again and thank you for taking the time to reply.
That is an interesting observation about Pramipexole. Will keep that in mind in case someone else has the same experience. In the meantime may I ask if you eat bread, cakes, rice and the like? One avenue I am following is a possible connection with starch.
I have dandruff in the front section of my head, that when I scratch my head it snow. Once in a while if I wash my face more than once a day with soap, I would get a lot of dry skin around the e ye brow area and the sides of my nose. I don't eat that much in any starches. Once in a while Somme potatoes or bread.
Thank you for your response to my question. From my understanding it is not uncommon for PwP to have dry skin around the eyebrow area and actually in the eyebrows. I note that you do not each much starch, but you do eat some. May I ask you if you eat yoghurt, cheese and have milk on your cereals for instance?
It can affect the hair on your he'd eyebrows face and inside ears . O the GPs advice I tried HEAD AND SHOULDERS SHAMPOO for my husband .
I the first instance I was worried because my husbands skin is very sensitive .
It works use it regulary.
It can also affect the eyelashes in this case bathe them in a solution of warm water with a gentle baby was with a drop of baby oil . I was amazed at the difference it made to my husband he now also has lovely long lashes . He is 77 and 8 have never noticed them before lol
It can affect the hair on your he'd eyebrows face and inside ears . O the GPs advice I tried HEAD AND SHOULDERS SHAMPOO for my husband .
I the first instance I was worried because my husbands skin is very sensitive .
It works use it regulary.
It can also affect the eyelashes in this case bathe them in a solution of warm water with a gentle baby was with a drop of baby oil . I was amazed at the difference it made to my husband he now also has lovely long lashes . He is 77 and 8 have never noticed them before lol
Thank you for you response to my question. It is good to hear that your husbands hair and skin problems were resolved on the advice given by your GP. No doubt some other PwP will try your solution and hope for similar success.
Although it is recognised that Seborrheic Dermatitis affects many PwP, I'm hoping to find out why and if possible can it be controlled before manifesting.
Thank you for contacting me. As you probably read above, I'm hoping to find out why seberrheic dermatitis manifests itself in many PwP in the first place. I think that starch can be a problem but I want to find out why! If I make any headway I shall write a blog setting out Some ideas.
I started getting it about 5 years after diagnosis. To answer your specific question, I'd estimate that I eat an average amount of starch and breakfast cereals.
Head and Shoulders is ineffective for me. Coal Tar shampoo does make a difference, but does not clear it completely.
I noice a difference according to season: summer better, winter worse. Humidity? Sun light?
I applaud your search for the cause of this neglected aspect of PD. Taken all together, the non-motor symptoms of PD, constipation, urinary urgency etc., probably have a bigger impact on my life the motor symptoms.
Thank you for responding to my question. You describe these non motor symptoms well and the effect they have on us from day to day.
You have not had much luck in your choice of shampoo and I too, had the same experience with Head and Shoulders. May I suggest that you try one of the others mentioned in this thread, such as Selsun which I found excellent.
Having said that, these are for topical application, but I am seeking a solution at a deeper level. If and when I find a solution it is my intention to write a blog on this site, so please keep a look out from time to time.
I've read what you said two or three times to make sure that I understand. I think that I do. Bearing in mind that I am a lay- person doing a trial in my own home, by myself, it will be far from scientific and anecdotal at best. I do not think that anyone will set up and fund a scientific assessment so I am willing to try something out to see if I can benefit; if I do succeed in improving my situation I will happily pass on to others what I did, in the hope that they may benefit too although there can be no guarantees they will have similar success.
I applaud what you're doing: it's an area that gets little attention, but affects us badly. The question is how to get the best chance of success?
I suppose my stance is that while we might not be scientists, we can still act scientificly. And, that's where objective measurement comes in. Measurement allows us to monitor our progress and communicate our results.
For instance, you wouldn't dream of trying to lose weight without using bathroom scales.
Regarding PD in general, you may be interested in a simple online programs that I've written that counts the number of side-to-side taps that you can make in 30 seconds.
Regarding your work in particular, I was serious about weighing the skin shed. Another idea that comes to mind is to take a daily photograph of your face and measure the affected area. Before beginning your experiments it's important to baseline your condition.
Thank you for your suggestions together with the test which I have done and found interesting. It is a clever concept.
