Healthy Skin, Hair, & Nails

Healthy Skin, Hair, & Nails

This page has been added because we have received many queries regarding the use of certain drugs (SSRIs) and peeling skin on the hands and fingers. A simple answer to the question is yes, these drugs do cause skin on the palms to crack and peel. Compounds containing fluoride do interfere with thyroid function, and skin function as a secondary symptom.

Nutrient deficiencies caused by Anti-Thyroid Drugs are thought to be responsible for most of the skin rashes. Thiouracil compounds impede conversion of dietary carotene into vitamin A and exacerbate the vitamin A deficiencies seen in Grave's Dis-ease. Frequently, vitamin A supplements are needed to correct skin problems. In the block and replace protocol, thyroid hormone overcomes the vitamin antagonists, allowing proper dietary conversion of carotene.

Exfoliative dermatitis with symptoms of cracking and peeling skin should be reported to your health care provider immediately, if you are taking any Rx for hyperthyroid, depression, or cancer, etc.

Russian research shows an association to thyroid hormones very clearly. The skin is the largest endocrine organ of the body, as they are finally figuring out. By applying toxic substances one can actually cause systemic thyroid hormone alterations - see fluorinated steroids or the fluoride baths to treat hyperthyroidism.

Likewise, low systemic thyroid hormones influence the skin and the activity of the skin cells - it's all a feedback mechanism. PFPC newsletter #9 talks about that quite a bit, as it applies to topical "benefits" of fluoride.

What happens is the same as with many other fluoride in pharmaceutical compounds, be it Prozac, Paxil, fluoroquinolones, Baycol, etc - UV radiation changes the nature of the fluoride compounds in circulation which then act on the thyroid hormone receptors in the skin.

J Invest Dermatol. 1986 Mar;86(3):244-8. Abnormal lipogenesis in thyroid hormone-deficient epidermis. Rosenberg RM, Isseroff RR, Ziboh VA, Huntley AC.

Striking skin changes can accompany hypothyroidism, among them a scaly ichthyosis. The pathogenesis of these disorders is unknown. Since altered sterol metabolism has been associated with other scaling dermatoses, we tested the hypothesis that altered epidermal lipogenesis may accompany hypothyroidism and induce the observed scaling. Thyroidectomized (TX) rats were sacrificed 53 days post-thyroidectomy, and the rate of incorporation of the radiolabeled precursor, [14C]acetate, into epidermal lipids was determined. Approximately 2-fold decreases in incorporation of precursor into both polar and neutral lipids were observed in the TX epidermis; the most significant decreases, however, were in the neutral lipids, particularly the sterol and sterol-ester moieties. Total cholesterol pool size was also reduced in the TX epidermis. Similar decreases in sterol biosynthesis were noted in human keratinocytes cultivated in medium devoid of thyroid hormone. These findings demonstrate that lipid metabolism, and notably sterol synthesis, is altered in epidermal keratinocytes deprived of thyroid hormone, and suggest that, as in other scaling disorders, this abnormal sterologenesis may lead to the clinically observed ichthyosis that can accompany hypothyroidism.

Vitamins for Skin Health - "The body delivers only a certain percentage of vitamins to your skin, no matter how much you ingest," says Mary Lupo, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine. Plus, there's no way to send them straight to your crow's feet or brown spots. The solution: Applying vitamins topically to deliver maximum anti-aging benefits.

Vitamin A: Best Overall Age Fighter: Proven to reduce wrinkles, fade brown spots, and smooth roughness. "There are more than 700 published studies on retinoids -- they're tried-and-true ingredients. Anyone who wants younger-looking skin should use one," says Doris Day, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center.

Vitamin B3: Boosts Hydration to Reduce Redness: Proven to increase production of ceramides and fatty acids, two key components of your skin's outer protective barrier. "As that barrier is strengthened, skin is better able to keep moisture in and irritants out -- making B3 a great ingredient if your complexion is dry or sensitive," says Leslie S. Baumann, MD, director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute. In one study, a moisturizer with niacinamide improved the flushing and blushing of rosacea, a common condition that can worsen with age. Another B3 skin care benefit: It inhibits the transfer of pigment to skin cells, minimizing dark spots.

Vitamin C: All-Around Anti-Ager: Find it in moisturizers formulated to keep vitamin C stable (opaque, airtight containers are ideal). Look for C near the middle of the ingredients panel to help ensure the five percent or higher concentration needed to see skin care benefits, advises Hema Sundaram, MD, a dermatologist in the Washington, DC, area.

Proven to mop up the free radicals that trigger wrinkling, sagging, and other aging changes. Vitamin C also helps smooth and firm skin and fade brown spots. In one study, women who treated sun-damaged skin with a C cream for six months saw significant improvement in fine lines and discoloration. Though the benefits of retinoids (see vitamin A) and vitamin C sound similar, using both delivers more complexion perfection. "Skin aging occurs in various ways, so you need multiple forms of defense and repair," says Lupo.

