In all cases, it promptly grew back larger than before. When it was the size of a half dollar, a different dermatologist told me he could remove it by cutting it off and grafting a piece of skin taken from my inner thigh. I could imagine two places hurting plus there is always the risk of possible infection so I said “No thank you”.

When I began reading your articles about the effect of Vicks on fungus, I began wondering if it would work on my itchy, scaly patch. I’d noticed when we were in Hawaii that it softened when I faithfully applied sun screen twice a day. So I began my experiment. I began applying Vicks to the area twice a day and covered it with a large round band-aid. (Actually, it was a generic version called “Medicated Chest Rub” I found at my local pharmacy.) The edge nearest my hairline began to peel back first. I used a cotton swab to press the Vicks as far into the patchy area as I could. Bit by bit over about six weeks, the patch peeled leaving healthy pink skin.

Months later I saw my dermatologist, she was astonished. She said she always reads your column but had never heard of applying Vicks to a seborrheic keratosis. In fact in the leaflet she had given me the text read: “Salves, ointments and medication can neither cure nor prevent seborrheic keratoses.” When she saw my successful results she said, “Someone should do research on this treatment!”

DEAR READER:
Seborrheic keratoses are benign (harmless) skin tumors. They generally develop in middle aged people. They are usually yellow or brown, sharply margined, oval and raised. To the best of my knowledge, they do not lead to skin cancer.

Most of the lesions do not need treatment but if they are especially large or unsightly, they can be removed. A dermatologist or general surgeon can perform the procedure in the office. As you already know, they can be frozen, similar to how a wart is removed. A more extensive procedure that may require same-day surgery, involves surgically excising the lesion and one or two layers of skin below it followed by a skin graft to cover the wound.

You, however, have potentially discovered a much simpler, but lengthier, treatment option. Because this is new to me, I am publishing your letter so my readers may try it and then report their results, either positive or negative, to me. I will print a follow-up in a future column. If the results are overwhelmingly positive I will include it in my updated version of the “Compelling Home Remedies” health report. So, readers, try out this approach to seborrheic keratoses removal and let me know what happens.

I couldn’t tell the difference in the early stages of the transition. About a year later, however, the change was very apparent. At this point I was put on minocycline twice a day and have taken it for over six years.

My skin has always been very oily and I have inordinate amounts of seborrheic keratoses, some too big to freeze off. Now, if I stop my minocycline for three weeks, what looks like pus drips off my nose. Once I start the medication again, it takes another four months to get back to normal.

Is there any way off this treadmill? Like me, it’s old.

DEAR READER:
Rosacea is an increasingly common, chronic condition with about 14 million sufferers. It primarily affects the face but can also appear on the chest, scalp, ears and neck. It is generally characterized by redness on the checks, nose, chin or forehead. There are four types of rosacea, subtype 1 (flushing and persistent redness), subtype 2 (persistent redness with red bumps and pus-filled pimples), subtype 3 (thickened skin usually with enlargement of the nose) and subtype 4 (affects the eye, usually dry eye, tearing/burning, swollen eyelids, recurrent styes and more).

Rosacea has no known cause but it is believed that those with fair skin who blush/flush easily are at higher risk than others. It occurs in women more frequently. However, affected men tend to have severe or advanced cases. There is no cure but, with early treatment, it can be controlled.

Treatment generally starts with oral antibiotics and topical creams. These usually bring the condition under immediate control and is then maintained with long-term use of topical therapy. Some individuals may receive treatment with intense pulsed lights or lasers. Some may have visible blood vessels removed, nasal deformities from excess tissue corrected or doctors may attempt to reduce extensive redness.

If you would like more information, I recommend you visit the National Rosacea Society’s website, www.rosacea.org.

You also mentioned seborrheic keratoses. These are benign, non-invasive skin growths that usually develop around midlife or after. They generally appear as sharply margined, raised, yellow/light tan to black waxy or scaly oval lesions on the face, chest, shoulders and back. Because they are benign and harmless, you do not need to worry about them. They can be a nuisance if they are irritated or rubbed by clothing or are cosmetically unsightly. Your dermatologist may be able to remove or reduce the appearance of the larger lesions with other procedures, such as curettage (scraping) or electrocautery if they truly bother you. In some instances, two of the procedures will be used in conjunction (usually cryosurgery and curettage or electrocautery and curettage). Seborrheic keratoses have no known cause but may be related to sun exposure. Normally only one or two will appear over many years. See your dermatologist if the lesions start to bleed or if they appear rapidly because this may be a sign of skin cancer.

A dermatologist is your best bet. Ask him or her about possible treatment options and express your concerns about the current treatments you are receiving for your skin disorders. You may choose to go to another dermatologist for a second opinion. Your dermatologist appears to be handling your care very well. Good luck and let me know how this turns out.