Well, Melody.... sulfates are not the same as sulfites (metabisulfite,) or sulfonamides that he reacted to before. Sulfates are not allergenic.

But one cannot put Epsom lotion on broken skin...it will sting and hurt. (like rubbing salt into a wound).

That tiger balm you use is very high in menthol.
http://www.tigerbalm.com/us/pages/tb...t?product_id=3

But you should not put it on broken skin either.

Does Alan eat Omega-3's? low levels of EFAs really affect the skin negatively. Also does he take a vitamin tablet daily? The elderly should be taking Vit A and may become deficient if the diet is low. A Centrum Silver daily has the right amount...One should be careful with Vit A so don't take it singly...use the dose that is in a Multivit. You can buy Borage oil and open the capsule up and rub it in. I find that very good for dry skin areas. It provides GLA to the skin.(may fancy skin products contain GLA now).

Is he taking Vit D? Dovenex products on RX are just Vit D cream. You could try A and D ointment, the original baby diaper product...it can nourish the skin in topical form. (just do one arm as a test to see what happens.)
This brand only:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/10417312?w...187272&veh=sem

Hi, Mrs. D. Alan also used BenGay and just told me Tiger Balm Ultra has 11 percent Menthol, but Ben Gay has 10 percent, so what's the big deal. Alan says he wants a mentol cream with 20 percent. I said 'They don't make that".

Am I correct?

And yes he takes a multi vitamin for seniors with Vitamin A in it.

My goodness, all these questions about Methol.

Oh, he put it between his toes because that is where the neuropathy pain is.

Thanks much

Melody

You'll just have to Google it or search on Amazon.

It can be tricky applying stuff on the whole body. I'd caution against that, without doctor supervision. Do one limb or area at a time and rotate applications each day.

Mrs. D. there is NO whole body application. There is ONLY between his toes.

I looked up Icy Hot and Extra Strength Ben Gay. They have 30 percent methol (the strongest in any cream). I also looked up oil of wintergreen which has 98 percent which is toxic to anyone.

So I gather if he's just using it between the toes, then either icy hot or the Extra Strength Ben gay will be better than the tiger baum, right?

Remember he only uses any of these between his toes, no where else.

And he takes precription strength Vitamin D (once a week)

Thanks much, Melody

The RX vitamin D does NOT work....it is D2 and inactive in humans. Doctors still give patients that junk...and they get nowhere. RX D treatments are now known to be useless for the most part.

He needs D3...that is only OTC. If you know his tested level it is 1000IU of D3 for every 10 points to raise. So if he is very low -- say below 20 he would need 5,000IU daily to raise to a level of 50. It is very inexpensive.

This is best taken daily.

We are seeing Dr. Fred this thursday. I am printing out what you wrote.

He is always supportive of anything we inform him of.

Will update and thanks very very much

Melody

Here is an explanation about D2 vs D3:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/237943.php

You can give this to your doctor tomorrow.

You can also tell him that D3 has replaced all food supplementation in this country.