Candida?

Well if you have never heard of the word Candida -then nuts to you! No, I'm joking - its just that it may be my second least favourite word ever. It has to do with digestive health and the over growth of bad intestinal flora. Basically sugar becomes the evil overlord of your digestive tract and makes your life terrible.

Everything from itchy eyes, fuzzy brain function, sore throat, yeast infections, smelly feet and breath... the list goes on and on how Candida can harm you. In fact it can cause break outs on your skin and in your mouth! which is why I thought it would be interesting for you all to read.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candida_(fungus) - a fungus that lives in your gut is never a good idea...

Here check out what I'm reading:
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/intro2.php#s2


This lead me to find this: http://www.westonaprice.org/soy-alert/266-myths-and-truths-about-soy.html as I cannot live without sushi and soy products I am so sad that it is on the DO NOT EAT list. I think I will have to do it in moderation as I cannot give it up. I can easily say goodbye to pastries but not unagi maki ;)

I have been complaining about a sore throat with no cough. Itchy eyes. Face and thighs breaking out with DD. Bloating and yes - the female bits have gone wayward too. I recently went on a trip to Vienna where all I did was eat pastries and coffee - gee. I wonder why my gut is all out of whack? I am in such pain. And every time I eat I feel like I just ate a turkey dinner.

This is making my Darier's freak out! I am having more and more outbreaks since eating all that sugar. I knew sugar was a trigger and thought with digestive enzymes and only doing it for a short time my body would allow for it. I was SO WRONG.

Things I knew already and are having to learn a second time:

1. milk products are bad
2. sugar is even worse
3. alcohol dehydrates past your fun night out

-basically I can't have nice things.

What am I going to do about it? Well... I may have to go see my doctor for the female bits part as I don't think I can take it much more! But a detox will have to happen and I am SO TICKED OFF about that as all I want to do is eat sushi. I am wondering if there is a way around this eliminate sushi part...

Things I SHOULD EAT

• Lentils- Lentils are so versatile and tasty. When combined with long grain brown rice they become a complete protein and lentils can be used in so many different recipes.
• Quinoa- This grain is a complete protein and can be used in place of rice and pasta.
• Avocado- This fruit is a powerhouse of nutrition and rich in healthy fat.
• Chia seeds- These little dynamos can also be added to many dishes to up their nutritional value.
• Coconut Oil- This healthy fat can be used in place of other oils in recipes and has amazing anti-fungal properties.
• Turmeric- This spice is a must on the Candida diet and is perfect with lentils. Don’t be afraid to cook with it in all kinds of recipes.
• Brown Long Grain Rice
• Garlic- The health properties of fresh garlic are many.
• All natural Greek Yogurt- A great source of protein, calcium and natural probiotics
• Oats
• Unsweetened Taheebo Pau d’Arco tea
• Green Leafy Salads
• Fresh Lemons- They are rich in vitamin C, very low in sugar, and have an alkalizing effect on the body. Lemons make a great marinade and salad dressing option.

If you want to detox along with me for the sake of DD or boosting your immune system (which is always a good idea!) I am trying this list: http://www.wholeapproach.com/downloads/WholeApproach_Food_List.pdf

I'll let you know if there are any secrets like getting sushi back in there ;)

From Chatelaine Magazine

I read this article and I thought "forget ageless beauty! I want to know this technology works for skin disorders!"

http://www.chatelaine.com/en/article/23809--it-s-all-in-the-genes-how-scientists-are-finding-ways-to-make-you-look-younger

Take a look and tell me what you think!

Dealing with Stress

Since stress is a huge trigger for me a friend recommended this in times of need:

http://www.nelsonsstore.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=&Product_Code=BF01390&Category_Code=RR

It's called "Rescue Remedy" for when panic and stress are hitting a peak. I don't think its a daily thing like vitamin b or d but it could be a good back up when life hits you: like today I had a panic attack and I wish I had some of it to try.


I will pick it up soon and let you know what I think - but have you tried it? or something similar?

Talking to Zoi

I like community, it helps us understand that we are not alone. I had someone email recently about their Darier's story - I like sharing emails here because not only is it strengthening community - it also is more question and answers we can share with others who have DD. 

