Eczema
My approach
Eczema Case Study
I have a special interest in this skin complaint, as I suffered from eczema myself in the past. I know from personal experience how irritating and stressful it can be, but with homeopathic treatment, I have been free of eczema for six years now. When treating eczema, I often use herbal formulas along with deeper acting homeopathic remedies and nutritional advice. It can clear up fairly quickly, but more often can take up to a year, or sometimes longer, which involves patience, persistence and commitment on the part of everybody concerned. If you would like to try constitutional homeopathic treatment for eczema, contact me for an appointment.
At the beginning of homeopathic treatment for eczema, I recommend an increase in drinking water to 1.5 litres a day, together with an Omega 3 EFA food supplement. Barefoot Botanicals SOS cream can be helpful for soothing eczema. It can be mixed with hydrocortisone cream, to aid the transition away from steroid use. I have free samples available, so you can try before you buy. Contact me and I will post a sachet out to you.
What is eczema?
Eczema falls in to a group of problems called atopic diseases. These usually run in families, and include eczema, asthma, hayfever, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies. Flare-ups may be caused by stress, or contact with irritants such as detergents, animals or wool.
Different types of eczema
Medical names for different types of eczema include: seborrhoea, contact and atopic dermatitis. Using the homeopathic approach, the symptoms are more important than the diagnosis.
Dry and scaling
This is dry skin that becomes itchy and scaly. It often starts in children behind the knees and in the crooks of the elbows. If the person is unable to stop from scratching, the lower layers of skin are torn, and can lead to bleeding or weeping eczema.
Weepy
Some eczema can be weepy or oozing, exuding a sticky clear or yellow substance. This can form crusts and will stick to clothing or sheets. Gauze soaked in 100% Aloe Vera Juice, loosely wrapped around the area can provide temporary relief.
Bleeding
Some eczema will bleed after scratching and the patch will look red and may be worse for heat and water. It can be worse at night, especially if the patient becomes overheated in bed. Keep the bedroom cool, and covers light.
Cracked
This is more common in winter, and the cracks can be deep and painful. This is often found in fingertips, corners of the mouth, and around the eyes and ears. Calendula or Hypercal cream can help to heal, and prevent infection.
Skin products
Most soaps, creams and lotions contain additives and chemicals that can irritate eczema. Here is a list of the main chemicals to avoid:
- Sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate: this is what makes soap bubbly. In laboratory tests, it has been shown to cause allergies, dandruff and skin irritations.
- Mineral oil: this is obtained from petroleum, which attracts dirt and toxins to the skin.
- Lanolin: this is obtained from sheep's wool, and can cause allergies.
- Paraffin/petroleum jelly: this 'sits' on the skin, preventing it skin from 'breathing'.
- Fragrance, colouring and alcohol: all of these can irritate and dry the skin.
You can down load an excellent fact sheet about chemicals to avoid in everyday toiletries and cosmetics at www.wen.org.uk/cosmetics.
Most natural health stores have products that do not contain the above ingredients, although it is always best to read the label. Herbs that can be helpful in creams and lotions include:
- Chamomile: this is calming, soothing and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Lavender: this is soothing, ant-inflammatory and antiseptic. Add a few drops of oil to a bath.
- Marigold (Calendula): this is very healing and anti-bacterial.
- Chickweed (Stellaria): this is anti-inflammatory and can help to relieve itching.
Diet and Nutrition
The most common foods to cause allergies are milk, wheat, eggs, shellfish, nuts, peanuts, soya and chocolate. Some people with eczema do not have a true allergy to these foods but may have an intolerance to them. It might be worth removing these foods from the diet for one month, and then reintroducing them one at a time, in order to observe which, if any, causes irritation.
Supplements
One or more of these may be helpful. Begin with the one that seems most appropriate. Drink lots of water.
- Aloe vera juice taken twice a day if food allergies are a problem.
- Vitamin B complex (50mg). Deficiencies in this vitamin are common in people with eczema.
- Essential fatty acids. These are Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats that are found in oily fish, seeds and nuts. They can be taken as a supplement. Alternatively, add hemp or flax seed oil to food.