Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition that's most commonly diagnosed in infancy and early childhood. It can present as a short-term, non-inflammatory skin condition of youth or can be chronic in length, flaring up intermittently into adulthood. Alternative medicine treatments may help identify and treat the underlying cause of the condition, as well as offer symptomatic relief to its sufferers. Discuss all alternative medical treatments for eczema with your doctor before use.
About
Eczema is a common skin condition affecting 10 percent to 20 percent of children and 1 percent to 3 percent of adults, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The "itch that rashes," as it's commonly called, forms dry, itchy and scaling patches. In infancy, these rashes appear most commonly on the face, scalp, forehead and cheeks, but as it progresses into childhood the appearance of the patches form in the underside of the elbows and behind the knees. If eczema doesn't go away on its own by the second year of life, most other people find that it becomes less severe with age. Although the sites listed are most common, eczema can appear on any place on the body.
Identifying Allergens
Allergies and atopic dermatitis, or eczema, can exist in the same person, according to an article in the journal Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The authors suggest that the most common food allergens in infant eczema sufferers include cow’s milk and hen’s eggs. In teens and adults with eczema, the common allergens appear to be from inhaled sources such as pollen. The role that allergens play in the development of eczema remains controversial but may be a viable option to pursue if dealing with eczema. Consult your doctor to determine whether allergens are contributing to your eczema.
Probiotics
When food allergy is at the root of eczema in infants and children, probiotics may help, according to research published in a 2004 issue of the journal Allergy. The probiotic Lactobacillus GG is used to influence the inflammation that may occur with the introduction of new antigens to the infant. The inflammation may result from the newness of the food and the inability for the infant’s gut-associated immune system to recognize it. The inflammation can extend beyond the intestine, mediating effects in the skin. Lactobacillus GG, a four-strain probiotic, was dosed over a period of four weeks and appeared to counteract the inflammatory response both in the intestines and beyond. Discuss dietary supplements such as probiotics with your doctor before use.
Vitamin B12 Cream
Topical creams are often a mainstay treatment of conventional medicine. The topical treatment of eczema often uses corticosteroids to provide anti-inflammatory and anti-itch relief to the scaly patches. The teaching clinic of Bastyr University highlighted a 2004 British Journal of Dermatology article that found that a 0.07 percent cyanocobalamin or vitamin-B12 cream significantly reduced the severity of eczema on one side of the body, as compared to a placebo. The cream was studied in older-age subjects versus many other alternative medicine therapies for eczema that are often studied in children. Discuss B12 cream with your doctor before use.
Essential Fatty Acids
There are other approaches to eczema that have anecdotal use by alternative medicine practitioners. Although research appears to be controversial, the use of essential fatty acids in the form of evening primrose in particular may help eczema sufferers of all ages. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that EPO can improve the itching, crusting, swelling and redness associated with inflammation of eczema. Discuss the use of essential fatty acids with your doctor before trying it.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology: “Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis”
- Current Opinions in Allergy and Clinical Immunology: “Role of Food Allergy in Atopic Dermatitis”
- Allergy: “Probiotics in the treatment of atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome in infants”
- Bastyr University Center for Natural Health: “Vitamin B12 – A New Treatment for Eczema”
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Evening Primrose Oil
