Those of us with disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) know that there is no cure for this unfortunate condition that leaves our skin plagued with rough dry spots that are often red and noticeable. The best we can hope for is to minimize the appearance of the spots, so we are always on the look-out for the next best thing.
Meet Manuka Oil. I am healing up from a Taz/Eff 14 day treatment and so my arms are looking quite scabby, scaly and red (never a good look!) I applied the Manuka oil once, and I could immediately feel it start to dry out the scabby areas and literally within 3 hours, I could see an improvement in my healing.
Now before you dig out your halter tops and mini skirts, let me be clear that this is not a cure for DSAP, BUT, for me it does seem to 1) help the healing process after a rigorous treatment like taz/eff 2) Help reduce the redness of my dsap lesions.
After researching the effects of manuka on DSAP, I found other other positive reports on the use of Manuka. Some patients said that it took up to a month of application before seeing results. But everyone said that it helped fade or minimize the color of the lesion so that they were less visible.
Application
In my case, I have too many spots to do a spot treatment, so I just rub the oil onto the entire surface area. It is good for your skin, so you won’t do any damage to the healthy skin. The essential oil can be used undiluted topically or internally (for DSAP use it topically).
What is Manuka?
Manuka Essential Oil comes from the plant Leptospermum scoperium, a tree native to New Zealand. It is a member of the Myrtaceae family, which also includes, eucalyptus, tea tree and clove.
For centuries, New Zealand Maori have used the Manuka Oil to treat everything from rheumatism and fevers to burns and skin disorders.
Manuka has similar properties to tea tree in that it is antiseptic, anti viral and anti fungal. However it over 30x stronger on some bacteria than tea tree.
Used in skin care, the antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties of Manuka oil combat skin irritation and infections.The oil exhibits cytophylactic (cell regeneration) and cictrizant (antimicrobial, tissue repair) actions which is probably why I saw such a quick improvement in my healing.
For you aromatherapy experts– the therapeutic components include: alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, myrcene, para-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, methylcinnamate, alpha-farnesine, isoleptospermone, leptospermone, sesquiterpenes (cadina-3,5-diene and delta-amorphene), triketones.
Oil vs. Honey
HONEY– Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand by bees that pollinate the native manuka bush.
MANUKA OIL is extracted by steam distillation from the leaves of the manuka bush.The oil is virtually colorless. It has a sweet and gentle smell.
For topical use the oil is more potent than honey, and more practical. Spreading honey all over your arms and legs, could be fun, but might get a bit sticky. If you do want to use honey, buy a lotion that contains the honey (although I still recommend the neat manuka oil, it’s much more potent than a cream that will contain very little of the honey.
Buyer Beware
Most of the world’s manuka oils and honey come from New Zealand and there are lots of counterfeit products on the market place. Are they harmful? Probably not, but they aren’t certified so you are taking their word on the potency of the product. Here’s a good article on manuka frauds.
Here is one reputable Manuka Honey brand and one Manuka Oil brand I recommend, both are on Amazon. I live in New Zealand and both of these have an excellent reputation.
What about you?
Have you tried manuka oil or honey before? Did you see any reduction in redness? What other essential oils have you used? Let us know!
I just received some of the Manuka oil and looking forward to trying it..
Can you provide more details, such as how often you use the oil to reduce redness? This is the first I’ve read of this product…would love to hear from others who have tried it!
I used it dailyafter a tazorac treatment, really reduced the redness. That is to say, after the 14 day treatment, then I started the manuka oil
Shelley, are you getting results from the manuka oil for the redness? Thinking about trying….
don’t really know how long this is been up just happen to find it today thank you for the person who puts the pictures of the manuka oil I am in Cali and have been told this for several years didn’t know how to find it besides using the honey wasn’t sure I wanted to go down that road it is very expensive here. we don’t have the oils but I will purchase them from Amazon.thank you.
