In allopathic / conventional treatment there is no cure for atopic dermatitis eczema, but there are a number of ways to relieve it. They are as follows :
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Topical steroids may be prescribed to reduce skin inflammation during an eczema or atopic dermatitis flare-up. Side effects include steroid rosacea, glaucoma, tachyphylaxis (Tolerance the skin develops to the vasoconstrictive action of topical steroids) and so on.
Topical immunomodulators are relatively new drugs available for use in treating atopic dermatitis or eczema. They include tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel). Side effects are itching and feeling of heat at the site of application of ointment.
In contrast homeopathy does not believe in suppressing the symptoms of internal derangement. The homeopathic treatment considers the overall susceptibility of the individual to factors such as family history (genetic predisposition), sensitivity to certain food, allergens, metals and chemicals. The homeopathy doctor prescribes internal remedies capable of correcting these factors.
It is more dangerous to apply allopathic ointments, lotions than leaving the lesions as it is.
In allopathy / conventional treatment systemic corticosteroids are sometimes prescribed in very severe cases. Oral prednisone and injected triamcinalone (Kenalog) are examples. Even stronger medications such as cyclosporine A (Neoral) are sometimes used in severe cases. Adverse effects from prolonged courses or high doses of systemic steroids may include :
Increased risk of skin infections such as bacterial infections (e.g. cellulitis) and fungal infections (e.g. tinea, candida).
Skin thinning resulting in easy bruising (purpura), skin tearing after minor injury, slow healing, and stretch marks (striae).
Acne : clusters of small spots on face, chest and upper back.
Subcutaneous lipoatrophy (loss of fat under the skin surface) from injected steroid that does not go deep enough into the muscle.
In allopathic / conventional treatment antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) and doxepin (Sinequan), may be prescribed to control itching. They may cause drowsiness, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, stomach upset, vision changes, irritability, dry mouth and nose.
Antibiotics are given to treat the secondary infections.
In contrast homeopathy helps in correcting the altered immune system of the patient responsible for atopic dermatitis or eczema. In homeopathy individualized treatment is given. To find the proper remedy a homeopathy doctor collects all the past medical history of the person, his / her family history, his / her physical and psychological characteristics and so on. All this information helps the homeopath to find a remedy which not only will remove the atopic dermatitis or eczema but will also remove the disposition to acquire such diseases.
Body stands as one unit and all organs whether it may be skin, kidney, lungs, brain and so on are linked some way or the other and disorder in one part can easily affect the other. For example stress can worsen many diseases including atopic dermatitis or eczema. It is homeopathy which will direct its treatment towards relieving stress not any other mode of treatment. It is a well known fact in the modern medicine that eczema like Atopic dermatitis is due to the inheritance of the allergy factor from either of the parents. So when a homeopath treats atopic dermatitis or eczema, he treats this inherited tendency to the disease so as to completely remove the disease.
Homeopathic approach not only successfully removes the atopic dermatitis or eczema but also removes the possibility of development of other hypersensitivity disorders like asthma after the atopic dermatitis or eczema is cured.
How homeopathy helps in atopic dermatitis or eczema
Homeopathic medicines clear up the skin by improving the blood supply of the area affected with atopic dermatitis or eczema.
Homeopathy remedies remove the tendency of secondary infections at the site of atopic dermatitis or eczema by various microorganisms.
Homeopathic treatment removes the tendency to further develop the problem.
In a study conducted at Nehru Homeopathic Medical College, a total number of 265 cases 154 (Males) and 111 (Females) of different types of allergic dermatitis : 94 cases of infective eczematoid dermatitis, 65 cases of pompholyx, 48 cases of nummular dermatitis, 30 cases of contact dermatitis, 7 cases of atopic dermatitis, 5 cases of drug induced dermatitis, 3 cases of photo dermatitis and 13 cases of non-specific dermatitis were included in the study for a period of 5 years (1993-1998).
Out of these 31 (11.7%) cases were dropped out of study for various reasons of not complying with the study design. Out of 234 reporting cases, 67 (25.2%) were completely cured, 34 cases (12.8%) had marked improvement and 104 (39.2%) cases had improvement ranging from mild to moderate degree. Only 28 (10.5%) cases got no relief and only one case became worse after treatment. The results clearly show that homoeopathy is effective in the management of allergic dermatitis. With homeopathic treatment complete recovery without relapses is possible.
