For Everyone,
The following theories, in recent private email, may be interesting, but are not
that important. If you have a lot of time, enjoy.
God Bless,
Dave Fleming

Hi, Danny Boy,
--------MESSAGE EDITED-------
As to much more important matters, your question(s) is "right on the beam", in
my opinion. The question of how this rosacea infestation "gets a toehold" has
been intriguing to me too. I haven't stated my opinions on this publicly,
because it is a little bit more of an extrapolation/assumption, than even I've
been willing to make, publicly, and it really is not important, since this (DMSO
+ fluconazole) treatment/cure for rosacea works, whether we know how it works,
or not.

But here are some of my hypothetical thoughts on this subject.
First, I had a huge case of nail fungus in my big toes, which had gone on
basically unnoticed while I was overseas for many years. By the time I gave it
any attention, the nails were just about to fall apart and come out completely,
so I had to do something, even though it still didn't bother me.
But I also had just a few insignificant black "dots", under my left thumbnail.
I had no idea it could be fungus. I don't even remember who told me that it
could be fungus. I think it was the doctor who prescribed the [FLUCONAZOLE 1%
SOLUTION] to me.

Anyway, a "stealthy" spot on the back of my left hand, just about four inches
from the thumbnail, had lost sensation in the past couple of decades, and was a
slight curiosity to me. In hindsight, I wonder, whether the black dots under my
left thumbnail could have been directly caused by that infestation, four inches
away. It's intriguing, because there was definitely no skin-surface
infestation, in that four inches of separation, and there were no such "dots" on
any of my other nails.

I dabbed some of the med on the skin "spot", and, voila!, the trek to curing
rosacea began. With the med's effect(s), that little pea sized spot became a
three by five inch whitish, patterned area, basically covering the back of my
left hand. The med clearly had no effect on the healthy skin surrounding this
infestation.

And this is where I can begin to answer your question. In trying to figure out
where this infestation came from, I remembered a pitifully "retarded", filthy
cat, which someone had given me, about twenty years before! It had two
different colored eyes, and was obviously genetically "retarded" from birth, and
had never known how to clean itself. I tried to care for it for a while, but I
finally had to give up and take it to the humane society.
Anyway, it was never violent, but I believe it may have scratched me, (or just
inserted its claws, actually), in playing with it, which was actually my
"fault". I don't even remember whether this actually happened or not, but it is
very likely that it did.

In any case, I have more recently discovered and cured at least two other
"types" of infestations on my left arm below the elbow, which are completely
different from what was on my hand. Whether they are different because they are
on different types of skin than the back of my hand, I don't know. It could have
all been from that cat's breaking my skin, or there might be no connection at
all. I actually positively identified one type of infestation, as a "liver spot
fungus", as I found it at:
<http://www.surgerydoor.co.uk/tiscali/medcon/detail2.asp?level2=Liver%20Spots>

I will put this URL's text after this message, just in case the URL disappears
in the future. They do not claim that the six-week-long "treatments" that they
recommend will cure this "liver spot fungus", and I strongly believe that they
will not. It was a really deeply embedded, extensively propagating growth,
(about 3 inches in diameter), which took weeks of almost daily treatment with
(DMSO + fluconazole), to eradicate. The brown peeled off, and it's just a little
pink quarter-inch spot now, whereas it was a five-eighths inch diameter liver
spot before.
When all is said and done, my strong opinion, is that some break in the skin
does occur, for these types of fungal "entities" to "get a toehold". We see a
similar situation in fruits and vegetables, whereby only certain ones will be
consumed by fungus, while others next to them are unaffected. Of course, that
fungus can "get through" the skin, if given forever, such as in:
"One bad apple in a barrel ruins all", but that first bad apple has a break in
the skin, I believe. However, an interesting "corollary" to this belief, is the
question:

"Once one fungal infestation occurs, can this be "carried" by the body's
bloodstream, to other locations in the body?" I don't believe that it can.

