HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Creepy crepey skin on face and chest?

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/14/2016 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
So, I accepted being sick a long time ago, but when I actually started looking sick and Lyme was taking it's toll on my face, I stood up and took notice. This was not ok with me....the weight gain, pain, red and swollen eyes, weird symptoms, brain fumble, tooth and mouth issues, extreme foot pain and everything else were things that I could deal with, strangely enough. I know everyone has their own trigger points and this was mine. I was taking all kinds of inti-inflammatory supplements, collagen (which did help but not completely), dry brushing, etc. My chest area and face skin were just looking terrible at one point. I just suddenly looked so OLD and wrinkly and I kind of freaked out a little, no, a lot actually. I'm not really a big user of makeup other than a little blush and mascara, so that wasn't really an option for me but I don't know that it would have really helped anyway....I'm in Phoenix and it's so dry and hot here, I'm sure that didn't help my situation either. Come to think of it, I did look slightly mummified at my worst point....ick.

Anyway, my niece gave me a product for Christmas that has been making my skin look so much better. I noticed a difference within a month or so of using it but now have been using it for about 3-4 months and am very happy with the results. I am no way, shape or form related to this product and am only posting this in case someone else is having this issue and wants to try this product. It's not very expensive and I now get it from Amazon. It has improved the look and feel of my skin and all the weird crepe paper dryness has gone away. It did seem to pull some toxins from way down deep and I had a touch of acne for a month or so in strange places, but I kept using it and that went away. My skin tone is nicer and I just have an overall look of a healthy person now. This is exactly what I needed and wanted - I don't really want to say it was vanity, but I didn't want anyone in the outside world at work, the grocery store, etc. to look at me and think, "wow, I wonder what's wrong with her, she does not look well". Nope. Not my thing.

Anyway it's called Vitamin C serum 22 by serumtologie. I think it's about $30 on Amazon and the bottle lasts for about 2 months? I use 8 drops and put on my face, neck and chest area when my skin is moist after the shower. I think you could use it twice per day, but I only do once and it seems to work fine. My skin is kind of sensitive, so I don't know that I could tolerate twice daily anyway. There is a very mild burning sensation when I first put it on, but it's not terrible and that goes away in a few seconds. I put my moisturizer on after a few minutes when it's soaked in.

I'm always coming to the forum for tips and tricks and after using this for a few months now feel confident enough in the results that I wanted to share. Being sick is one thing....but looking sick? No thanks! Yuck.

Hope this helps someone out there! I thought to share this because I had a conversation this week someone I work with but don't see often where age came up and she thought I was in my early 30's (for real, she has no reason at all to lie to me) and I'm nearly 45! She mentioned how nice my skin was! Score!!!

Jenny
Posted 5/14/2016 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Awesome Jenny! I will have to check it out.

I am in the mountains and we have dry air.

I spent a few days at the ocean right on the beach and my skin was feeling awesome. I recognized that I probably need to moisturize a little more.
Posted 5/14/2016 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Prior to lyme when I told someone my age...they didn't believe me...always thought I was 10 years younger....I bet they'd believe me now...lol.

For me it's worst on my neck...they don't even look like normal wrinkles...they are these tiny little vertical lines

I may give that product a try, too.
Posted 5/14/2016 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Girlie, it is taking a little longer on my neck/chest area (what's that called, decollage or something?) but it is affecting it. I think the skin there is thicker or something. I had what looked like river beds running through that area, deep crevices that looked so gross. I have always worn v neck shirts and being in Phoenix I think that the sun has messed up that skin. I think it may take maybe 6 months or more of using this product to return it to normal and now I make sure to put just as much moisturizer on that area as I do my face (my moisturizer also has SPF in it). I am hopeful though based on results so far. My neck itself is looking awesome though - the weird saggy dry skin is looking "plump" again....!

