[Harry01 (OP)]

I might be getting somewhere with treating this skin problem. Well, let's hope. I was curious though in biology what makes something a parasite and whether a fungus can be seen as a parasite in some instances.

Still awaiting follow up appointments and kind of just trying antifungal shampoos that the pharmacist agreed I can use. Keeping going with all this stuff until resolution and hopefully fighting to change the entire system so they can learn to actually follow the scientific method.

 

[evan_au]

A parasite draws nutrition from a living organism (without benefitting the host organism).
- A saprophyte draws nutrition from a dead organism (the host is now beyond help)

To blur the distinction, humans often get fungal skin infections. The outer layers of skin cells are not living, but they still provide a useful protective layer for the living cells underneath. So technically, many of these fungal infections are actually saprophytes rather than parasites. But it still causes disease in humans.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungus

[Harry01 (OP)]

But what about this fungus. The off vaseline that I put on my skin back in 2015 was yellow and had an odour. That was a fungus growing in it, right?

Just trying to make sense of this.

[Bored chemist]

That was a fungus growing in it, right?

Probably not.
There's practically no water in Vaseline, and all life needs water to grow.

[Harry01 (OP)]

Thanks, Bored. What could it possibly be?

[Bored chemist]

Well, it could be some unknown contaminant- but that wouldn't still be there after this time.
Or it could be nothing to do with the Vaseline.

You must have had some reason to put that vaseline on your skin.
Maybe that's the actual problem.

[alancalverd]

Major use for vaseline is to protect battery terminals from acid corrosion. Might account for the smelly yellow stuff left by a previous user, which has necrotised a bit of skin.

[Bored chemist]

Major use for vaseline is to protect battery terminals from acid corrosion. Might account for the smelly yellow stuff left by a previous user, which has necrotised a bit of skin.

Burned skin heals in under 7 years unless there's something else wrong.

[Harry01 (OP)]

I put it there because due to my pain disorder/condition I have sensitive sites on my body. But it's muscular or at least originates from this. The skin itself was fine.

I have had two skin conditions in my lifetime and both involved something added to the skin. 1.) Scabies from a parasite, that has the reddening that goes with an allergic reaction and 2.) from frequent use of an aloe Vera gel where I got redblisters as part of an allergic reaction.

The scabies needed the thing that kills the mite to get rid of it. The allergic reaction from the aloe Vera gel just required stopping using it.

The skin itself was fine up until I used this product 'labelled vaseline'. So I guess all we know is that they sold me this yellow thing in a vaseline container if you don't think it can stay on your skin

That's the one thing I am sure about. It's greasy, itchy on the skin and has an odour.

At least maybe I can just say that I bought a product meant for the skin and leave out vaseline if you don't think vaseline can harbour such a thing. As you said it would need moisture.

[Harry01 (OP)]

Sorry to clarify. If you don't think a contaminant in the vaseline could cause an ongoing skin condition.

[Bored chemist]

Sorry to clarify. If you don't think a contaminant in the vaseline could cause an ongoing skin condition.

Not one that would last this long.


Incidentally, Vaseline has an odour- a slight one but definite. It smells like mineral oil.

[Bored chemist]

The skin itself was fine up until I used this product

I don't understand, surely it was not fine- or why would you have used the product?

[Harry01 (OP)]

True, it does have a smell but not like this. It's kind of rank the smell. And what's on my skin has the same smell as what was in the jar.

Look I used it on this area as I said sites of my body elicit pain with little pressure. So if I move my ear for instance to clean behind it I experience pain. There's nothing wrong with my skin and I only have the skin problem in the areas I put this stuff.

I can explain further but it is definitely what was in the product that caused the skin condition. It was unmistakable as it took place immediately on application. This smelly yellow stuff going on your skin and not coming off.

I mean that's why I thought it was some kind of fungus. I have to call it something without knowing.

Thanks

[paul cotter]

I on't know where the op is based but here in Ireland Vaseline comes two distinct forms. one is translucent and virtually colourless and the other has a distinct yellow cast.

[Harry01 (OP)]

Thanks Paul,

It doesn't really matter though since it's not vaseline that is causing it but whatever else they sold me. I've no idea now what it is. I will finish the fifth day of this antifungal and then I have a dermatology appointment in May where they will probably gaslight me again.

One arrogant clinician 'diagnosed' it as lichen schlerosus. Haha, I was really psychologically distressed by the experience.

[Bored chemist]

It doesn't really matter though since it's not vaseline that is causing it but whatever else they sold me.

It almost certainly isn't.
Not after 7 years or whatever.

[Harry01 (OP)]

I'm just really on edge because of my experience of this. How do I get proper help? It's really distressing.

[Harry01 (OP)]

It is a very horrid feeling to feel like you are fighting against the health service. You should be able to have confidence in who is treating you. You just should.

I stand by what I said: whatever I called this, however I described this it should have been engaged with in a proper manner. There is really a problem if this sort of thing is happening.

[Harry01 (OP)]

Well I am glad I expressed this. I was grateful that you engaged with me here. I had hoped that when I started describing it in terms that were possible I might start getting some engagement.

I guess I will keep following up with the hospital. I don't understand this.

It's so depressing. Your life just stops for one reason or another. I was treated instantly for scabies back in 2004. I think I would have gone completely mad if I had lived with it for several years. Just completely needless and stupid.

Yes, coming from the mad person who said he had vaseline stuck to his skin.

It's so similar to my pain syndrome/disorder. I had seen an alternative therapist for treatment and he brainwashed me with this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolfing

I was taken in because you find your pain symptoms improving. But then my mental health went downhill and I had these violent psychosomatic spasms in my 20s. It was only after my second bout of these when I then felt pain all over my body that I started to challenge this 'guru' man.

I made a lot of progress. I thought I'd share this story.

I point it out because I was always right in one sense even if I was very wrong in another.

[Harry01 (OP)]

What do I say to my GP surgery? It's very hard living with this separate pain disorder. I thought that it was best to focus on one thing and testing one thing and seeing how that made me feel.

I really struggle with this. I struggled 'normally'.