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Prurigo Nodularis Support

Updates

Person

Treatments

07/12/03

guineapig

Gold Bond Powder, Garlic Olive Oil, Primrose Oil, Rubbing Alcohol, Vinegar Bath --I packed my infected sites with a lot of Gold Bond powder in the day time to dry up the bumps. I rub the sites with generous amount of garlic olive oil in the evening to loosen up the dried scar tissue. I will try to apply the evening primrose oil on my skin this month. Lately I am using rubbing alcohol to rub my skin when I want to scratch. I got an old Chinese prescription for soaking the bumps in the vinegar / the vinegar bath. I will try to marinade myself with vinegar too.

08/18/03

Cowen

Dermarest Gel --has appeased the itch and pain.

08/18/03

eborg

Dermarest Gel --Gives me substantial relief from the itchiness and cuts down on scabbing.

09/07/03

Rowens99

Bond's Medicated Powder --It seems to help a little, sometimes.

09/08/03

Jan

Protopic & Dermovat  --Alternating between Protopic and Dermovat (same as Clobetasol) every three weeks.

09/09/03

eborg

Protopic, Clobetasol, Mineral Ice with Menthol, Aveeno with Menthol, Zostrix

01/18/03

feelgoodfem

Capsaicin or Zostrix --contains cayenne pepper so it burns like heck. A little goes a LONG way. Avoid using on open sores as it burns too much.

05/08/03

eborg

Capsaicin or Zostrix --This did help stop the itching, but it burns like hell and didn't make the bumps go away. My derm #5 swears by Zostrix, and says he saw a Chinese man get almost full healing with this ointment.

09/07/03

kjsandb

Predisone --but I notice that the itchiness returns when the dose is reduced.

09/08/03

OptimalThinking

Borage Lotion, or Vitamin E Lotion, or Oatmeal Lotion, or Glycerin Lotion to keep your skin moisturized. Also see OptimalThinking's bath treatments.

05/04/03

Lacey

Royal Bee Jelly --Applied to bumps only since it is expensive.

09/10/03

Ruth Cosby

Oatmeal anti-itch from Eckerd's does sooth it a little ($3.69). Dermo-plast ($10) from K-mart also cools it also.

08/09/03

gwendolina134

Elidel --ok when I'm desperate and trying everything.

05/12/03

feelgoodfem

No lotions --the drier I keep my skin the better.

09/14/03

Marlene

Iodine applied to the bumps --it is pretty effective as an itch relief. At first, it helped dry up the sores, and many reduced in size. But as I continued using it, the effect diminished, but still offered some relief.

09/14/03

Marlene

Milk of Magnesia (mint flavored) applied to the bumps --It is pretty darn good as a quick relief that lasts for hours.

09/10/03

BamaGirl03

Lidex Cream --I'm healing fast and that lidex cream is awesome (being treated for Lupus, which has many of the same symptoms of PN).

09/17/03

Arlina 49

Aveeno --I bought tons of Aveeno products today and it helps.

09/25/03

Ashley231

Dovonex, Sarna lotion and Eucerin lotion for sensitive skin --I use the Dovonex as infrequently as possible. I also take cool showers to help the itch, and use lotion when the skin is still wet to lock in the moisture.

09/26/03

Laura

Capsaicin and Penaten --I dab on Capsaicin and Penaten when I feel the need.

09/20/03

Laura

Pain Relieving Liniment Heet  (liquid dab on) --It has a very strong odour and it really burns, but my sores have improved tremendously! It does not stop the itch, but the sores are definitely clearing up.

09/20/03

Laura

Penaten --is readily available here in Canada for diaper rash, and it actually seems to stop the itch!

09/20/03

Laura

After Bite for mosquito bites --and Hydrogen Peroxide helps a little, as does any body lotion. The best thing that works for me is to tear off a piece of hospital tape and cover up the itchy spot with it.

11/07/03

Sleese

Betadine -- I have been having remarkable results with BETADINE. It cost about $16. per bottle but is well worth it. I have been using this for 2 weeks now and have only 4/5 lesions left. The betadine applied 2/3 times a day dries up the sores completely. As for the itching, I use a crème for poison ivy. I have had great results with both.

