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Wholistic Therapies approach to treating Eczema

Recently I was asked by one of my patients who I successfully treated for eczema, to write an article on the treatment of eczema using natural remedies. As a wholistic practitioner of complementary medicine for over 30 years, I have developed protocols for treating systemic autoimmune conditions like eczema, dermatitis, asthma and irritable bowel syndrome. Basically the protocol requires looking at five areas of body responses and addressing each area of need in cooperation with the other related areas. This means addressing mental-emotional stress issues, environmental toxicities, food intolerances and allergies, nutritional deficiencies and neurological impairments.

Stress reactions involve the neuro-endocrine and glandular systems which are of primary concern as this will impact on every other system. Stress can deregulate the digestive system, cause mal-digestion and auto-toxification. It can impair the out put of the elimination system involving the kidneys, bladder and bowel functions. This then reduces detoxification of environmental toxins as well as the auto-toxic materials created from mal-digestion. Stress can affect the immune system which directly initiates a hypersensitivity reaction in certain white cells; this then creates a chain reaction which results in inflammation of the skin. The key to restoring the skin to normal health is desensitizing the immune system’s imbalance. By addressing each area concern simultaneously and developing a lifestyle protocol, even a genetic predisposition can be compensated and minimized through the holistic approach.   

What causes Eczema

Commonly eczema presents as chronic itching associated with superficial inflammation of the skin. This can occur in individuals with a personal or family history of allergenic disorders, e.g. hay fever, asthma and dermatitis. In essence the common underlying cause is an immune dysfunction which occurs when the immune’s system   T Helper 1 Cells (TH1), become repressed and the T helper2 Cell (TH2) become over reactive. The over production or activity of the TH2 cytokines, activate mast cells and eosinophils to produce histamine, prostaglandins E2 and leukotrienes associated with allergenic disorders and the inflammation found in eczema. Obviously anything that would normally create allergenic responses in susceptible individuals will rapidly trigger a TH2 dominant cascade of symptoms. The problem becomes compound when you realize that a Th2 dominance/ TH1 deficiency state creates allergenic hypersensitivity to what otherwise may be none reactive materials. This then is a catch 22 scenario; TH2 dominance causes allergies and systemic auto-immune hypersensitivity reactions like eczema. Allergenic reactions to a variety of foods, drinks, chemical additives, grasses, pollens, dusts etc. exacerbate the TH2 dominant reaction which results in the inflammatory cascade previously described. The stress of this self promoting inflammatory process drives the adrenal system to produce adrenaline and cortisol in an attempt to counteract the inflammatory cascade. Although cortisol is anti-inflammatory in nature, prolonged stimulation can not only suppress the TH1 cell and conversely causes TH2 dominance, but it also becomes deficient in supply and no longer able to support the anti-inflammatory process  leaving the body in a stress reaction. At this point, cortisone based drug may be necessary to reduce acute inflammatory episodes.  

How do you get out of this loop?

A multiphase attack is required to break the self propagating cycle of systemic autoimmune reactions.

A.      Reduce itching and inflammations of the skin by using topical remedies like paw paw ointment or black sesame oil.

B.      Correct the TH2 dominant immune response using traditional Chinese herbs like Perilla Fructescens and Citrus Reticulata.

C.      Treat adrenal stress using Siberian Ginseng and liquorice root.

D.      Use homoeopathic desensitization to food or environmental antigens.

E.       Correct nutritional insufficiencies that may be present, like zinc deficiency.

F.       Reduce immune complexes by correcting intestinal dysbiosis and mal-digestion, with probiotics and digestive enzymes.

G.     Detoxify immune complexes already present in the system with vegetable juices like carrot, celery and beetroot.

H.      Test for and remove intolerant foods, drinks or substances temporarily, like milk products, wheat products, food additives, colors and preservatives.

I.        Add nutritional supplements that repair damaged tissue or have anti-inflammatory qualities, like omega 3 essential fatty acids (fish oils), grape seed oil and zinc.   

What to do to get help.

Obviously each individual has there own personal needs and therefore require a personal program to be developed for that individual, based on age, sex, lifestyle, genetic predisposition and family history. But this can be facilitated for almost everyone, anywhere in Australia. There is a network of naturopathic and wholistic practitioners who work under the banner of unified thought and established protocols, supported by research and development of the natural medicine industry. To find a natural health practitioner near you, all that is required is a phone call to Metagenics  Health-World on 1800 777 648. The team at Health-World will refer you to the nearest qualified practitioner.

About the author

Adam R. Nichols DC.DO. ND. Dip. Med. Herb. Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Osteopathy, Diploma of Medical Herbalism, Naturopathic Diploma. Adam has 30 years of clinical experience and is also certified in Acupuncture, Homoeopathy and Neuro-Emotional Therapy.

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Last modified: 03/10/09