[appleman44]

Okay so in the last couple years I have found that my skin doesn't like to heal anymore.

I eat a very healthy diet, mostly vegetables and meat, with carbs in the morning. I also try to take supplements which have all my amino acids / vitamins I need.

I just don't understand why my skin doesn't heal, it does but it doesn't.. I will explain.

I've had stretch marks on my lowerback since I was 12, I still have them now and they have not faded AT ALL in the past 7 years, they're still deep red.

It seems to have gotten worse in the last year or so. Last year I scraped my skin on a brick, it was only a graze -- no blood was drawn but now I have a permanent scar right there, its quite large too. Another 9 months ago something similar happened on my other leg on the shin -- no blood once again just a bad graze, it never scabbed over but now I have a big scar there (it is also indented, as though the skin never built back up)

If I pop a zit anywhere below my neck, and it draws blood then I tend to have a small brown spot left over where ever that was, and it won't go away. (I have one on my abs from 7 months ago, it was just 1 small zit that I only popped a single time and now its just a brown spot, slightly smaller than an eraser head)

Sometimes my skin will scab and other times it will not. Even if I let a scab fully form and leave it for quite awhile, if I pick it off right before it falls off (something I just can't help) then I will get another brown spot. I quite a few of these brown spots on my chest now due to this.

The smallest little scratch seems to not heal sometimes, I've been looking for information on this for awhile.

I think I might have some sort of skin disease if its not healing, if anyone would have any clue what it is I would appreciate it. I've tried going to the dermatologist but they're always too expensive for me and my health plan won't cover it.

 

[Daniel Lam]

After reading your post i m convinced that you must go to a dermatologist - if you really cant get the money then try the first forum that comes up in google when you search for : dermatologist forum (sorry that i cant write you the url but i still dont have 15 posts yet)

Good luck

 

[vtoodler]

I agree with Daniel. You should see a doctor. Maybe you have some sort of internal problems.

 

[noosh]

Get your blood checked because you can get things like bruising if you have a low platelet count. easily fixed if it is that but deffinitely see a dermatologist too.

 

[SoapLady]

Comfrey herbs contain the active ingredient allantoin, a skin healer proven to heal wounds and skin ulcers.

 

[dragonlilly]

Take an extra B Vitamin supplement with your multivitamin. Take an extra zinc supplement too. A skin specialist would be helpful but it does sound like this is coming from an internal deficiency - How are your teeth and gums?

Have you seen a doctor?

 

[Mari]

I think you should see a doctor. I was having problems with a sore that wasn't healing and was given a jar of Kalaya Emu Oil and Tea Tree Oil Healing Salve. It was soothing and worked; I am not a fan of Tee Tree Oil or Emu Oil as I don' t like the odor -- but Tea Tree in particular is well know for healing qualities. I've also used Tea Tree and Vitamin E serum.

Personally these are just suggestions, a doctor is your best bet.

 

[Jay82]

I'm having the SAME problem. I actually found this site when this post popped up. If the original poster is still is, give me an update about the solution.

 

[Lexi2009]

Actually, this sounds like you must be between about 17-21 or so. If so or you are male under 25 I really do not think you need to worry. Are you Asian or Hispanic? If you tan very easily, have brownish or yellowish skin then in likelihood your scarring is due to pigmentation issues. Often, especially in Asian skin, any cut will leave a dark mark for a long time (this is very true of darker skinned Asians not so much East Asians but more like Taiwan and Southern Chinese descent). The same goes for many Hispanics and many people with dark skin. Do you keloid or have you ever had a keloid?

I am convinced it is not a skin problem but rather a pigmentation problem. I do think it would be helpful to see a dermatologist to get a good diagnosis but do not get alarmed by some of the posts here. I think people are misconstruing what you are saying as it sounded like you were saying that you did NOT heal, where in reality you DID heal it has just left darker marks or stretch marks, all common in darker skin especially Asiatic and Hispanic skin.

 

[SkinCareDiva]

I am 38 and I noticed in the last year or so normal zits and things I pick take several weeks to heal rather than a few days now. Ugh. Is that a sign of getting OLD????

Anything that seems out of the ordinary- make a derm appt. Don't mess with something like that. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[socialkittn]

it might depend how much you pick at things though...sometimes your skin just gives up if you dont give it a chance to heal on its own.

trust me i have the same temptation. Although ive left pimples alone completely and they still leave a blemish, go figureure

 

[sandia1]

Are you diabetic??

 

[amandarey92]

I would definitely suggest going to a dermatologist, or even a doctor. That will tell you for sure what's going on. Good luck.

 

[kathyliz]

I have the same problem. I get a zit or scrap my legs working outdoors it heals but theres a dark spot (I also bruise easy). I just attributed it to being so light skinned. My makup has to be the lightest I can find otherwise it stands out too dark with the rest of my skin. Maybe that is why you experience problem? Just a thought. kathyliz

 

[cyberpsychic]

Do you go swimming a lot? you are not supposed to go swimming after getting a cut or scratch. This would explain why it only happens below the neck. Your body is in the water and your head is out.
I have the same problem with a cluster of chigger bites on my ankle. it is exactly like what you described. i went swimming and it wasn't until after i got out of the pool that i notice that a sign at the pool said "do not swim if you have a cut or crape. This can cause infection". five years later i am searching the web for a remedy. Other cuts and scratch heal perfectly and i rarely swim anymore. i did see a dermatologist and she agreed that it was a combo of the bite and the pool. She prescribed me an expensive cream called Ultravate and said it should make it go away. This didn't work though it helped the itching.

 

[hairandmakeup]

go and see a doctor! i take vitamins for healthy skincare...helps revitalise the skin. do you take any?

 

[salsera]

It appears that the original poster does not post anymore (original post 2007) but for those of you who have posted issues with "slow healing of wounds and scars" - I agree with hairandmakeup - take vitamins.

I have been a slow healer for many many years. April and May 2008 I got small superficial cuts from bushes on my leg but the scars did not fade until June of this year. This year I started an aggressive routine of supplements (vitamins, minerals, etc.). I got a DEEP injury in my finger mid-August (2009) the wound is completely healed and the scar has 90% disappeared. 2.5 weeks ago I burned myself pretty badly on some equipment - the burn is 50% healed and the skin which has healed already is the same tone as my skin. I attribute this change to my supplement routine.


Google vitamins for scars, wounds, skin etc. for recommendations on which vitamin(s).

 

[LightenNLift]

Salsera, which vitamins, minerals and supplements have u been taking in ur agressive routine? Can u please list them.

 

[Toffee]

Are you diabetic??

Is there anyone in your family with diabetis, I strongly suggest that you go to your doctor for a diabetic test - very important.

 

[salsahigh]

Just bumping the thread to see if there are any new insights out there. I know the best bet is to see a dermatologist, but that's not an option for me right now.

I have a similar issue as the OP. My blemishes take an extremely long time to heal. My skin cells don't seem to replenish themselves as often as they should. My childhood chickenpox took nearly 10 years to clear, and that was only achieved after I did some major acid peels. Any idea as to what internal factors cause this? I'm not diabetic. I'm a supplement junkie. My diet is currently healthy though it hasn't always been. I've undergone a major detox and diet change over the last year but have noticed no changes in the problem. Any thoughts out there (besides seeing a dermatologist)? TIA