Schamberg's disease
Your turn
Whenever possible, I try to learn about what's most interesting and urgent to you, and give you the answers you need. Recently, while perusing the America's Country Doctor online forum, I learned that several of you are concerned about Schamberg's disease, a pigmentation problem in your skin that leaves purple splotches (which eventually turn brown) on your legs, and sometimes on other parts of the body.
People with Schamberg's disease (also called progressive pigmentation purpura or PPP) have leaky blood vessel walls, and as a result, red blood cells leak into the skin, taking on the appearance of a rash. Sometimes this disease can be provoked by allergies, including to foods or clothing dyes.
I've read statements by some doctors who say this problem doesn't require treatment at all. Well, I don't buy that. This disease is disfiguring, and if it makes you feel bad or embarrassed, then your doctor should try to fix it.
Unfortunately, the truth is that most doctors really don't know much about Schamberg's disease -- some don't even know what it is or what causes it, let alone how to treat it. But, aside from the normal steroid creams that most doctors prescribe, there are a few natural remedies that could be useful, though little research exists to prove it.
Cochicine -- This is an older prescription drug derived from the autumn crocus flower. I've had success with using small doses of it to treat Schamberg's. This drug has anti-inflammatory effects and minimal side effects, including diarrhea and nausea (but usually only at a higher dosage). I prescribed this drug to a patient for four months and his spots never came back.
Vitamin C and rutin -- Some patients have had successful results by taking 500 mg of vitamin C twice daily, along with 50 mg of rutin (a bioflavonoid from buckwheat leaves) twice daily. There's no set treatment time, but I'd advise taking it for about as long as you'd take the cochicine. If you can't find rutin at your local vitamin store, don't worry -- it's pretty easy to find online.
CamoCare -- This may not knock out your spots, but it should help with the itching. It's often prescribed to eczema patients for the same reason. You can find it at www.camocare.com.
Quercetin - This is another product that's good for itching. Take 500 to 1,000 mg two or three times a day. Your local vitamin store should have some.
Grape Seed Extract - This stuff is known for supporting healthy blood vessel walls. Try taking 50 to 100 mg daily.
Feverfew decreases migraine frequency
Back in March, (in the 3/16/06 edition of House Calls) I told you about how acupuncture can help prevent migraines. But if you're squeamish around needles, there's another natural remedy out there that may help cut back the frequency of your migraine attacks.
The herb feverfew has a long history of migraine prevention, and is widely used in Europe, especially London. And in a recent study, patients who typically experienced three to six migraines monthly saw a 50 percent reduction in the number of headaches they suffered after being given feverfew.
I recommend Nature's Way Feverfew, which comes in 380 mg dosages. Another product that I often recommend to migraine patients is Migre-Lief, an all-natural remedy that contains feverfew, magnesium, and riboflavin, and is specially formulated for treating migraines. You can get both of these products in health food stores as well as from various on-line vitamin shops.
Natural wart-be-gones
If you don't know how to treat warts, they can stick around for a long time. Eventually, most people go see a doctor to have their warts removed. But a lot of the removal procedures aren't exactly appealing. In fact, some of them can be pretty painful.
Well, don't worry -- and don't run to the doctor just yet. Getting rid of warts can be done just as easily -- and less painfully -- at home. Here are a few techniques to try.
"The duct-tape method" -- Cut a small piece of duct tape as close to the size of the wart as possible. Leave the tape on for at least six days. If it falls off, replace it with a new piece of tape. After six days, pull off the tape and soak the wart in water. Then, gently rub the wart surface down with an emery board or pumice stone. Repeat this process until the wart disappears. Most people see good results within a month. (But if it hasn't worked for you in two months, it probably isn't going to.)
Salicylic acid -- This is the most common treatment, and is one of the least painful. The acid softens the wart, allowing you to gradually rub it away with a nail file or pumice stone. It's inexpensive and available at your drugstore in several forms, including patches, creams, and paints.
Apple cider vinegar -- I've also heard that applying apple vinegar to the affected area can make your wart disappear. Apply the vinegar to the wart daily until the wart disappears. There's little evidence to back it up, but it's safe and cheap, so what's the harm?
Keep posting your concerns on the forum and I'll make sure to keep answering your questions. You can find the forum at www.healthiertalk.com. Click on "America's Country Doctor."
