This variety lasts longer than the ringworms on the body, months sometimes
are required to cure it.
BARBER'S ITCH (Ringworm of the Beard).--Mother's Remedies. 1. Standard
Remedy for.--"Plain vaselin two ounces, venice turpentine one-half ounce,
red precipitate one-half ounce. Apply locally. Great care should be taken
not to expose affected parts to cold and draughts while ointment is in
use, especially if affected surface is large." The above is a standard
remedy and will be found very effective in all cases of barber's itch. The
vaselin will assist in healing the sores and softening up the scabs.
[88 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
2. Barber's Itch, Healing Ointment for.--"Plain vaselin four ounces,
sulphur two ounces, sal-ammoniac powder two drams. Mix and apply daily
after cleansing the parts thoroughly with castile soap and soda water.
This is also an almost infallible cure for common itch." The vaselin is
very good and healing, while the sulphur has a soothing effect and is a
good antiseptic.
3. Barber's Itch, Reliable Remedy for.--"Citrine ointment one dram,
vaselin or cosmolin one ounce. Mix thoroughly. Wash the affected parts
clean and apply this ointment on a soft rag three times a day." This is a
standard remedy and one to be relied upon. It is very soothing and has
great healing properties.
4. Barber's Itch, Sulphur and Lard for.--"Sulphur and lard mixed together
and applied three or four times a day. Have found this to be the best of
anything ever used for barber's itch." This remedy will be found very good
if the case is not very severe. If the face is covered with sores, filled
with pus and of long standing a stronger treatment should be used. See
other Mothers' Remedies, also Doctors' Treatment.
5. Barber's Itch, Cuticura Ointment for.--"Apply cuticura ointment to the
sores, and as it draws out the water press a clean cloth against the sore
to absorb the water. This will generally draw the water out in three or
four days."
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Barber's Itch.--Pulling out the hairs or close
shaving every day. Keep the affected parts soaking with olive oil for two
successive days. The evening of the third day the shampoo is employed, the
skin is washed free from crusts and scales, shave cleanly. After shaving
bathe the parts for ten minutes with borated water, as hot as can be
borne; while this is being done, all pustules or points where there is a
mucous fluid coming out to the surface are opened with a clean needle.
Sponge freely over the affected surface with a strong solution of
hyposulphite of sodium for several minutes and not allow it to dry; this
solution may contain one dram and perhaps more to the ounce. After a
thorough and final washing with hot water, the tender skin is carefully
dried and gently smeared with a sulphur ointment containing one to two
drams of sulphur to the ounce of vaselin, often with the addition of from
one-quarter to one-half grain of mercuric sulphide. In the morning wash
the ointment off with soap and water, the sodium solution is reapplied and
a borated or salicylated powder is thoroughly dusted and kept over the
parts during the day and apply ointment at night. The shaving must be
repeated at least the next day. As soon as there are no pustules (lumps),
or they have diminished in size, the ointment at night is superseded by
the use of the dusting powder. The washing with very hot water and with
the solution hyposulphite is continued nightly, when the inflammation
excited by the parasite is limited to the follicles that are invaded.
Continue the dusting powder after the ointment is discontinued.
[SKIN DISEASES 89]
WART (Verucca). Mothers' Remedies.--1. An Application for, also Good for
Cuts and Lacerations.--"Make a lotion of ten drops tincture of marigold to
two ounces of water and apply." This is also good for severe cuts and
lacerations. It may be applied by cloths or bandages if the case requires.
2. Warts, Match and Turpentine Wash.--"Dissolve matches in turpentine and
apply to wart three or four times," This preparation helps to eat them
away and if kept on too long is apt to produce a sore; care should
therefore be taken in using this remedy.
3. Warts, Muriate of Ammonia for.--"Take a piece of muriate of ammonia,
moisten and rub on the wart night and morning; after a week's treatment
the wart, if not extra large, will disappear."
4. Warts, Turpentine for.--"Rub frequently with turpentine for a few days
and they will disappear. This is a very simple remedy, but a good one, and
worth trying if you are afflicted with warts."
5. Warts, to Remove.--"The juice of the marigold frequently applied is
effectual in removing them. Or wash them with tincture of myrrh."
6. Warts, Milkweed Removes.--"Let a drop of the common milkweed soak into
the wart occasionally, the wart will loosen and fall out. This can be
applied as often as convenient; here in Canada we do not have to go far to
get a plant."