Vitamin E: Eases Dryness and Bolsters Skin's UV Defense: Proven to quell dryness by helping skin retain its natural moisturizers. Also, vitamin E's potent ability to neutralize damaging free radicals has earned it the moniker "the protector." A slew of skin care studies document its superstar status. In one, E significantly reduced the number of these unstable molecules created after exposure to cigarette smoke. Others show that when it's used before UV exposure, skin is less red, swollen, and dry.

Vitamin K: For Younger, Brighter Eyes: Proven to possibly help lighten under-eye circles. Fragile capillaries that allow blood to leak into skin are considered one cause of under-eye circles, and vitamin K (aka phytonadione) may put the skids on this seepage by controlling blood clotting. Daily use of a K cream significantly lightened circles after four months in one study, but because the cream also contained retinol, researchers aren't sure which ingredient deserves credit for the improvement -- retinol alone thickens the translucent under-eye skin (making it harder to see the dark blood vessels below) and lightens melanin that makes circles more prominent. Still, it can't hurt to try a cream that contains vitamin K and retinol; according to Baumann, the retinol may enhance K's ability to penetrate skin and knock out darkness."

Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Concerns Skin Health and Itching

Healthy Skin with Skin Brushing - Get this report with your donation

SUN SENSE Hot Weather TIP Sun Safety

12 ingredients to avoid in personal care products: Coal Tar Colors: FD&C Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5&6; D&C Red 33; Diethanolamine (DEA, TEA); Quaternium 15 (Formaldehyde); Glycol Ethers; Phenylenediamine (PPD); Methyl, Propyl, Butyl or Ethyl Paraben; Petrolatum; Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfate (SLS); Toluene; Mercury and Lead; Fragrance (contains Phthalates); Antibacterial ingredients (like Triclosan)

Disorders that could show in your nail bed, and some problems below that may be indicated by your nails if they are:

Blue - problems with asthma, emphysema, or cadiovascular difficulties.
Brittle - iron, calcium or vitamin A deficiency or problem with kidney function or circulation or thyroid.
Breaking, Chipping, Cracking, or Peeling - general nutritional deficiency.
Dark, Flat - anemia or B12 deficiency.
Dry - vitamin A deficiency
Hanging - protein deficiency, low in vitamin C and folic acid
No moon - nervous system stress or overactive thyroid
Soft - overactive thyroid
Splitting - shortage of hydrochloric acid in your system
Spoon - iron deficiency
Thick - circulatory or thyroid problem
Vertical ridges - iron deficiency
White bands - protein deficiency
White lines - heart disease, high fever, and liver problems
White spots - often zinc deficiency, but the infamous White Spots on someone's nails are not caused by zinc deficiency, as they are just as common in people with excessively high zinc levels.

more on nail signals

" In 1953 Leo Spira, MD, Ph.D. published his book "The Drama of Fluorine - Arch Enemy of Mankind". Drawing upon his many articles which had been published in the Lancet, the British Dental Journal, and other recognized medical journals, the great British physician summarized his findings of over 30 years of pioneering research into various disease states he ultimately found to be related to fluoride intake.

One of the most frequent symptoms of early fluorosis observed by Spira were "mottled" and deformed nails, which would often split or chip.

"The commonest feature, however, was the occurrence of raised longitudinal ridges on the surface of the finger and toe-nails...In addition, dull, opaque, chalky-white specks, patches or transverse bands, such as are familiar to everybody, appeared frequently on several nails..."

Further Spira wrote, "There was a frequent complaint that the hair was falling out prematurely."

In addition Spira reported of several skin diseases and wrote, "Patients felt apprehensive and irritable and were subject to frequent attacks of depression and even melancholia with loss of energy and general lassitude".

The symptoms Spira was describing were later referred to in other European literature as the "Spira-Syndrome" (Schoehl,1985). It must be clear to any endocrinologist that the conditions Spira was describing in the early part of the past century are identical to those now commonly ascribed to zinc deficiency and/or hypothyroidism.

On a courtesy visit to the US, Spira had asked the PHS if they also had observed such symptoms, and was told that this was not quite the case. However, recent documents obtained show that the opposite was true. Even Dean himself had noticed such symptoms and wrote about them already in 1932:
“The hair of some of these mottled enamel cases is unusually coarse, almost like horse hair. Finger nails are apparently not normal. Two of the three local physicians state that there is apparently an unusually large account of skin disorders among those using the city water supply. Future surveys will attempt to obtain this additional dermatological data in order to determine whether it correlates with the mottled enamel.”

[from: T. Dean's monthly report to Surgeon General Hugh S. Cumming, March 4, 1932, part of the H. Trendley Dean collection, History of Medicine Section, National Library of Medicine).]

