Overview Eczema

Eczema is a recurring, non-contagious, chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting approximately 10 - 20 percent of the world population. It is characterized by red, dry and/or itchy rash in mild forms; and cracked, bleeding and oozing skin in severe forms. The condition usually flares and subsides for no apparent cause.

Eczema appears due to an improper immune reaction in which the body fails to respond appropriately to stimuli. You cannot treat this condition by simply applying lotions and creams, externally. Exposure to a stimulus will naturally trigger this condition.

The Homeopathic treatment prescribed considers the overall susceptibility of the individual to factors such as family history (genetic predisposition), sensitivity to certain food, allergens, metals and chemicals and prescribe internal remedies capable of correcting those factors.

What we offer is:

Increasing your chances of an eczema-free life

Putting an end to recurrent relapses

Relieving symptoms such as itching and oozing

Correcting or improving your immune response

Improved tolerance to specific irritants and allergens

Common area affected:
The lesions may appear on any part of the body but are commonly seen to affect:

  • Knees, elbows, ankles - especially inner sides
  • Face and neck
  • Arms and legs
  • Folds of skin

Why is Eczema?

Eczema is a recurring, non-contagious, chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting approximately 10 - 20 percent of the world population. It is characterized by red, dry and/or itchy rash in mild forms; and cracked, bleeding and oozing skin in severe forms. The condition usually flares and subsides for no apparent cause.

This affects almost 20% of children and 1-2 % of adults worldwide. Eczema can affect people belonging to any age group though it's more commonly seen in infants. In case of infants, the condition usually resolves by the age of 3 years but may continue into adulthood in few cases. This is no particular gender predilection seen.

Eczema is not a life-threatening disease but it can have a significant impact on the life of the patient. The discomfort caused by the condition, an altered self image that the patient develops, anxiety about the nature of the disease, etc. are additional issues that the treating physician has to tackle besides the condition itself.

The disease itself has phases during which the symptoms get worse, then get better or resolve by themselves - thus it runs an unpredictable course in many people. However, timely detection and treatment can save a lot of trouble for the patients rather than ignoring the initial presenting symptoms.

Types of Eczema:
There are different kinds of presentations of eczema and it is important to know your type to understand the treatability of the same. Discussed here are some common types:

1) Atopic dermatitis:
This is one of the most common types of eczema. About 90% of atopic dermatitis patients develop symptoms before the age of five.

Symptoms largely include reddish, dry or oozing scaly eruptions at the bend of elbows, back of knees, neck, face, etc. The skin is extremely dry and very itchy. Infants usually find it very difficult to control the itching and excessive scratching may lead to secondary infection. The condition tends to be hereditary & often family history of some allergy, asthma, hay fever, etc. is seen in such cases.

2) Contact dermatitis:
As the name itself suggests, this eczema develop in localized regions where the skin comes into direct contact with an allergen (allergic contact dermatitis) or an irritant (irritant contact dermatitis).

One of the commonest forms of Contact dermatitis is the allergy caused by contact with nickel which is a component of artificial jewellery such as watches, ear rings, rings, chains etc...

3) Seborrheic dermatitis:
Commonly seen to affect the scalp, margins of the head and area behind the ears, this condition is characterized by reddish rashes with yellowish, oily scales. This is common in people who have an oily skin and scalp and it varies according to seasons.

>

4) Exfoliative dermatitis:
A great amount of scaling and flaking is typically seen in this type of eczema. This is very disturbing and may cause bleeding.

5) Stasis dermatitis:
This type of eczema occurs in the portions of the body where the blood circulation is poor (like the area around the ankles) and it has a tendency to form ulcers. It is often associated with some circulatory disorder like varicose veins, etc.

6) Neuro-dermatitis:
This is characterized by eruptions which show close relation to psycho-somatic stress. It usually develops at the nerve endings. The patient usually develops an intensively itchy skin especially when the person is resting or relaxed.

7) Dyshidrotic dermatitis or vesicular dermatitis:
Affects the palms, sides of the fingers, and soles of the feet. Burning, itching and a blistering rash appear.

Eruptions appear as deep blisters with intense itching and burning. The skin may peel and crack. Secondary infection may cause the blisters to ooze and form crusts. The skin may completely clear with the immediate reappearance of new blisters.

