Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    
    	And since I started it....here's my question.
    
    	I have this itchy rash under one arm.  I've tried stopping
    	shaving/continuing shaving.  Stopping using anti-perspirant/
    	continuing using anti-perspirant.  Using baby powder/not using
    	baby powder.
    
    	It seems that if I do nothing it stays and if I go with my
    	usual routine it stays.  Any of you other ladies had this
    	problem before?  Is there something I can put on it, that
    	will at least stop the itch if not dry it up all together?
    

    I had a terrible underarm rash for a while when I was a teenager -
    turned out I am allergic to the active ingredient in antiperspirants
    (NOT the same thing as deodorants).  
    
    I quit shaving the armpits, and started using deodorants ONLY.
    
    lt

    I've had that same rash too....sometimes it's caused by shaving
    tooooooooo close, or too often..
    
    Either way, my dermatoligist (sp?) told me to get an antibiotic cream,
    i.e. bacitracin, neosporin, etc., and to stop using my
    anti-perspirant...just deoderant.
    
    I didn't use any for a few days and the rash went away.
    
    And above all else, DON'T SCRATCH!
    
    Jill
    

	When my son was having a problem with rashs on his arms, I had
	him make a paste of baking soda and water to be applied to the
	rash twice a day (morning and evening) for 5 minutes, then to
	rinse the paste off and dust with baking soda and not use any
	other powders or creams for a few days.  It seemed to work, he
	was away at school and we did not talk each day, but the rash
	went away.

	_peggy

		(-)
		 |
			The wonders of baking soda....
			A pure gift from the Goddess

    I used to transcribe notes for a dermatologist, and I came away with
    respect for the kind of specialized knowledge that they have.  Often,
    the patients' histories would show many things tried, none of which
    worked well enough -- because the (self) diagnosis was inaccurate.
    
    If it bothers you, I'd see a dermatologist.  
    
    I sometimes have a rash under the breasts and it turned out to be a
    yeast infection, which likes to grow in warm, damp places.  
    This responds rapidly to Monistat.  [Parenthetically,
    I remember another note in this, or the last, volume of =wn= about a
    homeopathic remedy for yeast which several users highly recommended.]
    Monistat is a prescription creme or lotion.  Actually, if you use some
    other remedy and expose the underarm to air, like from a fan, it may
    work better.
    
    Briana

>    I remember another note in this, or the last, volume of =wn= about a
>    homeopathic remedy for yeast which several users highly recommended.]
>    Monistat is a prescription creme or lotion.  Actually, if you use some
>    other remedy and expose the underarm to air, like from a fan, it may
>    work better.

You probably mean Yeastguard, which was discussed in the last version.
However, YG is a vaginal suppository, so unless you are into melting
suupositories under your arms, that probably won't do you much good.

re: base note - you said you tried not shaving but for how long?  I periodially
have trouble with shaving, and the problem doesn't go away untill the hair
has *grown out*, which usually takes me about a week.  If you went for
only a couple of days, maybe you should try again for longer.

Good luck.

D!

    A hint for itches which (dare I say the word?) shouldn't be scratched.
    Scratch - gently - on the opposite side of the body.  Works, sometimes.
    
    aq
    

    I did a hunt for homeopathic remedies in V1 and V2, and couldn't find
    any homeopathic ones (a lot you could do yourself without prescriptions
    though)....they can be found at the following locations (although the
    topics tend to talk about vaginal yeast infections, they also talk
    about general ways to wipe out systemic ones...)
    
    womannotes-v1
    92 - candida albican
    520 - yeast infection - help!
    
    womannotes-v2
    347 - help! vaginal infections... any thoughts?
    
    holistic
    155 - candida albicans
    
    -Jody

    Does anyone have pointers to notes on menstrual cramps?  I get severe
    ones and I've tried, it seems like, everything.  Large quantities of
    ibuprophen works, but I'd like to do something other than use drugs for
    them.  I've been going to a homeopathic physician for about a year and
    a half and have decided to quit since it's just not working -- I think
    he's given up on me also.
    
    Thanks for any help!
    
    Leslee

    For more info on cramps....Please see:
    
    Womannotes-V2
    274 - dealing with 'that time of the month'
    614 - menstrual P A I N - describe it
    
    Holistic
    244 - evening primrose and cramps
    
    Medical
    152 - treat/prevent menstrual cramps
    
    -Jody

	Can stress cause my period to come even though I've religiously
	taken my pill every night?

	this is REALLY weird, I mean, I'm on one of the strongest dosages
	of pills...............


	Kath

Kath,

    Yes.  Or, you could be on some kind of medication which is reducing
    the pill's absorbency (sometimes doctors forget to tell you this if
    you don't specifically ask, and there are certain antibiotics for
    which opinions differ).

