Here it comes, another Vicks success story

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have another success story about the use of Vick’s VapoRub. For years, I had a seborrheic keratosis on the right side of my face. I had it burned off three times, twice by the same dermatologist, who was sure he’d removed it.

In all cases, it promptly grew back larger than before. When it was the size of a half dollar, a different dermatologist told me he could remove it by cutting it off and grafting a piece of skin taken from my inner thigh. I could imagine two places hurting, plus there is always the risk of infection, so I said, “No, thank you.�

When I read your articles about the effect of Vicks on fungus, I began wondering if it would work on my itchy, scaly patch. I’d noticed when we were in Hawaii that it softened when I faithfully applied sunscreen twice a day. So I began my experiment.

I began applying Vicks to the area twice a day and covered it with a large, round bandage. (Actually, it was a generic version called Medicated Chest Rub I found at my local pharmacy.)

The edge nearest my hairline began to peel back first. I used a cotton swab to press the Vicks as far into the patchy area as I could. Bit by bit over about six weeks, the patch peeled, leaving healthy, pink skin.

Months later, I saw my dermatologist, and she was astonished. She said she always reads your column but had never heard of applying Vicks to a seborrheic keratosis. In fact, in the leaflet she had given me, the text read: “Salves, ointments and medication can neither cure nor prevent seborrheic keratoses.� When she saw my successful results, she said, “Someone should do research on this treatment!�

DEAR READER: Seborrheic keratoses are benign skin tumors. They generally develop in middle-aged people. They are usually yellow or brown, sharply margined, oval and raised. To the best of my knowledge, they do not lead to skin cancer.

Most of the lesions do not need treatment, but if they are especially large or unsightly, they can be removed. A dermatologist or general surgeon can perform the procedure in the office. As you already know, they can be frozen, similar to how a wart is removed.

A more extensive procedure that may require same-day surgery involves surgically excising the lesion and one or two layers of skin below it, followed by a skin graft to cover the wound.

You, however, have potentially discovered a much simpler but lengthier treatment option.

Because this is new to me, I am publishing your letter so my readers may try it and then report their results, either positive or negative, to me. I will print a follow-up in a future column. So, readers, try out this approach to seborrheic keratoses removal and let me know what happens.

Peter Gott practiced medicine in Lakeville for 40 years.