I have been surprised at the amount of interest shown in response to my original question. Clearly it concerns many people and together with your original response it has got me thinking. As I said this morning, I decided to do a trial myself, but I would now like to invite other PwP to join in with me but try and clear up their Seborrheic dermatitis/dandruff at a deeper level using their preferred method and sharing the results as and when they have something to say. Already, some have given their topical remedies, but I want to try to rid myself of these at a deeper level. I am currently working on eliminating as many starches as practical from my diet to see if there will be permanent benefits. So, I will write a blog inviting others who are interested in joining me to try and clear up their SD/dandruff but using their preferred method or the one I am aiming to do. After all, each of us has a vested interest in improving our situation in this respect. If you feel that you can join in and rate your results by any measurement that you prefer, that would be helpful.
Yes, I also battle with Seborrheic Dermatitis and I experience the symptoms exactly as you described it. The symptoms appeared about 4-5 years after diagnosis.
I found Head and Shoulders shampoo totally ineffective but find relief with either Selsun or Ketoconzole – brand name “Kez” - shampoo. When it gets too bad a small dab of Advantan Cream helps as well.
Regarding your specific question on eating preferences:
I avoid meat protein because it badly interferes with my L-dopa meds and I have had to become a vegetarian. I eat lots of fresh fruit and raw salad, cooked/baked veggies with rice or pasta 3–4 times a week.
Weekday breakfast is always rolled oats soaked in boiling water topped with a sliced banana or grated apple. Week end breakfast is All Bran cereal with milk and a fruit.
Lunch is invariably 2 slices of Rye toast with cheese and Basil pesto or mustard (or left overs from the previous evening supper).
Supper is always raw salad with either vegetarian pasta\veggies & rice\Vegetarian dish only.
I have a very limited intake of sugar and have biscuits/cake once a week.
Good luck, I sincerely wish you make headway with your endeavors.
(PS: I will gladly complete a questionnaire if you wish to compile one specifically)
I appreciate your response to my original question concerning PwP having Seborrheic Dermatitis/Dandruff and especially your diet which you detailed. As you are probably aware, Seborrheic Dermatitis is not necessarily a symptom of Parkinson's, there are many people who do not have Parkinson's, but have SD. Why am I homing in on starches for now? Well, about a year ago I tried a starch diet when I ate not only vegetables and fruit, but also lots of bread, rice, potatoes pasta, oats and the like. I was dismayed to find the symptoms I described above develop.
So, I have to start somewhere in an effort to reduce or eliminate the symptoms and I'm starting with starches.
I never knew what response I would get and clearly this is a problem that is taxing quite a few people, so, I am considering writing a blog on this site inviting others to try various methods they favour so we can share results with each other. Keep a look out for the blog if I decide to go down this route.
I am having thick crusty patches on eyebrows, sides of nose , behind ears and crease in chin. I do eat a lot of startches. So far don't have the dandruff. Please keep me updated to your findings and any suggestions
Thank you for your question which has moved on a bit since I posted my original question on this thread. There are one or two suggestions above which you may find helpful, but, I have written a blog on this same website which I would encourage you to read in its entirety. The title mentions Seborrheic Dermatitis, diet and coconut oil. This condition is virtually impossible to eradicate, but you should hugely improve your condition by following one or several of the suggestions in the blog. I can not prove that starch is involved, but intuitively I believe it is. You need to try hard to improve matters and stick with it for several months at least in the hope you see a perceptible change.
Hi Norton I have SD, for about 7 years now. it started at the age of 25,
I had flare ups after drinking alchahol, I belive I caught SD somehow, and its possibly contagious to some degree,
I'm little skeptical and confused, but piecing everything together like a jigsaw, with an open mind. No stone left unturned. So anyway Im thinking it could be a few things, thinking it could be totally related to the toxic grains, starches and vegatables, ginger garlic, all the foods that we have been told, apparently that is so healthy for us and obviously isn't, so looking just to eat meat eggs and milk. raw if possible, that'll be closer to our natural diet, I also believe SD could be some type of intestinal parasite or even some type of mites, Demodexs E,t,c it Could be type of internal fungal infection. Maybe Hormones, Or even morgellons. Hoping its just diet to be honest switching the diet then gonna go from there. Its hard cause it states that citrus fruits worsen SD.
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