    If it happens frequently, switching brands (not just dosages) might 
    help.

	Sharon

	Thanks.  No, I'm not on any other medications currently.

	I just got my dosage/brand changed anyway.....starting next
	month.....I'm sure it's just stress.


	"Stress....when the mind overrides the body's desire to
	choke the living sh*t out of someone that desperately needs
	it."  (I've had this saying hanging on my wall for years!)


	kath

    RE: .10
    
    Thanks for the pointers.  I just found the ones in Medical and
    Holistic.  How do I get into WOMANNOTES-V2?

    
    I hope this is the right place for this. If not, mods please
    move/delete accordingly. And this isn't a question so much
    as an experience.
    
    My wife had her gall bladder out on tuesday morning. From what
    the doctor told her it's more common among women than men,
    due to the rigors of childbirth and hereditary circumstances, 
    hence my entry here. Anyhow, the whole thing is quite
    unbelievable. They performed a laproscopic operation that required
    only 4 very small incisions. She left the hospital the next morning
    under no-restrictions whatsoever. Two days later she's damn near
    back to normal, lifting our childern, eating whatever she wants
    (in moderation of course) and is feeling great.
    In fact, her only discomfort was the gas they use to expand
    the stomach area; it takes a couple of days to disapear.
                                                            
    If anyone here has to face this in the future, I hope this info.
    will prove a little reassuring.
    
    						Hank

    womannotes-V2 can be found at MOMCAT::WOMANNOTES-V2.  It is an archived
    file, which means it is "read-only", in that you can't write to it. 
    But it's a wealth of information and experience....
    
    -Jody

    
    I have yet another question.  Scatterbrained me forgot to ask
    my gyn at my physical last month....
    
    	I've noticed over the past couple of months that my left
    	breast is larger than the right.  Not a whole lot but 
    	enough that I've noticed it with and without clothing on.
    	I don't know if one is shrinking or if one is growing!
    	It baffles and bothers me.  I know there's supposed to
    	be a slight difference but should it be this noticeable..
    	especially since I never noticed it before?
    
    	My doctor found nothing out of the ordinary with me when
    	I had my exam.
    
    	Thanks
    

    Most people are not perfectly symmetrical - my left breast is larger
    than the right one, and is heavier.  This doesn't bother me a lot,
    although the assymmetry seems more noticeable than it did when I was a
    teenager (I used to wear padded bras to look more symmetrical - don't
    bother with that anymore!).  If you are concerned about it, or it seems
    to have suddenly changed, make another appointment with your
    gynecologist and have it examined.  
    
    /Charlotte

    have you ever heard of using cornstarch - my mom, bless her soul
    mentioned it years ago,  it worked for me, good luck
    

    Corn starch is okay for most heat rashes, but if this involves any
    fungal or yeast infections, it will just fertilize the yeast,
    compounding the problems already present.  My mother had just exactly
    that happen in fairly delicate area, (Beneath her breasts).  I was the
    one who made the mistake of recommending cornstarch for a rash due to,
    we both thought excessive perspiration.  The cornstarch took an "icky"
    looking rash and turned it into a macerated mess.
    
    FWIW tinactin cleared it up.
    
    Meg

    Ah.  I've been using a paste of fuller's earth and witch hazel
    for rashes, bug bites, and some infections for a few years now.
    (Ask your pharmacist for fuller's earth.  Some carry it; some
    don't.)  Both fuller's earth and witch hazel have the property of
    "removing inpurities from skin".
    
    I glob it on, wait for it to dry, swab it off with a cotton thingie
    soaked in more witch hazel, and repeat -- once.  (It is very drying
    to skin.)
    
    People always ask what fuller's earth is, and I generally reply,
    "Some kinda dirt."  I then relent and elaborate:  It's a powder of
    various aluminum silicates, and was used to clean clothes before
    the invention of soap.  It's harmless, sterile, and inorganic -- so
    yeast beasties won't slurp it up.  I've found it works very well
    for cold sores, shingles, and bug bites.  If fuller's earth still
    makes you nervous, try a paste of baking soda and witch hazel.
    
    						Ann B.

    
    	Well I finally went to Health Services and the nurse there
    	seems to think I got something under my skin that I got a 
    	reaction to.  I must have shaved and then my deodorant got
    	into my skin and caused me to break out.  I'm using a cortisone
    	cream to clear it up and it seems to be working (thank goodness)
    	I hate the thought of not being able to shave or wear deodorant
    	till this is gone though....yecch!
    
    	Thanks for the responses, I tried some of them but they didn't
    	seem to help.
    
    	JJ