Dancey sorry to hear about your skin troubles. I cannot speak to the menopause and hormone issues (though I remember my older sister telling me her skin became super-soft following hysterctomy hormone therapy) - but I have lived with dermatitis, exzema, and fussy skin allergies all my life and over the years have found these helps: 1. To the extent you can, try to reduce the total chemical load in your environment - do not use dryer sheets, fabric softener, room fresheners, hair creme rinse (or minimize it at least); put your clothing through a double rinse cycle; use gloves/other barrier to protect your skin from harsh detergents, etc. 2. Add evening primrose, flaxseed, tocotrienols, and more fish to your diet (the inside-out approach). 3. I have fussy impossible skin, and my red-head spouse has his own set of skin troubles (sun damage, pre-actinic keratoses, etc.). We're both in our 50s now, and though we're fit, free of health problems, and comfortable with our ages, we wondered if we might improve the appearance of our sun-damaged faces. Together we read Perricone's Cosmeceuticals book, and decided to try some of his recommendations. We found the author's products to be way beyond what we considered reasonable to spent, but we have had stunning results with similar products we found online through Amazon.com from Reviva Labs: Alpha Lipoic Acid Vitamin C Ester and DMAE Cream (for the face and neck day and night); Firming Eye Serum (night-time eye cream); and their hand lotion from the same line (sorry my bottle is out in the car so I can't give you specific name). My skin responded immediately (thank god I was getting a little worried about lip creases and papery eye and throat). We're both looking a lot clearer and more well-rested, with much-improved skin texture - that's as much as we can expect because we'd never go for elective surgery - only a natural approach... and no, we have no financial interest in the above-noted products. 4. Two other creams that settle my skin, as well as seeming to change the texture, are Nivea Skin Firming Lotion with Q10 plus Biotin, and Aveeno Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal, Lavender, Chamomile and YlangYlang. You can find these at any of the larger drugstores (I am on West Coast) - they're a bit more expensive than, say, Jergens, but I have been thrilled to find them. Sorry for the rambler, but I hope you'll try any or all of the above. So nice to have happy skin. Good luck!

Our mastiff is allergic to plastic and used to get bumps that looked first like acne, then they'd open and bleed (if untreated) after he played with plastic toys. The vet's diagnosis was folliculitis -- 2 weeks of antibiotics cleared it up. We never had any luck with other remedies (sulphur soap, hydrogen peroxide, topical antibiotic creams). Sounds like your dog might have folliculitis too. If it goes long untreated secondary bacterial infections move into the skin, and the area is further aggravated by the dog's scratching. I'd suggest bringing the condition to your vet's attention promptly. Our mastiff can't play with any plastic toys. His food and water bowls are stainless steel, and we disinfect them after each use. We also clean his face twice a day to keep him more bacteria-free. Haven't had a problem since. However, even with stainless steel bowls, if we don't clean them and clean him daily, he is more prone to folliculitis, especially when the grass is growing. Good luck with your dog. Hope this helps.

Be very cautious with Witch Hazel⦠many cats will develop intense allergies to that product⦠but peroxide is not a good choice, either as it can damage the sensitive skin of a pet. There are many more gentle products you can get at vet that will help control that disease. Most bowls that historically have caused skin reactions have been taken off the market. Can be a tough disease to completely eliminate, but in most cats it is more annoying than serious. Gentle cleansing soaps following by mild antibiotic or antiseptic creams (applied very thinly) are what I have found best for chin acne in cats. Some Benzyl Peroxide products work well (just note Benzyl peroxide is not the same as Hydrogen peroxide).

Not everyday, only when I remember to check to see if there are hairs. I use a nose trimmer also, but I need to find something with a little more power. I guess I don't regret starting to shave because what is the alternative? Pluck? ouch, Bleach? have a bushy white upper lip and cat whiskers coming out of the mole on my lower jaw?? Maybe laser, but I think it's expensive at least around here. My BF bleaches sometimes and it looks awful. I mean really awful, the bleaching doesn't look good at all if the hair is long - moustache and beard long. She told me one time "but if I shave, it'll come in black". I agree, but.