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Eczema, Dermatitis and Their
Treatment
Eczema and Dermatitis
Dermatitis means
"inflammation of the skin"
and is considered by many
health authorities as
equivalent to the word
"eczema". Both terms refer
to a skin condition
characterized by redness,
swelling, crusting, scaling
and usually itching. The
word eczema has the literal
meaning "to boil over".
Eczema and Dermatitis are
common conditions.
This site aims to assist
eczema and dermatitis
patients including those who
suffer nummular discoid,
atopic and seborrheic
conditions. These eczema
and dermatitis patients are
provided with information
and advice on Nutri-Pharm’s
Psoria product. The site
also discusses treatment and
medication options with
regard to what is necessary
in a cream or medicine in
order to obtain relief.
Atopic Eczema and Atopic
Dermatitis
The word "Atopic" refers to
individuals who may also be
affected by asthma, hayfever
or other allergic
conditions. All eczema
patients have positive
allergy tests.
The most characteristic
feature of atopic eczema and
atopic dermatitis and
probably the most annoying
for sufferers is the itch.
In many cases scratching and
rubbing worsen the condition
by direct irritation or by
causing infection.
Infection with the bacterium
staphylocuccus aureus
(golden staph) is quite
common and greatly worsens
the condition.
Psoria treatment works to
control atopic dermatitis
and atopic eczema in several
ways. The Chamomile german
in Psoria has
anti-inflammatory action and
has been effectively used in
eczema treatment
[1]. A
number of essential oils in Psoria have marked
anti-allergy effects and the
lavender oil present in
Psoria has shown local
anesthetic action in recent
treatment studies. This
would explain its anti-itch
properties. In addition,
the tea-tree content of
Psoria has marked
anti-bacterial effect on
staphylococcus aureus
[2],
the microbe which commonly
infects eczema. A number of
other natural ingredients in Psoria also possess
anti-bacterial, anti-fungal
and anti-viral properties.
Eczema and dermatitis are
mainly a condition of the
immune system and is closely
associated with food
allergy.
Here are some factors that
may assist in the management
of your eczema and
dermatitis:
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Breastfed infants are
relatively protected against
eczema
[3]. |
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The most common food
allergens are milk,
eggs, peanuts, fish,
wheat and soy. In one study
[4]
81% of
all cases of childhood
eczema were induced by milk,
eggs or peanuts. |
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If you have
allergies to a
particular food,
stay away from it
for at least one
year. Studies have shown
that in such cases many
allergies are "lost" or
"outgrown"
[5]. |
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So long as there is
no allergy to the
type of fish
involved, fish oil
(which contains the long chain
omega 3 oils EPA and DHA)
appears to help the control
of eczema. |
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The flavonoid quercetin is
a very effective natural
anti-allergy compound
[6],
which acts by inhibiting the
release and formation of
histamine, it is also a
potent anti-oxidant. |
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There are a number of eczema
and dermatitis related
conditions for which Psoria
Ointment is suitable:
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a
common skin condition,
affecting 2 to 5 percent of
the population. It appears
as reddened small bumps and
scaly eruptions occurring on
the sides of the nose, the
cheeks, scalp and skin folds
(in worse cases the armpits,
groin and neck also). In
infants it appears as cradle
cap.
There is no single clear
cause of seborrheic
dermatitis, although a poor
functioning immune system
may be involved (as many as
83 percent of AIDs patients
suffer the condition). The
vitamins B6 (pyridoxine) and
Biotin appear to help
seborrheic dermatitis and
their lack may be a
causative factor. Various
micro-organisms such as
staphylococcus aureus
(golden staph) and candida
albicans may be involved in
causing or worsening
seborrheic dermatitis.
Psoria ointment contains
many natural antibiotic
compounds including tea tree
oil, rosemary oil and
lavender oil. These
compounds help eliminate
bacteria and fungi such as
golden staph and candida.