I don't mind getting older and being sick so much, I just don't want to look older or sicker than I really am! LOL

The best to you all,

Jenny
Posted 5/14/2016 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
"I don't mind getting older and being sick so much, I just don't want to look older or sicker than I really am! LOL"


I don't mind getting older OR being sick...not just the two of them hitting me at once...lol.


my MIL who is 84 has the wrinkly saggy skin on her neck. Mine is different. It's not loose at all..it's just thesetiny little vertical lines....very strange.
Posted 5/14/2016 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Jenny, we must be on the same wavelength because I just purchased a vitamin C serum and cream 2 weeks ago - not your brand though. I have to avoid anything synthetic or anything that could cause an allergic response. I don't even wear make up now because I am so sensitive to chemicals etc. I usually have to read ingredients in EVERYTHING and if I am not sure I go to www.ewg.org/skindeep/ punch in the product or brand name and /or questionable ingredient ( if a brand is not in the database) and wah-la, I get my much needed answer if it is ok for me to use or not. Anyway, I can relate to your story. I woke up one day in late February of this year, if I am not mistaken, looked in the mirror and gasped in horror - I had all these major wrinkles around my mouth, cheeks, then I noticed my neck too with old lady lines - ***rigg happened OVERNIGHT?! I, to this day, still don't understand. It literally happened overnight.
Posted 5/14/2016 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have super sensitive skin too,
appreciate the tip,
I'd probably have to start out
slow.

=]chloe
Posted 5/14/2016 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all -

Wanted to share my experience which probably doesn't relate to yours at all but wanted to mention it for those who are reading and might have similar issues as I did - so YMMV:

I have always had relatively smooth/normal skin on my face--but on the oily side. Never dry. I never wear makeup. I started noticing cracked/lines in my skin around my eyes and mouth and neck. My neck was also crepey. But for the most part the skin was taught and dry. And each time I washed my face, the skin would look a little bit like it was flaking off. I was horrified to look 20 (not 10) years older nearly overnight.

Over time, with a lot of other circumstantial correlation to either my evolving treatment, new symptoms and education about what in the world was going on with me... I FINALLY determined this was an invisible fungus/biofilm growing out of my mouth/nose and maybe eyes. As odd as this sounds, the flakey skin was actually the dead film peeling up--dead from the cleansing cream I use or the sun killing it. The sun was a dead giveaway - I can literally smell a chemical burn oder when I go out into the sun. This stuff was coming out of my bellybutton and nipples--appeared like dry skin but it wasn't... crikey, I felt like a mutant. It was just sci-fi-crazy.

So, once I focused more on the systemic yeast/fungal issue I had (not just the skin but I had ear and eye issues, thrush, gut issues, sinus issues and the fungus had dropped into my chest causing bronchitis) the antifungals were effective and most of these symptoms went away and my normal skin reappeared.

Most of these symptoms have gone away entirely but I still get the film around my mouth and eyes and on my face if my y/f load gets out of balance. So when others mention sudden onset of wrinkled skin--I wonder if they are experiencing just another simple y/f overgrowth symptom, which is pretty easy to solve so hopefully we can alleviate a concern and stress about it.

The products I use on my face are from Ovante - they are a Korean-based company but the mfr/distributer here is from PA. Great customer service. The ingredients are all-natural. Not exactly cheap but the difference I've experienced from other products (and I've tried probably 50) is worth it for me. Even though I no longer have the fungal issue, I have continued using the products for a year now. If you'd like info on them - email me (I have absolutely no affiliation with the company):

The cleanser is actually an anti-demodex cleanser (we all have demodex, which is skin mites but some people are ultra-sensitive to them and they produce an autoimmune response) but I use the product because it is just so awesome. Ingredients:

Birch leaves (Betula species), Neem oil, Lemongrass Oil, Black Bryony (Tamus communis), Borage (Borago officinals) Seed Oil, ProteolTM, OlivenTM, Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense), Bark Extract, Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Repens) Extract, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid), Vitamin E (d Tocopherol)

And I use a great anti fungal moisturizer on my face:
Sulfur, Blackcurrent (Ribes Nigrum) Seed Oil, Butternut (Juglans Cinerea), Borage (Borago Officinals) Seed Oil, Camphor, Citrus Seed Extract, Fumitory (Fumaria Officinalis), Garlic of odorless Extract, Goldenseal (Hydrastus Canadensis) Root Extract, Licorice Extract, Nicotinic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) Oil, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid, in microencapsulated form), Vitamin E (da Tocopherol), Wild Oregon Oil.

I also have used a fantastic moisturizer (for body, not face) that is THE BEST stuff I have ever tried. It soaks into my skin immediately--NEVER oily or greasy, no residue. I'd give the scent a B- but it doesn't keep me from slathering it on. I can put it on my neck/chest and still feel the softness 24 hrs later. It's from Avalon and it's called CoQ10 Body Firming Lotion. You can find it at most health food stores but it's expensive. (Vitacost has it for $10 a bottle).

