ECZEMA INFORMATION

DEFINITION
Eczema (often referred to as dermatitis) is a reaction of the skin to a wide range of stimulants or irritants, some known, many unknown; causing inflammation, redness, itching, blistering, scaling and sometimes weeping of the skin.

TYPES OF ECZEMA

ATOPIC ECZEMA
Also known as Infantile Eczema, it is usually found in individuals who have an inherited tendency towards allergies and may also suffer from asthma or hay fever. It is common in babies and often appears as an intensely itchy rash affecting the face, inner creases of elbows, scalp, neck, buttocks and behind the knees. The skin will often scale and form small red pimples which when scratched may weep and become infected. The condition usually improves as the child ages and may clear altogether by puberty.

CONTACT DERMATITIS - ALLERGIC
This form of eczema results from a reaction (often delayed) to a particular substance that comes into contact with the skin (i.e. metals such as nickel or plants such as poison ivy). The inflammation, itching and blistering will usually subside once the substance is identified and avoided.

CONTACT DERMATITIS - IRRITANT
The symptoms are the same as allergic contact dermatitis but this form is a lot more common. It usually results from chemicals and detergents which the individual may come into contact with in their occupation. Examples include rubber gloves, cleaning materials and cosmetics. This form is also curable providing the irritant substances can be avoided.

DISCOID ECZEMA (ALSO KNOWN AS NUMMULAR ECZEMA)
Consisting of intensely itchy, coin-shaped areas of inflammation (sometimes dry and flaky, sometimes weeping), usually appearing on the limbs, particularly the lower legs; this eczema is usually worse in winter months. It can also affect the back of the hands and fingers and the condition can come and go.

PHOTODERMATITIS
This form of eczema occurs in individuals who are abnormally sensitive to light. Clusters of spots or blisters can develop on any areas of the body that are exposed to the sun.

POMPHOLYX ECZEMA (ALSO KNOWN AS DYSHIDROTIC ECZEMA)
This form of dermatitis affects the hands and feet, causing tiny blisters that are very itchy (especially at night) and may later scale, thicken and crack. Common sites are the palms of the hands, sides of the fingers and toes and soles of the feet. It can last for several weeks and often gets worse in warm weather. It is possibly caused by emotional stress and often occurs in individuals who are prone to allergies or asthma.

SEBORRHOEIC ECZEMA - ADULT
This is a form of dermatitis, believed to be caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the body and it presents as scaly, red patches that flake off, mainly situated on the scalp (as dandruff), but it can spread to the face, ears and chest. The patches are often itchy and greasy (rather than dry) and it is more common in those aged between 20 and 40.

SEBORRHOEIC ECZEMA - INFANTILE
This form tends to affect newborns, causing a condition known as cradle cap, which presents as a thick, yellow, crusty rash on the scalp and eyebrows but sometimes affects the nappy area. It is usually not sore or itchy and may clear up after a few months. It may be related to a lack of Biotin (also known as Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H). It is often very curable.

VARICOSE ECZEMA (ALSO KNOWN AS VENOUS OR GRAVITATIONAL ECZEMA)
Usually occuring in people over 50 with poor circulation, this form affects the ankle area, causing redness, inflammation, scaling, itching and discolouration of the skin. Often found in those with varicose veins and oedema (swelling), if left untreated, it can cause break-down of the skin and leg ulceration.

XEROTIC ECZEMA (ALSO KNOWN AS WINTER ITCH)
This is very common in the older population, particularly in cold, dry, winter weather, where it causes ageing, dehydrated dry skin to severely itch and crack, often forming bumpy pimples. Areas affected include the lower legs (particularly the shins), hands, underarms and trunk. It can affect younger people and it is more common in men than women.

SOLUTIONS FOR ECZEMA

DIETARY ADVICE

FOOD AND DRINK TO AVOID
The following is a list of foods that may affect eczema or exacerbate it:

• ALCOHOL
• BEEF
• CAFFEINE
• CHOCOLATE
• CITRUS FRUITS
• COCOA
• COFFEE
• COKE / COLA
• DAIRY PRODUCTS FROM COWS
• EGGS
• FISH / SHELLFISH
• PEANUTS
• SOYA PRODUCTS
• TEA
• TOMATOES
• WHEAT
• YEAST

FOOD AND DRINK TO INCLUDE
The following foods can be very helpful in cases of eczema and encourage the body to remove toxins and heal itself:

