Dermatitis
Research
Alternative
& Complementary Therapies
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Hypnotherapy
& Psychotherapy & Dermatitis
All physical diseases including cancer, heart disease but particularly skin complaints
have been helped with Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. The power of suggestion and mental
imagery is a tool all too often overlooked but which can be of immense help to dermatitis
and eczema sufferers by not only alleviating irritation and controlling any pain, but also
in helping heal the condition.
Remember that both dermatitis and eczema are considered to
be stress-related diseases and stress may be an important factor. If you suspect this may
be the case, Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy are both excellent aids to help control
emotional stress. (2) There has been several studies reported in the medical journals all
confirming the benefits of hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and stress management (see yoga and
meditation).
Psychological tests have revealed that dermatitis sufferers
tend to be noticeably more anxious than non-sufferers and as levels of anxiety are reduced
the skin condition improves proportionately. For this reason, most clinicians and
researchers agree that stress affects the course of dermatitis and eczema, and reducing
stress levels has a positive effect on the course of the disease. Emotional factors have
been shown to have a strong correlation with onset of the disease and also with flare-ups.
Further more, several documented case studies have revealed that hypnosis can offer a
successful treatment for sufferers.(3)
(2) Psychological stress and psoriasis: experimental and
prospective correlational studies. Gaston L; Crombez JC; Lassonde M;
Bernier-Buzzanga J;
Hodgins S Psychiatry Department, McGill University, West Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Acta
Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh) (SWEDEN) 1991, 156 p37-43 Can psychotherapy help patients
with psoriasis? Price ML; Mottahedin I; Mayo PR Department of Dermatology, Brighton Health
Authority, Sussex, UK. Clin Exp Dermatol (ENGLAND) Mar 1991, 16 (2) p114-7
(3) Stress and psoriasis. Kantor SD Psoriasis Research
Institute, Palo Alto, California 94301. Cutis (UNITED STATES) Oct 1990, 46 (4) p321-2
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Acupuncture
& Dermatitis
Acupuncture has traditionally been successfully employed in China to treat most illnesses.
There is little doubt that acupuncture is an excellent therapy for people suffering with
this condition as it works through the nervous system and energy channels in the body.
Treatment has been shown to cause the brain to release endorphines and encephalins
(natural pain killers), boost the immune system and calm the nervous system.
There are several studies suggesting that acupuncture can
be very helpful in the treatment of dermatitis and eczema. One study in New York, USA
revealed that within an average of nine treatments, 50% of patients had complete or almost
complete clearance of skin lesions and a further 25% experienced two-thirds clearance of
skin lesions! (1).
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine which is practised by
many acupuncturists, has also been shown to help eczema. Research has shown that even
severe widespread atopic dermatitis responds well to chinese herbal treatment and produces
significant clinical improvement(2).
Traditional acupuncturists treat the whole person rather
than a disease and therefore attempt to get to the root cause of the problem rather than
treating the symptoms and, like other holistic practitioners, will consider all lifestyle
and environmental factors before commencing treatment.
(1) Acupuncture treatment for psoriasis: a retrospective
case report. Liao SJ; Liao TA New York University Dental College, New York. Acupunct
Electrother Res (ENGLAND) Jul-Sep 1992, 17 (3) p195-208
(2) A controlled trial of traditional Chinese medicinal
plants in widespread non-exudative atopic eczema. Sheehan MP; Atherton DJ Department of
Dermatology, Hospital for Sick Children, London, U.K. Br J Dermatol (ENGLAND) Feb 1992,
126 (2) p179-84
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Aromatherapy
& Dermatitis
What is Aromatherapy?: - Aromatherapy is an ancient treatment
in which oils extracted from aromatic plants are used to help the body overcome many
physical and mental disorders. Concentrated essences (known as 'essential oils') taken
from flowers, herbs, trees and plants, are used therapeutically to help heal a wide range
of health problems from skin complaints to insomnia and stress.
The term 'aromatherapy' originated from a French
chemist, Gattefosse, in the 1920's. Gattefosse discovered the therapeutic effect of
essential oils after badly burning his hand. Without thinking, he put his hand into the
nearest liquid which happened to be a bowl of lavender oil. To his amazement, the pain was
alleviated and the burn healed extremely quickly. His subsequent research showed that the
essential oils could actually penetrate the skin and enter the body's tissues influencing
the organs and tissues inside the body.
The theory of Aromatherapy: - Aromatic oils have
been used for literally thousands of years in healing; for instance, lavender oil was used
in ancient Egypt for healing skin complaints and Eucalyptus oil has been used for
centuries to help clear sinus congestion. However, recent research by Dr G Schwartz,
professor of Psychology and psychiatry at Yale University, revealed that certain aromas
can even lower blood pressure. Some oils have been shown in research to have analgaesic
(pain reducing) qualities whereas others have been shown to be antibacterial, antiseptic
and anti-inflammatory. Clinical trials have shown essential oils to be beneficial in
alleviating labour pains, reducing emotional stress, improving circulation, and even in
helping patients with mental disorders. (1)
The essential oils have a complex action on the body which
is still not fully understood. This may be due to the fact that one oil can have hundreds
of different compounds. Interestingly, your sense of smell is over 10,000 more
sensitive than your sense of taste and researchers have shown how aromas cause a brain reaction,
activating the hypothalamus gland, the pituitary gland and the body's hormones as well as
stimulating the limbic system (centre for emotion and memory) in the brain.
What is involved in a treatment?: - An aromatherapy
treatment involves therapeutic body massage with appropriate essential oils selected for
your condition by the aromatherapist. It is a very relaxing and enjoyable experience and
can last as long as 1 1/2 hours. However aromatherapy does not stop there; the
aromatherapist may also suggest that you use specific essential oils at home by putting
them in your bath or shower, inhaled with steam, or added to a dehumidifier.
