Eczema


What is Eczema

Eczema is a generalized term that encompasses various inflammatory skin conditions.

It is used synonymously with the term Dermatitis which means superficial inflammation of the skin that can be acute or chronic and can have a number of causes.

Eczema is characterized by very distinctive reactive patterns of the skin, as discussed below.

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin which is characterized by dryness, flakiness, heat and, probably most importantly, itching. Eczema can occur on just about any part of the body; however, in infants, eczema typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck. Affected areas usually appear very dry, thickened, or scaly. There may be some amount of hyper pigmentation of the affected parts. In children and adults, eczema typically occurs on the face, neck, and the insides of the elbows, knees, and ankles. In some people, the itchy rash can produce an oozing and crusting. In others, the condition may appear more scaly, dry, and red. Chronic scratching causes the skin to take on a leathery texture because the skin has thickened (lichenification).

There are two groups of eczemas called exogenous and endogenous.

Exogenous eczema is mostly caused by contact with external factors such as irritant substances, certain allergens and due to photosensitivity.

Endogenous eczema is due to internal factors such as a generalized and prolonged hypersensitivity (atopy) to certain environmental factors. These factors could be chemicals, drugs, pollen, dust-mites, etc. These individuals also frequently exhibit one or more of other disorders such as asthma, hay fever, urticaria, food allergies, etc.

Eczema is a chronic skin disease reflected due to immunological changes within the body. Eczema is curable only if the immunological disturbance is corrected by internal medicines such as in homeopathy. Homeopathy offers effective and safe treatment for eczema.

Causes:

It is difficult to determine the exact cause of eczema as there are many different types of eczema and each has its own causes. Largely, the cause of atopic (endogenous) eczema is genetic (inherited). Atopy usually runs in the family and there is a family history of one or more disorders like asthma, hay fever, urticaria, food allergies, etc. A person who has atopic eczema is more likely to develop allergic reactions to many other things as well.. The causes of certain types of eczema remain to be explained, though links with environmental factors and stress are being explored.

There are many causes for exogenous eczema and following are the few common ones:

• Contact with irritants such as detergents, soaps, certain clothings or shoes, metal compounds (nickel, mercury, etc), dyes, cosmetic preparations (deodorants, nail paints, etc), topical creams, rubber, leather, resins, etc.
• Exposure to sunlight.
• Napkin rash in infants.

For certain other types of eczema, such as infantile and adult seborrhoiec eczema, discoid eczema, the causes remain unknown.

In the later years eczema can be caused by a blood circulatory problems in the legs (stasis dermatitis).

Self-Care at Home

Removing whatever is causing the allergic reaction is the easiest and most effective treatment. This may be as simple as changing your laundry detergent or as difficult as moving to a new climate or changing jobs.

Prevent dry skin by taking warm (not hot) showers rather than baths. Use a mild soap or body cleanser. Dry yourself very carefully and apply moisturizing skin lotions all over your body. Avoid lotions with fragrances or other irritating substances.

Avoid wearing tight-fitting, rough, or scratchy clothing.

Avoid scratching the rash. If you can't stop yourself from scratching, cover the area with a dressing. Wear gloves at night to minimize skin damage from scratching.

Anything that causes sweating can irritate the rash. Avoid strenuous exercise during a flare.

If the allergy-causing agent cannot be removed or identified, the next step is to lessen the allergic inflammatory response

Treatment in Homoeopathy: The total length of treatment varies form case to case, depending of the following factors:

• Duration of Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
• Areas affected
• Extent of spread
• Previous medication (Extensive use of oral or local cortisone)

One may expect a definite change in about three to five months, depending on the extent. The total length of medication may be anything between six months to one years or longer.

Why homeopathy for Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)?

Major benefits of homeopathy could be summarized as under:

• It addresses altered immune system, treating the roots of this autoimmune disease.
• It is not superficial but deep acting; gives lasting to almost permanent results in most cases.
• It is absolutely harmless, safe and non-toxic.

In homeopathy, eczema has been considered, understood and treated as an external manifestation of an internal disorder. In other words, eczema is a result of a reactive process of the skin, which may be caused by external or internal factors. Eczema is more of an end result and not a disease by itself. The characteristic reaction shows up at the level of skin in the form of eczematous rash. Any attempt to treat eczema with local application of creams or ointments on the skin, assuming that it is a skin-deep disease, may prove ineffective in the long run. Eczema needs to be tackled at a deeper level in order to treat it from the roots. This is best done with the homeopathic treatment.

About steroids used for treating Eczema In modern medicine

Cortisone (Steroid) is no more effective as long-term treatment for Eczema:

• Steroids may help initially for a short time
• Steroid lead to relapse of eczema <
• Steroids treated relapse is more severe, more complex
• Steroids treated eczema is more difficult to treat
• It is wise to avoid steroid during any stage of eczema
• Steroid puts you to the vicious cycle of dependency
• Steroid dependents have to come out of the vicious cycle

In our experience and as per the medical philosophy of homeopathy, cortisone in any form (oral, systemic or local) is not a wise option for treating eczema. As per the homeopathic approach and the philosophy, cortisone is a suppressing measure and there are all chances of relapse after stopping the use of cortisone

It has been observed in daily practice, that, use of cortisone produces dramatic result initially. However, its influence is quite superficial, as the eruptions not only relapse after stopping the steroids, but they relapse more aggressively. The use of steroids is not recommended due to the following observations:

• It helps only superficially and temporarily
• Stopping of the steroids eventually leads to the reappearance of eruptions
• The eruptions, which relapse after the use of steroids, are more resistant than before
• The extent of eruptions increases after stopping the steroids in most cases
• Steroids produce side effects by hampering the immunity, lowering resistance, disturbing hormonal cycle, etc.