Homeopathy and Eczema

 

Eczema is the most frequently referred condition to the homeopathic hospitals in the UK and the most common problem that we treat at the Tickety Boo Low Cost Children’s Clinic, based once a month here at the Earlsdon Practice.

 

If you have suffered with eczema you will know that conventional medicine struggles to deal with this often very uncomfortable illness, and treatments are palliative rather than curative. Antibiotics, antihistamines and steroids are on offer to manage symptoms and these may help in the short-term, but can become ineffective over time or less well tolerated. Recently, new immunosuppressive” drugs have been introduced to tackle severe eczema, including what are known as topical calcineum inhibitors (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus). But a report in the British Medical Journal in 2006 judged that the “formal evidence is lacking… for the efficacy of these agents in patients who have failed to respond to topical steroids.” Patients are also worried about the long-term effects of using strong topical corticosteroid cream, which can cause atrophy or thinning of the top layer of the skin.

 

Eczema varies in severity from a few small patches of dry, itchy redness to an extreme skin condition which can cover most of the body. In acute cases there may be weeping, crusting and bleeding. Atopic eczema is the most common form. The genetic pre-disposition to develop allergic reactions to substances, or “atopy”, is known to run in families and atopic eczema sufferers will often have relatives who suffer with the condition too, and perhaps also have asthma or hay fever. Other types of eczema include contact dermatitis which is caused by environmental or  occupational factors and seborrhoeic eczema, which occurs mainly on the scalp and face, often starting off in the form of dandruff which progresses to redness, itching and scaling.

 

The National Eczema Society (NES) estimates that up to one in five children and one in 12 adults will experience the condition in one form or another. Severe eczema in a child can have a massive effect on the whole family and parents are understandably worried about using large amounts of steroid creams to keep it under control. A regime of applying emollients and steroid creams coupled with complicated bandaging is time-consuming; children are often irritable and eat poorly as they feel so uncomfortable. Severe itching can interrupt sleep for everybody and children can feel stigmatized at school if their rash is visible. For all these reasons people often seek homeopathic treatment.

 

Evidence for the success of homeopathy in Eczema

 

There is evidence from both clinical trials and patient outcome studies to show that homeopathy can have great results in eczema. A recent study of 118 eczema patients published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine journal reported that homeopathy was as effective as standard conventional treatments in the short-term and more effective than them in the longer term. In addition, patients themselves have reported improvements in their condition after homeopathic treatment: at Bristol Homeopathic Hospital a six-year study of patient outcomes found that 82 per cent of eczema patients under 16 said they felt “better” or “much better”. Similar results have been reported at the other homeopathic hospitals.

 

Eczema and Homeopathic Treatment

 

There are many possible causative factors in a case of eczema which can affect the choice of homeopathic medicine, so it is essential for the homeopathic to collect as much information as possible during the consultation. As already mentioned, eczema is frequently linked with other conditions and so it is valuable to spend plenty of time finding out about all the medical problems in the family. A number of homeopathic medicines are known to have an affinity with the skin and there is a variety of approaches that can be used specifically in eczema. One of the most successful methods is to find and prescribe the “constitutional” remedy, that is, the remedy that fits the overall person – their mental and emotional state, their likes and dislikes, and what makes their condition (and themselves) worse or better – as well as their local skin symptoms. Sulphur, Natrum muriaticum and Arsenicum album are examples of homeopathic medicines prescribed in this way for the eczema patient.

 

Whilst finding the constitutional remedy for the patient is the optimum way to treat eczema, it is not always possible, especially in babies. Fortunately there are other therapeutic models in homeopathy that have great usefulness in eczema cases. Parents have often already made some link between an event in their child’s life and the onset or worsening of their eczema. These can be significant events such as separation from a parent or carer, the birth of a new baby in the family, the introduction of new foods into the diet, a seemingly unrelated illness, or an accident. There is a range of homeopathic medicines known to be useful in these situations, so that when there is a clear link with the onset or worsening of symptoms, this approach is particularly successful.  Natrum muriaticum can be useful after a child has been separated from the mother, and Pulsatilla is indicated if the onset of symptoms happens around puberty.

 

It is also useful to add localised treatments, because eczema can be such a distressing condition. These can be in the form of homeopathic medicines based on the presenting symptoms, rather than, or in addition to, the constitutional method. A remedy such as Graphites is useful for a crusty, cracking eczema which oozes a sticky, honey-coloured fluid. Sulphur might be indicated for a red, burning itchy rash, worse for heat and water. Localised treatments can also be applied directly to the skin, in the form of ointments, tinctures and creams. A combination of  Calendula and Urtica urens is a really helpful mixture to sooth the skin.

 

Trigger factors

 

It might also be useful to look at environmental factors that may be triggering or aggravating the eczema. House dust mites, pets, mould, heat and humidity are all aspects of the home environment that can trigger a flare-up. There may be circumstances in the workplace that have an effect too – occupations at greatest risk
of developing contact dermatitis for example are chefs, hairdressers, metal workers, nurses, cleaners and construction workers. According to the NES children under five are at greatest risk of having their symptoms worsened by food allergies and it is thought that in around 30 per cent of children with eczema, food may be a
contributing factor. It probably goes without saying that a healthy diet based on fresh, additive-free foods is beneficial. In addition some people are allergic to specific foods – a combination of homeopathic treatment, improved nutrition and desensitisation should help to calm allergic reactions.

 

 

If you would like more details of the Tickety Boo low cost children’s clinic please contact Helen Newell at the Earlsdon Practice.

 

If you would like to know more about how the Earlsdon Practice can help you contact us here at the Earlsdon Practice by completing the form on our contact page