Skin inflammation and dermatitis conditions, such as eczema, are hard to treat or cure with conventional medication. Part of the reason is that the root cause of the disease is still not clear. Treatment outcomes vary from person to person while some treatments are considered to have several side effects. More and more patients and doctors have been turning to naturopathic solutions to prevent it from worsening and increasing the chances of cure using natural alternative medicine treatments that have no side effects.
What Is Eczema?
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a skin inflammation that about 20% of the population suffers from. The characteristics are itchy, red, dry rash on the skin that cracks or crinkles like soft leather when acute. In worse cases, the skin can form scabs or erupt into painful blisters called eczema herpeticum, that is indicative of a bacterial infection. It is more commonly found behind the knees and inside the elbow in young children than adults and is more visible in colder climates such as Canada.
The eruptions can flare up from heat, sweat, stress, dry, cold weather or irritants such as synthetic fabrics, wool fibres or soap. In many others, it is caused by stress, genes or a hyperactive immune system.
Types of Eczema:
- Atopic Dermatitis: Common eczema that can come from dryness.
- Contact Dermatitis: Arises from irritants or allergens such as solvents, chemicals or animal fibre such as wool.
- Dyshidrotic Eczema: Tiny red blisters on the feet and hands that itch constantly. This is usually caused by stress, humidity, metals or chromium salts.
- Nummular Eczema: Coin-sized itchy spots that are usually triggered by insect bites or dry skin.
- There are a few other variants, each of which is hard to treat and cure.
Naturopathic Treatments For Eczema
There are several kinds of naturopathic treatments that can help reduce the symptoms and discomfort. Qualified healthcare practitioners prescribe herbal-medicine based skin care products instead of the commonly used hydrocortisone creams that are known to have side effects ranging from burning, itching and thinning skin to heartburn and dizziness in severe cases.
Natural Skin Care Creams: Natural skin care products such as coconut oil, red clover, Echinacea, eucalyptus, calendula, or goldenseal keep the skin well-hydrated, provide a protective barrier and reduce dryness.
Vitamin D&E: Taken on a regular basis, vitamin D is said to relieve itchiness, lesions and rashes in young children with eczema in the winter. Vitamin E is said to be as effective in nearly every form of eczema.
Diet: Look into the diet too. Inflamed skin is often caused by dairy products, eggs, wheat, peanuts or soy. Eliminate these elements one by one and check the reactions. If the symptoms cease, one or more of these elements may have been responsible for the breakouts. Include anti-inflammatory foods such as probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids in foods such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and sardines, apples, broccoli, spinach, kale and other leafy vegetables.
Naturopathic doctors offer food sensitivity test which takes a minute amount of blood to test against minimum 95 commonly consumed food items.
Acupuncture: Stress is a big factor in triggering eczema. Try acupuncture for soothing the nervous system and reduce inflammation.
Inspirit Health Group in Vancouver has been known to provide effective holistic, long-term relief from eczema and other hard to treat health conditions tailored to individual needs. Call us to find out more about our naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional and diet counselling, and other safe natural treatments for a wide range of skin conditions and ailments.