Future surveys were never done. Discussing a study at 8 ppm, we find even more “white blotches” - 3 to 5 per nail:

"Another change noted was in the nails. From 10-20 percent of the younger individuals examined has a rather unusual type of nail structure, the most characteristic aspect being transverse white blotches often completely across the nail, usually symmetrical and on all the nails, there very frequently being from three to five of these per nail. The incidence of these finally decreased with age, the oldest patient being 57. In the control area with 139 high school students examined, none showed transverse striations."

[Abstracts of the proceedings of the meetings of the Technical Advisory Committee on the fluoridation of water supplies with the Departmental Working Committee for the Newburgh-Kingston Demonstration; Harold C. Hodge, chairman; April 24, 1944; part of the H.Trendley Dean collection, History of Medicine Section, National Library of Medicine).]"

Look for new information on SPF and fluoride in sunscreen coming soon...

Please note: material on this page are supplied for interest and general information only. Skin, hair and nails could have markings with totally different medical reasons. Disease does not always show in the signs presented. Please see your healthcare provider if you have a medical query. Do not use this information for use as diagnosis of any medical condition. It is meant for education only.

from the Leaflady -

Natural Nail and Cuticle conditioning oil - 2 oz., $8 + $5 s/h. purchase
Comfrey Oil - 2 oz., $8 + $5 s/h. purchase
Other skin healing natural plant oils and salves - please inquire
Client's love our natural hand-made shampoos and conditioners, 8 oz., for dry, normal, or oily hair, shipping additional. Larger sizes available. please inquire. Lotions and creams too!
BalneoPeat - 4 bath size, $34.95 + $7 s/h. This organic mixture contains multitude of bio-minerals, humic & fulvic acids, amino acids & plant hormones in a simple molecular form that is easy for the human tissue to absorb. It nourishes and rejuvenates tissues, detoxifies and reduces inflammation considered a major cause of skin aging, wrinkles and many pains and illnesses. purchase
SAPROX - 500ml, $39.95 + $7 s/h. For nail fungus, athlete's foot, psoriasis, Tinea Cruris... purchase

Common Ingredients in health & beauty products

Supplements for nails

Unflavored gelatin can improve the quality of your nails, if taken regularly over an extended period of time (6 weeks minimum). Dissolve 1 oz (25 g) of unflavored gelatin in some juice and take daily.
B Complex, and especially Nutritional Yeast, B12, B6, Folic Acid.
Vitamin A, also increase Beta Carotene for 2 weeks. Too little or too much Cod liver oil may interfere with thyroid function.
Vitamin C.
Vitamin E or wheat germ oil (EFAs and for some GLAs as from Evening Primrose oil).
Probiotics.
Protein must be available in sufficient quantities.
Zinc when in short supply would also be required by the body either in diet or a supplement. Generally avoid taking more than 50 mg. daily from all sources.
Horsetail herb.
Liver supporting herbs if a rash is present.

Gentle Touches: Personal Care
by Claire Gutierrez

Although many women spend a lifetime wearing makeup, the products they use are monitored minimally at best. "Neither cosmetic products nor cosmetic ingredients are reviewed or approved by the FDA before they are sold to the public," the agency states. Yet conventional personal-care products, based on petrochemicals and other problematic synthetics, are readily absorbed by the skin.

Here are some ingredients to look for on labels and avoid:

Coal-Tar Dyes: These coloring agents can be carcinogens. Avoid cosmetics containing FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Green 3, D&C Red 33, FD&C Yellow 5, FC&C Yellow 6.

Glycol Ethers: Some glycol ethers have been linked to reproductive-system harm or birth defects, and overexposure can also result in kidney damage and liver abnormalities. Propylene glycol is a common skin irritant.

Fragrance: This blanket term generally covers synthetic fragrance using phthalates, a family of chemical plasticizers that have been shown to cause birth defects, reproductive impairments and liver damage in lab animals. And, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, fragrance is the number-one cause of allergic reactions from cosmetics.

Petrolatum: Although studies confirm that petroleum jelly, or Vaseline, is safe, it is derived from a non-renewable resource and can cause allergic skin reactions. And if you accidentally eat too much—not an impossibility if you are slathering it on your lips—you may wind up with diarrhea.

Preservatives: Parabens, including methyl-, butyl-, ethyl- and propyl-, often cause skin irritation and have been found in tissue samples from human breast tumors. Consumers should also avoid bronopol (often listed as 2-brono-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol), diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantion, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium 15, all of which can release formaldehyde, a probable human carcinogen.

Hypoallergenic: Don't be seduced by this meaningless term. The FDA states that "there are no federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term 'hypoallergenic.'" Some products labeled "hypoallergenic," for example, contain known allergens, such as quaternium 15 and propylene glycol.