My personal experiences and contribution of Helpful information for sufferers of Malassezia Yeast Fungal infections or other, scalp to toe, fungal skin conditions i.e. Demodex, Scabies or Morgellons
I will be happy to
answer if you have any questions
after you have been
through most entries.
AS:
Hi
Sonata,
You're welcome. On another quest to research these gruelling symptoms
that I found your blog. I was so captivated by the nearly identical
symptoms and stories that I read the entire blog within a couple of
hours.
This is
a rare occasion where I can say, "I honestly know how you feel" and
truly mean every single word. It must say, I kind of feel a little more
inner peace knowing that I am not alone. I haven't told anyone (other
than you) how I feel these
horrific "sensations".
It is
embarrassing and many people associate issues like this with people who
are unclean or have hygiene issues. At a normal routine
check-up, I vaguely described the symptoms to my Doctor and I showed
him the marks (hard scabbed lesions with the two dots) on my
upper arms. My concerns were dismissed with a simple diagnosis of
"acne" and it was not scabies or Lyme disease and
"these things can sometimes stem from our way of
thinking".
I also use
the zinc shampoo and salicylic soap. I've been using a homemade body
scrub I concocted out of sheer desperation and it has been helping
(my
husband/kids are so confused as to why I've been on a
kick making all these homemade products lol!). I am afraid to get my
hopes up because
I know
how crushing it is to regress and feel like your back at where you
started. So, I will say that I feel "optimistic" with the
results thus far.
There
is no set "recipe" - I just looked for individual ingredients
that COULD
possibly provide some type of relief.
In a
squeezable bottle with a larger lid I use some DAWN dish soap
- 1/4 cup(ish) - dissolves oil on skin, a
couple cups of baking soda
- for
volume and grit, some sea salt (maybe 1/2 cup?), a few tablespoons
(I use
more :D) of cayenne pepper (it doesn't burn my skin - I'm careful
around certain "areas" and obviously my face), cinnamon, I
had some leftover grapefruit rind so I dried it out, ground it up and added it
to the scrub. It makes a huge mess from the color, but so far it has been
worth it.
I apply
it in the shower with a wash cloth while my hair is soaking in the zinc
shampoo. When I am all done rinsing off the scrub, I use the salicylic on
my face and then lightly all over my body - let it sit a min or 2 and then
rinse hair, face and body.
On a
side note - Over the summer, I was so desperate to "catch" this
"thing" that I was putting tape all over me and attempting to look
under a microscope my dad used in his classroom (biology
teacher) back in 1971!! lol!! he was so confused as to why I was digging
it out of their attic lol!!! I couldn't see a single thing, even though I
had those hard round things on the tape.
It just
goes to show, desperate means call for desperate measures.
Again,
thank you for being so courageous and speaking out about this.
Your
posts, research, microscope photos and
documentation were so well done. I've never
ever contacted a single person regarding their websites or blog
but I felt so compelled to thank you.
Sonata:
Hello AS,
All so nicely said!
... ( thanks again!)
and i adored the
‘family /home made bits’ comments!
Yes, i can relate to
them as well
and the “I know what
you mean” equally true on both sides.
Re: Peroxide;
I always have some
in the cabinet but i am very careful
of when /where to
use and at what stage of Malassezia development
because i have had
some very messy and very painful experiences
as mentioned in
‘Treatments and Results’ Entries
that i would avoid
using it at all costs unless attacked in a place
that would cause
more pain and inconvenience for longer.
This thankfully has
not happened since the commencement
of YAM application,
and i hope it stays so....
AS:
Sonata,
Thanks! Nice to read other's input. I tried a selenium based shampoo
Worked well.
Do you have any input regarding its use?
I read that
mans post and was just curious if you had any personal experience with it.
Sonata:
The Selenium
Sulphite brand that i use often causes an initial quiet
and then a frenzied
back activity and i cannot call it coincidence...
so i only use rarely
just to confuse the Yeast.
