Psoriasis and cold sores

[broadzilla]

Psoriasis and cold sores. I know 2 different people that suffer with these. The cold sore person was kissed by an aunt 20 years ago who had a cold sore, so now he gets them and sometimes they are HUGE. Very painful and I feel so sorry for him. he uses Abreva when it comes out. The psoriasis sufferer, he has it so bad that it will form a cap like thing on his head. He uses prescribed shampoo and after awhile it makes his head feel so tight he stops using it. Then its back to the cap with the smelly shampoo. He also has it on one spot on his knee.

Is there someone here that makes something that really works for either or both of these guys? Or is the prescribed stuff the only way to go?

[beau's mama]

Psoriasis and cold sores. I know 2 different people that suffer with these. The cold sore person was kissed by an aunt 20 years ago who had a cold sore, so now he gets them and sometimes they are HUGE. Very painful and I feel so sorry for him. he uses Abreva when it comes out. The psoriasis sufferer, he has it so bad that it will form a cap like thing on his head. He uses prescribed shampoo and after awhile it makes his head feel so tight he stops using it. Then its back to the cap with the smelly shampoo. He also has it on one spot on his knee.Is there someone here that makes something that really works for either or both of these guys? Or is the prescribed stuff the only way to go?

I've dealt w/ cold sores my whole life and the trick is to catch it before it develops into a full blown sore. If he's paying attention, he'll notice a wierd, tingly feeling or a slight, "invisible" dry patch where the cs is about to break out...that's the time to use the Abreva...which I think is the best OTCD on the market! Also he needs to get rid of the tooth brush, or at least sanitize it daily. But, since I started making my own stuff, I purchased a lip balm base to which I added tea tree, oil of oregano, & eucalyptus oil ( I've only added 1 drop each to a 2 oz base...I wanted to start small & go from there) I've had 2 tingly feelings between Oct & Dec, and nothing for the last 3 months! Here's a link to some info on Oil of Oregano...I haven't researched it further, but the possibility is interesting http://herbalremedies.com/oilofor1oz.html

Now for the psoriasis...I'm really into Emu oil these days for a variety of skin conditions/issues, yet the research/experimenting continues LOL. I have a family member who recently suffered some skin damage from too much preservatives & I'm going to make a butter w/ Emu for her to use. Here's a link to a site that I came across, maybe it'll help in your studies http://www.emu-oil.com/psoriasis.htm

HTH

Sharon

[broadzilla]

Thank you very much beau's mama.

[Luci]

My father had a horrible case of psoriasis, and now my brother does. He's been using my body butter and says it is giving him relief. I just took him a jar. I added hemp oil in this batch for him to try. My research on hemp oil kept coming up with recommendations of this for psoriasis as well as eczema.

[beau's mama]

Thank you very much beau's mama.

You are more than welcome!

[beau's mama]

My father had a horrible case of psoriasis, and now my brother does. He's been using my body butter and says it is giving him relief. I just took him a jar. I added hemp oil in this batch for him to try. My research on hemp oil kept coming up with recommendations of this for psoriasis as well as eczema.

Lucy, what were you using before adding the hemp oil?

[broadzilla]

Hello beau's mama & Luci,

I haven't made anything yet and just recently signed up. Would you 2 be willing to send me your recipes, or let me buy your product from you? I really want to help these 2 out.

[Luci]

I am still experimenting with the body butter (Kimberly's) recipe in the recipe section here. I don't remember offhand what butters that recipe called for, but I used what I had on hand and have stuck with that. (shea, mango, avocado) As far as the 5 oz of oils, I keep experimenting with different combinations. I have used sao, grapeseed, rbo. I like the sao and grapeseed best, but in this last batch I used 2 oz of the hemp oil particularly for my brother to try. The result is ok, but it is initially greasier than without it. If I decide to use it in another batch, I will cut it back to only 1 oz. I'm going to wait until he tries it to decide.

