Skin conditions

[Nudist Bear]

My wife and I were into social nudism for a while a few years back. Other commitments have stopped us from being able to go.
Since then it seems my body has developed psorisis. It's a family tradition that I was hoping I could avoid. My grandmother and mother both had the condition. I've been afraid of going nude with "strangers" because of the dry patches of skin. It's unsightly and embarassing for the most part. I've tired many treatments, the only real help is a sun tan.
I would like to hear honest opinions from people on how I would be looked at, if I was to go to a nudist resort now.

Thanks,
Scott

[Nudist Bear]

My wife and I were into social nudism for a while a few years back. Other commitments have stopped us from being able to go.
Since then it seems my body has developed psorisis. It's a family tradition that I was hoping I could avoid. My grandmother and mother both had the condition. I've been afraid of going nude with "strangers" because of the dry patches of skin. It's unsightly and embarassing for the most part. I've tired many treatments, the only real help is a sun tan.
I would like to hear honest opinions from people on how I would be looked at, if I was to go to a nudist resort now.

Thanks,
Scott

[thonglover]

I've heard salt water helps with it. otherwise check your local dermatologist.

[Trailscout]

Scott,

You shouldn't be a weekend warrior with sun exposure. That's a good way to get sunburn or cancer.

Instead, spend just a few minutes in the sun in your own yard totally nude for a few minutes on each side. The exact time will be determined by your skin type and angle of sun in sky.

You don't need to make your entire back yard into a nudist park, just screen off enough space for a cot.

If nudity is totally impossible, wear a tan-thru swim suit and use SPF 10 sunscreen on the rest of your body.

But getting a bad sunburn once every weekend or two is asking for more skin trouble than you have right now.

[FireProf]

NudistBear,

To answer your question, I can't speak for everyone nudist or every person that visits nude resorts. I can tell you that some will give you and your skin condition a double take.

I think the honest reaction would be, "can I catch it," from those that don't understand a skin condition like psorisis, something my grandaughter has a mild case of.

Those of us that do, will not be concerned and will not pay your skin condition any mind. I've heard from several that have psorisis that exposure to the sun actually helps, so if that is true, then spend more time at a nude resort or club and maybe it'll help your skin.

Take care, see you at the resorts! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wink3.gif

[Atlanta Runner]

ANY sunburn is more than one should ask for at any age....be careful.

[Boreas]

Hi Nudist Bear, I can sympathize with you. I have had eczema this year and am very very tired of being itchy. I have removed most of the external triggers and still have issues. I have been looking at food sensitivities. This seems to be helping. I have done some research and it seems that foods can trigger skin problems like eczema and psoriasis.

What I REALLY think I need is a vacation in a humid, warm, clothesfree place for a week or four!

Good luck finding a solution.

[DoctorSurferDude]

It's not contageous, and the sun (if I remember correctly) can help as a sort of adjunctive therapy. One of our members had psoriasis on his elbow, I noticed it at the hot tub, didn't bother me, and nobody else seemed to even notice.

[missouriboy]

I had a very large patch of psoriasis on my elbow and lower side of my forearm for a long time. Then, when I became a nudist and started spending more time in the sun it went away and has never come back. I've never done any other specific treatment for it, or even reported it to a doctor.

So I dunno... I do remember reading once that Vitamin D helps, and that's the sunshine vitamin, right? This was just my own experience, FWIW.

And no, nudists will not shun you for its appearance. Unless they are ignorant, which is possible amongst any group.

[barelybob]

My second wife had psoriasis and definately benefited from exposure to the sun. Since our divorce she has not participated in naturism, and last time I talked to her, she said that it was bothering her more than ever. Is this a coincidence? I don't know. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/idea3.gif

[Petrus]

I normally go around the house and garden completely in the nude. However last winter for the first time in ten years, I wore clothes at home virtually continuously and it was not long before I developed quite severe seborrheoic eczema with the worst areas being my lower legs and elbows, although I did have small areas on my upper thighs and waist. In the past I had noticed that if I wore clothes for more than a couple of days I developed spots on my legs, which would disappear once I went around nude again. On this occasion I developed spots around my ankles, which my doctor and I both initially thought were cat flee bites, but leaving them untreated they progressed to full blown eczema: I have since discovered that acne type spots can be a symptom of eczema. I had been prescribed various steroid creams, but all they did was exacerbate the condition. I believe that clothes encourage yeast spores, which it is thought may be factor, to multiply and when the skin become sensitive the clothing acts like an abrasive. Whilst I have not yet cleared up my skin, there has been a marked improvement since I have dispensed with clothes and just applied moisturisers such as Dermol lotion. In my case sun and air seems to be the best solution. I have resolved not to wear clothes at home unless absolutely necessary: fortunately most of my friends, relations and neighbours accept my lifestyle and in future any visitor will have to express a strong objection in order to make me dress. If I have to wear clothes, then I try to have the corresponding number of days nude. Last week we went away to Norfolk for a few days and when we returned I had to go out most days and by Sunday I felt itching on the inside of one leg, which I ignored at first, with the result that eczema broken out there- I am bringing it under control by nudity and lashings of Dermol, but as soon as I have had to dress and go out it has, it undoes the improvement. Elsewhere I read that a 12 year old boy had suffered severe psoriasis for years and his parents had taken him from one specialist to another without success until the seventh dermalogist recommended he went around nude and spent time in the sun-within ten days his condition had dramatically improved and the open sores and bleeding had cleared up. When asked later why this form of treatment was not widely known the dermatologist said that he was reluctant to recommend it in case in the paranoid/ suing culture in the US he was reported for suggesting a patient went around nude or sued for sexual harassment or similar!