I had the same
result using it in the bath water
so all in all i am
uncertain about it and way more inclined not to use.
I will check if the
H& S brand here have a selenium Sulphite one
and will try...
tentatively! Lol! ... maybe the other ingredients are different
and produce a better
result???
Sonata:
I was thinking,
Have you tried
covering your head thoroughly and richly
with Zink Pyrithione
shampoo without wetting your hair,
then covering with a
Lycra or shower cap
and leaving it on for
2-3 hours?
It works wonders for
me but the problem is
yeast being produced
internally the result good as it is,
is only temporary...
but done once every few weeks
helps control excessive
presence.
AS:
Hi,
I have used it before, but just left it on for apx 10 min. My scalp bothers me
most during the summer months. In the summer, it is rough. We only have window
ac units in our house so it is a challenge to keep cool/comfortable. Winter
helps, but it's still uncomfortable. Some days are better than others, but it
is just so frustrating and such a cross to carry. It worries me that my family
will acquire it and I worry that my health issues all stem from it. I was on
antibiotics for apx 2 years (daily) for kidney/bladder problems. After that I
had severe unexplained hives for 1 year straight - all over my body 24/7 365. I
was hospitalized within the last year for ruptures in my lungs/oesophagus and
now I have breathing issues/asthma. My teeth have become noticeably weak within
the last 6 months. Do you feel they could somehow relate? It's overwhelming.
Sonata:
We definitely share
a very similar story,
I was on long term
antibiotics for Lung Atypical TB for eight years
and thats when the
yeast problem started
and got worse when i
got off them.
It is a cross to
bear and had brought me to suicidal state several times
but have managed to
get to this liveable - way more quiet level now
with just a Few
Simple things and Completely Natural,
only exception the Zink
Pyrithione shampoo.
Yes, it gets worse
during hot weather and it is Summer here
and i am relieved to
see that i am not experiencing it
as bad as previous
summers.
Your family members
do have it irrespective of your problem
but it all depends
on their immune system and how well it can fight it
and if they do not
display any signs it means they are in top condition
so, do the best you
can about yourself and minimising transferring
more to them and
stop worrying.
Regarding the weak
teeth -and bones i might add!- yes,
they are absolutely
related in many more ways than one:
* The Yeast utilises
Calcium for the formation of its cell
at the solidifying stage when ready to develop hyphae
and start digging in into the skin.
* Most antibiotics
inhibit the absorption of Calcium
and this in itself upsets the mineral
balance in the body.
Unfortunately, Calcium is needed in so many
areas in the body
such
as muscles -and heart is a muscle!- apart from
the hair, nails, bones etc ...and the Yeast
Thief! lol!
but the Body has no wisdom in regards to
prioritising need
in regards to Calcium
distribution, thus creating some imbalance
that
knocks off many areas.
Additionally the
consumption of certain foods and substances
further inhibit its
absorption such as:
Coffee, Tea, Sugars, excessive fats
especially cooked ones etc.
So, research about
it and see if any areas in your diet
require any alterations
and how you can fortify your body
with Calcium and Facilitate
its Absorption because absorption
is more important
than quantity if it only passes
through the
intestinal canal unutilised.
I have an Entry
where i show the Difference of Nails
'Before' the use of
Seawater -rich with natural minerals- and Yoghurt –
and 'After'... with
nails, hair growing fast like crazy
I also suggest you
try if you can leaving the ZP shampoo on
for 2-3 hours at
least once, to see if it works for you
but not daily -once
every couple of weeks is sufficient and safer!
Good Luck! :)
* * * * * * * * *
Jan 2013
Greetings,,
Hope things are going well. I was
still struggling with scalp issues and then I found someone who had tried
(Claritin) an 10 mg antihistamine for allergies and it’s Over The
Counter. I have tons of allergies, so I’ve been trying the antihistamine
for the last 10 days and it’s improved greatly and my scalp is starting to feel
more normal. Just thought it might be worth sharing. You are
welcomed to use my information and first name if you like. Wish you
victory over your health issues in the new year.