Has anyone found that the Manuka oil helps reduce redness of lesions even when not following up a Taz/Eff treatment? Has anyone tried Frankincense? doTERRA oils are all the rage here and a few people have suggested Frankincese for “scaring”.
yes doTERRA are the best pure certified theraputic oils on market. I don’t buy from amazon or stores because they can be alterated with synthetics. I use frankinscrnce, lavendar and geranium for my DSAP. DM me or go to mydoterra.com/davelgrigg
I have just found your blog and feel like crying. I just had my third Levulon treatment on arms. Mi used Tazaorack for 2 weeks prior to the blue light. My dermatologist did not want to use that but the previous blue lights did absolutely nothing for my arms. Well, now they look like they have third degree burns and on top of this I have a MOHs that’s not healing very well either. I have never heard of DSAP, but the moment I started to read your blog I cried! My dermo has never mentioned that this might be what I have! She also does not remove pimples or cysts and sends you over to the astetic ( spelling, sorry) side so your insurance does not cover it. My sons wedding is in 4 months and all I wanted to do was look pretty. At this rate I will be wearing a burlap bag. Will be following you and have put in favorite places. Ty .
My parents both had this condition and I have had it for the last 15 years. I have tried Zyclara with no results. I recently tried Tea Tree Oil and was amazed how well it worked. I used it twice daily on the worst 2 spots that I had and it reduced the redness and one completely went away within one week. This was a pure oil that I used and hope this information may help others.
Lisa,
Are you still using the Tea Tree Oil? If so, are you still seeing results?
Thanks,
Deb
I also have DSAP, my older sister does also. My niece who is 40 has it beginning too. My sister went to a dermatologist and they told her that she has DSAP. It is a genetic disorder from chromosome 12. I do doTERRA oils and I am going to use the Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Clove. I will put the results on here and how it worked for me. I appreciate all of the remarks left here. Thanks so much, Sharon
I have tried the Manuka oil without the other treatment. It did seem to help some, but I couldn’t stand the smell. I have been trying some other combinations of oils. Right now I am using a combination of calendula, frankincense, geranium, and German chamomile in a homemade body butter. I have seen some improvement. My skin is softer and smoother. I still have spots, but any improvement is welcome. I tried Effudex alone in the past with no improvement.
Just started Tea Tree oil mixed with Almond oil for the delivery as it spreads the tea tree oil efficienctly. I have severe DSAP upper and lower Arms and legs for about the last 15 years I’m 45years old.
Did it work?
Hi John,
Is it working? I hope it is. My lower legs are pretty bad, I am just discovering that other people also have this problem.
Karen
This is an interesting page about DSAP, I was looking for some information months ago and have only just come across this conversation.
I had 6 treatments of laser hair removal throughout last year and found out too late that the medical profession are trying to wipe a lot of these operators out because of the damage being done to a lot of people’s skin. It exacerbated a severe DSAP condition I did not know I had, although I always had marks on my legs for years. It is an awful hereditary condition and my legs were an absolute mess. Luckily I was put onto Dr Shawn Richards at Westmead Skin Clinic who is treating me with Efudix – Flouracil. As he warned me, my legs got really ugly with this stuff and it wasn’t pleasant wrapping my legs cling film all the time but they have healed up substantially and now just have dark pink marks at the bottom of my legs. I am not allowed to expose my legs and arms to the sun anymore and I have now stopped using the Efudix and have been alternating between roseship seed oil and pure good quality aloe vera. I rinse my legs with a mild saline solution beforehand. I hope this is helpful to a few people.
I just stumbled upon this interesting article during my research on DSAP. Having just has the diagnosis after years of watching my skin deteriorate and Drs second guessing it.
My question is as this is an old article is are you still using the Manuka oil and has it made a significant difference. Want to give anything a go!
45 year old female living with CLL 3 years now. Survived chemo 2.5 years out. Have had DSAP for approx 6 years. I was Dx with DSAP 2 weeks ago. I did not know about DSAP until a patient in our office shared her story with me. I googled DSAP that evening. Confirmed that DSAP is what I have by my dr. and reading the personal testimonies. That was me to a T! Some of the pictures looked like my spots exactly. Knowing now what I have, I want to tell EVERYONE about what is working for me. The last 2 years has been the Worst for me. Covered literally neck to toe with spots in July 2017. Some deep spots that felt to me like the spot had reduced my skin layers to the last couple layers before it became an open wound. In the last 3 years the DSAP spots have turned quite aggressive. I had Tons of spots. Could not tell new ones from old one. The spots had spots!Painful and Itchy! Not to mention the embarrassment. Believe me when I say I’ve tried Everything natural! In the last 5-6 weeks I’ve Reduced Sugar intake by 85%. LLLT Low Level Laser Therapy or Cold Laser. (Not to be confused with any “Light Therapies”) 1-2 times a week. Use of Renew lotion everyday after I shower. My body is healing fast. Everyday I wake up and the spots are remarkably better! I wish I could post my pics…? The is reason to Hope….. until next time….T.Katie
Hi. I am interested in how your treatment is going with this. I’m 49 and have dealt with DSAP since I was in my early 30s….hard to believe that much time has gone by. How has your treatment gone. I have tried most all treatments and just came across this article about Manuka Oil so I just started it.
