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The below is a forum entry made by one of our community members. If you want to know more about your condition, we suggest you read the following article written by a mental health professional on
Picking Scabs
White Stretchy Plugs
I've always squeezed bumps and blemishes on my skin, but recently I've gone through a period of work-related stress. I was off work for 2 months, during which time my picking and squeezing got worse. I had lots of blemishes on my chest which I squeezed and picked until I had a few nasty little wounds. One of them became quite deep, and I discovered that when I picked the scab off there were a few little white pinhead shapes under it, in the wound. They were screaming out to me to be picked out, but I couldn't do it by hand - I had to use tweezers. Sometimes I found I would need a wool needle to ease the white thing out a bit before the tweezers could get hold of them. When I pulled, a white elasticy thing would stretch and then come out. It was about 2mm long. It was VERY satisfying to pull it out, so I looked for some more in my skin. This made my picking worse, and I now find I am thinking of it quite a lot of the day. I am longing to pull more stretchy white things out of my skin. I put up with quite a bit of discomfort and pain just to get the satisfaction of pulling out these stretchy white plugs. To heal my wounds I use Savlon antiseptic liquid, and they begin to dry up quite quickly. But this is the most tempting time to pick - the scab becomes very crusty and itchy, and I see little white bumps underneath which could be those white plugs I long to pull out. They are itchy and I am dying to pull them out!
I agree none of us are OCD, it's just part of the condition. I had a look at thoae websites and pics. I have visited that site in the past and even showed my dr. The pics. He just said they were clogged pores. I said it could be fungus ...candida or Malassezia.. He said you cant get candida on the skin.
However, i believe it is fungal (one of the two or both) after revisiting that site. I was prescribed fluconazole because i had a serious case if thrush in my mouth. Soon after i started taking vit d and i have been 99% clear since.
I really think it is our follicles/pores clogged with fungus surrounded by biofilm. Makes total sense to me. My plugs are exactly like the pictures and the fact it correlates with taking oral fluconazole (swish and swallow) is just screaming obvious at me.
Oh also it mentions you can get it from going to bed with your hair wet. I used to do this all the time. It even started on the back of my neck and then started appearing in other areas. Also, sweating made it 1000x worse
Thank you GillCo - I almost cried when I read you post. I am here early because I am on the mend! Yesterday and today, well, have been the best days in a long time. It is been 18 days. I have taken 9 fluconazole - 150mg tablets. I can not find a "plug" to save my life. Most important - the pain is completely gone. Ha Ha! I was diagnosed with metabolic syndrome ten years ago, doctor wanted to put me on meds, pfft! I took to the treadmill - daily - lost 90lbs - I looked almost as good as BikerChick! lol - except older and uglier I imagine. My doctor said I cured myself. I told myself I would do something. If I lived through this, I will take to the treadmill again. "What a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable." Socrates I will be back here - to update my progress with my malassezia. We have found out what it is! Now, go out there and cure yourself!
This has been a Public Service Announcement - lol. :-)
Hi all. In short - I have this shit also - no idea - Morgellons, blah, blah and so on....
Have any of you been tested for your Immunoglobulin data - IgG, IgA, IgM antibodies
IgG subclass testing
...any immune system testing?
Are any of you protein/albumin deficient?
Hi Bad Skin,
OMG for real.. I was just having this convo yesterday with my friend she told me about Hypogammaglobulinenima and how its a protein deficiency and affects your blood. Makes you more susceptible to fungal and staph infections. She told me to get these tests done (that you labelled) for this auto immune disorder. I havent neen checked specifically but i have been told my blood was low and vit d low... Lots of other **non important** so the dr says were H/L..
Hypoalbuminemia - is low blood albumin
Hypogammaglobulinenima - is poor antibody production - just a start here though - this goes deep into Primary and Secondary Immune Disorders - SigMD for example - IgM deficiency is super rare. People can be asymptomatic and you may never know. Or your skin can be shit.
My IgM level is 20 - My IgG subclass 2 is 100
This skin condition being discussed - which I am all too familiar with seems to be proteins in your skin gone wild - Bad protein trying to escape
I finally saw a Dermatologist who was straight up and told me it didn't look skin related and seemed systemic.
One of these lesions for me turned to cancer.
I have also been sent to the mental institution as a skin picker by a scumbag dermatologist - Do Not go to the dermatologist for this.
A good immunologist is what you need.
