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      | amyable Forum All-Star
 
  
  
 Joined: March 07 2005
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          Well, I'm midway between surgeries for removal of the skin cancer on my nose. Friday I go to the plastic surgeon to have skin grafts to cover the wounds. Right now I'm all covered up from here to there with gauze and tape. I look like this:
           | Posted: Dec 12 2007 at 9:43am | IP Logged |   |  
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 I know very little about how to help heal my skin and reduce scarring. All I know is I don't usually heal very "prettily."  I'm not allowed to take any herbal things pre-op (as some may increase bleeding and the surgeon just takes a "blanket stand" on no herbs at all) but I may be able to do those when stitched up after Friday.
 
 I'm open to any ideas - homeopathy, herbs, salves, acupuncture, whatever!  Throw anything you know my way. Thanks!
 
 P.S. Does anyone know of a good full coverage makeup for those days (like my son's upcoming Baptism) that I want to hide everything?
 
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 Amy
 mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of
   The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
 
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| aiereis Forum Pro
 
  
  
 Joined: Feb 22 2005
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          I have heard that vitamin E can help. Some people say orally and some say topically so I don't know which works better. My midwife told me that raw honey can also reduce scaring. Good luck with your surgery!
           | Posted: Dec 12 2007 at 9:52am | IP Logged |   |  
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 Christina
 Mommy to a lively toddler and a sweet bambina.
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| MaryM Board Moderator
 
  
  
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          Zinc - both as a supplement and applied topically as zinc oxide. And it would give you good coverage, though I'm sure not what you are looking for as far as make-up.  You would look like a life guard!
           | Posted: Dec 12 2007 at 10:35am | IP Logged |   |  
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 Praying for healing.
 
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 Mary M. in Denver
 
 Our Domestic Church
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| JodieLyn Forum Moderator
 
  
  
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          honey.. it also prevents infection.. I don't have the info right off.. but there was a battlefield hospital (WWI?) that used honey on all the wounds and had a very low rate of infection... it's good stuff.. if sticky
           | Posted: Dec 12 2007 at 11:12am | IP Logged |   |  
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 pineapple (has the enzyme bromelain) speeds healing of soft tissue injury and reduces swelling and bruising.
 
 arnica helps stop bruising and bleeding (I take this immediately after a birth for instance.. makes a huge difference in how sore I am)  I would have someone bring it to me to take as soon as possible after the surgery..
 
 of course I've also given arnica to a daughter having teeth pulled without telling the dentist.. he was impressed with the speed at which the bleeding stopped
   
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 Jodie, wife to Dave
 G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
 
 All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
 -Sir Walter Scott
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| Erin Forum Moderator
 
  
 
 Joined: Feb 23 2005
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          My dh had wonderful success with calendula tincture.  He had a very bad infection which led to bad scaring, the calendula not only cleared up the infection but helped with the scaring.
           | Posted: Dec 12 2007 at 1:45pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 Regards vitamin E cream, I used to use it for eczema but it made it worse as I have an intolerance to animal products and my vitamin E cream was based on lanolin
  Just something to keep in mind if you have issues in that area   
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 Erin
 Faith Filled Days
 Seven Little Australians
 
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| hylabrook1 Forum Moderator
 
  
 
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          We've had various cuts and such heal quickly and without scarring by dabbing on a couple of drops of lavender essential oil with a Q-tip.
           | Posted: Dec 12 2007 at 3:17pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 Peace,
 Nancy
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| JodieLyn Forum Moderator
 
  
  
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          Here's an article from 2004 on honey use on wounds
           | Posted: Dec 12 2007 at 4:03pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3787867.stm
 
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 Jodie, wife to Dave
 G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
 
 All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
 -Sir Walter Scott
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| amyable Forum All-Star
 
  
  
 Joined: March 07 2005
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          Thank you everyone!  I found some arnica in my closet, we have honey, zinc, and a calendula gel - guess I have a good start already!
           | Posted: Dec 13 2007 at 2:11pm | IP Logged |   |  
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 Amy
 mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of
   The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
 
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