How To Treat Eczema with Homeopathic Medicine

Local inflammation of the skin, or eczema, may be accompanied by itching, blistering, and oozing, may be associated with an allergic reaction, but the cause is often unknown. Childhood eczema, which usually occurs in the flexures behind a knee or in the bend of an elbow, usually clears up by the time the child reaches puberty.

Symptoms
• Red, itchy, and scaly skin.
• Inflamed areas, possibly with small, red pimples that weep or bleed if scratched.
• Possible blistering of skin.
• Possible cracked and painful skin.
• Possible issue of pus if broken skin becomes infected.

Causes
Atopic eczema occurs in people with a genetic tendency to develop allergies. Contact eczema— or contact dermatitis (some forms of eczema are also known as dermatitis)—is caused by touching items to which the body is sensitive, such as fabric, metal, or plants. Seborrheic dermatitis may be inherited but is not linked to allergy. Of unknown cause, it produces flakiness and itchiness on the face, scalp, and other hairy areas, and may be worse for stress. Detergent dermatitis afflicts those using cleaning products. Varicose eczema tends to be associated with inefficient circulation in the legs, although the precise cause is unknown.

Conventional care
With atopic eczema, eliminating certain foods or food additives from the diet may identify an allergy. With contact eczema, patch tests are useful. Antihistamine drugs can reduce irritation, while antibiotics are prescribed for infection. Corticosteroid ointments inhibit inflammation, but they should be used only when the risk of infection or irritation is so severe that it prevents sleep, thus increasing stress and exacerbating the eczema. Moisturizing ointments may be beneficial.

Homeopathic medicine
A full medical history of the condition, any family history of allergy, and possible triggers will be studied by a homeopath. A person’s psychological makeup, food preferences, and environmental factors will also be investigated. Constitutional remedies will be largely determined by an individual’s symptoms. Calc. sulph. is indicated for skin eruptions that easily become infected; while Dulcamara is effective for thickening of the epidermis. Graphites is associated with sticky fluid exuded from inflamed patches that dry out to become rough and hard; and Rhus tox. is also prescribed for infected skin. Other remedies commonly prescribed are Arsen. alb., Baryta mur., Calc. carb., Hepar sulph., and Sulphur. Local remedies prescribed for acute conditions include Psorinum, if the skin is broken and very sensitive, and the slightest scratch becomes infected, forming a green crust that burns and itches, then cracks and bleeds. Oleander is given for skin that is very dry, sensitive, and itchy so that the slightest friction results in soreness, and scratching causes the skin to bleed and weep. Mezereum is prescribed for itchy, thick scabs, beneath which there is pus, and which are worse for warm baths. Cicuta is used for eczema that is worse on the face and hands, feels hot to the touch, and may include pustules.

Lifestyle 
Rubber gloves should be worn for most household tasks, with cotton gloves inside them if there is sensitivity to rubber. As well as known irritants, substances and situations best avoided include colored toilet paper, antiperspirants, false nails, dehumidified air, and rapid temperature changes. The skin may benefit from lukewarm oatmeal herbal baths and cold milk compresses, but it should always be dried thoroughly. Clothes should be rinsed well after washing. The diet should ideally include plenty of fish and vegetables, while amounts of animal protein, fats, refined carbohydrates, and dairy products should all be reduced.

C A U T I O N
• If eczema deteriorates markedly, and especially if the skin is broken, inflamed, and appears to be infected, consult a doctor within 48 hours.