Q. A friend who is an internist recommended a mixture of milk of magnesia (MoM) and Lotrimin AF to combat seborrheic dermatitis on my face and the backs of my ears. She suggested mixing roughly half a 12-oz bottle of MoM with a whole tube of the Lotrimin AF cream.
The first application certainly had a positive effect on my skin. I did not follow through as I should have, so I don’t know how well it works long term. Have you ever heard of this remedy?
A. We could find no research on this intriguing remedy for seborrheic dermatitis. This skin condition is characterized by itching, flaking, scales and redness. It frequently occurs on the scalp as super dandruff or even on the eyebrows, forehead, around the nose or on the chin. It appears to be an inflammatory response to yeast on the skin called Malassezia.
Dermatologists frequently treat this problem with anti-fungal creams (such as clotrimazole, the active ingredient in Lotrimin AF). Topical steroid creams such as hydrocortisone are also used. Dandruff shampoos containing ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, or zinc pyrithione can be helpful.
Readers claim that applying milk of magnesia to the armpits is a gentle and effective way to reduce sweating and odor. Perhaps the drying effect and alkalinity of MoM together with the antifungal activity of Lotrimin AF discourage Malassezia yeast.