-p
Posted 5/14/2016 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
I have often been tempted to buy one of the creams from Woodland Essence...pure ingredients...

But, I spend so much on their tinctures...i feel guilty splurging on something like that...maybe next order.
Posted 5/14/2016 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I've heard of systemic fungus causing whiteness around the mouth! I am thankful for the advice....I do have issues with fungal infections from time to time, especially if I consume too many grain based carbs. Fortunately they have resolved quickly with a dose of diflucan and nystatin. I'm wondering, though, since you've got me thinking about this....my evening moisturizer that I use after I wash my face after work (I never wear makeup in the evenings) is a coconut oil based moisturizer....which is anti fungal! I've been using this moisturizer for years, so I don't think it is the cause of my skin betterment, but I wonder if that is helping keep the fungus at bay?

This stuff is so interesting! I love finding out new things from this board. It makes this disease, if not bearable, at least interesting.

Jenny
Posted 5/14/2016 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
jenny --
I bet the coconut oil is helping keep the fungus away! And it's probably also very soothing.

Also -
You and others using Nystatin pills/liquid might have better luck with pure Nystatin powder, which are mostly fillers with only a little of the binder (the liquids often have sugar in them). The pure powder is naturally derived from the earth and less expensive and safe to take long-term. Also, with the powder, you add it to water and can swish it around in your mouth and down your throat---killing the y/f on contact which will also prevent it from growing onto your face. It might help nip the y/f issue in the bud. Let me know if you'd like more info.

And I echo your sentiments about this community--I think it's responsible for every advancement I've made in my treatment. And for keeping me from diving over the edge. ;)

-p
Posted 5/15/2016 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
My 22 year old daughter smears coconut oil on her face, in her hair and also uses it for deodorant. Her skin is luminous, even for 22. I'm currently using argan oil on my face and I really like it. It's inexpensive on Amazon. When this bottle runs out I think I'll do the coconut oil and see how it works.

Another thing is lyme eats collagen, right? So get some collagen powder if you don't have some already. I use the Great Lakes brand of collagen and I put it in my bulletproof coffee every morning.
Posted 5/15/2016 8:05 PM (GMT 0)

chloe24 said...
I have super sensitive skin too,
appreciate the tip,
I'd probably have to start out
slow.

=]chloe

I also have this problem. Beyond sensitive skin. If someone pats me on the back it hurts. Very uncomfortable to put on a shirt.
Posted 7/31/2018 10:44 AM (GMT 0)

Girlie said...
Prior to lyme when I told someone my age...they didn't believe me...always thought I was 10 years younger....I bet they'd believe me now...lol.

For me it's worst on my neck...they don't even look like normal wrinkles...they are these tiny little vertical lines

I may give that product a try, too.

Can you please tell me Girlie if you managed to get a solution for this problem.
I am new to the forum, I have chronic lyme, and these strange fine vertical crepe-paper like wrinkles on my neck that are freaking me out. Soon I'll look like 80 year old. I am wondering if this is reversible at all. Greetings from Europe.
Posted 7/31/2018 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I forgot about this thread.


You know I'll have to go check in the mirror...either they're gone...or I've just forgotten about them...lol.

i'll post on here later once I check...
Posted 8/19/2018 8:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Girlie!
I'm hoping if you have forgotten about them that they have disappeared with treatment..
Posted 8/19/2018 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
I find this post interesting as I am been dealing with this issue for years. Looked at the old post several years ago.

The crepe skin with Lyme can come from acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (hope spelling is close). It can come with borrelia afzelii, which is often considered a European form of Lyme Disease. But that doesn't mean in cannot be contracted here, despite what doctors have told me over the years. They have just said how skin gets older looking as we age.

That's the same as saying "idopathic loss of collagen and fat," which means they don't know and are too set in their ways to acknowledge Lyme Disease and what it does.

My most recent tests showed, for the first time, a positive on borrelia afzelii. Took years, but it makes perfect sense. I have lost so much collagen and, seems like, body fat, that I need. Muscles have not been impacted. But skin has aged so much, and weight loss has come with it.

Treating the borrelia is critical to helping stop or slow progression of skin manifestations. I have noticed it stop or slow when I have been in "remission," and it gets worse when symptoms come back. I'll gain back weight, but seems at the cost of not eating as cleanly as I should.