Psoria ointment also
contains the
anti-inflammatory compounds
chamomile german and emu oil
to minimise redness and
swelling from seborrheic
dermatitis.
Hand Dermatitis
Hand Dermatitis (or its
older name pompholyx) is a
common group of conditions
that affect 5 to 15 percent
of the population. There
are a number of conditions
including contact
dermatitis, infection and
eczema which contribute to
the general term of hand
dermatitis.
The cuticles and folds of
skin around the nail may be
inflamed and produce puss.
The nails may be thinned or
have ridges. Hand
dermatitis greatly affects
day to day living. Psoria
works effectively in hand
dermatitis because its:
1. Powerful anti-bacterial
and anti-fungal properties
due to its tea tree oil,
rosemary and lavender oils.
2. Anti-inflammatory action
due to the chamomile german
and emu oil in Psoria.
3. Anti-itch
properties due to the local
anesthetic action of
lavender, a key
ingredient
in Psoria.
Contact Dermatitis
There are many chemicals in
today's environment that can
cause contact dermatitis.
Common allergens linked to
contact dermatitis include:
|
nickel |
watches,
insecticides |
|
latex |
rubber gloves,
condoms |
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acrylics |
synthetic
resins,
artificial nails |
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chromates |
inks and paints |
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formaldehyde |
cosmetics,
shampoos, nail
polish, paper
products |
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fragrances |
perfumes,
cosmetics |
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plants |
cashews, mango,
philodendron,
sesame seeds,
chrysanthemum,
dieffenbachia |
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vegetables |
garlic, onions,
tomato, celery,
cucumber |
Identification of the
allergen responsible for
contact dermatitis may
often be difficult.
Protective barrier
creams may be useful.
Psoria is an effective
treatment for the
inflammation and itching
associated with contact
dermatitis. In
addition, the lavender
oil in Psoria has been
shown to inhibit
immediate type allergic
reactions that may
accompany contact
dermatitis
[7].
Psoria contains a smooth
lanolin base which is
easily applied.
Psoria is a non
prescription medication.
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[1]
Aertgeerts P, Albring M,
Klaschka F, Nasemann T,
Patzelt-Wenczler R,
Rauhut K, Weigl B,
"Comparative Testing of
Kamillosan Cream and
Steroidal (0.25%
hydrocortisone, 0.75%
fluocortin butylester)
and non-steroidal (5%
bufexamac)
Dermatological Agents in
Maintenance Therapy of
Eczematous Diseases", Z
Hautkr, 1985 Feb 1; 60
(3): pages 270-7
[2] CF Carson and TV
Riley, "Antimicrobial
Activity of Tea Tree
Oil" - A Report for the
Rural Industries
Research and Development
Corporation (Australia)
- RIRDC Publication
number 98/70
[3] U.M. Saarinen and M.
Kajosaari,
"Breastfeeding as
Prophylaxis Against
Atopic Disease:
Prospective Follow-up
Study Until 17 years
old", Lancet 346 (1995):
pages 1065-9
[4] A.W. Burks et al.,
"Peanut Protein as a
Major Cause of Adverse
Food Reaction in
Patients with Atopic
Dermatitis", Allergy
Proceed 10 (1989); pages
265-9
[5] H.A. Sampson and S.M.
Scanlon, "Natural
History of Food
Hypersensitivity in
Children with Atopic
Dermatitis", J Pediatr
115 (1989): pages 23-7
[6] E. Petkon, N.
Nikolov and J. Uzunov,
"Inhibitory Effects of
some Flavonoids and
Flavonoid Mixtures on
Cyclic AMP
Phosphodiesterase
Activity of Rat Heart",
J Med Plant Res 43
(1981): pages 183-6
[7] Kim H.M., Cho S.H.,
"Lavender Oil Inhibit
Immediate-type Allergic
Reaction in Mice and
Rats", J Pharm Pharmacol
1999 Feb:51 (2): pages
221-6
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