[Jason Lee]

<span class="ev_code_RED">Naughty Exhibitionist Bear </span>

<span class="ev_code_GREEN">oh no</span>

[krcNY]

Way back when, our family physician had mentioned the same thing to my mother about diaper rash.

He said keep the diapers off, let the air and sun in and things will clear up quicker than applying the creams. It worked for my kids too!

Boreas,
I haven't had excema for years. My triggers are laundry soap and my sisters are corn byproducts.

Good Luck to both of you with the skin ailments.
Hope things clear up and stay cleared up for both of you.

[krcNY]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jason Lee:
<span class="ev_code_RED">Naughty Exhibitionist Bear </span>

<span class="ev_code_GREEN">oh no</span> </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I like the avatar, it has some thought put into it. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[Petrus]

Nudist bear,you must keep your skin moisturised all the time as dry patches encourage eczema/psoriasis. As well as rubbing in Dermol lotion, I often add a few drop of baby oil to my bath water. Also, it would help if you rub baby oil into your skin after sunbathing. Some people use Vaseline total body care, whilst others find it useless-it is matter of finding what suits you best.

[Nudist Bear]

I really do get tired of the hassle of my bear. I thought it was a cute picture. holy cow, lighten up please.

[EricNY]

Don't worry about it bear...it seems that the majority are good with it. Don't let an individual get to you.

[Boreas]

Hi Petrus, check out your laundry detergent. I have been using unscented for some time and recently went to a product from our local health food store. I also put the wash cycle on a second rinse. For the times you do need to wear clothes, you want them to be the least irritating.

krc, thanks for the feedback. Laundry soap was a trigger for me too. Also things like mineral oil, lanolin and perfumes. I had pretty well eliminated external triggers so now am looking at internal ones. We are also considering getting a water softener since that can help too. The clothes I wear tend to be mostly cottons and comfortable.

I think what I REALLY need is a few weeks on a humid Caribbean island and no clothes and some sunshine! It is really dry air up here and that is also a trigger.

[krcNY]

We have a water system and so far it is working great for me. Winter is the hardest on my skin, not only do I have to wear more clothing (which rubs) but the air is so dry in the house.

I don't know if your skin will tolerate it, but I also use sugar and/or salt scrubs. Once a week (during the winter), I will use the scrub (they are pretty oily) but my skin feels great.

I don't get the dry scaly skin like I used to. I get the scrubs from Bath and Body Works (http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2077047&cp=2073249) I started out with the salt, but it burned too much, so now I mostly use the sugar. Salt does not burn anymore, but I like the Aromatheropy Sugar Scrubs, they are not as strong.

I am allergic to different fragrances too, so I stick with the more subtle ones.

[Boreas]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by krcNY:
We have a water system and so far it is working great for me. Winter is the hardest on my skin, not only do I have to wear more clothing (which rubs) but the air is so dry in the house.

I don't know if your skin will tolerate it, but I also use sugar and/or salt scrubs. Once a week (during the winter), I will use the scrub (they are pretty oily) but my skin feels great.

I don't get the dry scaly skin like I used to. I get the scrubs from Bath and Body Works (http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2077047&cp=2073249) I started out with the salt, but it burned too much, so now I mostly use the sugar. Salt does not burn anymore, but I like the Aromatheropy Sugar Scrubs, they are not as strong.

I am allergic to different fragrances too, so I stick with the more subtle ones. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the information krc. I am planning to go to the larger centre a couple hours away tomorrow. There is an Aveda spa there and other resources. I will check into this. At this point I am about ready to do just about anything!

I got some cream from the health food store today. It is DermaE psoriaeczema cream or something like that. It at least soothes the itch, which will help at bedtime!

[Petrus]

Still-Boreas: thank you for your suggestion, I always ensure we have a non-biological detergent, but I will investigate special alternatives although I suspect they are costly. I find it sad that there must be many people suffering from skin diseases who could benefit from nudity and sun, but they are either uninformed or not prepared to try it.
I posted on http://www.eczemavoice.com/forum/messages/board-topics.html under "Seborrhoeic Eczema: Eczema and the Body: Can clothes be a contributory factor?" and I only got one response after posting a follow-up and a similar letter sent to their magazine was not printed. I am very lucky as my eczema is trivial compared to that endured by some and whilst nudity is not a complete cure it definitely keeps mine in check. Furthermore I am free to go around the house and garden nude-my mother in law is staying with us this weekend and she has got so used to me being nude that I suspect she hardly notices! It seems a great pity if false modesty means that some sufferers are unnecessarily having to contend with bleeding, sores and unbearable itching.