8.) Nummular Dermatitis:
This form of eczema has a unique, coin shaped appearance, and often results after some form of skin injury (burns, insect bites etc).

The patches may begin as group of tiny reddish spots which enlarge over time and form coin shaped patches. Initially the patches may ooze and over time become red-brownish, well defines patches which as clear in the centre. They may closely resemble ringworm infection due to their oval nature.

Symptoms & Causes

Symptoms of Eczema:

  • Dry itchy patches on the skin
  • Redness heat swelling
  • sometimes there may be oozing of thin watery fluid from the eruptions
  • Chronic scratching may lead to thickening and blackening of the skin
  • Darkening of the skin in long standing cases
  • Crust formation may be seen
  • Scaling

Causes :

There are many factors that have been suggested as a cause for eczema (dermatitis/ skin allergy) but no exact origin and mechanism has been known. Studies suggest the factors that can trigger this condition and a combination of genetic as well as environmental factors.

Genetic factor: This has been strongly implicated as a cause for developing eczema. Often, patients with eczema are seen to be having some form of family history of allergies, asthma, hay fever or other forms of allergic diseases.

An abnormal function of the immune system or allergic response is seen in most cases.

Some triggers for eczema:

  • Environmental allergens: House dust, sand, smoke, animal dander, pollen, etc.
  • Food: Dairy products, eggs, nuts, citrus food, seafood, milk, food colors & preservatives.
  • Emotional Stress may aggravate or even initiate eczema
  • Contact dermatitis caused by irritant substances such as soaps, detergents, cleaning products, cosmetics, perfumes, & others.
  • Contact with certain clothing, rubber, watches, jewellery, some metals such as nickel, etc..
  • Changes in temperature humidity & climate
  • Impaired blood circulation especially in the legs - leads to stasis dermatitis
  • Unknown factors trigger certain forms of dermatitis such as seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, etc.

Treatment

Conventional Treatment Why Homeopathy

The most common forms of treatment (other than Homeopathy) which suppress the condition without any long-term advantages are:

Topical Corticosteroid: Reduce inflammation and itch.

Antihistamines: Reduce itch, induce sleepiness

Antibiotics: For secondary infections

Wet bandaging: Temporarily soothes itchiness

Oral Corticosteroids: For sever, wide spread rashes


Most individuals have a brighter long-term prognosis with Homeopathy as compared to conventional treatments.

Eczema appears due to an improper immune reaction in which the body fails to respond appropriately to stimuli. You cannot treat this condition by simply applying lotions and creams, externally. Exposure to a stimulus will naturally trigger this condition.


At PHC we have the experience of treating eczema (dermatitis / skin allergy) and our expertise has helped thousands of patients to get lasting relief from this annoying condition. Even research has clearly demonstrated that Homeopathy provides equivalent as well as better relief in eczema cases and that too without any side-effects that conventional methods carry.

Recommended Treatment Period

Normally recommended treatment at Preet Homeopathy is 3 months to 6 months or more in some cases.

Usually to begin the treatment we provide medicines for 3 months and further course is decided after the completion of 1st course.

Homeopathic treatment at Preet Homeopathy:-
Increasing your chances of an eczema-free life

Putting an end to recurrent relapses

Relieving symptoms such as itching and oozing

Correcting or improving your immune response

Improved tolerance to specific irritants and allergens

Homeopathy considers the overall susceptibility of the individual & factors such as family history (genetic predisposition), past history, sensitivity to certain food, allergens, metals and chemicals and prescribes internal remedies capable of correcting those factors.

The treatment works towards correcting the immune response and not suppressing it

Only medicines prescribed are internal homeopathic medicines

No Steroids or External Medicated Lotions used as they suppress the condition (sometimes same internal medicine is used externally)

Safe for All Age Groups and has No Side effects or Contraindications

Note:
Extent and nature of benefits of treatment varies among individuals and has been gathered from patients themselves & past clinical records. Though our results aren’t 100%, more than 85% patients treated at the centres have experienced full recovery; many have feel reduction in the complaints and decrease in the intensity and relapses. Children have better prognosis as medicines have no side effects