Dr. Arul Amuthan L
Pharmacology
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I bought an organic paste from Bentonite clay mask about two months ago. It worked wonders on my skin, and I used it liberally almost daily for six weeks on my face and body. A few days ago, I felt little glass-like spikes in the lymph nodes on my jawline. I massaged them and applied the clay mask to my face that night. The next day my face was covered in a superglue-tight film, and my jawline started to turn a dark blue shade. I began to try to remove the film and felt more of these glass-like filaments all over my face. Some would spike out of a pore like a stinky black dot or a transparent splinter when I washed my face and almost immediately re-absorbed into my skin. A week later, acute contact dermatitis was on my face, and I still could not remove the film. I also experience swelling along veins to elbows, knees, and feet whenever I touch my face. No idea what is going on. I suspect some silicate residue. Please help.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. It looks like contact dermatitis caused by the clay mask. Anything can cause such an allergic reaction at any time. Once it is allergic, then better to avoid using the same allergen. Now, I suggest aloe vera, vitamin A and E combined cream, or plain aloe vera cream on the face to remove the dermatitis lesion. You told the presence of swelling on the elbow, knee, and feet. It must be examined and evaluated to rule out other causes. In some autoimmune conditions, there may be a pain in the joints. Some autoimmune conditions, such as SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), can show skin lesions and joint pains. Hence, the autoimmune profile is to be tested in blood. There is also a possibility that the face lesion is due to an autoimmune issue. In such cases, the lesions get aggravated even when you stop using the clay mask. I suggest you stop using the clay mask and observe the lesion subside. If not, please consult a dermatologist or internal medicine physician for further evaluation. I hope you find it helpful. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I can see a vasculitis-type inflamed blue vein leading to the joint with several blotchy white lumps, often with small apertures that ooze fluid quite weirdly. Also, the spiky filaments are not soluble in alcohol or acid, soften (so not agonizing) in Vaseline or oily moisturizers but seem stuck. I am desperate to get them out of my skin and also concerned that my body can not process them. Do these symptoms align with any syndromes or heavy metal toxicosis you are aware of? For example, could this be a reaction to aluminum, magnesium, or calcium silicate? Lead or mercury or another blood poisoning? I will be making my way to a physician post haste. Rather panicky, and any further insights would be hugely appreciated.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. I do not think it is due to any heavy metal toxicity. With external applications for a short period, such toxicity could not occur. But we can check blood for heavy metals, which can give the reality. If you suspect heavy metal toxicity, you better perform a blood test for heavy metals. I hope you find it helpful. Thank you.
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Pharmacology
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