Can Aromatherapy help dermatitis?: - There is
substantial evidence to suggest that aromatherapy can directly help skin disorders as many
essential oils have antiseptic and astringent qualities.
Massage has the added benefit of relaxing tense muscles and
tight connective tissues which may have been constricting blood vessels, thus enabling
blood to flow more freely. It is for this reason that soothing massage helps reduce
emotional tension, it induces relaxation and calms stress-related conditions. It will
therefore help improve your general health and well-being.
Research in Australia has shown that tea tree oil and oil
of lavender are both helpful in treating eczema. These oils should be added to a good
carrier oil such as vitamin E oil or almond oil before being applied to the affected
areas. Vitamin E, as mentioned above, is an excellent antioxidant and therefore helps
strengthen and nourish the blood vessels.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not take any oils internally or use on
babies under 18 months. Essential oils are very potent and it is therefore always
advisable to consult a qualified aromatherapist before using any essential oils, and
especially when pregnant or breastfeeding.
(1) Massage Therapy AJ Jackson (Optima)
Tea Tree oil: - Tea tree oil
(Melaleuca oil) is the essential oil distilled
from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel. It is popular and shown to be beneficial
in the treatment of various skin problems including onychomycosis (1),tinea pedis (2) and
acne (3). However, Hawaiian researchers have found that tea tree oil can cause allergic
contact eczema (4).
The researchers monitored 7 patients who were patch tested
with Finn Chambers to a 1% solution (vol/vol) of tea tree oil and 1% solutions
(vol/vol)
of 11 of its constituent compounds to try and establish which constituents of the tea tree
oil were responsible for the contact eczema. The results revealed that of the seven
patients reactive to the 1% melaleuca oil solution, six patients also reacted to limonene,
five to alpha-terpinene and aromadendrene, 2 to terpinen-4-ol, and one each to p-cymene
and alpha-phellandrene. d-Carvone, an autooxidative derivative of limonene, caused no
reactions among the seven patients. The researchers concluded that d-Limonene was the most
common allergen causing allergic contact eczema in the patients.
A further report in the journal of Clinical and
Experimental Dermatology (United Kingdom) (5) also identified tea tree oil as a possible
cause of relapsing eczema in a 53 year old woman who had prolonged exposure to the oil.
The report also found the woman was also allergic to other essential oils including
lavender, jasmine, rosewood (which may have been due to prolonged exposure to the oils) as
well as laurel, eucalyptus and pomerance (to which the woman had not been previously
exposed). The report highlights the importance of treating essential oils with respect and
seeking professional advice when using the oils (especially if using them for prolonged
periods).
(1) Vol 1,Issue2, 7.
(2) Vol 1,Issue3, 9.
(3) Vol 1,Issue4, 9.
(4) Knight T.E.; Hausen B.M. Melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) dermatitis. J. AM. ACAD.
DERMATOL. (USA) , 1994, 30/3 (423-427)
(5) Schaller M.S.; Korting H.C. Allergic airborne contact dermatitis from essential oils
used in aromatherapy Dermatologische Klinik/Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat,
Frauenlobs trasse 9-11, D-80337 Munchen Germany. Clinical and
Experimental Dermatology (United Kingdom) , 1995, 20/2 (143-145)
return to top The Dead Sea
& Dermatitis
The Dead Sea in Israel offers very effective
treatment for eczema patients. They given
similar routines as those that are used for psoriasis, although with some important
modifications. Local topical applications consisting of simple emollients (Vaseline) oils
and moisturisers, although mild tar preparations are sometimes used, and oils and
emulsions may be added to bath water. Like psoriasis patients, corticosteroid preparations
are not prescribed and if they are being used by the patient prior to arrival, their
application is usually stopped. Occasionally antihistamines are prescribed to help relieve
itching.
After the first week of gradual acclimatisation to the
local conditions, patients can expose themselves more freely to the sun, avoiding only the
midday periods and heat stress.
Results of treatment: - Clearing eczema is usually good to
excellent, and more many sufferers exceeds the results achieved by conventional therapies.
However, the healing process is usually slower and less dramatic than with psoriasis
patients, and for many patients a stay of 6 rather than 4 weeks tends to be more
effective. However, a study conducted involving 535 atopic dermatitis patients who stayed
at the Dead sea for a period of 4-6 weeks revealed that symptoms cleared or definitely
improved in 72.7% of the patients, and a further 24.3% experienced some improvement, and
only 3% showed no improvement at all. However, of 177 patients who stayed for 1-4 weeks,
the results were not as good; only 50% of them were symptom-free or showed good
improvement.
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Massage
Therapy & Dermatitis
Young
children with atopic dermatitis were treated with standard topical care and
massaged by their parents for 20 minutes daily for a 1 month period. A control
group received standard topical care only. The children's affect and activity
level significantly improved, and their parent's anxiety decreased immediately
after the massage therapy sessions. Over the 1 month period, parents of
massaged children reported lower anxiety levels in their children, and the
children improved significantly on all clinical measures including redness,
scaling, lichenification, excoriation, and pruritus. The control group only
improved significantly on the scaling measure. These data suggest that massage
therapy may be a cost-effective adjunct treatment for atopic dermatitis, since
there is a one-time expense of $30 for the child to receive the massage and
the parent to learn the technique.
Pediatr Dermatol 1998
Sep-Oct;15(5):390-5 Schachner L, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Duarte AM,
Krasnegor J Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami School of Medicine,
Florida, USA.
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