subject: Treatment of Eczema, and a variety of inflammatory and infectious skin conditions with herbs [print this page] Treatment of Eczema, and a variety of inflammatory and infectious skin conditions with herbs
what is Eczema? Eczema is a general term encompassing various inflamed skin conditions & is most often characterized by intense itching, blister with oozing & crusting, skin redness or inflammation around the blisters, rashes, dry, leathery skin areas & ear discharges / bleeding. Approximately 10% to 20% of the world population is affected by this chronic, relapsing and very itchy rash at some point during childhood.
Is there a cure for Eczema?
No cure for eczema
Minimize the discomfort & distress
Effective skin care routine
Eczema or Dermatitis
Eczema is a general term encompassing various inflamed skin conditions and is most often characterized by intense itching, blisters with oozing and crusting, skin redness or inflammation around the blisters, rashes, dry, leathery skin areas and ear discharges/bleeding.
Approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of the world population is affected by this chronic, relapsing, and very itchy rash at some point during childhood.
What are the Symptoms of Eczema?
Eczema is most often characterized by dry, red, extremely itchy patches on the skin. In some people, eczema may "bubble up" and ooze. In others, the condition may appear more scaly, dry, and red. Chronic scratching causes the skin to take on a leathery texture because the skin thickens (lichenification).
What happens in Eczema?
In eczema the keratinocytes become less tightly held together, so becoming more vulnerable to external factors such as chemical solvents and water, which dissolve the natural protective barrier of the skin.
The skin affected by eczema may become inflamed and sore as a reaction to minor irritation. This causes the sufferer to rub and scratch the affected area, making the eczema worse, and a cycle of irritation (scratching), inflammation & deterioration of eczema sets in.
Is there a cure for Eczema?
No cure for eczema
Minimize the discomfort and distress
Effective skin care routine
Drug Therapy
The primary goal of treatment is to relieve discomfort by controlling the signs and symptoms. Since eczema is usually dry and itchy, most treatment plans involve applying lotions, creams, or ointments to keep the skin as moist as possible. The treatment plan also may require lifestyle modifications and using medication as directed.
Conventional Treatment Options
The conventional treatment involves the use of:
A topical corticosteroid (to relieve redness and inflammation), with/without the adjunctive use of:
An anti-microbial drug (to prevent and/or to treat associated microbial infection/s)
An anti-histaminic drug (to relieve pruritus-itching and inflammation)
Certain types of severe eczema may be treated with phototherapy. Stronger systemic medications, such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine, may be prescribed to treat severe eczema that has been unresponsive to the conventional treatments.
Limitations of Conventional Treatments
The common side effects of the conventional treatment are:
