I have been extremely itchy for years. Can you help me?

July 9, 2013

Hi, I am hoping you can help me….

I have been extremely itchy for years. Forearms and legs mostly, but can be horrible all over. All I can think it that is it an allergic reaction. I can’t sit in upholstered chairs or I get visible bites and horrible itching.

My skin gets broken scratch like spots and my hands are often swollen. I tried Bronners but it got much worse– it dried my skin out horribly. I’ve used other things also, but they leave a terrible soap scum. I use 7th generation laundry soap and it doesn’t make me itch but just saw that it is mostly SLS. Laundry soaps esp. make me unbearably itchy. Even ones that say they are fragrance free.

OK– so.. what do you suggest to help me? I saw you recommended for non-detergent items that will help ezcema… I need laundry soap (incl for delicates, silk, wool, etc), shower gel, hand soap, dish soap, face soap, etc. But ones that will not leave a residue if that’s possible with soap (ideally without having to rinse everything in vinegar……). Something that will help the dry skin but not make me itch or leave a residue on my skin or clothes……

Can you help me?

No guarantees, but I will try:

  1. Do you have cats or other pets?
  2. I suspect that you may have strong dust allergies. If there are no fleas or bed bugs present, this is the most likely culprit for “old furniture rash”.
  3. You are going to have to experiment to find out what your triggers are. Dust is probable. Fake scents seem to be implicated since 7Gen did not make you itch, yet it is full of detergents. The common element in fake scents is “toluene”, a commonly used scent carrier and solvent that does not appear on any label. If someone becomes sensitized to toluene, they will not like any fake scents or flavors. This means you should avoid prepackaged processed foods of any type.
  4. “Everything that goes into your body or on your body must be medicine!” This means that if something is not healing for you, leave it be. This is particularly true for Reactive Bodies – like yours.
  5. Always do a “patch test” when trying new products. Gently rub a small amount of the product on one inner arm near the elbow. Wait 90 minutes. Compare arms. Products you cannot use will often raise a bump, a rash, or an itch.
  6. Test our latex-reduced shea butter in a patch test. If all is well, use our Butter Bar to soothe and Green Gold to heal and moisturize.
  7. Try Unscented Castile Liquid Soap for laundry, dishes, and general cleaning.
  8. Try Unscented Foaming Hand Soap for daily hand washing.

Wishing you all the Best,

Larry Plesent

 

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