This stuff, (and I believe this includes rosacea), obviously "propagates"
locally, whereby the central smaller "root" area is surrounded by "secondary"
infestation, which is easier to cure, than the longer-established "root area".
Whether it has some sort of internally produced "spores", that can "travel"
inside the body, is a good question. If it does, this could explain something
about rosacea, but I don't believe that it does.

So, that's my opinion about the "origin" of "arm and hand" fungus, but what
about the toenail fungus, and rosacea? I must admit, I haven't a clue, about
the "origin" of the toenail fungus, other than the fact that the dark, moist
environment inside the shoe is ideal, and the "spores" are always "present".
But what about rosacea?
First of all, mold/fungus "spores" are not only "everywhere", but I believe they
are known to be incredibly "hardy", and can survive even longer than any other
"entity" such as seeds, or bacteria of any sort, and then still "germinate" and
grow. I believe this is why the Bible says that when Jesus fasted for forty
days, He did it in the desert, where bacteria and "spores" would be absent, or
minimal. Otherwise, a person weakened by extensive fasting might die of
"infestations", in any "populated" or "moist" area.

So, theoretically, we breath and eat untold different "types" of "spores", every
minute of every day. Therefore, the mucus membranes of the nose, (connected to
the sinus cavities), and the inside of the mouth, where rough food often "cuts"
the skin, (and where dental work is done), become the most likely "suspects",
for the entry path "origin" of rosacea, (except for the unlikely possibility
that some sort of bloodstream transport of "spores" can take place inside the
body).

But that might not explain the presence of rosacea on the forehead, which might
be caused by wearing a hat, with the possible irritation of the skin in hot
weather opening up a "toehold" for some sort of "fungal entity". But it is
completely possible, that the rosacea "infestation" could "propagate" up a
couple of inches, (on/in the skin), to the forehead, which I believe is what
happens with ocular rosacea.
This would explain why most ocular rosacea cases occur after the facial rosacea
has been "growing", even for many years.
Because of slight "sensations" I had in my eyes, I believe that a very small
part of the (DMSO + fluconazole), (i.e. FLUCONAZOLE 1% SOLUTION) that I applied
to my toes at first, actually reached my eyes through my bloodstream, and cured
rosacea there, even though I never had any ocular rosacea symptoms, to my
knowledge. I believe that the ocular rosacea was "developing", in my eyes, and
that this med cured it, before it manifested symptoms. That may sound strange
to some people, but I assure you, I was not imagining the "sensations" in my
eyes, because, at that time, I had absolutely no idea that I would use this med
to cure anything but my nail fungus. After a while, no more "sensations"
occurred in my eyes, which strongly implies to me that the infestation there was
"killed", so the med no longer "reacted" there.

And then, top all this off with the "genetic vulnerability" theory, which seems
to make some sense, since this disease seems to "like" Caucasians, although I'm
told there are exceptions.

So, although this theory does not deny that "manually popping that zit" could
have started your rosacea infestation, it seems to me that the opportunities are
much more expansive, if we allow for cheek skin inside the mouth, from food
scratches, (and don't forget work by your dentist), and the mucus membranes
inside the nose, (from the air "spores").
Inside the nose, the rosacea infestation could propagate and "hide from
treatment", in the fluids inside the sinus cavities, and then "grow back",
repeatedly. But evidently, (DMSO + fluconazole) penetrates and cures all of the
above.

