(also referred to as...) Dermatitis
Description Eczema is a common skin condition distinguished by the presence of fluid-filled blisters that weep, ooze, and crust over. From infants to adults, eczema is experienced across the age spectrum and can be both irritating and distressing. The term "dermatitis" is often used interchangeably with "eczema". Addressing the underlying cause(s) of the eczema is often the most viable course of action and your naturopath or other health practitioner will assist you in outlining a healing protocol to meet your needs
Symptoms and Signs:Excessive dryness and itching of the skin are the primary symptoms of eczema. The skin will develop a red, scaly, bumpy and rough appearance. Continual scratching and rubbing leads to darkened and hardened areas of thickened skin with accentuated furrows and weeping lesions. This can occur anywhere on the body but most commonly eczema is seen on the front of the wrist, elbows, and the backs of knees. There is usually a previous personal or family history of allergies.
Causes: People with eczema are born with an overactive immune system that results in a chronic inflammatory response. Flare-ups can result from contact with allergens or irritants such as cosmetics, fabrics (wool or polyester), emotional stress, excessive sweating, medications, food and environmental allergens (dust mites, pet dander, pollens, tobacco smoke, paint fumes, fragrances et cetera). Scratching also poses a significant problem, as the skin is usually overgrown with the bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) that can result in infection. Food allergies are a major contributor to eczema and should be identified and eliminated from your diet with the help of your naturopath or other health practitioner. Popular food allergens include milk and milk products, eggs, peanuts, soy, citrus, and caffeine. By removing the allergens, your immune system will cease to be overloaded and your body will have time to heal. An overgrowth of the common yeast Candida Albicans in the gastrointestinal tract is now recognized as a causative factor in the allergic response of eczema. Proper anti-candida therapy can help to relieve the symptoms. For more information, see the dedicated section on Candidiasis. A number of studies have shown that the defective metabolism of essential fatty acids is one of the many causes of eczema. In the beginning, studies revealed a defect in an enzyme that converts linoleic acid (omega-6) to gamma linolenic acid (GLA). If this were so, GLA supplementation through the use of borage oil, evening primrose or black currant oil would have alleviated much of the suffering of eczema patients. However, results now seem to favour omega-3 fatty acids as being more beneficial and effective in controlling eczema.
What to Expect: Eczema usually begins in infancy and can disappear in adult life. However, there is always the possibility of recurrence at any time. There is no known cure for eczema but it can be controlled with proper treatment. The first step is to avoid the offending allergens or irritants that are known to trigger the onset of symptoms.
Remedies As with any rash, you should always avoid scratching. Scratching can break the skin and open the door to bacterial and viral infections. There have been mild cases of eczema that have cleared on their own merely by halting the itch-scratch cycle.
Foods Infection is often a primary concern with eczema patients. To reduce the risk of infection, prepare poultices or cool washes of apple cider vinegar. This can either be applied directly to the skin, placed in a disposable infusion bag, or wrapped in a piece of cheesecloth, then applied to the skin. Keep the poultice in place by using a strip of cotton and wrap with plastic or waxed paper. Poultices can usually be left in place for several hours or overnight.
Food Supplements As discussed earlier, omega-3 fatty acids help control the inflammatory response. Supplementing the body with essential fatty acids from fish oils (EPA and DHA) or simply eating more fatty fish (mackerel, herring, and salmon) can result in significant improvement in fatty acid metabolism. It is important to note that the degree of improvement tends to be correlated to the degree of DHA in the blood and fish oils are more effective at raising DHA than flaxseed oil.
Herbs Licorice root appears to be helpful both internally and externally in the treatment of eczema. This herb exerts an anti-inflammatory action and has anti-allergic effects. Using 1 to 2g of the powdered root or 250 to 500mg of the solid extract internally can be helpful. Topically, licorice has demonstrated characteristics similar to hydrocortisone when used in the pure glycyrrhetinic acid form, e.g., Simicort from Enzymatic Therapy A goldenseal powder poultice may be used in the same manner as the apple cider vinegar poultice. A poultice can be made using either fresh or dried herbs. Fresh herbs can be bruised and applied directly to the skin. Dried herbs must be made into a paste first using either hot water or apple cider vinegar. This can either be applied directly to the skin, placed in a disposable infusion bag, or wrapped in a piece of cheesecloth, then applied to the skin. The beneficial effects will be enhanced by keeping the poultice warm. Keep the poultice in place by using a strip of cotton and wrap with plastic or waxed paper and place a hot water bottle on top. Poultices can usually be left in place for several hours or overnight. Other flavonoid-rich herbs have also been found to benefit eczema patients such as grape seed, bilberry, ginkgo, and green tea. These herbs help reduce histamine release from the cells and the allergic mechanism found in eczema patients. Other popular topical treatments for eczema are creams containing chamomile or witch hazel. This type of preparation reduces the inflammation and the itching. When considering topical preparations, it is important to ensure they are not greasy as they will block sweat ducts and worsen the situation.
Lifestyle As mentioned earlier, contact irritants play a significant role and can exacerbate symptoms of eczema. The use of hard soaps and detergents should be avoided. Soaps and detergents should be free of fragrances and be very mild. When doing your laundry, clothes should be rinsed twice to remove all soap residue. As well, you should never take steaming hot showers or baths as this further aggravates eczema.
Minerals Low levels of zinc have been found in eczema patients. In addition, zinc is needed for proper essential fatty acid metabolism. Supplementation with 45 to 60mg of zinc daily can be beneficial.
Miscellaneous Controlling histamine release is an important aspect of treating eczema and lower histamine levels help reduce the itch. Quercetin is an effective natural anti-histamine and a dose of 1,000 to 1,500mg daily are extremely effective. Therapies, Healing Aids, & More In regards to hydrotherapy, never take hot showers or baths. Cold compresses can help alleviate itching.
Actions and Remedy Listings
See also Candidiasis, Food Allergies, Skin Problems
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