Please meet Z: 

hi adrianna,  my name is Z and i too suffer from DD.  right now i am so upset and depressed because i have such a yucky outbreak that i just don't really want to do anything and i'm tired of hearing myself complain.  i have two awesome little boys and lately instead of being able to let go and have fun, i find myself thinking about my DD all the time.  

after the holidays, i am going to find a nutritionist or homeopath like you recommended.  is one better than the other?  i really need to figure out what is adding to my flareups in my diet.  i'm pretty sure dairy is lately.  now i wonder if wheat is.  i don't know where to start because i am overwhelmed with how to do it like you said.

i guess i wanted to ask you what you think i should eliminate first in my diet until i see a specialist.  

any type of retina just makes it worse and itchier.  i get so inflamed that i can't stop itching.

i am also going to try the maritime bark until i see a doctor.  of all the vitamins and supplements, and i see there are a lot of supplements, which ones do you recomment i on my own until i see a specialist.  

i look forward to hearing from you.  thank you.

Hello there,

Sorry for the delayed response - my personal life is in chaos (brother died and boyfriend left) and I don't know what to write to you other than keep trying different things. Read my blog as it has a lot of advice on these topics. I would see a Naturalpath and not a dietitian but that's me - they might work better for you! Dairy is a huge trigger for me as is sugar. The sugary foods dehydrate our already sensitive skin so be careful, the same can be said for alcohol. Talking to a professional will help.

As for the itch take warm (not hot) baths with a cup or two of oatmeal that you have grounded in a coffee grinder or something of the like - there's no need to buy special oatmeal bath pouches from the store - its just ground up oatmeal. It is really good for your skin and takes down inflammation. I like everything Aveeno - their anti itch is good - not great, because its all natural - so its nice but it doesn't numb your skin. 

Hi. Thanks for responding to my email. Sorry to hear about your recent loss. I just lost my grandmother a bit over 2 weeks ago. It was hard. I hope you are doing okay.
I have read your blogs and decided to start my own regiment of vitamins and I think it may be working. I haven't had an outbreak like this since I was diagnosed at 20 and I had to go on accutane. Did wonders but it was extremely drying. With this last outbreak, I was considering it because my entire chest and neck broke out and was itchy and inflamed beyond belief. Since I couldn't see my dermatologist for over 2 weeks, and still haven't, I researched your blogs more in depth along with others and have been doing it for a bit over a week. I think it is working. Although retinA is harsh on my skin and I'm forcing it to tolerate it, I am using it but not everyday. I do plan on seeing a natualpath to help me with dosages b/c I did it on my own. I just want to say THANK YOU for your blogs and the hope you have given me. On a good day, I take a step back and am thankful it's not life threatening, but when I am depressed, u can't help but feel pissed and sorry for yourself.
I was just wondering, how long have u been taking the vitamins and other supplements? Have u ever had a big breakout after being on the vitamins or do they suppress it pretty well. Just wondering and hoping.

I hear that! It's ok to feel frustrated and "pissed" - but not to let the negativity win out because that will lead to more breakouts :P Stress is a huge factor in this disorder I have found. I just posted about how you can make your own calming bath with oatmeal to help with break outs and flare ups. I'm just getting over one - so there is another answer: I do have break outs even though I am taking my supplements and vitamins. Stress can cancel all that out. I take an extra Pine Bark pill on those days and really look at my food intake as sugars and my other triggers will really hurt me on those days when my immunity is low or my body is stressed.

With yoga (stress relief: whatever you can do that makes you happy DO IT! movies, games, a walk, a swim...) and clean food, hydrating lotion, and vitamins I can get it under control in a matter of hours or days depends on how bad the flare up was. I am a woman so I also tend to get mini flare ups on my thighs, neck and sometimes face (where the initial break outs happened) during my "time of the month" as my body is stressed and hormones are everywhere.

Keep a journal. Notice when you have more flare ups - do they happen in a cycle? Is it a time of year (winter time for me = harsh dry season = more break outs!) After a certain food? After visiting a friend with a dog/cat/allergic pet?

I don't have the cure all. I wish I did - I could use the money for the distribution! haha - but with time and patience this can be lessened to a point that it is livable and most people just don't notice mine now.

Best wishes to all - and keep the emails coming!

Oatmeal Bath

I have had some fierce break outs over the holidays. I have had a tragedy befall my family, my boyfriend of 3+ years and I are splitting, I have to move and my mom is getting a divorce. Horray life!  So lots of stress plus holiday treats plus holiday drinking... ya my back blew up.

I looked up about making your own oatmeal bath - seeing as the mainstay ingredient in my Aveeno products is usually oatmeal to calm the skin. Guess what? It's SUPER EASY:

http://babyparenting.about.com/cs/healthissues/a/oatmealbath.htm

http://www.solveyourproblem.com/natural-health/colloidal_oatmeal_remedies.shtml

I love baths - but do your research: too hot can damage our sensitive skin so warm baths are best! These links were helpful and a good start to reading up on how a simple food can help change your skin :)