Korean Job Discussion Forums

[some waygug-in]

I suffer from an annoying skin condition. A kind of "jock itch" gone wild if you will.
I think it is actually a case of psoriasis, and when was in Canada, I could only find one product that really helped. It was called "Mazon Ointment". I know I can order it through the mail here, but I was hoping that someone might know the name of a comparable Korean product. (please, no vaginal itch creams)
The condition seems to be exacerbated by the current high temperatures and humid climate. I have tried most of the basic skin creams, but they just make it worse.

Itchy and scratchy were never like this.
Thanks in advance
some waygug-in

[camel96]

Is it a fungal infection?????
Have you actually tried vaginal itch creams?? Often they are exactly the same as the standard anti-fungal creams just catered towards a different market.
Does it itch?????
I've had similar problems before in SE Asia where nothing seemed to work and in the end I got hold of a prickly heat powder (mild talcum powder would most likely do the same) which dried the problem out and seemed to work. Basically the fungus feeds on the sweat and all of that ick so when you dry it out it basically starves. I didn't actually have prickly heat but the powder works for other problems as well. The prickly heat powders that contain zinc are the best.
Hydrocortisone cream????? You shouldn't use his for a long time though.
Good luck.

[some waygug-in]

thanks for the advice. I haven't seen a doctor here about it, mostly becuase I don't trust Korean doctors, but secondly because of the language barrier.

Is is fungal? God only knows. I just know that when I use Mazon cream, the symptoms and the itch are significantly reduced.
It never really goes away though. It is just a lot worse in hot and humid weather. I originally got the condition in Canada, while working as a tree-planter. I thought it was just chaffing from all the exercise, but I've never been able to totally get rid of it. The symptoms are that of classic psoriasis, red swolen itchy patches with silvery scaling of the skin.

I haven't tried the powder, but it sounds like a good option.


Thanks again/

[camel96]

Probably the first thing a Korean doctor is going to say is to take antibiotics.
It's more than likely it's not caused by bacteria so the antibiotics won't do anything. If anything they'll just serve to kill off your body's natural yeasts and bacteria that are fighting whatever it is. If the powder doesn't work it may be worth hunting down a dermatologist.
Luckily it seems to be an external problem so you can pretty much just go into a doctor/pharmacist whatever and point to it and they'll see the problem straight away and can prescribe something for you.
Is it in an embarrassing spot??? Because that's always the other option go into a pharmacy and ask them. There's plenty of pharmacists around who can speak English quite well. Just wait until no one else is in the pharmacy and then go in to avoid the stares.
The other thing is you can't think of any kind of irritant that would cause it???? New washing powder, different soap, changes in your diet etc.????

[Squaffy]

Hydrocortisone cream - the generic name in most pharmacies is Canesten. Give it a try.

[camel96]

Just make sure you get "Canesten Hydrocortisone" and not one of the other canesten products. Some of them like the antifungal/athlete's foot products don't have hydrocortisone. If that's the option you decide to take. Hydrocortisone is strong stuff though. You shouldn't use it for a long time. Up to something like 10 days. After that you run the risk of Cushing's Syndrome which isn't a good thing unless you like having a buffalo hump.

[hojucandy]

if yu have psoriasis, antifungal preparations will not help as yu are dealing with an immunological problem.

if it is fungal, the best thing is systemic antifungals - ie tablets.


- go to a skin specialist (pi-bu-kwa) and get him to look at it.

i am a vet - i know a bit about these things.

[some waygug-in]

Thanks for all the suggestions and help. I am pretty sure it is Psoriasis. Just reading the definition of psoriasis in the dictionary pretty much sums up the symptoms. I have found a skin specialist, but he mostly deals with cosmetic surgery issues. I haven't gone to see him yet, I have to convince my girlfriend to come with me for translation purposes. (if necessary)

Yes, it's in an embarrassing spot. That's another reason I'm hesitant to see anyone about it.

From what I've read about psoriasis, there is no cure. The cause is not really understood and I don't know if I have much hope of totally ridding myself of this problem. But when I use mazon cream, I can say that the symptoms become almost non-existant. (As long as I keep applying it about once a week or so) It's generally not much to worry about except for times like now, I've run out of the ointment and the symptoms have flared up again. I have ordered more from global drugs on the net, but I was just hoping that someone here would know the name of a product here in Korea.

The active ingrediant is "coal tar". As bizzare as this sounds, it does help and it makes my condition almost normal again.