I would love to learn more.
Hi Pam, I was just wondering what you experience was since your post here in January using Manuka Oil?
I just discovered that DSAP is what my spots are . Thanks for the information above
I will try the Manuka oil as soon as possible
Has anyone tried John Plunketts Superfade cream ?
For years I was told I had actinic keratosis. Then recently my dermatologist told me it was DSAP.
WTH. It’s mostly on my legs from the knees down, I look like I was attacked by something. I feel so self-conscious. I think I will try tea tree or Manuka oil.
Mine is the same Patricia. It is also self-conscious. Let us know if it works. Good luck.
I am 54 and my lower legs just exploded in the past 6 months. Neither of my parents had this to this to this degree. I have been told it was SK until my last visit yesterday with my dermatologist. Best advice was to use clobetesol (sp) topically when the spots flares and STAY AWAY FROM THE SUN! I live in Florida!!! I am going to die without shorts – to boot- if I get over heated I have an eczema breakout. I am going to have to move to Alaska or Antartica!! I am soooo self-conscious and depressed about this. I am considering having a consultation with a laser specialist. It even shows with my pants (forget capris at this point) at work and I am in pediatric health care. I had someone ask me if I had scabies! I am going to buy the Manuka oil from above that linked to Amazon. Any other advice is welcome!
I’v e had DSAP for about 20 years since my 30’s but was diagnosed last year. I have the spots primarily on my lower legs, lower arms and hands. I noticed that my diet really effects the pace it spreads and degree of itching. If I eliminate all dairy but cheese, sugar and carbs, my skin is better. As soon as I fall off the wagon, my skin goes crazy. For me, dairy and sugar are the worst offenders. May not be directly related to DSAP but I notice a difference.
I have not tried any procedures yet nor any oils etc., just lots of moisturizer which does nothing but help the itch. I’ll report back my progress. Thanks.
I forget the diet aspect. Many years ago I moved in with a girl friend who was a vegetarian and was not eating any sugar. I swear I remember my DSAP clearing up. After we broke up I was never able to replicate that Diet. Just don’t have the will power. Something to do with inflammation I’m sure.
I am 73 years old and have been dealing with DSAP for years and it just gets worse all of the time. In my teens I spent too many hours trying to suntan like my olive complected friends and as a blonde with freckles it did not work, just destroyed my skin. Sunscreen was not available then. I have suffered with DSAP now for at least 15 years . As others have said Efudex does not work nor other creams such as Betamethasone Dipropionate, it just made the spots flare up. I will try the Tea Tree Oil since I have some and other Essential Oils mentioned by others. I hope it works because during the summer it is embarrassing to have these red scaly spots on my arms and legs.
Hello, the DSAP condition appeared on my arms and legs about seven years ago, after a bout of food poisoning. My mother suffered from this condition, and a sister does also. Two years or so ago a doctor prescribed Niacinamide (a form of Vit. B3) for skin damage (not DSAP) that came about from sun-tanning in my youth. A pharmacist compounded it with a thick cream, and then switched to a thinner cream. I’ve been applying it for a couple of years now and have found that it fades brown spots and I’m pretty sure it’s helping with the DSAP, especially on my legs.
I am 66 and have had DSAP since my 30s . I am always disappointed when I visit my skin specialist who says there is still no cure . Except this year I had a visit and came out excited because she said she had results with Enstilar for psoriasis. I tried it and it made my spots very red and they look horrible. Very embarrassing. Now I have to work out how to reduce the redness . I wouldn’t recommend Enstilar
Well, I have the same problem as many of you. A sun worshiper for many years and now that I am 66 years old I am beginning to see the rewards of those sun worshiping years. I have ordered the Manuka Oil from Amazon and will try it. I live in Houston and with the hot weather I will not wear capris or shorts but I would love too with the heat. I am hoping that it helps!!!!!! Stay tuned!!!!!!!!