[Boreas]

Hi Petrus, I am checking out that link now.

My beloved husband (not quite beloved as I itch now) did the laundry the other day. He knew (or I thought he did) that I had bought the stuff for the laudry so I wouldn't itch AND that I had put the machine on second rinse for the same reason. He used the Tide and took off the second rinse. Now I am all rash again on my thighs. Aaaaarrrrgh. Maybe now he'll get it, or I will wash my own clothes.

Oh well, he did mean well. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif

[shomymojo]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Nudist Bear:
I really do get tired of the hassle of my bear. I thought it was a cute picture. holy cow, lighten up please. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>...Nudist Bear...your bear...has the right to be bare...

[John Spooner]

I had quite bad eczema on my leg and lower back some years ago, it responded well to cheap Sorbilene moisturizer cream and cleared up.
Secondly, talking of rashes, what is the best way to stop or minimize the little red pimples that occur now and then on my belly after shaving the nether region. The skin feels tender and sore at times. Example below.
Regards. John S.

[Petrus]

John,why do you shave if it obviously causing you skin problems ,especially as you need to take care, having suffered eczema in the past? You are scrapping off the top layer of skin and making it open to attack by the millions of micro-organisms in the air. Acne type red spots could be a symptom of yeast infection (the same blighters that cause thrush), which are believed to be one cause of Seborrhoeic eczema.

[Nudist Bear]

Still_Boreas,

That's an old trick I'll bet most of us men have tried. We screw up the laundry and you take it away from us. Oh boo hoo http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wink3.gif. Don't let him get away with that. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

Scott

[gamblefish]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by krcNY:
My triggers are laundry soap and my sisters are corn byproducts.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hon, if your sisters are corn byproducts, there's a good chance you are too... http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/tongue.gif

[krcNY]

She is the only one who needed to avoid the corn. The rest of us all seem to be OK

[hootowl]

How about toenail fungus, Ive been fighting it now for two years. Hate the appearance but, am not going to go textile just to cover them!

[Boreas]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Nudist Bear:
Still_Boreas,

That's an old trick I'll bet most of us men have tried. We screw up the laundry and you take it away from us. Oh boo hoo http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wink3.gif. Don't let him get away with that. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

Scott </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Yep, I know. I am on to him. His excuse was that he might as well use up the old stuff on his clothes. I reminded him that my clothes were in there too. He is generally quite competent at laundry and stuff like that!

[gamblefish]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by krcNY:
She is the only one who needed to avoid the corn. The rest of us all seem to be OK </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, I mean...it sounded like you meant your sisters are byproducts of corn when you said "my sisters are corn byproducts"...so I meant that maybe...oh nevermind.

[krcNY]

I can't believe I didn't catch that.

[gamblefish]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by krcNY:
I can't believe I didn't catch that. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/tongue.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/tongue.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/tongue.gif


Just to stay on topic, I am waiting with baited breath (pun intended) for an answer to the toenail fungus question. My pinky toenails are yellow and I hate it. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/sick.gif

[tinner666]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> I've tired many treatments, the only real help is a sun tan.
I would like to hear honest opinions from people on how I would be looked at, if I was to go to a nudist resort now.

Thanks,
Scott </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You see all kinds of conditions at the resorts. I've never been offended, and never seen anybody else offended. If it comes up in conversation, just tell it like it is, and the issue' will go away.
All sorts of stuff is taken as a normal 'topic' started there, as opposed to the textile world. Nothing is too taboo since we're 'in the open' with nothing to hide. In other words, since I know I put this badly, don't worry about it!

[sanua_chap]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Nudist Bear:
My wife and I were into social nudism for a while a few years back. Other commitments have stopped us from being able to go.
Since then it seems my body has developed psorisis. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

So you stopped social nudism, and then psorisis developed? This suggests you might be wise to start again.

I have battled eczema for years. I have found that saunas help, and more recently come to believe that sunshine would also help. If you are interested, you can read about it on various pages linked from here:

Paul's Health (http://www.hazelden.org.uk/l3_paul_health.htm)

Most of my discussin of naturism is on the questions and answers (http://www.hazelden.org.uk/l3_sauna_belief.htm) about our use of the sauna.

[PABeachBuddy]

Hey Scott:
I have had Psoriasis my whole life. I was 2 weeks old when diagnosed with it. (No fun, for sure!) As the sun helps clear it up, I became a nudist in my teens, so that I could get as much "exposure" as possible.
I find that if I ignore the existence of the "patches" at the beach, then others will do the same. There's no reason to be ashamed of being seen with this condition in public. If people question what I have I tell them. It's better to educate others about this condition than let them be ignorant.
For you I would also suggest seeing a good dermatologist specializing in Psoriasis treatment and getting some prescription ointments to help keep you clear.
Where I live there is an outpatient facility that has ultraviolet light therapy machines so that I can get clear and stay clear and hopefully will be clear before I hit the beach in the summer.
Good luck! And welcome to the "club" of Psoriasis!
PaBeachBuddy