 02-25-04

Sleese

Avarest --I have been using is a ointment called avarest for poison which dries up the skin. This has helped me some and I think any kind of ointment used to dry up irritations would help.

02-25-04

Laura

Capsaicin & Penaten  --The first thing I did was try to stop scratching with the help of Benadryl, Claritin, Capsaicin and Penaten and hospital tape to cover the itchy spots. The less I scratched, the fewer bumps I had. I no longer use any of those products. 

02-20-04

Spedangie

Protopic -- The Protopic has greatly minimized the problem on the arms, stomach and knee, its 75% better. The palms aren't doing very well, and remain intensely itchy.

11-10-03

Annette

Prednisone  --I am taking cyclosporine and it has improved my PN dramatically, and cleared my face. I am pretty excited about this medication, and I hope others who are suffering will try it. Prednisone was previously the only thing that helped me in the past, and I was determined not to take it again.

03-22-06

Kizzie55

Aloe Vera + Atarax Pills  -I also found that aloe vera helped in the healing process of my sores. The atarax eliminated the itch scratch cycle for me, so for right now I'm ok.

04-04-06

Soother

Bactorban or Mupricin  --I used bactorban (mupricin) after trying several other ointments for a complication of swelling itch that got out of control. It worked!! It comes in cream that is waterbased as well as petroleum based ointment. It is usually used for yeast type fungal issues.   

11-26-05

Geriler 

Coconut Oil  --Keeping my single PN bump moisturized seems to help too. I like coconut oil myself.  

11-25-05

Ravilla 

Bacitracin + Aquaphor + Saran Wrap  --This is going to sound rather bizzare, but it has given me relief from the terrible itching. Here's what it is. After I shower and towel dry, I put Bacitracin ointment on each nodule on my arms and legs. (So far, I have only done this on my forearms and from my knees down to my ankles.)

Next, I apply a thin layer of Aquaphor over my limbs, from the knees down on my legs and from my elbows out on my arms. (Both Bacitracin and Aquaphor ointments are available OTC).

Then, I wrap approximately a one-foot long piece of saran wrap around each limb covering the Aquaphor. The Aquaphor helps the saran wrap to stick and stay in place while it hydrates the skin and keeps the moisture in. It also helps the nodules from being irritated by clothing. Most of all, it relieves the itching considerably.

When my PN does itch, I can lightly scratch on the saran wrap. Also, because the nodules become moist, they do not hurt nearly as bad. Yes, it probably looks a little strange, but so does PN. I can tell that the nodules are getting thinner. After me being "wrapped up" for a day, I remove the saran wrap and shower. After towel drying, I use a dry lufa or something with a rough texture to remove the dead, whitened skin on the very top of the nodules. Then I repeat the process. 

08-26-05

Befuddledmom

Zonalon Cream  --Zonalon cream is the best thing I've used to help the itching.

08-16-05

Marlene

Milk of Magnesia as Ointment  --I still use Milk of Magnesia as a lotion for PN, morning and evening, and continue to find it the fastest, and longest lasting topical relief. And it is CHEAP. Tried Zinc Oxide, feels good, but did not help healing at all for me.   

07-24-05

Silverado

Zinc Oxide Ointment  --Use 20% zinc oxide for a wide variety of skin lesions/infections. Apply a liberal amount to the CLEAN wound site. You should see and feel a difference within 24 hours. Great for inflamed lesions of all types and much safer than steroids for inflammation. Cost less than 3 bucks for a tube at local drug store.

Steroids interfere with the body's ability to heal and ultimately result in a stagnate lesion that is very lengthy to heal or wont heal. Zinc is highly compatible with the body's healing process when taken both internally and externally.

I have also found that regular application of topical 20% zinc oxide on a healing wound that is transitioning into scar formation dramatically helps the scar fade. Zinc oxide works as an antibiotic, not directly but by giving the body's defensive cells the main mineral element needed in wound healing. Cant build a house without nails! Also very effective with fungal infections. For itching try a dab of sesame seed oil.    

