Eczema
Definition
Eczema is a condition characterized by
inflammation of the skin that is usually associated with blisters, red
bumps, swelling, oozing, scaling, crusting, and itching.
Types
There are various types of eczema. They include contact eczema,
which is characterized by sharp demarcations where substances such as
direct irritants, allergy-causing agents, chemicals, certain perfumes,
and/or light exposure contact the skin to create a rash; and atopic eczema,
which occurs primarily in people with family histories of allergy,
vitamin B12 problems, asthma, and allergic respiratory problems such as
hay fever. In infants two to eighteen months old, atopic eczema can
cause weeping and crusty, red spots on the face, scalp, and extremities.
In older children and adults it may be more localized and chronic. It
may subside by three to four years and may reoccur in adolescence or
adulthood.
Other forms of eczema include seborrheic eczema, which primarily occurs on the scalp, face, and chest; nummular eczema,
which is characterized by coin-shaped chronic red spots with crusting
and scaling and normally occurs after the age of 35 and is often related
to emotional stress and, in winter, to dry skin; chronic eczema, which occurs in hands or feet, and which can get very severe; generalized eczema, which is characterized by widespread inflammation over much of the skin; stasis eczema,
which occurs in the lower legs and is associated with poor venous
return of the blood and a tendency of the skin to turn brownish; localized scratch eczema,
which occurs in specific patches, often with whitish areas that are
well demarcated by areas of increased pigmentation or color, such as the
arms, legs, ankles, and around the genitals, and is made worse by
stress and scratching. Localized scratch eczema is much more frequent in
women between 20 and 50 years of age.
Cause
Eczema
is often called Dermatitis, and may be a symptom of an omega-3 fatty
acid deficiency. Eczema can be due to allergies, allergies secondary to
digestive disorders such as hydrochloric acid deficiency, rashes
secondary to immune diseases, genetic metabolic disorders, and/or
nutritional deficiencies, especially of niacin (vitamin B3) and B6, as
well as other B vitamins.
To minimize your risk of developing
eczema, avoid irritating substances, wear natural nonirritating
materials, use soothing ointments, and check to see if dietary,
nutritional, and/or and allergy-causing factors need to be considered.
Natural Cures
Aromatherapy: Bergamot, chamomile, lavender,
melissa, neroli, eucalyptus, geranium, and/or juniper can help speed
healing and relief of symptoms when applied topically to the affected
areas.
Diet: Eat an organic, whole foods diet
and avoid potentially allergy-causing foods, especially sugar, wheat,
milk, and dairy products, including yogurt. Also avoid excess
consumption of fruit, especially citrus and sour, as these foods may
aggravate symptoms.
Flower Essences: Rescue Remedy® for accompanying stress, and Rescue Remedy Cream® on the affected areas.
Herbs:
Herbal remedies such as cleavers, nettle, yellowdock, or red clover tea
or tinctures may be very effective. They are often combined with
relaxing herbs such as chamomile, linden flowers, or skullcap. One
combination would be equal parts of cleavers, nettle, and chamomile
drunk as an infusion three times a day. A stronger mixture combines the
tinctures of figwort, burdock, and cleavers in equal parts; take one
teaspoon of this mixture three times a day.
To alleviate
itching, bathe affected areas of your body with lukewarm or cold
chickweed infusion. For cracked, dry, or painful skin, use a salve made
from calendula flowers and St. John`s wort leaves.
Goldenseal applied externally may also be helpful.
Homeopathy:Dulcamara, Rhus tox., Sulfur, Arsen alb., and Graphites, taken alone or in combination with each other can help speed healing. Petroleum and Psorinum are also effective homeopathic remedies, but must be taken alone.
Hydrotherapy:
Hydrotherapy is the application of water, ice, steam and hot and cold
temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include full
body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths,
colonic irrigation and the application of hot and/or cold compresses.
Hydrotherapy is effective for treating a wide range of conditions and
can easily be used in the home as part of a self-care program. Many
Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists and Day Spas use
Hydrotherapy as part of treatment. We suggest several at-home hydrotherapy treatments.
Please seek the advice of your alternative health care practitioner
before undergoing these procedures to make sure they are appropriate for
you.
*Purified water is essential for any hydrotherapy treatment. The section Remedies for Treating Chlorinated Bath Water offers clear instructions and recommendations.
Juice Therapy: The following juice combinations can
help speed healing: black currant and red grapes; carrot, beet, spinach,
cucumber, and parsley; and wheat grass juice.
Nutritional Supplementation:
Vitamin A and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), an omega-6 essential fatty
acid found in high quantities in evening primrose oil, have both been
shown to improve the symptoms of eczema. Vitamin E. Other useful
supplements for preventing and reversing eczema include vitamin B
complex, vitamin B6, vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc.
Topical Treatment:
Apply evening primrose oil directly to cracked and sore areas of the
skin. A topical paste made from ginkgo and licorice root extract has
also been shown to improve eczema symptoms.
Alternative Professional Care
If
your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a
qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies
have all been shown to be useful for treating and relieving the
symptoms of eczema: Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Biofeedback Training,
Bodywork (Acupressure, Shiatsu, Reflexology), Detoxification Therapy,
Energy Medicine (Light Beam Generator, Ondamed, Photon Stimulator),
Environmental Medicine, Hypnotherapy, Magnetic Field Therapy (North Pole
Magnetic Energy Application), Mind/Body Medicine, Naturopathic
Medicine, Orthomolecular Medicine, Osteopathy, and Oxygen Therapy
(Hydrogen Peroxide Therapy).
From Natural Cures
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