Because I haven't really tested this recipe thoroughly, I wouldn't feel comfortable selling. For all I know, within a few days it might separate, stink, or who knows. I'm sure that there is someone else with a tested product would be a much wiser choice for you. I will definitely let you know what my brother's reaction to the jar I gave him is. I am also giving it to 2 others with psoriasis as well as on my tough hide and others.

[beau's mama]

I completely understand your enthusiasm about handcrafting & your desire to want to help them, but may I make a suggestion?

Maybe you could get a lip balm base to play with just to get a feel for how it works. It's not rocket science, mind you LOL, but it can be a little tricky. Ditto for the body butter. Check the classies here...you may be able to find some shea butter & an oil or 2 to get a feel for how to make body butter. Most importantly, READ, READ, READ...RESEARCH, REASEARCH, RESEARCH, TEST, TEST, TEST, TWEAK, TWEAK TWEAK, and then start all over agian!! LOL.

I guess, basically, I'm saying/suggesting you may want to know what you're doing (at least enough to be somewhat safe) before you make something & give it out. If something happens to be "wrong" with the product, at least it can go wrong on you instead of someone else. In light of the hell I've just been through w/ a family member using a poorly handmade product, I can't stress this enough.

I can't speak for Luci, but I don't sell anything. I only make a few things for family & friends...but NOTHING gets to them without first being used by me (sometimes I make DH an unwilling tester LOL) And as far as the lip balm I make, I'm the only one using it...not comfy with passing it out yet...I want to see how well it works for me after a while. The EO's used in it are 3 (in a long list) of the most medicinally powerful EO's...they are not to be used lightly & without researching them. I personally wouldn't recommend using EO's in your first venture into lip balms. JMHO. I'm new to this part of handcrafting, but I've been fascinated by & "studying" EO's for years.

I didn't realize that you haven't made anything yet...I never would have thrown the EO's at you like that...sorry 'bout that . I think EO's are a lot to take in for a beginner(assuming that you are a beginner to EO's)...it's a lot to take in just beginning with handcrafting IMO.

Ok, I'm longwinded...and this is probably not something you want to hear anyway LOL...and I hope you won't think that I'm not willing to help, because I am...I just think you should get your hands wet first

Get a few supplies, get in that kitchen & experiment and be as sure as you can that you have created a good, satisfying, quality product...then pass it on.

Let me know how/if I can help with you learning your craft!

Sharon

[erinmfritz]

This topic interested me, so I came and read it just as every one else is.

beau's mama: This is the nicest way to tell someone to start testing. I have seen so many rude responses on this board and yours is very refreshing. Thank you.

I have started with the lip balm base and love it. Tweaked it a little with BW to firm it up, but other than that am having fun with it. It is interesting to see what all you can do with that stuff. Thanks for enlightening the rest of us with your experience.

[broadzilla]

Thank you very much. I didn't even know what an EO WAS until last week.:embarasse *lol* I am interested in making lip balm, and I have ordered some things. I am so new that I am literally waiting for my first shipments of supplies to come in. *L* My youngest son is the one with the cold sore. I could mangle my sister for kissing him when he was a baby and she had that crap on her lip. Anyways, he is in college in another state so I'm not comfortable with him trying anything anyways without me there "just in case". He uses Abreva but I think he gets so caught up in school life that he ignores what his lip is feeling until the thing appears. Seriously wish I could mangle my sister every time he gets one.

He'll be home in May. I'll practice making stuff and see how it goes from now until he comes home. I never had a cold sore so how will I know if I made something right? That sounds so stupid of me to ask!:embarasse And thank you for being gentle with me. *L*

[Lorrie]

I agree with erinmfritz's, beau's mama you responded very tastefully. :highfive:

Another great thing for your skin is Pine tar soap. I have a patch of eczema on my face and I made some pine tar soap. It made it feel a lot better.

Cold sores are caused by a form of herpe's. I honestly wouldn't mess with this because if they get into your eyes, it could cause blindness. I would stick with the doctor on this one and try and catch them early.

