These inflammatory conditions of the skin are slightly different conditions, but the terms are often used generically for any itchy, red, scaly skin problem.
While psoriasis is known as an autoimmune condition eczema is referred to as an allergic condition. The important thing is that neither of them are actually skin conditions they are both mediated by an imbalance in the immune system and made worse by poor detoxification and elimination by the liver and kidneys.
Conventional wisdom will tell you that these conditions are “ poorly understood ”, “ may have a genetic origin” and that “ there is no cure ” but with medication (for the rest of your life) & expensive creams that don’t really seem to work your condition “ can be controlled ”.
Hydro-cortisone cream or ointment is the most commonly prescribed conventional treatment for eczema and psoriasis. This is a strong and toxic medicine of limited effectiveness. Long-term use of steroid creams can result in side effects, such as thin, fragile, dry skin and even suppression of the adrenal glands. For these reasons, medications of this kind can only be used for short periods of time, which is not very helpful to the chronic sufferer.
I recently saw Riley, a 9 year old boy who had been suffering with eczema since he was born, his parents were offered very little hope as the problem was obviously hereditary; his father, grandfather and uncle all suffered with it.
Some people had suggested that he might “grow out of it” so Mum patiently waited but after a severe flare-up that required oral cortisone and no end in sight she sought my help.
The rash was all over Riley’s body again and had recently extended to his face. It was very itchy and prevented him from getting off to sleep.
We made some general changes to his diet by eliminating dairy and wheat products and sent off a hair sample for our
Bio-Compatibility test to see what foods were really causing the trouble. After 4 weeks of dietary changes and treatment with one specific probiotic strain Riley’s rash was all clear from his face, chest and back. His arms had a little left inside the elbows and there was still a small amount on his legs. To his Mum's surprise Riley had participated in the annual school swimming program for a week without the usual exacerbation.
Riley understood the connection between food and the skin after a serve of ice cream, which had tested as not compatible, had caused a flare up. He was now reading food labels himself and had become aware of how many additives and preservatives were in common everyday foods.
Changing his diet hadn’t been easy, especially for Mum, but Riley had noticed other things were improving that made it very worthwhile; he was doing much better in school and was really able to concentrate in lessons and with his homework, his hay fever and sinus congestion had cleared up, his morning backache was gone, headaches were less often and his rumbling tummy had settled.
Riley’s
Bio-Compatibility test showed that he was reacting to these common foods; Banana, nectarine, strawberries, tomato, capsicum, pork, cola, lemonade, honey, curry powder, milk, ice cream, cheese, white and wholemeal bread. Riley will need to avoid these foods for 6 months in which time most of them should correct and may be added back into the diet. Because Riley had suffered with chronic eczema for almost ten years he will most likely have to follow a fairly strict gluten free/dairy free diet for the long term.
Riley's story is just one example of how
Eczema and other skin conditions can be treated successfully with dietary changes, herbal and nutritional medicine. For more information contact
Linda Lowen.
