What a nightmare, Pam. Don't give up - keep demanding answers. You don't indicate whether you've consulted anyone on the alternative medicine side. Why not explore those options?

Best of luck to you. Stay strong.

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As good as this article is about some common skin ailments, nothing can be as horrific, embarrassing, frustrating and depressing as having a skin type/vascular condition such as the one I have. Yet, after seeing a hematologist, rheumatologist (more than one), my PCP, a dermatologist, the ER doctors, still after more than 6 months, my arms and legs are covered with what appears to be severe bleeding under the skin, leaving huge blackish/bluish bruise like places that are so bad, you cannot touch my arms or legs without touching one. I have Lupus also. They have ran every kind of blood test, and other test imaginable, yet I continue to be covered in this life-altering mess. I have done hundreds of hours of my own research, have been told by every doctor they have never seen anything like I have...been told it could be everything from a medication, sun exposure, vasculitis, rare bleeding disorders, blood clots, hyperpigmentation, yet no one can fix it, or tell me why it is happening. Talk about scared. I have had 4 or more doctors tell me if I took a bad fall, or was in a bad car accident, I might bleed to death internally, due to the way I am bleeding out under the skin. After six months of this, still I have no answers. I have been shoved from one specialist to the other, and now it is so bad, I am totally ashamed to go out in public. I appear as if someone has beaten me from head to toe. The sad thing is I may have to life this way, and I am only 49! Keep me in your prayers.

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Thanks for objecting to the usual solutions. Who wants to use convential products with their [sometimes] neurotoxic ingredients and why would anyone use antibiotics for heaven's sake?

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When I met my boyfriend a few years ago, I thought that putting on topical creams, sprays, oils, etc. would fix skin problems like dry scalp, acne, varicose veins, and the like.

I had tried for years to alleviate some issues, not understanding why even the most natural of remedies wasn't working.

My boyfriend, (into whole nutrition and exercise) introduced me to a new way of thinking. He looked at the products in my bathroom cabinet and smiled. "Try healing yourself from the inside out", he said.

So I did. I quit smoking, (the hardest thing I ever did). Months later, I started making meals from organic, unprocessed foods, allowing myself to eat at a restaurant once very 2 weeks.

I drink water instead of fruit juice I used to drink.

I exercise for 30 minutes every other day.

I drink organic herbal teas and reduced my coffee intake.

For the first time in my life, I leave the house without makeup. Not a blemish in sight. My varicose veins are 90 percent better. My scalp is normal for the first time.

Fungal "infections" come from within. If you have ringworm, prone to yeast infections, or scalp issues, changing your diet will make a huge difference.

Eat whole fat, unprocessed foods. Heavier on the fats and the fruits and vegetables than the carbs, (contrary to what American dieticians say).

One book I like is "How to Eat, Move, and Be Healthy" by Paul Chek.

Now the only thing on my bathroom counter is a bottle of tea tree oil and toothpaste.

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Cider Vinegar works wonders for athletes foot, tea tree oil is UNBELIEVABLE in how it treats burns! I got burned with very hot coffee and immediately put TT oil on the area and the pain was gone in seconds. I'm not easy to impress either! Impetigo is VERY contagious, especially for kids. Get it treated right away.

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Jeez, you guys are all so touchy! I too wondered why there were no alternative treatments mentioned in the article, considering the orientation of the site. I think Elizabeth was reacting to the same thing I was. But it's not the end of the world one way or another!! Sometimes people commenting, when they are reacting to a prior comment can fan the flames even more, then say "peace"? WTF?

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Thank you for this informative article.

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Wow, this seems like a touchy subject. Our son has had severe allergies and Eczema since he was a baby. Nothing worked for him and he was itching and miserable. We tried all kinds of treatment options for him including meds, docs, creams, holistic medicine, chiropractors etc. We kept an open mind and knew that it was important though to keep our family doctor in the know and with his approval, we felt comfortable doing these things for our little guy. Amazingly, he has been dramatically helped by taking the Vidazorb chewable probiotics and now looks and feels so much better! It has been a miracle and we love our probiotics!!! The thing is, we still respect and appreciate all treatment options. I think we should just be thankful that we have options. :)

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Yes, Western Medicine has it's place, but for a site like Care2 to ONLY offer allopathic treatments is both uncharacteristic of the site and just plain irritating and FRUSTRATING. I can go anywhere to find such protocol. I have come to expect more from this site. I truly don't understand why they bothered to reprint this article for it's readers.

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Western medicine has its place. So does alternative and holistic medicine. The trick is finding what works for you. Not all treatments work for all people. Aspirin GIVES me a headache. Caffeine puts me to sleep. Show some tolerance and understanding and realize that no two people are the same. Try adding something positive to help your fellow lister rather than rail at the possible treatments that you find unsuitable for you. Peace.

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