Barber's Itch

Folliculitis barbae is the medical term for a common condition called barber's itch; this condition is an infectious skin disease which arises on the bearded facial areas of people who are unlucky enough to contract the disease. The disease develops and the first signs of the condition are the appearance of painful pimples that develop at the hair follicles along the beard, these pimples can grow either superficial or may occur in the deeper layers of the skin.

The hair may come off easily in more severe cases, because larger knots can form all over the affected area and this will leave scars-thus the disease can become quite noticeable.

Either a bacterial or a fungal infection may be responsible for the onset of the disease. Mustache hair is usually affected by the bacteria; these are commonly of the staphylococci family. Bearded hair on the cheeks and the chin is commonly affected by the fungus; this fungal infection brings about a very pronounced inflammation in the affected region.

The sharing of towels and razors passes on the highly contagious fungal infection, people who have a chronic runny nose are more likely to be affected by the bacterial infection, and this form of the condition is passed along through air droplets. The condition of barber's itch itself is often confused with multiple ingrown hairs that often occur naturally in people.

The harmful bacteria can be flushed out from the body in about one to three days, by undertaking a fast where only juice is consumed. This initial measure can then be followed with a fast where only raw vegetables and fruits are consumed for two to four weeks; this can be continued until visible improvement has started. Beyond these steps the diet must be changed to one having abundant low-salt and vegetarian meals made up mostly of raw and cooked vegetables along with many types of fruits for the last four to eight weeks of treatment.

Supplements and herbs

A vital nutrient compound called the gamma-linolenic acid or GLA in short, is an essential fatty acid abounding in the oil of the evening primrose, this compound can be used in the alleviation of a number of skin problems of all sorts. The skin can also be healed with the help of other essential nutrients, such as the vitamins A, B complex and E. All of these are excellent supplements during the treatment of barber's itch.
Lactobacillus acidophilus supplements and supplemental forms of other similar friendly bacteria can be taken to defeat fungal infections; these are also excellent in eliminating candida infections in the bowel and its growth elsewhere within the body of the affected person.

The most permanent results can be obtained through the internal and external applications of herbal supplements. The herbs will bring about a solution to the cause of the real problem and help relieve symptoms of the disease in the affected person.

After you have shaved yourself, use soothing aftershave on the rash by applying witch hazel liquid onto the affected region of the face. An infusion of the horsetail herb can also be used to promote tissue rebuilding in the face and the beard by washing the area once every two hours with the infusion.

An application of calendula ointment and aloe cream on the affected area on a daily basis will bring about a restoration in the moisture content of the area and will also promote healing in the area. Each day before sleeping, use aloe vera gel as a shaving cream on a regular basis for maximum effect. An internal cleansing therapy using the herb will support all the external applications and bring about an enhanced rate of healing in the affected area.

Prepare a herbal remedy combination by mixing together 3 parts of lemon balm, 2 parts stinging nettle leaves, 2 parts of the chamomile herb, along with 2 parts of peppermint, and also add 4 parts of juniper berries, and finally 3 parts of Echinacea and a part of thyme. Boil this mixture using a cup of water and 2 tsp. of the herbal mix.

Let the mixture boil and then steep the herbs keeping them covered for about twelve to fifteen minutes cool and strain it to obtain the herbal brew. For the treatment, drink 3 cups of this herbal mix daily for a treatment period lasting three weeks at a time. Sometimes the barber's itch can be brought about by an allergic reaction and even eczema, in such cases external therapy is required, just bathe the body using some chamomile, some chickweed herbs, horsetail and goldenseal together in the bath water.

The bath water can be prepared by dissolving a tbsp. of the powdered herbs in a tub of water. Make sure you apply some ointment of chickweed or olive oil after having bathed and dried off well using a clean towel. To prevent any sort of skin infection, drink some aloe vera juice on a regular basis and daily if possible. The capsule form of the common garlic also combats fungal infections in the body - this is another great way to rid the body of fungal infections.

Additional things you may do

Use the oil of the evening primrose plant or some honey to rub the affected areas of the body. To heal and soothe the affected area of the skin, use therapeutic clay poultices as direct topical applications.

Usual dosage

Evening primrose oil, 2x 500 mg capsules thrice a day.

Vitamin A ,25,000 IU.

Vitamin B complex, 50 mg 1 - 2 times a day.

Vitamin E, 400 IU 1 - 2 times a day.

Combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus, one tsp. between meals.

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