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
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
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