Hello Renae,
Nice of you to
return and contribute!
It is good that
Claritin has given you some relief.
Dermatologists also
prescribe antihistamines for this purpose
but they do not
eliminate the problem.
If it is Malassezia you
have, feeling better does not mean it is gone
it is very adaptable
and you will find that gradually it will go back
to how it was.
Antihistamines block
the body’s messages,
numb the feeling of
itchiness and burning, may initially slow down
the activity but do
not stop it from multiplying.
I achieve the same
effect by taking
1 B Complex Vitamin
2 Niacinamide 500mg
at night time and i
sleep for 5-6 straight hours
but then i have to
stop for one or two nights and start again.
I sleep but the
yeast still works during the night.
I have now reached
the best possible state i have ever been
with balancing my
diet, taking the vitamins as above at bedtime
Although Myself i have
almost Totally Reverted back to 100% Natural Methods
and Substances but with
better understanding and intend
to Controlling the Levels of Presence and Effects of
Malassezia
and finding them More Effective than All relatively harmful Chemicals
that i have used throughout my long
experimentation,
i understand that some people may prefer to test and rely
on more Pharmaceutically Orthodox methods of treatment
and as such Tom Busby
seems to have done some extensive research
and developed accordingly
methods of his own, so here i include his input below:
Sonata
Skin Problems - Red Circular sores, including Tinea
Versicolor, & Malassezia
I'm 59,
and have had red skin sores since I was 5. The following write up is
based on a lot of research and experience, and I want to share it with
you. I'm not selling anything. Since I'm finally getting better, my
blood pressure has dropped 10 points and my skin is so much better. Yes,
it's a long post but the skin condition is complicated.
Fungal Skin Problems that Appear Crusty, Red and Circular
If you have circular red crusty sores and never ending hive like itching, and
other areas on your body where the skin is thick or hard, wet your entire body
and wash with an over the counter (OTC) antifungal shampoo, leaving it on for 3
to 5 minutes in the shower before rinsing off. Use a soft bath brush to
scrub your soapy skin while the shower is turned off during this 3 to 5 minute
period of time. Use a heater to warm your bathroom to 80 degrees so you
can tolerate standing around wet for 5 minutes. After rinsing off, air
dry your body with a hair dryer, as using a towel will tend to wipe off the
medicine remaining from the shampoo. Afterwards, do not apply any oil
based lotions -- the fungus causing the circular sores is malessezia, which is
lipophilic, which means it metabolizes fats and oils. A non-comedogenic
lotion, like Cetaphil, is a non-oily lotion. You may have been diagnosed
as having seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, tinea versicolor, eczema,
or oily dandruff. If you instead have psoriasis, which produces white
irregular scaly patches (instead of red circular patches caused by fungus) an
antifungal treatment will not be effective.
Three Effective Over the Counter Anti-Fungal Shampoo Treatments for Malassezia
The most effective OTC shampoo is Hegor 150 (Climbazole 1.5%). Hegor 150
is made in France and is available in the US only on EBay and it will be
shipped from Europe.
While you are waiting three weeks for your shipment of Hegor 150, you can mail
order OTC Nizoral (Ketoconazole 1.0%) shampoo, which is available only online
in the US -- after 2011 it has not been sold in brick and mortar drug
stores. Nizoral is effective on malassezia, but less so than the Hegor
shampoo. Both Climbazole and Ketoconazole work by slowly dissolving
fungal cell walls.
Also consider applying Hibiclens (Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4%) just before you
apply the antifungal shampoo, as fungi are capable of working with other
microbes to create symbiotic biofilms, but be careful to keep the Hibiclens
away from your nostrils, eyes, and ears. This is an off label use of
Hibiclens.
