Product Reviews (no Photos)

A list of items we have used during TSW. Josh has given the pros and cons to each. These are his experiences of how these items affected him and his skin.

 

Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly)

Pros-

• Loosens tight skin
• Reduces itchiness
• Lasts for whole day

Cons-

• Not helpful early in TSW, stung
• Greasy

Vitamin D

Pros-

• Heals up ooze
• Stops stinging
• Clears eczema

Cons-

• Risk of overdose, must limit amount to apply
• Difficult to find in gel capsule form for topical use
• A little greasy
• Doesn't always work with big flares

Turmeric (mixed with olive oil or vaseline)

Pros-

•  Calms inflammation, seems to clear eczema
• Helps with itchiness

Cons-

• Stains for 24 hours
• Is a spice, risk of reaction - limited use.

Olive Oil

Pros-

•  Starts feeling less sore through the day

Cons-

• Heats the skin at application
• Stings when applying

Dr Fukuya's Skin Repair

Pros-

• Cooling to the skin

Cons-

• Too painful to apply to much of the open skin. Have not used since.

Dead Sea Salt (Bath)

Pros-

• None

Cons-

• Too painful

Epsom Salt (Bath)

Pros-

• Stopped itching when Josh was a baby
• Seemed to stop itching during TSW

Cons-

• If not dissolved properly it can sting

Ice Packs

Pros-

• None

Cons-

• Never felt cold enough, sometimes felt hot (possibly due to nerve issues)

Fan (Handheld & Freestanding)

Pros-

• Cooled skin
• Reduced itchiness

Cons-

• Noisy

Sunlight

Pros-

• Cleared up skin
• Reduced itchiness

Cons-

• None

Skin Massager

Pros-

• Used in place of rubbing or scratching

Cons-

• Noisy
• Not to hand (too itchy to get out of pocket or drawer)
• Battery powered (didn't last very long)

GAPS Diet

Pros-

• Softened skin
• Delicious recipes

Con-

• Too many sensitivities to continue with diet. It starts out quite restrictive but new foods are gradually added. This became a problem because TSW flares can mask reactions - so we were unable to introduce new foods making it very difficult to stick to. We will resume once TSW clears.