[CBE]

My 12 year old nephew gets cold sores constantly. One day, his mom asked me if I had anything to put on it. Naturally, I didn't. But I grabbed my EO's... mixed a couple of drops of Lavender, and a drop of Tea Tree, put it on the cold sore with a Q-tip, and poor thing, he said it burned. After about 10 min.. he said it didn't hurt anymore. I put some more on him about 3 hours later, and put two more applications the next day. By the third day, it had dried up, and was almost completely gone. Now, when he feels one coming on... he runs next door to my house and begs me for more of

"that stinky oil".... LOL

[elle110]

I am prone to cold sores, I used to just suffer through them, last year I read about tea tree oil helping, now when I get the first tingle I get a Q-tip and put the tea tree on and have not had one in almost a year. I used to get them at least 1 x a month. The trick is getting the tea tree on at the first sign to keep it from erupting into a sore.

Psoriasis is an immune disorder, not really a skin disease, although it manifests itself on the skin. There is not anything topical that will cure it, but some creams may alleviate the dryness or pain associated with it. Straight Emu Oil is great for psoriasis. Fragrance can irritate the skin that is affected so something unscented is good. As long as you look at it from the stand point that you are not trying to heal the skin but keep it hydrated then a lot of products help but every sufferer of psoriasis responds differently so I would be very careful in making something without a lot of research. You could always suggest your friend to apply Emu oil and may even be able to help them out by purchasing some from a supplier for their use.

HTH

Elle

[beau's mama]

My 12 year old nephew gets cold sores constantly. One day, his mom asked me if I had anything to put on it. Naturally, I didn't. But I grabbed my EO's... mixed a couple of drops of Lavender, and a drop of Tea Tree, put it on the cold sore with a Q-tip, and poor thing, he said it burned. After about 10 min.. he said it didn't hurt anymore. I put some more on him about 3 hours later, and put two more applications the next day. By the third day, it had dried up, and was almost completely gone. Now, when he feels one coming on... he runs next door to my house and begs me for more of "that stinky oil".... LOL

I can believe it...Lavender is on that list of powerful, medicinal EO's... And kudos to your nephew for noticing when he feels one coming on! Pretty cool for a 12 y/o!

[kittykat]

I have suffered with psoriasis all my life and while it's never been debilitating it has been a nuisance.

Try formulating with oils that resemble our own skin's sebum. Jojoba is great as is apricot kernal and almond oil. They will help seal in moisture.

Avoid any mineral oils, petroleum (ie Vaseline) and any synthetic fragrances.

Also, diet plays a major role in controlling this condition.

[beau's mama]

Lorrie & Erinmfritz, thank you. I've read the same things you have, but I try to throw out honey instead of vinegar...it smells better...BUT, I know the time will come (it's inevitable in such a diverse forum LOL) when I'm forced to spit out my long reaching venom, so, when the time comes & you read an ugly post from me, just remember & draw strength from the nice things you both said about me

Erinmfritz: The lip bases are so nice...you really can do some things with it! Have you made a perfume balm yet??

Thank you very much. I didn't even know what an EO WAS until last week.:embarasse *lol* I am interested in making lip balm, and I have ordered some things. I am so new that I am literally waiting for my first shipments of supplies to come in. *L* My youngest son is the one with the cold sore. I could mangle my sister for kissing him when he was a baby and she had that crap on her lip. Anyways, he is in college in another state so I'm not comfortable with him trying anything anyways without me there "just in case". He uses Abreva but I think he gets so caught up in school life that he ignores what his lip is feeling until the thing appears. Seriously wish I could mangle my sister every time he gets one. He'll be home in May. I'll practice making stuff and see how it goes from now until he comes home. I never had a cold sore so how will I know if I made something right? That sounds so stupid of me to ask!:embarasse And thank you for being gentle with me. *L*

You're welcome. And it's not stupid to ask anything that makes sense to you to ask

It is a little difficult (at least for me) to test products when you aren't making them specifically for yourself, but it can be done. For example, my neice has eczema, & asked if I could make some soap for her. So, long story short, I made & used that soap about 10 times before it felt to me like she said she wanted it to feel after showering. It lathers kinda low 'cause it's loaded w/ Emu oil & butters, but she says it helps & feels good to her..so I'm satisfied. Same w/ anything else I make...I use it to get a "feel" for how I want or think it should feel...and if something should be "wrong", I'll only harm myself!

