Dimethyl sulfoxide how much to use?

Answer 1

DmSo should only be used topically; that is upon (the outside) of the SKIN. IT SHOULD NEVER BE APPLIED TO THE MUCOUS MEMBRANES (The wet tissues on the inside of the eyelids, nose, ears, mouth, vagina, or rectum. [Although there are no accessible mucous mebranes in the ears, there is also no reason to believe that you could sprain your ear, either.])

It is used with great success in Veterinary Medicine and has been used, without FDA approval, in cases of human sprains, strains, contusions and other cases of non-organic, painful inflammation. It is imperative to differentiate between organic inflammation (caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites; often called infections and/or infestations) and non-organic, or traumatic inflammation caused by injuries, such as sprains, strains or traumatically caused contusions (with out the breaking of the skin.).

Anecdotal evidence indicates that because of its "carrier" capabilities, many topical medications can be made to cross the skin barrier and therefore have both topical (local) effect AND systemic (whole body) effects.

IE: Topical 1% cortisone ointment (oil/grease based) can be applied over an osteoarthritic joint and "rubbed in" with DmSo so as to apply the cortisone "into" the affected joint. This may well be more efficacious than simple topical application of the ointment. The problem is that such applications then become systemic steroid therapy and may well cause the typical hormonal complications associated with "steroid therapy".

Used alone DmSo appears to have little, if any detrimental effect. It contains a fair amount of freely accessible sulfur, which seems to be the beneficial chemical in MSM, a popular medication for Osteoarthritis.

Is it safe? If used with reasonable restraint and care, it seems to be. It has a history of being hypoallergenic and nonirritating to outside skin applications.

How much should you use? Use enough to leave a THIN layer of the gel, or liquid on the skin to be massaged in, no more than six times in a twenty-four hour period. I would not recommend use for more than a ten day period, without a forty-eight hour interruption. Most Veterinary usage suggests that regimen.