The skin is our body's largest organ. It is also our
body's first line of defence. It is easily damaged,
both by external factors (air pollution, sunlight,
allergens, etc) and internal factors (diet, lack of
nutrients, drugs, stress, etc). All of us are exposed
daily to health-threatening substances.
Eczema
The terms eczema or dermatitis are used to describe
certain kinds of inflamed skin conditions including
allergic contact dermatitis and nummular
dermatitis. Eczema can be red, blistering, oozing,
scaly, brownish, or thickened and usually itches. A
particular type is called atopic dermatitis or atopic
eczema. Eczema is a common allergic skin disease
in infants; it usually develops around 4 months of
age. Eczema is frequently the first symptom of the
allergic march, often to be followed by asthma or
hay fever, as seen in atopic. Eczema can start even
in adulthood although there was no sign of the
problem as a child. For some individuals the
problem never goes away and they are destined to
cope by using steroid creams to ease the
inflammation. Steroids although useful in treating
the symptoms of the disease, do nothing to
overcome the underlying cause of eczema in the
first place.
The most important consideration
when treating eczema is to get to the bottom of the
problem and find the cause and not just treat the
symptoms with palliative drugs.
Eczema is often associated with food intolerances
and with multiple chemical sensitivities. The
incidence of severe eczema seems to be directly
related to the proliferation of chemicals in our diets,
environment and in personal care products applied
to the skin and used in the mouth. Toiletries, which
at first glance would appear innocuous and benign,
could well be a major contributing factor in the
onset of eczema and other disorders in children and
adults alike. Many of the toxic chemicals in
toiletries could be more harmful than ever thought
possible.
Allergens and toxic synthetic chemicals should be
the first suspects in eczema. With eczema, irritants
may be more important than allergens in causing
eczema symptoms to appear.
What causes eczema?
Although the exact cause of eczema is unknown, it
appears to be linked to the following internal and
external factors:
Internal factors
A family history of eczema, asthma or hay fever
(the strongest predictor). Particular food and
alcohol (dairy and wheat products, citrus fruits,
eggs, nuts, seafood, chemical food additives,
preservatives and colourings)
Stress
External factors
- Irritants - tobacco smoke, chemicals, weather (hot
and humid or cold and dry conditions) and air
conditioning or overheating
- Allergens - house dust mites, moulds, grasses, plant
pollens, foods, pets and clothing, soaps, shampoos
and washing powders, cosmetics and toiletries.
Other potential causes of eczema-House dust, wool,
moulds, enzymes, chemicals in food, prescription drugs,
metals and cement.
Treatment plan
Natural eczema treatment plan focuses on
balancing your body system from inside, and
controlling the symptoms from outside to manage
your eczema. The outside is a mirror reflecting
what's within.
Our treatment plan includes:
Naturopathic health assessment: Initial consult
and approx. three repeat consults in the clinic
(or as required).
