Chronic Eczema

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

• Eliminate foods that cause an allergic response or to which there is a sensitivity (fast, use an elimination diet, or allergy test to isolate such foods)
• Avoid animal fats, i.e., dairy products and meat. Fish is an exception - eat lots of it, preferably cold-water fish
• Avoid intake of trans-fatty acids (from margarines and various kinds of oils)
• *Drink 3 to 4 quarts of good (reverse-osmosis) water every day

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

• Vitamin A: 50,000 I.U.
• Vitamin C: 3 - 6 gm.
• Vitamin E: 400 I.U.
• Selenium: 250 - 400 mcg.
• Zinc: 30 mg.

Supplements: (references)

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids : 2 - 5 gm. TID
• Omega-6 Fatty Acids: 1 gm. TID
• Hydrochloric Acid (HCl): 10 - 40 grains with each meal if hypochlohydria
• Quercetin: 500 mg. 30 minutes before meals
• Digestive Enzymes: 2 tablets with each meal
• Acidophilus and Bifidus: 1 capsule between meals

Botanicals: (references)

• Tincture - Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ginkgo biloba, Arctium lappa, *Trifollium pratense, *Taraxacum officinale, *Smilax sarsaparilla, *Urtica urens, Medicago sativa*: (equal parts) 1/4 tsp. TID

• Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:
  Arctium lappa (Burdock)
  Arctostaphylos uva ursi (Bearberry)
  Berberis vulgaris (Barberry, Oregon grape)
  Centella asiatica (Gota kola)
  Curcuma longa (Tumeric)
  Galium aparine (Cleavers, Bed straw)
  Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo)
  Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
  Grindelia camporum (Gumweed)
  Hamamelis virginiana (Witch hazel)
  Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile)
  Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
  Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm)
  Smilax sarsaparilla (Sarsaparilla)
  Stillingia sylvatica (Queen's root, Queen's delight)
  Symphytum officinale (Comfrey)
  Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion, Lion's tooth)
  Trifollium pratense (Red clover)
  Urtica urens (Nettles)

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

• Eczema, general:
  
  aethi-m, alum, am-c, am-n, ant-c, arb, ARS, ARS-I, aur, aur-m, BAR-M, bell, berb, bor, bov, brom, bry, calad, CALC, CALC-S, canth, caps, carb-ac, carb-s, carb-v, carc, caust, chrysar, CIC, CROTH-T, cycl, DULC, frag, fuli, GRAPH, HEP, hippoz, hydr, hydrc, iris, JUG-C, JUG-R, kali-ar, kali-bi, kali-c, kali-chl, kali-m, kali-s, kreos, lach, LAPPA-M, led, lith, lyc, mang, merc, merc-d, merc-p-r, merc-sul, MEZ, mur-ac, nat-m, nat-p, nat-s, nit-ac, nux-v, OLND, PETR, phos, phyt, piloc, plb, podo, PSOR, ran-b, RHUS-T, rhus-v, sars, sep, sil, skook, staph, SULPH, SUL-I, tarent-c, tell, thuj, thyr, tub, ust, vinc, viol-t, x-ray, xero
• Eczema in children:
  
  carc, graph, nat-m, sulph
• Eczema aggrevated by menses:
  
  mang
• Eczema over the whole body:
  
  crot-t, rhut-t

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)   

Other Therapies: (references)

• *Coffee enema: 2/week
• *Tepid (neutral) baths for 20 - 30 minutes TID
• *Add mineral oil or glycerin to bath
• *Apply oil (olive oil), cream, or ointment after bath while still wet (key is to preserve moisture)
• *Humidify home air
• *Constitutional hydrotherapy
• *Avoid soap - it is too drying
• *Preparation H promotes healing of sores and fissures
• *Wear no perfumes, perfumed ointments, or allergic sensitizers
• *Don't wear rough (e.g. wool) clothing
• *Avoid temperature extremes
• Reduce stress, e.g., meditate, yoga, walk, etc.

Recommended Labs:

• Rule out allergies: IgG Food Allergy Antibody, IgG and IgE Inhalent Allergy Antibody
• Rule out Fifth Disease: CBC with Diff, Parvovirus
• Rule out heavy metal poisoning: Hair Analysis
• Rule out herpes: Skin Culture
• Rule out HIV: ELISA, Western Blot
• Rule out impetigo: Skin Culture
• Rule out psoriasis: Skin Biopsy
• Rule out systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): CBC with Diff, Blood Chemistry, Urinalysis, CRP, ANA with Reflex, Quantitative Immunoglobulins, Tissue Biopsy
• Rule out tinea infection: Skin Culture using KOH

*  The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).