>> You're changing your mind about whether there was a solid basis for recommending a treatment in this case? Earlier in the thread when I pointed out that it was unclear where the "skin fungus" diagnosis came from, you said: "Ok - that makes sense.". No, I agree that asking if someone has been diagnosed makes sense. But we didn't get an answer - so we can assume nothing about that person ... yet you follow up on an indeterminate situation by assuming that people are making guesses as to what it is. We don't know if it was self diagnosis or a definite diagnosis. >> Your other link is on effects of herbal oils on bacterial cultures No, on the effects of essential oils on fungal cultures, as we were discussing tinea, a group of fungal diseases. Also, I suggest we keep in mind 3 other things here: location, location, and location. Trying to treat an internal infection with a substance only shown to be effective in test tube studies does require extrapolation that may be unwarranted ... some organ in the body may absorb or metabolize the treatment and keep it from reaching adequate concentrations where the infection is. On the other hand, when we are dealing with skin infections, essential oils can be applied rather directly. There are other studies that have shown that essentials oils applied to the skin of humans are effective in treating dermatophyte fungal infections - I know you've said that you can't be expected to look up any information beyond what is presented (which doesn't stop you from giving an 'expert' opinion on something that you are unfamiliar with) - so I'll leave one such link here, though it certainly isn't the only one. My bottom line - plants (and bees) have evolved to produce plenty of antifungal substances, and applying such substances to non-life-threatening skin infections appears to be a reasonably effective manner of treating such infections. Here is a link that might be useful: Broad spectrum herbal therapy against superficial fungal infections.

I'm not sure that this would be considered a natural treatment, but I can tell you that it has been a miraculously successful treatment... I am a 25 year old male and have had a SEVERE CASE of tinea versicolor for about two years, as it has completely covered my stomach and sides of my upper body as well as a little on my arm. I have been, no exaggeration, to the doctor at least a half dozen times seeking various treatments, which have ranged from selenium shampoo, to ketoconazole (did three different cycles of this treatment), to lamacil,etc... and NONE OF IT WORKED!? I understand that the success rates are generally about 80% with each, so I must have been in the unlucky 20% with all of them. HOWEVER, about two weeks ago, I was putting on my favorite cologne, Locoste Red, and decided to spray it on the tinea versicolor located on my arm, just to see if there was any effect. The next day, it appeared that there had been some improvement, so for the next few days I continued to spray it on that same part of my arm, and within about three days, IT HAD COMPLETELY DISSAPEARED!!! Now, I donÂt know if any and every alcohol based cologne would work, but all I know is that after spending at least 15 hours of frustrating research online, plus all kinds of time and money seeing doctors, I promised myself that if I ever found anything that worked for me, I would post my testimonial on some of the blogs that I read to hopefully help some people out. And now, after spraying the cologne on my stomach and sides of my body over the course of the last week, I can say that without a doubt, and for whatever reason, the Lacoste Red cologne has cured my tinea versicolor!!!!????

We seem to get calluses on our feet from too much rubbing contact ... and poor girls in gardens didn't even get them looked after when she had a pedi! Actually, when I bathe I usually rub mine with a thumb, rather hard, maybe a thumbnail. I can remove quite bit of the callus, fairly easily. And it just grows back! I seem to have developed a slight callus on the joints at the edge of the hand on my two small fingers, left hand - quite a lot of working on a surface, palm up? Have you noticed how many hours that we spend using keyboards, while we watch computers? Anybody developed any of those calluses just under the bottom of your hip bones? What kind of treatments have you developed to cope with them? I can see one working ourselves on the ones that we develop on our hands or feet ... but how to cope with those that develop on one's bum? Have you heard of a manicurist to deal with them? What term do they use for such an action? Derriere-cure sounds a bit too hoity-toity? Ass-cure too ... raw? Crude? Oh, the problems that modern life develops! Hope you all have a happy day. ole joyful

Unfortunately, many technicians do not sanitize the jetted type pedicure throne sufficiently. The EPA approved liquid is sometimes just sprayed onto the surfaces or poured into the basin to soak w/water. But the water that sits in the jet pipes is not affected. And just blows the dirty water back into the basin when turned on. Skin oils, dead skin, nail clippings and product residue forms a perfect feast for bacteria. Add moisture, heat and the dark interior of the pipes and Viola! Best to bring your own tools. Polish is not generally a source of contamination because of the resin base encapsulates germs. Not that I want to turn anyone off of their beloved pedicures but definitely ask questions and observe the actions of the staff.