What Causes A Feeling Of Paraffin Type Substance Throughout The Body?

Posted on Tue, 19 Apr 2016

Question: I have a 93 yr. old female friend ( she's VERY sharp, intelligent and extremely aware of her medical issue) who has, for several months, been experiencing a "paraffin" type substance all over her body. Most recently it has 'attacked' even her gums. Her primary care physician recommended a dermatologist who basically ignored the problem as if she (my friend) was too 'senile' to know what she was talking about. Have you ever heard these symptoms? Anything you can recommend will be GREATLY appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Some more information please.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for the query under health care magic platform.
I have gone through your query.. but can not exactly get the nature of your friend=s complaint. I quite agree with you that to ignore her problem by saying too senile .. is not correct.
Could you probably send photographs of the lesion on skin as well as gums? Also it would be great help if the thing is decribed in her own words & also how & when did she notice it first.
Any other health issue she has ?
Is there associated itching / burning of the skin ?
Above information would guide me to come to certain conclusion & advise you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (38 minutes later)

DR. Athavale: Thank you for your response. However, no, I will not be able to send pictures of her condition. First, it is not visible on her skin. She continually scrapes the substance off with her fingernails. As I said, it is all over her body....on her scalp, on her arms, legs, back, genitals..everywhere! And as I mentioned, is now on her gums. The only other health problems I'm aware of is a relatively minor heart issue. She takes blood pressure medication. The condition does not itch or burn.......it is just extremely bothersome, as I'm sure you can imagine, to have this paraffin type substance on her body. I realize the apparent rarity of her condition. Again, thank you for any insite or suggestions you may have.

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Know cause/ counseling/ meditaion & active effors to overcome the problem

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thank you for the information.
In fact there are many conditions which lead to skin problems causing intense desire to scraping skin.. namely allergy/ fungal infection/hypothyroidism/ dry skin... but they do show associated symptoms.
Though all of these need to be excluded by local examination/investigations.. I feel your friend has it due to dryness of skin along with psychological stress & fear of getting old.I have following explanations for these-
* with advanced age, there is natural degenerative change in skin/ mucus membrane too.Skin becomes dry & papery thin with pigmentation in between. The nerve supply to skin too gets altered making it either hypersensitive or less sensitive.
All of these create a desire of getting something stuck/ layered to skin & person tries to rub/ scrape the skin clean.
* Few people are more careful about their looks throughout life. When such condition occurs to them .. they are also psychologically stressed/ worried/ feared .. . this aggravates their sufferings.
* IN my view.. your friend needs to-
- Have a skin friendly diet.. with good proteins/ vitamin A, E, C, B./ Plenty of liquids ( water, juices/ soups./ Walking exercise that suits her/ avoid exposure to cold, heat/ Use non greasy moisturizer mixed with anti fungal cream & steroid cream in 10( moisturizer) :1 ( mixed ointments )proportion. for skin.
- Keep herself engaged in activities/ company of her choice.
- To have a couple of sittings with counselor . To understand & accept the age wise changes in skin & also learn the lifestyle & tricks to overcome them.
Mind concentration exercises / meditation will prove to be of great help.
I have tried to elaborate the possibilities in order to give a whole sum information.. which would help your friend. Hope you find it useful.Any follow up query is welcome.
In case you like the answer & find it useful , I request to grade the answer before you close it.
Thanks.
.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (8 hours later)

Dr. Athavale: Thank you for your thorough and compassionate evaluation and suggestions for my friend. (Getting old is a most difficult stage in life, isn't it?) I will try to encourage her to incorporate some of these into her lifestyle. You have been VERY helpful. God bless you.
Rhoda Green

please excuse the long time that has passed since your response. We've been having these discussions during the middle of the night....I I've slept some. :-)

I missed my opportunity to evaluate your help and I'd like to do that if you can bring back that opportunity. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Thank you for the kind feedback.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thank you for the kind feedback. I am happy that I could be of some help to your friend.
I agree with you. really getting old is the most difficult time in life.( Each one of us has to sail in same boat some time )I understand your friend's condition. Admire her way of life . her sharpness & intelligence maintained up till now.. & wish her same / healthy & happy life ahead.
I am sure she would make it with a company like yours.
Please evaluate / experience the tips given.. They will definitely help her.IN case you have any further /other health query , I would be happy to help through Health care magic platform.
Wishing you both a graceful aging!
Thanks.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar