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No More Burning Skin
It's only been about three weeks for me on a low vitamin A diet, but the burning eczema, hives, and itching that has kept me awake at night for over six years is gone. I am also happy to report that my eyes are less dry. I realize that this is very early on, and I am happy that I am seeing improvement at this stage.
My vitamin A intake and symptom history goes back to my childhood, when I often had eczema and rashes. I ate plenty of vegetables and dairy, and my parents had me taking multi-vitamins along with individual vitamins, including vitamin A. At about age 10, I developed seasonal allergies, a severe allergy to cats, and Raynaud's syndrome (not sure if it's related, but I thought I'd include it). As an adult, I have continued to take multi-vitamins, and also have taken cod liver oil and desiccated liver, all while eating lots of salads, cooked vegetables, and dairy products. In 2007 I was diagnosed with dry eye and pinguecula on both eyes.
Six years ago, after starting to develop severe eczema, hives, and insomnia, I started identifying certain vegetables that were triggers and eliminated them from my diet. Eventually, I was down to eating beef. At first I felt better, but eventually I suffered from fatigue and insomnia. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2016. My Raynaud's grew progressively worse. On a whim, I tried eating beef and potato chips at one point in 2016, and my health improved dramatically. But I worried about lacking vitamin A, and continued to experiment with vitamin A supplements and vegetables.
I have spent numerous days, hours, months, years researching my problems, and only came up with incomplete answers such as salicylate sensitivity, sulfite intolerance, cross-reactive allergies, etc., so I am extremely grateful for Grant's work.
Currently I am eating beef, bison, potatoes, rice, potato chips, and occasional homemade bagels or other baked goods.
I will continue to update this thread as I see other improvements.
The above was written by me (Eliza), but I wasn't signed in. Also, I forgot to mention that in addition to the burning skin and eczema going away, the acne I have been struggling with for years is all but gone. The other symptoms are still the same. It will be interesting to see what else (if anything) improves.
One question - does anyone here have pinguecula? It is a yellowish growth on the conjunctiva of the eye consisting of fat, calcium, or both. Given my history of large doses of vitamin A, I have a sneaking suspicion that this is related.
Not pinguecula, but I have a spot that seems to be xanthelasma that appeared shortly before starting low A when I was consuming more A.
Ah, so xanthelasma is on the eyelids and Pingueculae is on the sclera of the eye, but both seem to be made up of cholesterol/fatty tissue, which is why I wonder about the vitamin A connection. My Pingueculae appeared maybe 20 years ago, and I've been told that they only grow, and do not recede. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if there is any improvement in either of our cases.
Quote from eliza1275 on February 20, 2019, 6:00 pmOne question - does anyone here have pinguecula? It is a yellowish growth on the conjunctiva of the eye consisting of fat, calcium, or both. Given my history of large doses of vitamin A, I have a sneaking suspicion that this is related.
I don't have pinguecula, but that is the exact sport where I would always get very red blood shot eyes, like new blood vessel growth Grant talks about during vitamin A overload.
Eye sclera are now continuing to get clearer and whiter.
Minor setback today - my skin had cleared, but I have broken out with painful acne again. I have had decaf coffee for the past three days, and I am pretty sure this is the cause. I have tried regular coffee in the past, and quit because I found myself breaking out more. So, no more coffee for me - back to just water, and sometimes vodka after dinner. Food is still beef, bison, potatoes, potato chips, rice, and occasional home made baked goods.
Hi @eliza1275, thoughts as to why, caffeine? Coffee is 0 VA, no carotenoids?
I was drinking decaf coffee, but the same thing (acne) has happened when I have had regular coffee in the past. I also get very gritty teeth, and get heart palpitations with both. I have two theories - either it's the acidity of the coffee, or mycotoxins: https://flawlessprogram.com/coffee-causing-your-eczema-breakouts/
I am very sensitive to a lot of things (sulfites, amines, etc.), possibly from mega-dosing Vitamin A for so long. Hopefully this improves with time, and my system can tolerate these things better. For now, no more coffee for me.
Quote from eliza1275 on February 25, 2019, 7:41 amI was drinking decaf coffee, but the same thing (acne) has happened when I have had regular coffee in the past. I also get very gritty teeth, and get heart palpitations with both. I have two theories - either it's the acidity of the coffee, or mycotoxins: https://flawlessprogram.com/coffee-causing-your-eczema-breakouts/
I am very sensitive to a lot of things (sulfites, amines, etc.), possibly from mega-dosing Vitamin A for so long. Hopefully this improves with time, and my system can tolerate these things better. For now, no more coffee for me.
Coffee is also very rich in potassium, so with adequate potassium your progesterone levels could lower. Potentially un-opposing estrogen, and then stopping the breakdown of vitamin A. Progesterone regulates cellular potassium, potassium being the regulator of cellular thyroid reactions.
I read somewhere that after depleting A someone was able to enjoy coffee again. Will be curious of your progress!