There are many reasons for skin reactions.  They include: allergy to molds, foods, chemicals, cosmetics, and other substances; insect bites; reactions to plants (e.g., poison ivy); diaper rash in infants; reactions to the sun and wind; rashes from parts of the body rubbing together; reactions to drugs; reactions to detergents; reactions to alcohol; and thousands more.

From the perspective of nutritional medicine, eczema is often a manifestation of a food allergy.  It may also be the result of an intestinal yeast overgrowth, intestinal toxicity, or a deficiency of essential fatty acids and zinc.  Eczema-like lesions can sometimes be caused by contact with metals such as chrome and nickel.  It can also be tied to emotional instability and chemical sensitivity.

Royal Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment

1.                 Avoid processed foods (e.g., white flour products), refined foods (e.g., white sugar products), and dairy products.  Abstain from fried foods, animal fat, and heat-processed oils.  Use only cold-pressed oils.

2.                 Reduce your use of socially accepted poisons such as coffee, alcohol, and smoking (See “Smoking Addiction”), which add to your body’s stress level.  Eliminate junk foods altogether.

3.                 Add foods rich in sulfur to your diet--such as garlic, onions, eggs, and asparagus—as these help keep the skin smooth and youthful.  Increase you consumption of fiber.  This can be in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Oat bran, brown rice, and psyllium husk are also good sources of fiber.  (See “Constipation.”)

4.                 Increase your fluid intake to 6-8 glasses. This can be in the form of distilled, reverse osmosis, or spring water, vegetable juices, broth, and herb teas.  Increased liquids improve the function of white blood cells by decreasing the concentration of solutes in the blood.

5.                 For cracking and dry skin on the fingers, use calendula, vitamin E, or aloe vera at bedtime and then cover your hands with gloves.

6.                 If persistent itching is present, especially in the areas of the wrists, ankles, or genitals then you may have scabies, also known as the “itch mite.”  This can be diagnosed from a skin scraping under the microscope.  This parasite is highly contagious and is transmitted only by human contact.  It can be treated with a prescription medicine called “Lindane.”

7.                 Patients who suffer eczema and other inflammatory conditions of the skin such as hives often have low stomach acid.  Gastric analysis can be performed by the Heidelberg Test in which a capsule containing a pH meter and small radio transmitter is swallowed and measures the pH throughout the intestinal tract).

8.                 Get your hormone levels checked.  This includes thyroid and DHEA, an adrenal hormone precursor.  If hormone levels are deficient, natural hormones are available from plants, without the side effects of synthetic medicines, and can help to promote repair of damaged tissues.  (Also See “Hypothyroidism.”)

9.                 Get your allergies checked (See “Allergy—Food.”)  The allergy evaluation should include screening for foods, molds, and pollens.  At the very least, you can begin eliminating some of the common food allergens (e.g., chocolate, corn, eggs, milk, sugar, and wheat) until a more definitive diagnosis can be made.  Eliminate sodas, junk food, and products containing food coloring and dyes as well.

10.             Consider an evaluation for free radical damage from environmental pollutants such as lead, aluminum, and cadmium.  (See “Chelation Therapy.”)  Mercury should also be evaluated if you have amalgam fillings in your teeth.  If elevated, heavy metal detoxification therapy is indicated.

11.             Meditation, stretching, auto-suggestion tapes, and breathing exercises can help you to feel more relaxed and peaceful.  You can stop and deep breathe anywhere. Do this by closing your eyes and slowly inhaling for 10 to 20 seconds.  Use your diaphragm by allowing your stomach to expand outward with each inhalation.  Hold your breath for 10 to 20 seconds.  Then, exhale by forcing your stomach inward for 10 to 20 seconds.  With each breath, allow your shoulder to droop, you jaw to drop and your body to relax.  Repeat this three times or whenever you begin to feel stress building.  (See “Stress.”)

12.             Heart rate variability testing, an assessment of heart rhythm, can reveal if an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system exists.  An imbalance in the ANS can now be treated with non-cognitive biofeedback (e.g., recycling of heart rate variations).  This has been found helpful in certain skin conditions such as psoriasis.

13.             Recommended supplements include:  vitamin A (which is necessary for the construction of new skin), vitamin E (to protect against free radicals), vitamin C (for collagen formation), Bioflavonoids (such as quercetin) for their anti-histamine effect, B-vitamins (to reduce the stress factors), and essential fatty acids (such as flax seed oil) for their anti-inflammatory action.  The mineral magnesium has a relaxant effect on the body and, along with B-vitamins, can help to reduce the influence of stress on dermatitis.  Zinc is helpful in tissue repair and also enhances immune response.  Acidophilus helps to replenish the “friendly bacteria” in the colon from which toxins may be absorbed.  Consider betaine hydrochloride at mealtime if stomach acid is low.

14.             Herbs known to be of benefit for oily skin are licorice root, lemon grass, and rose buds; for dry and oily skin use lavender, peppermint, and chamomile.  These can be applied directly or used in a steam or tub bath or sauna.  Chaparral in tea or pill form is recommended for skin cancer.  If ringworm is present, consider applying black walnut directly.  All flavonoid compounds have anti-inflammatory action.

15.             Homeopathics found beneficial for skin disorders are:  Apis Mellfica (if swelling is involved), Arsenicum Album (for burning lesions that are worse with scratching and at night), Graphites (for skin that is rough and hard such as psoriasis), Hepar Sulphuris (if skin lesions become infected), Rhus Toxicodendron (if blisters form), Petroleum (for excessive dryness or cracking), Psorinum (for offensive discharges), Sulphur (for reddish lesions worse with bathing) and Thuja (for warty growths).

To learn more about healing and health optimizing therapies, go to www.NewHopeMedical.org or call NEW HOPE MEDICAL CENTER at (702) 476-0000 (direct line) or toll free (866) HEAL-NOW!