sandover
Molly + all --
Here is the info on
Iodine and skin repair "from the inside out" that I read last winter, which I just located:
http://thyroid.about.com/library/derry/bl2a.htm
an excerpt:
"...even small amounts of
Iodine absorbed through the skin can have good effects on body organs. From my own clinical experience, repeated application of
Iodine (Lugol’s) to the skin appears to cause regeneration of the skin from the bottom up (Quiescent, stable or stem cell) (3) eventually sloughing the old version of the skin off like a snake molting. If there was a pre-cancerous lesion on the old skin, it is replaced with new skin minus the lesion. There does not seem to be any skin lesions which are not helped or cured by this procedure. In some cases I found clinically obvious low thyroid conditions also needed to be treated to be more effective. Minor lacerations and healing of surgical wounds respond well. If skin regeneration is from the bottom, then there is little or no scar formation.
My parents’ generation tended to put tincture of iodine onto a fresh wound to prevent infection. This turns out to be helpful but not the best way to use it. Besides it stung badly when applied. It is much more effective (and doesn't hurt) to apply iodine repeatedly after a scab has been formed. The iodine put onto the scab helps to organize total repair of the tissue..."
I made up a jar of EVCO/Sesame/Iodine into which I put a lot of iodine (although it still does not stain the skin, although I don't want to reach a point where it does and then not be able to leave the house...!). The nice thing about adding the sesame, in part, is that it seems to keep the EVCO more liquid so you can get a little spoonful out easily (instead of chipping away at a solid block of EVCO and iodine. I have not added enough iodine to itch as Molly describes (maybe that is a healing reaction, too!). (And, last winter I was putting straight iodine on my crow's feet and certain "problem areas" on my skin, which didn't produce itchiness either).
But wanted to say that this stuff is great, too, in the ears and in the nose (on Q-tips, don't answer the door or otherwise see anyone). And it eventually absorbs enough that you can go out without washing or wiping it off. You can also add a little oil of oregano for extra anti-microbial power.
I have not used soap on my face since Wombat and I had a discussion about it here last winter or spring... . (I moved my soap to the tooth-cleaning department!) My skin has never looked better, either. And what a relief not to go through the charade of face-washing every night hoping it would improve things!
Laura