BY THE DESK OF DR. NIKHAT CHOUDHARY
Introduction
In my practice as a homeopathic practitioner, I had come across many cases of eczema. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a recurrent skin issue characterized by inflammation, itching, and redness. This paper not only highlights the disease, the diagnosis, and the treatment of eczema but also tries to provide a brief overview of homeopathic philosophy and different methods of treatment.
World Epidemiology
Among them, Pakistan is a country where eczema is quite common and affects nearly 3 million individuals and its frequency is increasing each year. When it comes to the global scene, the situation is different as the issue is more serious in some regions. For instance, about 15 - 20% of children and 0.03% of adults are affected with eczema all over the world. The disease is found to be more dominant in the developed parts of the world, especially in urban areas.
Indian Epidemiology
In COVID-19 times, eczema has become an even more pressing public health issue than it used to be. Research shows that nearly 20 - 30% of the Indian children have rash-like symptoms due to eczema. In adult cases, the numbers are significantly lower, that is approximately 3 - 5%. The skin disease is less common in the rural areas compared to the urban India areas.
Causes
There is no specific cause of eczema yet, researchers believe it may result from a combination of factors such as the genetic makeup and the immune system of a person. But there are a number of things that are often thought to cause its development:
Genetics: The probability of a person contracting eczema, asthma, or allergies is higher if these illnesses occur in the family.
Environmental factors: Contact with mostly irritants, allergens, and contamination usually triggers eczema.
Immune system dysfunction: A person's immune system may respond overactively and cause inflammation on the skin.
Skin barrier defects: Some people may have weak, susceptible skin barriers which could lead to eczema as a result of these genetic endowments.
Symptoms
Common symptoms associated with eczema include:
Dry, itchy skin
Redness and inflammation
Rough, scaly, or leathery patches
Oozing or crusting
Swelling
Skin color changes
Diagnosis
Pyromania is a diagnosis that can be made through physical examination or review of a case. Sometimes, however, a doctor can order various tests to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other skin diseases or identify the causes.
Side Effects of Conventional Medicines
Several conventional therapies bring a relief; however, they commonly are involved in certain side effects. These include the following:
Topical corticosteroids: You can have a broken-down and discolored skin and you may catch an infection much easier.
Oral antihistamines: Furthermore, feeling sleepy is a noticeable side effect along with dryness of the mouth and vision issues.
Immunosuppressants: The risk for infections is increased; moreover, with the duration of the treatment, damage to some organs can also be a problem.
Advantages of Using Homeopathy
This homeopath has witnessed the benefit of homeopathic treatments used for eczema on numerous occasions:
A gentle and natural approach
No side effects with correct prescription
The root cause is addressed by the homeopath rather than symptoms alone
Personalized treatment plans
Encourages the well-being and health of an individual
Can be administered over the long term without any concerns for safety
Suitable for everyone at all levels of development
10 Homeopathic Medicines for Eczema
Graphites: The substance is helpful in the case of glue or honey-like discharges that mostly come from the skin and the skin turns into cracked leather.
Sulphur: Heat is a factor that makes itching stronger along with skin eruptions that are cracking and itching.
Arsenicum Album: Dry, itching eruptions with a sensation of burning here and there are the symptoms covered by this remedy.
Rhus Toxicodendron: The itching may cause swelling, redness, and may seem like a rash and will affect the head region as a whole.
Psorinum: Dry, itchy skin is most probably the beginning symptom during warming periods but continues to get even worse particularly in winter.
Petroleum: A homeopathic remedy, if the skin on the hand and feet cracks it helps to cure it without any side effects.
Mezereum: The scaly skin with the extreme pruritus treatment known by Mezereum makes the skin very sensitive and reactive if you touch the place where it is located.
Calcarea Carbonica: With the tendency to want to be bundled up, the chilly child may even develop a cold from the condition.
Natrum Muriaticum: The condition may get worse if this treatment is to be used over a longer time.
Apis Mellifica: There are certain allergic reactions that precede this condition but these are only the first symptoms that manifest themselves such as swelling and itching in the above site.
10 Common FAQs About Eczema and Homeopathy
Q: Is homeopathy effective for treating eczema?
A: For sure, homeopathy is an effective tool in tackling this ailment that targets not only the symptoms but the whole being.
Q: How long does it take to see results with homeopathic treatment?
A: It all depends on patients and the extent of abnormalities but taking into account recent patient records, a lot of patients experienced a significant improvement within three weeks.
Q: Can homeopathy cure eczema permanently?
A: Cases differ from person to person but it can be said that through homeopathy, patients are being helped in controlling symptoms and thus they succeed in enjoying a relatively long eczema-free period.
Q: Are homeopathic remedies safe for children?
A: The use of homeopathy for children is also safe but under the prescription of a professional homeopath, usually, it goes side by side with the conventional medicine that is to be used.
Q: Can I use homeopathy alongside conventional treatments?
A: It is mostly safe, but, you must clear things with both your traditional and homeopathic doctors to be sure no treatments clash.
Q: How does homeopathy differ from conventional eczema treatments?
A: Homeopathic remedies help in treating the whole person and often no suppressing of the symptoms is experienced.
Q: Can diet affect eczema symptoms?
A: It has been proved that the type of food you are eating is of great importance and that eating fewer processed foods can help you with the control of eczema. A homeopath can tell what dietary changes the patient should make in relation to the provided treatment.
Q: Is eczema contagious?
A: It is not contagious; hence, you cannot contract the disease from someone else.
Q: Can stress trigger eczema flare-ups?
A: Yes, stress can make eczema symptoms get worse. Homeopathy works not only with your body but also with your mood.
Q: How often should I see a homeopath for eczema treatment?
A: Most of the children relegated to monthly visits but few come in for weeks and then just before, the child has recovered. It is going to be much easier to handle such a case in monthly visits at the start and then the doctor and you together will decide when the body is ready to make the visits less often. However, this will not be a one-time sit.
In conclusion, my work as a homeopath is to help in the healing of chronic diseases like eczema in an alternative way. I work by determining cause and defect and then give in-depth analysis and accurate treatment.