Bad Skin, thank you so much for the info. Im really sorry one turned to cancer! That is just awful!! I hope you are recovering ok! I am going to ask for more blood tests to be done after the coronavirus dies down..
I am also so sorry you were sent to a mental insitution. My derm walked out on me because he refused to acknowledge the white plugs. He told me my skin is fine the only thing was my picking and i should go to emergency for psychiatiric help. I had the worst panic attack of my life. (Def didnt help me not look crazy) but its because i know hes wrong!! So i feel ya on that one! ...i didnt go though.. But i spent the next few years depressed and not trusting drs. Its sad when they dont understand.....
Anxiety is what naturally happens when you feel you are in danger. Don't wait to get healthy - coronavirus sheds light on antibodies etc. the skin thing can really be a serious issue - liver disease -multiple myeloma - are at play here. my skin cancer was crazy - started just like other lesions - but...really gave me insight into immune system issues. Involuntary commitment sucks - especially when you're not mental - lawsuits will be epic - keep you all updated on this. Skin is the most complex organ we have - Quantum force Field level stuff - "Dr" doesn't even cover it.
Part of my problem is that the reconstructive surgery I had was so good that new docs thought I was lying about the cancer. Disorganized thoughts = Looney bin. so many doctors and health systems my medical records are all over the place and not in one place. My PCP doctor gave up about a year ago - plus he hates being a doctor and is a bad human.
FOUND CURE!!!! Seriously, please read this. I have been battling this for years, I’m thankful for this thread because I found I wasn’t crazy and alone in this. I’ve tried everything, RX and OTC. I’m not going through them so let’s get down to it.
-Alternate sulfur bar soap and Image brand Total Ageless cleanser
-use image brand Ageless line total resurfacing mask daily in evening leave on 15 minutes when you scrub it off the wounds should be open with those buggers at top trying to get out
-apply “ACSYS” clear spot colloidal patch and wear all night long
-apply evening cream or serum that you like to keep pores cleaned out I use Image Ageless total anti-aging serum and RX sulfacetamide sodium topical suspension USP 10% lotion
-Morning Peel colloidal patches off, since some of white spots poking up I would pull them out, then I would wash face
-While wounds are open and not scabbed over, use my Angel Kiss seven color LED photon mask on purple color setting 40 minutes highest level 5 setting. I found once daily for now worked perfect
I have had this for years, and after 5 days of use my wounds are almost completely healed, I mean maybe 1more day and I will not have any!!!
Purple Light therapy works because it kills the bacteria acne feeds on and kills the demodex, and it reduces the oil production, makes wound healing process speed up. The strength of these lights is important so I chose the cheaper price but quality reviews
Exactly what can't happen in this thread. Constant claims of "Cures" with no medical basis. Acne bacteria and Mites...??? highly contradictory...two completely separate issues...totally unrelated.
"Battling this for years" = persistent skin lesions with no clear answer = happens with defective defense mechanisms - ie faulty immune systems. Chemical data is key.
Agreed BadSkin - whatever this is, it needs to be identified, in order for treatment. I share what I am trying - my infection is still giving me some issues. The medical community have been of no assistance. I wonder often, if this is a systemic condition, low immune system, protein deficiency, why doesn't mine spread to other parts of my face or body? My blood results come back within range, vitamin B12 a bit low. I have removed about six ingrown hairs recently, perhaps a good sign. A few of these hairs are coated in a transparent "sheath". You can't keep your mind and your mouth open at the same time - lol. I will take a break from here and see if someone else can identify this painful infliction. Not giving up! Aargh!
Antibodies! Does my body produce enough Antibodies? Immunoglobulin Test ==== https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/immunoglobulin-test#1
Again...this is your base Immune System Data = Chemical Data is critical. This test is a cheap basic blood test. It is also a test of your Doctor - trust me.
Sure thing BadSkin. I have an appointment in a few weeks. Can't hurt. I am Canadian - the test might even be covered. I will let you know and most certainly appreciate any advice. Thanks I am rarely sick. Colds last a few days. Planning on having a massive heart attack and hit the pavement somewhere! Ha Ha Okay - Thanks Again
What was recommended to you for treatment BadSkin if I may ask?
No treatment yet - just more testing for now...situation is still fluid. I am also never sick with colds, etc. All my other "regular" med info is normal - except for the low protein - low albumin issues( Hypoalbuminemia is a real issue but for me is dismissed as "I don't eat enough". Immunoglobulins test and igg subclasses test are the first to provide any real insight. I'm an open book on my medical info.