Eczema

Skin Conditions

If you have a skin problem it is important to get a diagnosis.

Symptoms

Red inflamed skin which may be scaly and dry or blistered and weeping. There is often soreness and itching. Scratching can lead to secondary infection.

Causes

There are several possibilities:

1. An allergic response arising when your skin comes into contact with an allergen. This is also called Contact dermatitis. Examples of allergens include some soaps and washing powders, skin creams, nickel and some plants.
2. Sometimes it is inherited and is often associated with other allergic conditions such as hay fever and asthma. This is atopic eczema and usually affects the face, trunk, the backs of the knees and the front of the elbows. It often starts in childhood although many children grow out of it. It flares-up with exposure to certain triggers such as allowing skin to become dry, irritants, allergens, stress, heat and infections.
3. Food intolerance and poor digestive function can sometimes lead to eczema and is likely to make an existing condition worse.
4. Seborrhoeic eczema, found on the scalp, behind the ears and on eye lids and around the nose is associated with a type of yeast called pityrosporum.. Killing off the yeast improves the condition.

Treatment

In order to treat eczema, it is important to determine what might be causing it. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I used anything new on my skin? Soap, shampoo, fabric conditioner, dyes, make-up, jewellery. Shampoo often causes a problem.
• Have I been in contact with latex or plants?
• Am I under more stress than usual?
• Do I also suffer from other condition that might be related? (asthma, hay fever or an upset digestive system).
• Do any of my family have asthma, hay fever and/or eczema?

If you are able to relate the onset of eczema with an alteration in lifestyle or circumstances you can make appropriate changes. If your eczema is associated with asthma and/or hay fever, and also if others in your family suffer in a similar way then it is necessary to find out what you are allergic to and avoid it.

Some lifestyle changes can help alleviate or remove the symptoms:

• Avoid soap, instead, wash with aqueous cream. After bathing put plenty of emollient (moisturiser) immediately onto your skin whilst its still damp.
• Take fish oil daily and evening primrose oil. Include avocado pears in your diet. Limiting animal fats to help reduce inflammation.
• Keeping a food diary may pinpoint foods that make your skin and digestive system worse, e.g. milk, wheat, red meat, sugar and alcohol. Blood testing will indicate allergy but often give false positive results. Be careful of eliminating foods which will affect the balance of your diet. Be especially careful with children. Remember, few people are allergic to more than one type of food.
• Try to avoid stressful situations and try using relaxation techniques..
• A supplement of 15mg of zinc and 1 gm of vitamin C may aid healing.
• Wear Cotton rather than synthetics or wool.
• Avoid extremes of temperature and dry environments.
• Use an emollient frequently.
• Be conscious of when you scratch. Try keeping a record of times and situations when scratching is worst, and then try to reduce your exposure to such situations.

Tips:

• A cap of vinegar in the bath is cooling and will help to stop itching

Herbs for Topical use

• Aloe vera gel will reduce itching and speed healing
• Chickweed is an effective remedy for the relief of itching.
• Chamomile {essential oil) and Marigold reduce inflammation and antiseptic. Use a tablespoon of marigold fixed oil in the bath.
• Comfrey is an emollient and sooths eczema.
• Witch Hazel is an astringent and helps to heal weeping eczema.

Herbs for Internal use

I would strongly suggest that if you wish to takes these herbs it is advisable to visit a local herbalist who will prescribe herbs after considering your case history and examining your skin.

The aim would be to improve the elimination of waste, and hence toxins, improving immunity, possibly calming an allergic response and possibly help you to cope with stress if that is a problem.

• Burdock root and Red clover are good blood cleansers
• Cleavers help to clean up the lymphatic system
• Dandelion root improves liver function
• Dandelion leaf is a diuretic which encourages elimination through the kidneys
• Blue flag can be anti-inflammatory and improves liver function in small doses but it should be used with care because it can cause vomiting
• Chamomile to ease digestion and calm nerves
• Ephedra may help to calm an allergic response, however it must be prescribed for you by a herbalist as it can have serious side effects. It should not be taken by those suffering from anxiety, high blood pressure, glaucoma, prostate adenoma or thyrotoxicosis.
• Echinacea to boost the immune system
• Oat straw and skullcap will help to reduce the effects of stress
• Nettle will strengthen the action of the other herbs and is helpful in atopic eczema

Drinking tea made from young nettles tops and cleavers in the spring is advisable for those suffering from skin problems.

For simple cases of itchy inflamed skin, I would recommend a fairly heavy base cream or ointment containing the following herbs:
Marigold, chamomile essential oil, aloe vera gel or chickweed fixed oil and comfrey. Add a few drops of vitamin E oil to help to preserve it then store in the fridge. It should keep for about 12 months.

Please Note
Information given here should not replace consultation with you doctor.

See also Trapped Wind - Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Insomnia

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