Milk of magnesia helps battle against acne

I am 44 years old and have had acne since I was a teenager. Dermatologists have prescribed countless antibiotics, including Cleocin T, to no avail. Birth control pills worked, but when I stopped, the acne returned. Retin-A helped, but made my skin sensitive to the sun and caused redness and cracking.

I was excited to read about milk of magnesia as a topical treatment. My son (age 12) and I are using it and getting good results.

A letter in the Archives of Dermatology (January 1975) suggested that a topical application of milk of magnesia nightly could help reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne. Other readers have also shared their success.

I have granuloma annulare and would love to find out if you have any information on ways to cure these raised spots on my skin. I have them on my hands, wrists, elbows and shoulder. I know that they can disappear after a year or two; however, I have some spots that are persistent.

Dermatologists don't know what causes granuloma annulare. Although unsightly, this skin condition is not at all dangerous. It often disappears by itself eventually.

One reader reported that after applying white vinegar to the skin, the bumps went away. A listener to our radio show had success using original Vagisil, an over-the-counter treatment for vaginal infections. It contains resorcinol, an old-fashioned antimicrobial ingredient with antifungal activity.

Reach Joe Graedon, a pharmacologist, and Teresa Graedon, an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition, at www.peoplespharmacy.com or care of this newspaper.