• ARTICHOKES
• BEETROOT
• BURDOCK ROOT TEA
• CABBAGE
• CABBAGE JUICE
• CELERIAC
• CELERY
• CHAMOMILE TEA
• PEPPERMINT TEA
• DANDELION COFFEE
• EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
• FRESH ORGANIC FRUIT
• FRESH ORGANIC VEGETABLES
• LINSEEDS (FLAXSEEDS)
• NETTLE TEA
• NON-HYDROGENATED SPREADS
• NUTS (EXCEPT PEANUTS)
• OAT MILK
• PEAR JUICE
• PUMPKIN SEEDS
• RED CLOVER TEA
• RICE MILK
• SESAME SEEDS
• SUNFLOWER SEEDS
• TWO LITRES OF WATER DAILY (FILTERED TAP WATER IS BEST)
• WHEATGERM
• WHOLE GRAINS

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
This is a list of supplements that may prove useful in clearing up eczema and maintaining skin integrity:

• BURDOCK AND NETTLE TINCTURE (10-20 DROPS 3-4 x DAILY)
• CHELATED ZINC WITH COPPER (30mg ZINC / 2mg COPPER TWICE DAILY)
• EVENING PRIMROSE OIL* (1-4 GRAMS PER DAY WITH FOOD) *TREATMENT WILL NOT WORK IF TAKING STEROIDS
• FLAXSEED OIL (2 CAPSULES DAILY WITH FOOD)
• FRUIT FORCE - SALVESTROL* SUPPLEMENT (1 CAPSULE DAILY WITH FOOD) *ASK FOR OUR SALVESTROL ECZEMA PROTOCOL
• MULTIVITAMIN / MULTIMINERAL (e.g. NUTRIVITAL MULTIMAX) (2 CAPSULES TWICE DAILY WITH FOOD)
• SUPERTRACE (IONIC TRACE MINERALS) (2 DROPS PER STONE IN WEIGHT DAILY ADDED TO WATER, JUICE OR HERBAL TEA)
• VITAMIN B COMPLEX (2 CAPSULES DAILY WITH FOOD)
• VITAMIN C WITH BIOFLAVONOIDS (500mg 3 x DAILY WITH MEALS)
• WELEDA BIRCH ELIXIR / JUICE (1 TBSP 2-3 x DAILY)
• WELEDA SEA BUCKTHORN ELIXIR / JUICE (1 TBSP 2-3 x DAILY)

OTHER MEASURES

ADD TO BATH ~
APPLY AS COMPRESS / FOR EXTERNAL USE *
TAKE INTERNALLY #

BACH RESCUE REMEDY ~*#
BLACKBERRY LEAF TEA *#
COLLOIDAL SILVER *#
DEAD SEA SALTS ~
HIMALAYAN SALT CRYSTALS ~#
OATS / OATMEAL ~*#
WITCH HAZEL (DILUTED) *

SKIN AND BODY CARE PRODUCTS WE STOCK THAT CAN HELP:

AKAMUTI
AFRICAN BLACK SOAP
BAOBAB OIL
ORGANIC LIQUID CASTILLE SOAP
PURE VIRGIN SHEA BUTTER

AMPHORA AROMATICS
COMFREY CARRIER OIL
EVENING PRIMROSE CARRIER OIL
JOJOBA CARRIER OIL
NEEM CARRIER OIL
ROSEHIP SEED CARRIER OIL
WHIPPED SHEA BUTTER (LAVENDER AND CHAMOMILE)
WHIPPED SHEA BUTTER (UNSCENTED)

DR HAUSCHKA (AVAILABLE FROM THE SHOP - PHONE FOR DETAILS)
CLEANSING MILK
HAND CREAM
LAVENDER BATH
MOISTURISING DAY CREAM
MOISTURISING MASK
NORMALISING DAY OIL
REJUVENATING MASK
RHYTHMIC NIGHT CONDITIONER (SENSITIVE)
ROSE DAY CREAM
ROSE DAY CREAM LIGHT
ST JOHN'S WORT OIL

GREEN PEOPLE
ORGANIC BASE NO SCENT RANGE

MISCELLANEOUS
DEAD SEA BLACK MUD SOAP

NATURA
DEAD SEA SALTS
HIMALAYAN SALT CRYSTALS
MUSLIN OAT BAG
ORGANIC ARGAN OIL
ORGANIC CHAMOMILE WATER
ORGANIC HEMP SEED OIL
ORGANIC ROSE WATER
ORGANIC SESAME OIL
ORGANIC THISTLE OIL
SHEA BUTTER OIL

NATURAL SOAP COMPANY
CALENDULA SOAP
HONEY, LEMON AND OATMEAL SOAP
JUST SOAP
ROSE SOAP
WHITE LAVENDER SOAP

WELEDA
CALENDULA BABY RANGE (SUITABLE FOR ADULTS TOO)
SKIN FOOD

YAOH
HEALING SALVE ORIGINAL

If you require further information on eczema, supplements or products suggested, please contact us on 01507 608828 or email sales@natura-louth.co.uk and we will be happy to assist.