Anyway, thanks everyone.

Cheers

[hojucandy]

psoriasis is indeed incurable medically.

there are some alternative approaches to it that can work. a good homeopath (a rare thing) could help yu. it may be worth investigating korean or chinese traditional medicine.

coal tar will prevent the symptoms but never cure the problem. in fact in the long run it will make it worse.

try the international clinic in itaewon.

and/or traditional doctors.

all the best - skin things are difficult!

[camel96]

Have you checked out photos on the internet???
You can just type in something like "Psoriasis photos" into google (beware some will be nasty) and it will show you what it can look like as opposed to say something like a nasty case of ringworm. May help you work out what you have. At some point you'll probably have to suck it up and go to a doctor. They deal with this type of stuff all the time so it's really nothing to be embarrassed about.
Take care and good luck.

[Oaks]

Yeah, you probably have a fungal infection. I got that in korea and saw a dermatologist and they prescribed the cream. A lot of korean doctors speak pretty good English, so I wouldn't worry about the language barrier. My doctor in the US said that baby powder can be effective as well. After my cream ran out, i just put some baby powder on the area to keep it from coming back because it always seems to come back when the weather gets hot and sticky.

[Isabel]

I have done a little research for you about psoriasis, if in fact your condition is psoriasis, and this is what I found.

Psoriasis is a non-contagious autoimmune skin disorder (not a disease) caused by the rapid surfacing of immature skin cells called keratinocytes. Normally, within a single month, keratinocytes mature as they travel to the top layer of your skin which then sheds dead cells with little to no notice. In a case of psoriasis, the migration of keratinocytes to the top layer of your skin happens within about four days, too quick for your skin to shed properly. This causes skin plaque, an accumulation of skin in thick, dry patches. Blood flow is then increased under the surface of the skin causing the itching, redness and inflammation most commonly associated with psoriasis.

Although psoriasis can be found anywhere on the body, it is commonly found on the knees, elbows, torso, and the scalp. It can also be found in areas prone to sweat such as around the belly button, lower back and the genitals, the last considered rare.

Psoriasis is generally inherited and approximately 1 of 4 psoriasis cases has some type of relative involvement.

Although psoriasis is not a threat of any kind to other people, this condition can be consuming due to the impact that the annoying chronic itching and flaking may have on the mental stress of those who have it.

Approximately 10-30% of those with psoriasis also develop arthritis. This is because similar immune cells affect inflammation in both skin and joints giving the victim another condition process to deal with. Some people say their arthritis improves when the condition of their skin gets better and vice versa.

Currently there is no cure for psoriasis mainly to the fact that the causes of psoriasis cannot be isolated. However, there are treatments that can control the psoriasis and treatments that can put you into remission.

Although sunlight helps decrease the severity of the flares, there are 2 ingredients in specific percentages that are approved in a psoriases treatment. They are:
1- Coal tar in strenghts varying from 0.5% to 5.0%, and
2 - Salicylic acid in strenghts varying from 1.8% to 3%

Psoriasis can be diagnosed and treated only by the visual examination and the medical experty for the appropriate treatment of a dermatologist. It is important that you seek a qualified dermatologist. Do not treat your condition slightly. There is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Good luck

[BTM]

[camel96]

And knee surgery at that...

[em]

Some Waygug-In

I feel your pain. I have suffered through most of life from both psoriasis and eczema. Last year, I had a particularly bad bout of something that looked alot like psoriasis on my feet - lasted for a year and a half! So embarassing. Anyway, I was finally sent to a dermatologist, who prescribed something called Ultravate - which is an ointment that cleared up the problem in a couple of weeks. I happen to have it with me - the medical name listed on the prescription is Halobetasol Prop/0.05%. I have also read recently that Oolong Tea, taken three times a day for a couple of months can clear up skin problems. It has anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory qualities, apparently. Worth a try, anyway. I have yet to find Oolong Tea - gotta learn to read Korean.

Just out of curiousity - is this disorder something that you have experienced before? Do you have a history of psoriasis? If you don't, then I would be willing to bet that that is not what you have. As someone has already pointed out, psoriasis is usually a hereditary problem. My doctor treated my problem as psoriasis (and eczema, and athlete's foot) with no results. The suggestion to head off to a dermatologist is a good one. I got no results until I did. Ask about the medication that I got - it cleared things up for me really quickly.

Good luck - you have my sympathy and best wishes.