CHINESE MEDICINE AND KERATODERMIA

[MAJA BUJAS]

I suffer from Keratodermia palmoplantaris Unna Thost from the early childhood (it appeared at age of 5). Now I'm 39 years old and I must say that I'm pretty tired trying variuos methods that could improve my condition. I undertand that it is something I will probably have to deal with throughout my lifetime.
A month ago I was encouraged to visit a doctor from Tibet who has his practice in Zagreb. I was curious to hear his opinion and here are his comments: my blood is in very bad condition and it reflects on skin. He is very optimistic in curing this unpleasant diagnoses and he gave me their medicine to use (drink and apply on palms and feet) for the period of 6 months.
After a month of treatment the result is that after 34 years my hands and feet do not sweet any more. Everyone who suffers from keratodermia knows how unpleasant it is but at the moment I don't have this problem. I'm both suspicious and optimistic but I'll continue with this  - you take kind of pills (some herbs) 3 times a day before and after breakfast, after lunch and supper with glass of boiled water. The cream for hands and feet is pure butter- milk fat (GHEE) mixed with some powder he gave me.
I'm interested to hear some proffesional opinion on Chinese medicine particularly from Tibet.
Thanks in advance.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I'm afraid that my professional opinion isn't worth much.  The terms used by Chinese practioners, like, "blood being in bad condition," have no counterparts in Western medicine and do not correspond to concepts in our scheme of looking at the world.  In other words, my doing a "blood test" would not show anything relevant to his comments.  In addition, Chinese physicians as a matter of custom do not reveal what is in their concoctions; it is therefore not possible to assess in a rational Western sense what he is doing and why it might work.

Although there have been reports of illness and even death from Chinese medicine, when the herbs used contains drugs like naturally-occurring ephedrine, such treatments are probably safe.  If they are working, I'd say go ahead and use them, if Western treatments like skin peeling agents have failed.  But please don't be shocked or dismayed if the initial surge of improvement is not sustained.

Thanks for writing.

Best.

Dr. R

[maja]

Thank you very much for your answer. I agree with your attitude but as you can understand patients with such diagnosis are forced to try something new, there is nothing to loose. The only problem is our decision and relevant risk as you pointed out in your answer.
Has anyone ever reported being cured (even for certain period) from keratosis? What about Retinoid? What are the side effects?
Where can I find more information about keratodermia?
I'm afraid I could list a number of questions and I don't expect to find out everything bur we all expect a certain "miracle" hoping that it might disappear over the night or be cured forever.
Thanks for any comment.
Regards.
Maja

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Maja:

Outside of textbooks, I don't know where to send you for more information, but for practical advice, I don't think you'd find much there.

I don't know which doctors you've consulted and what they've tried, but the standard recommndations are keratolytics (skin thinners) like salicylic acid, and oral retinoids (which have significant side-effects if used ling term.)  Perseverance with the first option will generally yield at least some benefit.  

I would seek out a dermatologist, perhaps an academic one with special interest and experience in treating your condition, in conjunction with your pursuit of Chinese treatments.

Best.

Dr. R