Naturopath Perth: Homeopathy and Naturopathic Treatment of Eczema and Dermatitis

Eczema and dermatitis are commonly treated conditions at this Perth naturopathic clinic.  

Although it is sometimes confusing to patients, the words eczema and dermatitis are mostly interchangeable terms. Dermatitis itself simply means “inflammation of the skin”. Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis. The term “atopic” means that the disease has an inherited basis, and is related to other inherited allergy-based conditions such as asthma, hay fever and reactions to house dust, feathers and pet hair.

The affected person may have any or all of these atopic conditions in their lifetime. If the inherited weakness is there, it may surface in one form in one sibling or generation, and in quite another in the next. Those individuals who maintain perfect health, given the inherited tendency, may also be lucky enough to avoid the problem entirely.

The underlying weakness is the same in all, and our approach is to focus on that level in our treatment and avoid just treating symptoms. We believe we have the resources to work deeply on the problem in our patients.

The allergy connection is also a source of confusion. Patients understandably like simple solutions and answers. If my eczema is triggered by an allergy, if I avoid that food, product or environmental trigger, won’t that fix the problem? Isn’t that the cause? And isn’t identifying and avoiding the cause going to cure the problem?

It is not that simple; and in truth, that approach is symptomatic, not curative. The allergy is only ever a superficial trigger; it is not the cause. If avoided, the underlying weakness remains. In time, the patient is just as likely to become allergic or sensitive to something else. That is especially so in the case of food allergies. The allergy itself is only an aggravating factor on top of the underlying inherited flaw that results in many organ systems and metabolic functions in the body operating inefficiently.

At this clinic we may treat on the superficial level for symptomatic relief if we feel it is necessary, especially for things the patient can’t avoid. That may include homeopathic desensitising for house dust, pollens and pet hair. Mostly, that is quite successful and our experience shows it gets better results than orthodox allergy desensitising. But we will also treat the underlying problem individually with holistic naturopathic advice and homeopathic remedies.

Our approach is always to treat the patient as a whole. When applied in this way, homeopathic medicine reaches the inherited weakness, and we believe it can permanently alter the genetic expression for that individual. Certainly we see many patients whose eczema has been permanently improved and often eliminated for the long term. This is because the body has been enabled to heal itself.

Homeopathy and naturopathy view the person as a whole entity, and understand that everything in the body is connected through the intelligent “life force”. That is why we will never treat eczema or dermatitis by simply providing an external cream. In fact the skin is seen as the “safety valve” for the individual connectedness of the body, mind and emotions.

Because it is at the most external and superficial level of the organism, any disturbance or weakness at the inner level is thrown out first in symptoms on the skin. The most important level is the mind; and skin conditions like eczema commonly occur in individuals who are stressed or anxious.

For the practitioner, in treating the eczema it is most important to identify the mental disturbance. It is not that the anxiety alone will be treated, but that the practitioner must recognise the disturbance on all levels of body, mind and emotions, prioritise the symptoms and treat accordingly. In homeopathy, a medicine is then chosen that reflects that pattern of disturbance. That is known as the patient’s “constitutional remedy”.

Given the inherited weakness, other common areas of disturbance in the physical body that may lead to eczema may be best addressed by naturopathic diet and lifestyle advice. Individuals with a tendency to eczema, dermatitis and other atopic conditions are particularly sensitive to a poor diet and a range of nutritional deficiencies. In this clinic, we generally do not believe in supplementation: dietary change is always best.

In particular, healthy fats are important in the diet, together with avoidance of unhealthy “trans” fats. This ensures the integrity of the cell membrane and transport of nutrients and fluids into the cell. Plenty of fruits and vegetables alkalise the system, and are imperative in eczema, but we can advise you which are more significant and which to avoid.

As the most important mediator of immune function, digestive and intestinal health is essential; and as well as homeopathic remedies that have a direct action on digestive function, once again there are certain naturopathic principles to be borne in mind. Not least, the liver must not be overburdened for its role in detoxifying the system.

We realise that symptom relief is also important in the treatment of eczema and dermatitis. We have identified a range of natural creams that can give temporary relief of itching and dryness, and we can recommend individual formulations, depending on your case. But our success in these conditions depends on our long experience and our successful and complementary combination of naturopathic principles with traditional and modern homeopathic medicine. In this way, we aim to provide you with a long term solution, and our results speak for themselves. 

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michael@cottnat.com.au

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