Eczema is a form of dermatitis or inflammation of the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). In England, an estimated 5,773,700 or about one in every nine people have been diagnosed with the disease by a clinician at some point in their lives.

 The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions. These include dryness and recurring skin rashes that are characterized by one or more of these symptom: redness, skin edema (swelling), itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration may appear and are sometimes due to healed injuries. Scratching open a healing lesion may result in scarring and may enlarge the rash.

In some languages, dermatitis and "eczema" are synonymous, while in other languages "dermatitis" implies an acute condition and "eczema" a chronic one. The two conditions are often classified together. 

Treatment

Dermatitis is often treated with corticosteroids. They do not cure eczema, but control or suppress symptoms in most cases

Side effects

Prolonged use of topical corticosteroids is thought to increase the risk of possible side effects, the most common of which is the skin becoming thin and fragile. They can also, cause endocrine disorders as they affect hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands suppression . A major part of the neuro-endocrine system that controls reactions to stress and regulates many body processes, including digestion, the immune system, mood and emotions, sexuality, and energy storage and expenditure. By their immunosuppressive action they can, lead to some fungal or bacterial skin infections. Care must be taken to avoid the eyes, as topical corticosteroids applied to the eye can cause glaucoma or cataracts.

Other treatment is usually some sort of topical cream

Diet & Natural therapies

One of the main dietary causes here is gluten and or a dairy intolerance. Removing gluten and or dairy (milk, cheese and yoghurt) will go a long way to correcting this condition, It is essential that essential fatty acids are included in your diet and this means including natural plant fats as suggested above and the inclusion of dark green leafy vegetables. I avoid gluten and dairy and include either Aim’s Aimega or The Natural way Omega blend and BarleyLife in my diet. As a child I suffered from white patches on my face (from dairy) and bumps of the back of my arms (from gluten). Both are a form of eczema and both cleared up when I removed these foods. Now as an adult my skin gets extremely dry from gluten. Sulphur dioxide the preservative also appears to cause eczema. It is found on many dried fruits, soft drinks and in meat.

 I have found that Aloe Vera Gel, also contributes to a healthy skins, as aloe is naturally anti-inflammatory, and benefits epithelial cells (speeds up healing and repair) and as a result the skin responds very positively. Aloe Gel also is very healing to the digestive tract and a healthy digestive tract always benefits the skin.

 Bee Propolis is also a huge help with any skin conditions in that it is a natural antibiotic, which kills bad bacteria and promotes good bacteria.

I recommend taking Forever Aloe Gel internally and applying Forever Bee Propolis cream to the skin for the most dramatic improvements..  days or even hours!

 On average there is a dramatic improvement within 2 days and completely clear skin within 2 weeks.

 Natural Sunlight is also known to improve almost any skin condition.

 These products are available from www.naturalway.co.za or contact mark@naturalway.co.za for details of where you can get them in your country

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. There are five types of psoriasis. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). Some patients, though, have no dermatological symptoms.

In plaque psoriasis, skin rapidly accumulates at these sites, which gives it a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area, including the scalp, palms of hands and soles of feet. In contrast to eczema, psoriasis is more likely to be found on the outer side of the joint.

The disorder is a chronic recurring condition that varies in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Ten to fifteen percent of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis

The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, there are many treatments available, but because of its chronic recurrent nature, psoriasis is a challenge to treat from a medical point.

Diet and Natural therapies

 Here again I would follow the basic Natural Way principles, including natural whole foods and a plant based diet. I would also exclude dairy and wheat, but also make a point of excluding refined and processed sugar and carbohydrates and not touch alcohol. Alcohol is also produced when food ferments so it is important to combine your food correctly so that this does not happen. See chapter 4 in Perfect Health the natural way.

 The same products that help eczema also result in dramatic improvements in psoriasis. I would recommend in the case of arthritis that the Forever Freedom aloe Gel is consumed as it is specifically for that type (inflammatory) of condition

 In fact any skin problem Improves dramatically using in particular the aloe and bee propolis products, including acne, leg ulcers, bed sores, insect bites etc.

 These products and books are available from www.naturalway.co.za and from many of our natural health consultants or contact Mark at mark@naturalway.co.za

In health

Mary-Ann