As far as the lip balm, it may be a little difficult, IMO, for you to know if you made it "right"...but I can tell you when applied, mine has a slight tingly, "minty" feeling that doesn't last long ...but the intended target is your son & you know his hx...so maaaaaybe it'll be ok for him to try...would he sue you if his lips fell off? LOL, just kidding. BUT, still practice how to make lip balm in general & read up on EO's & maybe while he's home, you can let him try a little under your watchful eye. Remember, EO's are much stronger than FO's, so you would need to use far, far less. Start small! I did 2oz of base w/ 1 drop of each of the oils...if I get the "tingles" again, it's back to the drawing board & back to my notes....or offer myself up for an "Oil of Oregano cold sore eradicating" study LOL But don't put it in a tube...to me, that defeats the purpose...use a small lip balm pot

Have fun learning & experimenting..it'll get frustrating sometimes, but, the joy you feel when you've created something makes up for that 100fold!

And keep coming back here with your questions...I've yet to see one question asked where at least 1 person didn't know the answer...or at least know what direction to point you in. An amazing group of crafters here!

Sharon

P.S. Don't let him fool yah...he's getting caught up in something, & I don't think it's all school life

[Buttercup]

I use to have cold sores often but what has worked for me is taking Lysine pills. You can get them at General Nutrition Stores or even Walmart. When I fell one comming I take 2 pills 3 times a day and they go away with out getting sore. I always keep it on hand.

[erinmfritz]

Lorrie & Erinmfritz' date=' thank you. I've read the same things you have, but I [i']try to throw out honey instead of vinegar...it smells better...BUT, I know the time will come (it's inevitable in such a diverse forum LOL) when I'm forced to spit out my long reaching venom, so, when the time comes & you read an ugly post from me, just remember & draw strength from the nice things you both said about me

Erinmfritz: The lip bases are so nice...you really can do some things with it! Have you made a perfume balm yet??

Your welcome. I'll try to keep in mind that you may spit:spit:,

just try not to spit my way ok? :laugh2:

I have done the bar lotion, and love it. I am testing some right now that I added a little corn starch to (very niiiiice). I haven't really tried the perfume balm because I am not sure how much FO to use or how to package. I have tried searching, but can't spend countless hours on this silly contraption to find the answer.

[broadzilla]

I had to leave for work during this thread yesterday. I thank you all very much for your great advice and ideas. The one with the psoriasis just wanted something to soothe the dryness. He uses heavy duty shampoo, wears the cap to bed with some type of medicine on his head, and sometimes he just gets really tired of all the dryness. He's given his specialist permission to meet with me so we can come up with something soothing. Really nice guy this Doctor. He also wants to see my son and try some things on him. Ummm...Tea Tree came up in our conversation, as did emu oil. He definitely wants him to continue with the Abreva until he comes home, and then we will go from there. He also said he has a little "something" he makes up for his family member who gets cold sores and will show me the recipe after he sees my son in order to know if it might help him. Homemade I asked? Yes, he said. *lol*

And just in case anyone was wondering, I never intended to just mix something up and have them try it. I was looking for something to try to help them, but with research and a Doctors permission. They both have serious conditions with what they are afflicted with. Not just "light" cases.

Anyways, you guys are really great, thank you very much. I appreciate everything you've said.

[blt212]

I will get a cold sore once in awhile, usually if I'm run down. My dermatologist prescribed Valtrex - yep the same stuff for herpes where the sun don't shine. I guess they're in the same family. He said take 1 pill as soon as you feel the tingling on your lip and viola, it never even materializes...once they come out, it can take forever for them to heal and go away. Only problem is the look you get from the pharmacist when picking up the script....I'd rather suffer that than the cold sore.