There are 196 homoeopathy remedies which give great relief in atopic dermatitis or eczema. However, the correct choice and the resulting relief is a matter of experience and right judgment on the part of the homeopathic doctor. The treatment is decided after thorough case taking of the patient. Thus homeopathic medicines of atopic dermatitis or eczema are designer made unlike allopathy in which all patients receive the same drugs although trade name may be different.
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What is Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema
The word "dermatitis" means inflammation of the skin. "Atopic" refers to diseases that are hereditary, tend to run in families, and often occur together.
Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a skin disease characterized by areas of severe itching, redness, scaling, and loss of the surface of the skin (excoriation).The skin of a patient with atopic dermatitis or eczema reacts abnormally and easily to irritants, food, and environmental allergens and becomes red, flaky and very itchy. The skin also becomes vulnerable to surface infections caused by bacteria.
Atopic dermatitis is the most common of the many types of eczema. This disorder usually affects young children on the face and extensor surfaces of the arms and legs (elbow and knee sides). Older children and adults are usually affected on the sides of the neck and on the inside of the elbow and knee.
Atopic dermatitis is usually associated with other allergic disorders like asthma.
Atopic dermatitis is very common worldwide and increasing in prevalence. It affects males and females equally and accounts for 10-20% of all referrals to dermatologists. More than 15 million people in the United States have symptoms of the disease. Atopic dermatitis is not contagious.
Itch Scratch Cycle in Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema
Mild itching makes the patient scratch the skin. But scratching damages the skin, worsens inflammation, irritates surface nerves, and leads to even more intense itching than you had before. This cycle aggravates and prolongs all of these rashes.
Causes of Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema
The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is not known. It is believed to be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors, but the exact cause is not known. Stress can make the symptoms worse, but it does not cause the disease.
Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema
Symptoms of atopic dermatitis according to the age group involved are :
Infants present with red, scaly, oozy, crusty cheeks, and the neck, arms, and legs are involved. Symptoms clear in about half of these children by the time they are 2 or 3 years old.
In older children, the folds on the arms and behind the knees can become dry, thick, scaly, and very itchy. Atopic dermatitis typically becomes less severe as the child matures.
In young adults, symptoms typically appear on the face, neck, hands, feet, fingers, and toes. Most of the lesions are thickened, leathery, and dull-looking.
Symptoms can also be divided into :
Acute lesions : These include extremely itchy reddened papules (small solid eruptions resembling pimples) and vesicles (small blister-like elevations in the skin surface that contain tissue fluid) over erythematous (reddened) skin. Acute lesions produce a watery exudate and are often accompanied by exfoliation (scaling or peeling of layers of skin) and erosion (destruction of the skin surface).
Subacute lesions : These are characterized by reddening, peeling, and scaling but are less severe than acute lesions and do not produce an exudate.
Chronic lesions : These are characterized by thickened plaques of skin, lichenification, and fibrous papules. It is possible for a patient with chronic atopic dermatitis to have all three types of lesions at the same time.
Factors that Worsen Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema
Long, hot baths or showers
Dry skin
Stress
Sweating
Rapid changes in temperature
Low humidity
Solvents, cleaners, soaps or detergents
Wool or man-made fabrics or clothing
Dust or sand
Diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema
Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is based on the following criteria. To have atopic dermatitis, a patient must have three or more features from each of the two categories :
Major Features
Intense itching
Characteristic rash in typical locations
Chronic or repeated symptoms
Minor Features
Early age at onset
Xerosis - Dry, rough skin
Pityriasis alba : Patches of hypopigmented, or lighter, skin. This occurs more often in infants than in older children
Ichthyosis : Severe dryness and scaling of the skin causing it to look like fish scales
Hyperlinear palms and soles : Dry, prominent, permanent creases in the palms and soles
Keratosis pilaris : Fine, flesh-colored or slightly red plugs on the backs of the arms, the outside of the thighs, buttocks, and face
Hand or foot dermatitis : Glistening red, scaling, and cracking skin on the hands or feet
Self Care in Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema
Avoid rough, scratchy, tight clothing and woolens
Avoid frequent use of soaps, hot water, and other cleansing procedures that tend to remove natural oil from the skin.
Take bath only once as far as possible.
Washcloths and brushes should not be used while bathing
After bathing, the skin should be patted dry (not rubbed) and then immediately (before it dries completely) covered with a thin film of moisturizer cream or ointment.