06-13-05

Mbaughman

Dovonex  --I have been using dovonex for the past 6 months with remarkable improvement. It is probably the most beneficial cream that I have used for PN.

06-10-05

Johnna38

Dovonex + Diflorasone  --My mother's derm started her one month ago on Dovonex Oint. 0.05% and Diflorasone 0.05%. After about two weeks I saw a very little improvement. She said she was still really itchy. Well I just came from looking at her leg and I can't even believe how much better it is.

It is the first time we have ever seen an improvement, I can't stress that enough. I also can't stress enough how bad her case is. I just put both creams everywhere on her. We put the Dovonex first and then put the Diflorasone on top. My pharmacy substituted the Diflorasone for Psorcon Ointment.   

05-23-05

Tdawson107

MSM Ointment + MSM Pills  --I had PN for over a year, tried several remedies, finally started using 100% MSM cream and along with taking MSM via tablet. It took three months for it to go away completely.    

03-28-05

Ddisante 

Zonalon Cream + Ultravate Ointment  --I use two topical medications which are helpful, prescribed by my dermatologist. They are Zonalon cream (Bioglan pharmaceuticals) fior the itch, and Ultravate ointment (Bristo--Myers-Squibb) for the irritation.  

11-03-06

Dawn 

Mimyx Cream  --I just wanted to let other know about Mimyx cream. This cream is non-steroidal and along with Cetaphil has enabled my skin to heal. Mimyx relieves the burning and itching allowing the natural healing process to begin. Since I have been usuing it, almost all of my spots have healed. When I do see a flare up, I put Mimyx on as needed. The flare calms down in less than a week usually. Mimyx is by Rx only, though. Ask for a sample, that how I first tried it. 

11-03-06

Phoenixwoman

Mimyx Cream  --Yes, Mimyx cream does work; it is a creme for chemotherapy patients and relieves the burning and itch of the chemo treatment...it is expensive but well worth the $65.00    

11-23-06

Mckneely

Mimyx Cream & Silvadine mixed with Trimacycline  --I have been using it about a week..I can tell a little difference that it is not as bad...I still have the large sore looking nodules but they look like they are getting some better...The only time I itch now is when I change to my PJS at night...As long as I have sleeves on I am fine...I do like the mimyx creme but I also like just as good. a derm perscribed me silvadine cream mixed with the trimacycline & it works real good for itching...I have been on that for over 2 years & wanted to try something else...I have probably tried 30 different meds & cremes & those are my 2 favorites.

06-04-04

Laura

Capsaisin Ointment  --Please don't give up on Capsaisin yet. It was the first thing I found (on this board of course) that gave me any kind of relief. Yes, it is very Hot and uncomfortable, but it makes you stop scratching - doesn't it? I used to put it on in the evening, lose the urge to scratch, go to bed and fall asleep, and then wake up On Fire! After a couple of weeks my skin got used it and that didn't happen anymore. Then it was just apply a dab of Heet, let it burn for a few minutes and go about my business.

05-06-03

03-19-04

Kyiaj

Safe Solutions Crocodile Cream  --What help ME get rid of my sores is Safe Solutions crocodile silky sooth moisturizing cream. It helps especially on the head, and ear bumps/sores, and face as well...It's a funny long path how I got to them, but its the best for the head.

03-28-04

SandyRee

Lexpro & Protopic Ointment  --I take Lexapro for nerves and protopic ointment for sores. It seems to help more than anything else.

08-08-04

Sleese

Vitamin E Oil applied to sores, Vitamin C, Vitamin E  --I have been applying vitamin E oil to all sores and scars and wow things are clearing up wonderfully. I have not had any new outbreaks in the past 2 months. I am also taking a daily vitamin. My doctor says I should be taking at least 800mg of vitamin C and also some vitamin E to help my autoimmune system.

11-05-04

Pfishend

Alo Vera Gel, Sarna Lotion, Lyderm Lotion  --I am using 100% Aloe Vera Gel, I find it quite soothing and it's not a Steroid. I also get a fair bit of relief using Sarna Lotion (It is a mild steroid) but mostly now I use Lyderm and Aloe Vera Gel. Hope it helps a little for you.