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March 22, 2008 By Dr. Gott

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have been bothered by eczema on my eyelid and eyebrow. It was so bad I thought I would harm my eyelid from the scratching. Then I read about the banana peel for psoriasis. I gave it a try since I eat a banana every day. It’s amazing. The flaking, itching, peeling and dryness have disappeared. Thank you!

DEAR READER:
Using banana peels to stop the itching of eczema is a new one on me. It is useful in treating some forms of psoriasis. I’m publishing your favorable experience in hopes it may benefit other readers.

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Daily Column

March 17, 2008 By Dr. Gott

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have used several of your home remedies with success. The “drunken raisin” for gout, the soap under the sheets for leg cramps, castor oil for arthritis and more. My husband thought I had finally “gone off the deep end”, when I went after him with a handful of banana peels.

We have been using a prescription medication on his psoriasis, every day, for more than two years. It has had very little effect. I rubbed the inside of the banana peels on the affected patches (his head, neck, face and back) once a day. After three days the psoriasis had nearly cleared up (about 90% was gone). My husband now uses the peels once a week to keep his skin clear.

Thank you, from both of us, for passing along all these helpful hints.

DEAR READER:
Other readers have had marvelous success treating their psoriasis with the banana peel therapy. It is cheap, easy, safe and — apparently — effective. For those unfamiliar with this therapy, all you do is rub the inside of the banana peel on the affected patches of skin once a day. Remember not to waste the banana. It is nutritious and delicious.

The other therapies you mentioned have also had positive results for many of my readers. Aside from the drunken raisin (raisins soaked in gin), cherries have proven useful in preventing or treating gout. Purple grape juice and liquid pectin have been equally successful in the treatment of arthritis. I have even had some readers write to me about its positive implications in relieving IBS symptoms.

To give you more information on these conditions and other home remedies, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “About Gout”, “Eczema and Psoriasis”, “Understanding Osteoarthritis” and “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 (per report) to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

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Daily Column

March 9, 2008 By Dr. Gott

DEAR DR. GOTT:
A few weeks ago I wrote to you, enclosed a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and asked what can be done for psoriasis. I haven’t heard from you.

DEAR READER:
I apologize. However, the quantity of mail that I receive makes personal answers to readers’ questions too difficult.

If you read my column regularly you should have seen several about alternative therapies for the treatment of psoriasis. I will repeat the most successful ones for you.

Many of my readers have had success with Vicks VapoRub (or the equivalent store brand). Simply rub into the patches once or twice a day. Within a few days, most readers had no more flaking/scaling, the patches were thinner, softer and itched less, if at all. Mild to moderate patches may even disappear completely.

Other readers have had success with banana peels. Simply rub the inside of the banana peel against your psoriasis two to three times a day. You may want to treat severe patches by taping a peel or portion of one against the affected areas.

If you choose the banana method, don’t discard the fruit. It is full of potassium and other nutrients that provide a quick pick me up. I suggest you try it blended with some plain yogurt and orange juice for a delicious, low fat, no sugar breakfast smoothie.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Eczema and Psoriasis” and “Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 FOR EACH report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

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Daily Column

March 6, 2008 By Dr. Gott

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My husband has been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis. It’s our understanding that this condition can be controlled, but not cured. Medication has been very ineffective. We have been using Neosporin and antiseptic powder on the open areas and aloe vera on his chest. These have helped some. Do you or your readers have any other suggestions?

DEAR READER:
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common chronic skin condition that causes white or yellowish flaky scales. These form on oily areas of the skin such as the scalp, inside of or behind the ear, creases of the nose, eyebrows or lids, along skin folds in the middle of the body and lips. It may also cause the skin to redden (mildly) in those areas. It can have long inactive periods between flare-ups but can generally be controlled with treatment.

Seborrheic dermatitis appears to run in families. Oily skin, infrequent shampooing or skin cleaning, stress, fatigue, obesity, use of lotions with alcohol, weather extremes and skin disorders, such as acne, can worsen symptoms and may increase the risk of developing this condition. It can also be associated with Parkinson’s disease, head injuries and strokes. It is a common cause of dandruff and infants and children (up to age 3) can develop a temporary version called cradle cap.

Diagnosis is reached through physical examination of the lesions as well as their location. A dermatologist is best choice for diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

There are several at home treatment options. For lesions in the scalp, over-the-counter medicated or dandruff shampoo is often effective. It should be used daily and vigorously scrubbed in for five minutes then rinsed. The shampoo may also be effective when rubbed into the lesions on other areas of the body. Look for shampoos that contain salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin, or ketoconazole. Because of its similarity to psoriasis, some of my readers have tried Vicks VapoRub with success. Others have had success rubbing a banana peel onto the affected area once or twice a day.

If the affected area(s) drain fluid or pus, become painful or very red or form crusts, call your physician. This can be a sign of infection that may need antibiotic treatment.

Close attention to skin and hair care and reducing risk factors can aid in prevention of outbreaks. If over-the-counter or home treatments do not work, a visit to a dermatologist for further advice or prescription medications may be appropriate.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Eczema and Psoriasis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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