Eczema & dermatitis - Shorts

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, May, 2003 by Jule Klotter

Both dermatitis and eczema are viewed as skin inflammations caused by allergic reactions. Symptoms of dermatitis, also called contact dermatitis, include vesicles (blisters) during the acute phase, redness, edema, oozing, crusting, scaling, and itching. External contact with industrial solvents, dyes, some soaps, nickel and other metals found in costume jewelry, leather tanning chemicals, and even polyester fabric can produce these localized symptoms. Identifying and avoiding the irritant(s) is the first step in treating this condition.

In eczema, the irritant(s) are more difficult to identify. Eczema often, but not always, occurs in people with hay fever and asthma. Blood tests do show, however, signs of a general allergic reaction. Dietary factors (especially milk and milk products), stress, mechanical irritation, and heat are known to worsen the condition. The rash formed by eczema is very itchy and the skin peels, thickens, and sometimes appears weepy. It usually forms in the creases of joints and on the trunk of the body and may vary according to the season or time of day.

Information excerpted from American Institute of Preventive Medicine's Healthy Self: The Guide to Self-Care and Wise Consumerism (www.healthy.net) offers herbal suggestions for treating dermatitis and eczema. To reduce itching, the article suggests applying distilled Witch Hazel or chickweed (salve or poultice). Reducing itching is important, not just for comfort but for overall well-being; scratching causes physical trauma, bleeding, and possible infection. Inflammation may be reduced by applying the herbs plantain, calendula, and/or chamomile externally. This excerpt recommends herbal alteratives taken internally as a means of treating the conditions themselves. Leafy alternatives, which restore normal functioning, include diuretics and lymphatic remedies: Fumaria officinalis (Fumitory), Galium aparine (Clivers), Trifolium pratense (red clover), Viola tricolor (heartsease), Urtica dioica (nettles). Rooty alternatives tend to be too strong and may aggravate eczema. If the leafy alteratives provide no relief, however, Arctium lappa (burdock), Berberis aquifolium (mountain grape), Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal) may be helpful.

Nutritional supplements may also help. Drs. Pizzorno and Murray in A Textbook of Natural Medicine suggest supplementation with vitamins A & E, zinc, quercetin, and evening primrose oil or flaxseed oil. Vitamin C and vitamin B complex supplements may also be helpful. Dr. Elson M. Haas in his book Staying Healthy with Nutrition states that vitamin B2 (riboflavin) helps maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails and is given to people with acne, dermatitis, eczema, and skin ulcers. People with allergies and chemical sensitivities may find riboflavin-5-phosphate easier to assimilate. Food sources for B2 include Brewer's yeast, liver, tongue, and other organ meats, oily fish such as mackerel, trout and herring, and nori seaweed.

American Institute of Preventive Medicine. Eczema: Dermatitis (Excerpted from Healthy Self: The Guide to self-Care and Wise Consumerism) www.healthy.net/asp/templates/Article.asp?Id=1540

Haas, Elson M., MD. vitamin B2 - Riboflavin. (Staying Healthy with Nutrition: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine) www.healthy.net/asp/templates/Article.asp?Id=1927