So, as we know, Danny Boy, curiosity killed the cat, but we're not cats, so
we'll be just fine. Thanks for the opportunity to put this "rosacea origin"
theory "on paper", which I've not done before.
Have a happy holiday.
God Bless,
Dave Fleming
"That a lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies;
That a lie which is all a lie may be met and fought with outright;
But a lie which is part a truth is a harder matter to fight."
-----------------------------------------Alfred Lord Tennyson

Danny Boy wrote:
---------MESSAGE EDITED---------
...I was just curious.
One last question, though. Regarding the original nail infection that
started your odyssey - was that a fingernail or toenail infection? The
reason I ask is that if we suppose for the sake of argument that you
really are onto something, and it does turn out to be a fungal organism
that causes this (which I personally consider very possible although
not proven) could the vector be as simple as putting infected fingers
to one's face? Could popping a zit twenty years ago with the wrong
organism under my fingernail have led me to this? Just idle
speculation, of course. Darned curiosity again.
--Danny Boy
"He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned
my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him
the spinal cord would fully suffice."
- Albert Einstein



Liver Spots - Pityriasis Versicolor - Tinea Versicolor

What are Liver Spots ?
Pityriasis versicolor is a surface infection of the skin produced by a fungus or
mould. It can affect any part of the body but generally involves the trunk and
arms. It starts as either pale or dark patches on the skin which range from the
size of a pinhead to one centimeter across. The patches are flat but if
scratched, become slightly scaly. They cause no symptoms. When the patches are
pale they become more obvious after sun exposure. Normal skin tans, but the
affected areas remain pale.

How do Liver Spots occur ?
The fungus that causes pityriasis versicolor is called Malassezia furfur. It is
not the same as the fungus that causes ringworm, and it is not infectious (it
cannot be passed from one person to another). This fungus is normally present on
the skin of everybody, but in a slightly different form. What makes it undergo
the change in growth which causes the infection is not known. However, when this
change occurs, the signs of pityriasis versicolor develop. The fungus is a
fat-loving fungus. Therefore, it will grow in areas where the skin is
particularly oily.

Why do Liver Spots occur ?
Nobody knows what causes some people to get pityriasis versicolor. However,
patients who are on steroid (cortisone-like) tablets or medicines that reduce
the defense or immune response (such as drugs used for kidney transplants) are
more prone to develop the condition.

Treatment Involved for Liver Spots
The diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor is made by the doctor purely on the
appearance of the rash. It can be confirmed by taking scrapings from the skin
and examining them under a microscope, where the fungus can actually be seen.
Once the diagnosis has been made, treatment is started with creams, shampoos or
tablets.
Although the spots of pityriasis versicolor are fairly obvious, the fungus may
be present in other areas of the skin where the disease has not yet caused
changes. It is therefore important to treat a wide area around the visible rash
to try to deal with any infection that is not yet obvious.
Antifungal creams are effective in the treatment of this condition. Of
particular value are the imidazole creams, including miconazole, clotrimazole
and econazole. You will need to use these twice daily for a period of 4 to 6
weeks. Treatment should be continued even after the obvious rash has
disappeared.
Selenium sulphide and ketoconazole shampoo are extremely effective treatment for
pityriasis versicolor. This is partly because the whole body is treated and
therefore any hidden infection is eradicated. The shampoo should be used in the
bath or shower, and lathered all over the body to include the scalp. It is
allowed to remain on the skin for about 5 minutes and is then rinsed off.
This treatment should be used on a daily basis for about one week and then once
a week for a further 6 weeks or so. This should clear the infection from your
skin. In particularly severe cases, a short course of ketoconazole tablets, one
a day for 2 weeks, will eradicate the infection.

During Treatment for Liver Spots
With treatment, the scaliness of the patches will disappear. If the patches are
dark, these will fade and should disappear completely by the end of treatment.
Pale patches tend to persist for some months. These pale patches are due to the
effect of the fungus on the pigment cells of the skin. These cells take quite a
time to recover. Sun exposure will help to repigment the patches more quickly.

After Treatment for Liver Spots
Pityriasis versicolor may recur after effective treatment. It is impossible to
predict whether recurrence will occur and, if it does, when this will happen.
If Liver Spots are Left Untreated
Pityriasis versicolor tends to be a chronic condition. If left untreated, it
will not only persist but also possibly become more widespread.


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