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Skin Conditions If you have a skin problem it is important to get a diagnosis.
Eczema
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 a number of possibilities:
- 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.
- 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.
- Food intolerance and poor digestive function can sometimes lead to eczema
and is likely to make an existing condition worse.
- 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
You have to determine what might be causing eczema. Ask yourself the
following questions:
 | Have I used anything new on my skin? Soap, shampoo, fabric conditioner,
dyes, make-up, jewellery. |
| 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 unset 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, 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.
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| A supplement of 15mg of zinc and 1 gm of vitamin C may aid healing.
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| 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 full of vinegar on the bath is cooling and will help to stop itching
Herbs for Topical use
| Aloe vera gel will reduce itching and speed healing |
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Chickweed is an effective remedy for the relief of itching. |
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Chamomile {essential oil) and Marigold reduce inflammation
and antiseptic. Use a tablespoon of marigold fixed oil in the bath. |
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Comfrey is an emollient and sooths eczema. |
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Witch Hazel is an astringent and helps to heal weeping eczema.
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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 |
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Cleavers help to clean up the lymphatic system |
| Dandelion root improves liver function |
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Dandelion leaf is a diuretic which encourages elimination through the
kidneys |
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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 |
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Chamomile to ease digestion and calm nerves |
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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. |
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Echinacea to boost the immune system |
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Oat straw and skullcap will help to reduce the effects of stress |
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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.
I can supply this cream for £6.00 ($12) per 30 gram pot plus postage.
Click here to order
Please Note
The information given here should not replace consultation with you doctor.
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