There is a question on how much the skin can come back. Different sites will dispute each other. But it has been my biggest frustration during this whole process.

Others may have different experiences. I did use the Vitamin C Serum 22. Not sure it made a big difference, but it surely didn't hurt.
Posted 8/19/2018 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Forgot to mention - the loss of collagen/fat is not confined to chest and face, in my case. It seems to be entire body. Frustrating, and I understand why it distresses people. But we just have to keep trying.
Posted 8/19/2018 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
I never did check...as I stated in the previous post.


So, my skin on the front of my neck has improved....it's softer and the the little vertical lines are 'muted'.
(not as noticeable)


My skin on my neck was kind of rough at first when lyme hit. Not sure why.
Posted 8/19/2018 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the replies.

It is so relieving to hear that someone's skin has improved!
I have been struggling with dry skin for years, and around my eyes I have multiple really deep wrinkles (I am 36). But this stuff on my neck is so weird, I find skin looks like this only in really old people.

It is very interesting what you say about b.afzelii, I didn't even test for it. I sure will research further. The diagnosis you mention is so scary. I am currently treating borrelia with Byron White A-L Complex, I hope it targets that strain of borrelia as well. I also use hydrolized collagen and vitamin C, and take 1-2 brazil nuts for selenium, as part od Buhner's collagen support protocol, but I'm not super diligent with it. Loss of collagen can be scary because among other things it can affect the heart.
For the skin on my neck, I do have topical liposomal vitamin C emulsion, but I am not sure about the quality of the brand, and again, I am not too diligent with applying it, because I believe the cause for that odd looking skin comes from within.

I did have iodine deficiency which can affect the skin, I will write a separate post about it, but I don't think iodine would affect only this small patch of skin on my neck, and in such a weird way. My skin is a little bit soggy and has these really fine vertical crepe paper like lines.
Posted 8/19/2018 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Zimica - sorry I never officially welcomed you!

I was posting in bed this morning...and never noticed this was your first post.


So WELCOME!


I am really trying hard not to be vain with this disease...as it's certainly not as important than feeling healthy, being symptom free...but dang it...I always looked young for my age...and YES I'm vain...it runs in my family...so I blame my parents (both mom and dad ). tongue
Posted 8/19/2018 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, and I now have cellulite.... just to add insult to injury. Not a lot...but it's there!


Hubby asked me why I haven't been wearing my shorts much this summer... I told him to look at my legs - I've got some cellulite now ...and he said it's minimal and hardly noticeable...lol....he's just trying to make me feel better....sweetie that he is.
Posted 8/19/2018 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you smile

Yes that's a good point, we shouldn't be vain on top of everything that comes with lyme.
I had a lot of problems with dandruff and hair loss, but decided I wasn't going to worry about that, since I've been too sick to even think about it. But, after trying different things, it has finally resolved even though I am still very ill, and I am over the Moon because of that!
It's just that this skin issue is so weird..

Your husband is absolutely right, I have some cellulite but I don't mind, in my opinion real men don't mind cellulite :P
Posted 8/19/2018 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
When mentioning the borrelia afzelli, didn't mean to make it sound scary or to worry. Just a possibility. The good news on it, as mentioned, is getting treatment and calming bugs can help tremendously. I've gotten there before and did see improvement and some weight back.

When I felt better, I actually had my hair thicken back to where it was. Goal is to get there again. That's why this forum and the people I've met on it or so great - provides hope and some answers, while allowing a chance to help others in return.

As far as vain, I think there is a difference between being vain and taking pride in how you present yourself. Trying to look 20 when you're 40 - vain. Not wanting to look 40 when you're 20 - that's a different story smile Or 60 when you're 40, etc...

No one wants to feel bad, but that's not considered vain. But it fits in the same thought. Trying to limit any problems of any kind.

Either way, the goal is to get your life back, which takes work and working through the down times that come with doing so. And with Lyme Disease, we have to make educated guesses until the right formula comes along.
Posted 8/19/2018 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Running wild - what would you say was the most effective treatment you did to hold things at bay. I have had the collagen loss for the last year pretty bad, it is everywhere not just hands, face and feet. No one seems to know what to suggest to help it. Plus I know when I start to feel bad cause I start peeing a ton. I get that to, it comes and goes. During my worse times it is a lot.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12