Dato’ Dr. Suriyakhatun Osman MBBCh, MFHom, Dip Rep Med
Introduction
Eczema is not a skin problem; it is a systemic problem that originates from a genetic predisposition as well as triggers that impinge upon the subject.
As such a holistic approach which deals with the genetic origins and the triggers are the most rational approach to healing eczema.
What is eczema?
This is a dictionary definition of eczema
“an inflammatory condition of the skin attended with itching and the exudation of serous matter.
(pathol) a skin inflammation with lesions that scale, crust, or ooze a serous fluid, often accompanied by intense itching or burning
Derived Forms
eczematous (ɛkˈsɛmətəs) adjective
Word Origin
from New Latin, from Greek ekzema, from ek- out + zein to boil; see yeast”
It has been described as a condition in which the immune system over reacts to substances in the environment as well as in the food. Essentially it is a skin condition in which there is itching with the formation of vesicles followed by scratching and excoriation which results in oozing of serious matter. Infection complicates and worsens the condition.
It usually affects babies and young children because their skin has less ceramides than older children and adults. This makes their skins more sensitive and causes it to excoriate more easily when scratched.
Having said that, it can affect people of any age and when it affects the older age group, it is generally thought that is not curable and can only be controlled by immunosuppressant drugs and creams as well as antihistamines.
There is a genetic predisposition that makes a person more likely to get eczema and a family history of allergic or atopic conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, urticarial makes a person more like to get eczema when they are exposed to various triggers that initiate the disease.
Conventional treatment seeks to suppress the over reactive immune system by means of immunosuppressive agents and antihistamines and antibiotics .
Mild cases are treated with topical applications which include emollients and also steroid creams. These however usually contain substances that are actually harmful to the skin for example propylene glycol and mineral oils.
Some skin specialists and pediatricians may advise allergy tests and avoidance of allergens in the food and environment. Immunologists would pay more attention to the allergens and may have methods of desensitization.
The condition tends to resolve itself as the patient grows older, usually because of the change in the target cells and as the eczema clears up, asthma or other allergies may become more prominent.
While the disease is not life threatening in most cases, the quality of lilfe of the eczema sufferer and their care givers is considerably diminished and in very many cases their whole like revolves around the eczema.
In some cases of eczema in infants however, it takes its toll in more serious manners such as malabsorption, failure to thrive and delayed milestones.
The Homeopathic approach to eczema.
The first thing a homeopath does is to take a full history. This will include the following items:
1. Mum pregnancy history
2. Birth history
3. Feeding history breast or formula
4. Diseases and interventions
5. Vaccination history
6. Family history
7. Time of itch and associated modalities of itch
8. Distribution and character of the eruptions
9. Perspiration
10. Thirst
11. Character of the stools, frequency etc
12. Temperament and emotions of the patient
13. allergies and intolerances including food
14. Associated conditions and complications
a. Marasmus protein calorie malnutrition
b. Malnutrition Kwashiakor enough carbs not enough proteins baby may be fat
c. Malabsorption
d. Delayed milestones
e. Herpes
f. Bacterial infections
g. Candida
h. Topical steroid withdrawal
COMMONLY USED REMEDIES Indications
Silica Malabsorption, constipated , sheep dung
Calc Carb Sour discharges, cradle cap , eggs aggravate, profuse perspiration, sour
Sulphur Heat aggravates, dry and very itchy
Morgan Pure , Morgan Gaertner Bowel nosodes, clear gut dysbiosis
Merc V Heat and cold intolerance, tend to pus formation
Mezereum Very chilly, moist eczema, purulent and scabs,
Rhus tox Burning itch, versicular, cold bathing aggravates
Sepia Itch when idle, activity ameliorates, milk aggravates,sweaty feet
Berberis aquifolium Skin and blood purifier
Lycopodium Distension bloating, bossy but obey authority nice at school mean at home
Pulsatilla Meat and nuts intolerance weepy clinging poor appetite
Ant Crudum Eczema with digestive symptoms, sensitive to cold bath, urticarial, honey coloured scabs, itch when warm
Dulcamara Itching worse cold, mucous secretions, loose stools, moist eruptions scabs
Oleander Itching scalp , distension with flatus incontinent stools, violent itching and suppressed perspiration
INTERCURRENTS & NOSODES
Carcinocin Universal allergies, family history of diabetes autoimmune conditions and cancer
Tuberculinum Indicated when asthma is also present with night sweats
Psorinum Chilly with bad skin and itching when warm in bed
Candida Nosode Ringworm associated and history of oral trush and candida
Cina & other worm remedies Itching nose and anus and presence of works
Staphylococcus Bacterial infections , infected eczema
Streptoccus As above
Thyroidinum Itching when cold, family history of thyroid complaints, delayed milestones not associated with marasmus
Cortisol Abuse of steroids
Cortico-ACTH To reactivate adrenal glands, in cases with severe stress issues
Potency and dosing
• LM s are preferred
• Diluting and increasing intervals between the doses when aggravations or improvements
• Recalibrating the dosing according to the response of the patient
Some considerations
Herpetiform eczema
• Cold sores infect the already present eczema
• HSV 1& 2
• Use the nosodes
• Main antimiasmatic remedies HSV 2
• MERC, Nat-m, Petr, Nit-ac, Calc, Thuj.
• Related remedies
• Sulph, Puls, Sep, Lyc, Phos, Rhus-t, Sil,
• Bell.
Eczema, Ringworm & candida
• Ringworm remedies
• Study the remedies and chose the one closest to the patients signs and symptoms
• This is done by noting the concomitants and the mental emotional picture as well as the physical generals
• A candida diet , prebiotics and probiotics hasten the cure .
Eczema marasmus and delayed milestones
This is a severe condition in which there is either a lack of appetite leading to malnourishment or, malabsorption when the appetite is may be good but there is loss of nutrient from diarrhea and from the skin via the eczema . A state of hypoalbuminuria is present .
This condition warrants hospitalization and homeopathic management has to be applied in tandem with hospital management AND drugs that are not normally recommended need to be deployed until patient is stable enough to treat at home .
Dr. Suriyakhatun 