My SB
So I just joined and have been reading the recent posts and figured I’d
throw in my 2 cents.
First diagnosed with SB Jr year in highschool, about 6 years ago.
Initially just dry skin on my nose that was easily managed with OTC
moisturizers, within a few months it was significant enough to warrant
some medical attention. For two years I went through the dermatology
route that seemed to consist of "Here’s some hydrocort. Come back in 4
weeks and we’ll see how it looks!" "Ok, maybe 4 more weeks!". Switched
doctors, got on Elidel, which again seemed like the same run around with
less irritation to my skin, equal irritation to my wallet.
When I skipped town for college I gave up on dermatology all together.
Read a ton about the issue and decided to just give basic dandruff
shampoos a try. Been using H&S for about as long, with one or two brief
switches with bad results. Coal tar seemed to especially aggravate
things, not sure how others have fared with that. H&S seems to generally
handle symptoms well but leaves the effected areas very dry, requiring
what I would consider excessive attention to moisturizing for the first
hour or so off the day, with excessive oily-ness for the rest. This
approach has provided better results at a lower price than dermatology
ever could, although I’d like to do better.
Ok, about my current status. I’ve been in a fairly regular routine of
getting a flareup every six months or so for a couple weeks, then being
fairly benign the rest of the time. Not to say I don’t have flaking,
redness, etc, but its a level that I’ve felt is manageable. Flareups
seem primarily stressed induced (like around finals, hence the 6
months). Alcohol doesn’t seem to be a personal trigger, as I drank very
heavily for about 5 months while studying abroad during which time I had
about the best skin of my life (I attribute it to absolutely zero
stress, but maybe it was ‘cleaner’ European food?). Anyway I’m in a bit
of stress right now and thus have been triggered again. Pretty much
every time I hit this part of the cycle I go on the ‘net to read what is
new in the medical opinion of treatment, but as we all know its
generally business as usual.
I stumbled across this site via Wikipedia and hope to find some more
effective and sensical treatments beside religious use of dandruff
shampoo and moisturizers. My areas of affliction are the sides of my
nose and a bit below my eyes, one spot on the back of my scalp, and
along my eyebrows (but only in bad flareups). Symptoms during flareups
are extreme flakes and redness. During good times redness is reduced but
still notable, dryness easily controlled by moisturizers, and oily-ness
a fact of life (I long ago became accustomed to ‘blotting’ my nose with
a tissue a few times a day). If anyone has advice on any of these points
I would much appreciate it.
Also, the pores in my affected areas on my face are pretty big, not sure
if this a related issue. Thanks for any help!