The third alternative shampoo is Selsun Blue (Selenium Sulphide 1.0%), which is
sold by all drug stores. Selsun Blue is a 1970’s compounding of selenium
disulfide that activates the body’s natural defenses against Malassezia but
does not dissolve the fungal cell walls, which is why Nizoral and Hegor
shampoos are recommended. However, the most useful aspect of Selsun Blue
is that it is effective only against Malassezia and can thereby provide a
quick, easy to purchase diagnosis. Use it for 3 or 4 days, stand in
bright sunlight and scratch your scalp. If you see far more white flakes than
you ever saw before, you have an abundance of malassezia. Alternatively,
after using any of these shampoos daily for 3 to 4 days, if your skin turns red
in blotches, you have an accurate diagnosis that malassezia has colonized your
skin.
Nevertheless, if your doctor actually took a skin scraping with a razor blade
and looked at it under a microscope to accurately diagnose malassezia, as most
veterinarians would do, and then prescribed 2.5% selenium sulphide, you might
consider other alternatives. Two years ago doctors were not very well
informed about malassezia because the fungi were difficult for researchers to
categorize and study, and the human body has an abundance of numerous
microbiota. Now, with DNA genome sequencing, much medical research has
been published and new perspectives on malassezia have become widely
distributed. Nizoral 2.0% prescription shampoo would be an acceptable
prescription choice for a doctor, but in any event, Hegor’s Climbazole 1.5%
costs only $16 for a 150 ml bottle, is OTC and is more effective.
The use and importing of Climbazole shampoo is legal because the FDA and the EU
in 2011 licensed up to 2.0% Climbazole in OTC shampoos. However, as of
2012, only Hegor of France manufactures a shampoo with Climbazole. In addition,
Climbazole is soluble in isopropanol whereas Ketoconazole is soluble in
ethanol, so Hegor’s Climbazole shampoo does not have the slight smell like
Nizoral shampoo. A 150 ml bottle of Hegor 150 lasts about 3 weeks in
daily use, so order three bottles at a time because of the 3-week shipping
delay.
Head and Shoulders and many other OTC antidandruff shampoos contain zinc
pyrithione, 1% or 2%, and are effective only on dry dandruff, in other words,
where the dandruff is a non-inflammatory condition of the scalp. Zinc
pyrithione is thought to improve the bonding and elasticity of the skin, and as
a consequence will not treat any part of the red crusty circular inflammation
caused by malassezia. Likewise, none of the other antifungals designed to
treat jock itch, foot fungus, or toenail fungus will have any effect on
malassezia. Corticosteroid lotions in theory will reduce itching, but
because they always contain oils, the lotion will feed the malassezia and make
the problem worse.
about Malassezia ailments through sharing experiences.
1) ‘Readers Contributions’ (PT 1)
Hello AS,
Thanks! Nice to read other's input. I tried a selenium based shampoo
I have used it before, but just left it on for apx 10 min. My scalp bothers me most during the summer months. In the summer, it is rough. We only have window ac units in our house so it is a challenge to keep cool/comfortable. Winter helps, but it's still uncomfortable. Some days are better than others, but it is just so frustrating and such a cross to carry. It worries me that my family will acquire it and I worry that my health issues all stem from it. I was on antibiotics for apx 2 years (daily) for kidney/bladder problems. After that I had severe unexplained hives for 1 year straight - all over my body 24/7 365. I was hospitalized within the last year for ruptures in my lungs/oesophagus and now I have breathing issues/asthma. My teeth have become noticeably weak within the last 6 months. Do you feel they could somehow relate? It's overwhelming.
Jan 2013
Fungal Skin Problems that Appear Crusty, Red and Circular
If you have circular red crusty sores and never ending hive like itching, and other areas on your body where the skin is thick or hard, wet your entire body and wash with an over the counter (OTC) antifungal shampoo, leaving it on for 3 to 5 minutes in the shower before rinsing off. Use a soft bath brush to scrub your soapy skin while the shower is turned off during this 3 to 5 minute period of time. Use a heater to warm your bathroom to 80 degrees so you can tolerate standing around wet for 5 minutes. After rinsing off, air dry your body with a hair dryer, as using a towel will tend to wipe off the medicine remaining from the shampoo. Afterwards, do not apply any oil based lotions -- the fungus causing the circular sores is malessezia, which is lipophilic, which means it metabolizes fats and oils. A non-comedogenic lotion, like Cetaphil, is a non-oily lotion. You may have been diagnosed as having seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, tinea versicolor, eczema, or oily dandruff. If you instead have psoriasis, which produces white irregular scaly patches (instead of red circular patches caused by fungus) an antifungal treatment will not be effective.
