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Email a friendListerine Eases Nasty Skin Condition
Newspaper Columns, Herb & Home Remedy Q&A August 6, 2007
Q. I had a bout with folliculitis, an infection that causes inflammation of the hair follicles. My dermatologist prescribed an antibiotic ointment that was messy and hard to use.
I decided that if Listerine killed germs in a person's mouth, it might kill the germs on my skin. I tried it and the condition cleared up so dramatically that I use only Listerine when it recurs.
A. Folliculitis is usually caused by infection with bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. That’s why an antibiotic lotion or ointment, often clindamycin, is the treatment of choice.
Listerine is certainly a novel way of treating this condition. We’re delighted it has worked so well for you. It is sure to be less expensive than the topical antibiotic.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
© 2007 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Reader Comments
I've had rashes on my legs for years and years, and was diagnosed with Nummular Eczema. I saw many doctors and tried many home remedies, and finally saw a new specialist last year. Shot me with Cortisone, and it fixed me right up. It is the only method that has worked, and I would recommend it to anyone going though the pain and aggravation that I went through. Can you wear shorts without feeling embarrassed? Well I can, now.
Posted by: KATIE | August 6, 2007 4:36 PM
My elderly parents are both diabetic, but Dad especially has lower extremity, complicated by extreme RA, bone spur removals, knee replacements, and obesity. Already they have amputated two toes on one foot. I began "doing their pedicures" with foot & leg massage, lotion and nail trimmings, about 2 years ago, and we have "saved" another toe that showed infection in a bone scan 2 years ago. However I unfortunately have continued to see a slow downward change in skin condition, discoloration, nail fungus, loss of sensation...
Two months ago, I started adding a generic store brand of the amber mouthwash, like Listerine, to the foot bath, and after only the third pedicure with it (and no other dietary or prescription changes) Dad jerked his foot back and said "that tickled" when I began to buff the under arch of his "bad foot"!!!!! He hadn't "felt" anything in that foot for years.
Now his skin color is more normal on the feet (stays more pink and less purple between pedicures), even though the leg below the knee is continuing to worsen. His doctor just gave me a "that's nice" condescending nod when we told him.
Is there a physiological or medical explanation for the improvement? And does anyone have a recommendation for application and treatment of the entire leg below the knees like this? They are both obese with limited mobility and neither of them can get into and out of a bathtub any more.
Thanks!
Posted by: Rita | August 15, 2007 10:26 PM
Regarding soaking a foot in Listerine and wondering how it could be done with an entire lower leg.
Years ago my ex-wife worked in a body wrapping salon. They used ace bandages soaked in a solution. They would wrap the extremities with the ace bandages for 20 minutes or so.
I see no reason why this wouldn't work with Listerine around the lower leg. One would not need to wrap the leg too tightly. Once it was wrapped around, then she could spray the bandages with more Lysterine from a spray bottle to keep the leg saturated during the wrap.
While this may not work as well as soaking the leg, it certainly is better than the alternatives they have now.
Posted by: John | September 3, 2007 8:45 PM