Three Effective Over the Counter Anti-Fungal Shampoo Treatments for Malassezia
The most effective OTC shampoo is Hegor 150 (Climbazole 1.5%). Hegor 150 is made in France and is available in the US only on EBay and it will be shipped from Europe.
While you are waiting three weeks for your shipment of Hegor 150, you can mail order OTC Nizoral (Ketoconazole 1.0%) shampoo, which is available only online in the US -- after 2011 it has not been sold in brick and mortar drug stores. Nizoral is effective on malassezia, but less so than the Hegor shampoo. Both Climbazole and Ketoconazole work by slowly dissolving fungal cell walls.
Also consider applying Hibiclens (Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4%) just before you apply the antifungal shampoo, as fungi are capable of working with other microbes to create symbiotic biofilms, but be careful to keep the Hibiclens away from your nostrils, eyes, and ears. This is an off label use of Hibiclens.
The third alternative shampoo is Selsun Blue (Selenium Sulphide 1.0%), which is sold by all drug stores. Selsun Blue is a 1970’s compounding of selenium disulfide that activates the body’s natural defenses against Malassezia but does not dissolve the fungal cell walls, which is why Nizoral and Hegor shampoos are recommended. However, the most useful aspect of Selsun Blue is that it is effective only against Malassezia and can thereby provide a quick, easy to purchase diagnosis. Use it for 3 or 4 days, stand in bright sunlight and scratch your scalp. If you see far more white flakes than you ever saw before, you have an abundance of malassezia. Alternatively, after using any of these shampoos daily for 3 to 4 days, if your skin turns red in blotches, you have an accurate diagnosis that malassezia has colonized your skin.
Nevertheless, if your doctor actually took a skin scraping with a razor blade and looked at it under a microscope to accurately diagnose malassezia, as most veterinarians would do, and then prescribed 2.5% selenium sulphide, you might consider other alternatives. Two years ago doctors were not very well informed about malassezia because the fungi were difficult for researchers to categorize and study, and the human body has an abundance of numerous microbiota. Now, with DNA genome sequencing, much medical research has been published and new perspectives on malassezia have become widely distributed. Nizoral 2.0% prescription shampoo would be an acceptable prescription choice for a doctor, but in any event, Hegor’s Climbazole 1.5% costs only $16 for a 150 ml bottle, is OTC and is more effective.
The use and importing of Climbazole shampoo is legal because the FDA and the EU in 2011 licensed up to 2.0% Climbazole in OTC shampoos. However, as of 2012, only Hegor of France manufactures a shampoo with Climbazole. In addition, Climbazole is soluble in isopropanol whereas Ketoconazole is soluble in ethanol, so Hegor’s Climbazole shampoo does not have the slight smell like Nizoral shampoo. A 150 ml bottle of Hegor 150 lasts about 3 weeks in daily use, so order three bottles at a time because of the 3-week shipping delay.
Head and Shoulders and many other OTC antidandruff shampoos contain zinc pyrithione, 1% or 2%, and are effective only on dry dandruff, in other words, where the dandruff is a non-inflammatory condition of the scalp. Zinc pyrithione is thought to improve the bonding and elasticity of the skin, and as a consequence will not treat any part of the red crusty circular inflammation caused by malassezia. Likewise, none of the other antifungals designed to treat jock itch, foot fungus, or toenail fungus will have any effect on malassezia. Corticosteroid lotions in theory will reduce itching, but because they always contain oils, the lotion will feed the malassezia and make the problem worse.