Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Overview

By Heather Brannon, MD, About.com
We are learning more and more about the best ways to treat atopic dermatitis - the most common form of eczema. Atopic dermatitis is never cured, but it can be managed. Taking care of your atopic dermatitis means learning about condition, practicing good skin care, and having appropriate medicine for flare-ups.
While a visit to the dermatology is often needed, after that, atopic dermatitis is one of those diseases that requires people to manage their (or their child's) condition on their own -- because changes can occur from day to day. Someone who knows how to manage their atopic dermatitis can do a lot to keep it under control.
Skin Care
More Important Than You ThinkThere is an astounding amount of research under way to help doctors understand the stratum corneum, the top layer of skin. Even more astounding is how complex this tiny layer -- about 10 cells thick -- is. Recent research has shown that using the right liquid cleansers and moisturizers in a consistent skin care routine can not only keep the skin from drying out as much, but also replace the skin's natural oils that are low in atopic dermatitis.

Things You Can Do at Home
Atopic dermatitis is known as "the itch that rashes." Managing itching is an important part of managing atopic dermatitis.

Medications for Atopic Dermatitis
Most people need medications at some point to manage their atopic dermatitis. Some people have to use medication every day because their atopic dermatitis is severe, while others only have to use medication for flare-ups. Often people have a range of medication they can use stronger ones for severe symptoms and milder ones for milder symptoms. It is important to know how and when to use the medications you are prescribed. If you ever have any question about your medication, you should always ask your doctor.

Aromatherapy For The Respiratory System

By Kathi Keville, Mindy Green
Afflictions of the respiratory system include irritation and infection of the ears, nose and throat. Respiratory problems also may involve congestion, which can be decreased by inhaling rosemary (especially the verbenone type), hyssop (use var. decumbens only), tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender or peppermint. Cypress helps dry up a persistent runny nose, and peppermint, tea tree and eucalyptus reduce sinus infection. Anise and cypress help reduce coughing.
Many asthma sufferers wage a constant battle with low-level congestion. Don't use essential oils during an asthma attack, but between attacks try a chest rub of German chamomile, frankincense or lavender. The chamazulene in chamomile releases cortisone from the adrenals. During an asthma attack, give a bath or treat the feet with these oils. (Hyssop can also be used, but be careful to only use var. decumbens.)Ninety percent of respiratory ailments are caused by viruses. Oils of thyme, rosemary, peppermint, ravensare, tea tree, eucalyptus, bergamot, black pepper, melissa and hyssop inhibit most flu viruses. Lemon and eucalyptus oils are effective against bacteria that cause staph, strep and pneumonia infections. A 2-percent dilution makes an effective antiseptic gargle or vapor steam.
Steam treatment carries essential oils directly to sinuses and lungs, and provides warm, moist air to help open nasal and bronchial passages. To do a steam, boil a pan of water, turn off the heat, cool 1 minute, add 3-6 drops of essential oils to the water, and use a towel to corral the steam around your head as you breathe deeply. Essential oils can also be used in many humidifiers, or as an ingredient in steamy hot bath water.If steaming is impractical-at the office, say, or while traveling-inhale a tissue scented with the oils, or use a natural-products nasal inhaler. These are sold in natural food stores, or you can make your own:

Homemade Nasal Inhaler
- 2 drops eucalyptus
- 2 drops rosemary
- 1 drop peppermint
- 1 tablespoon rock salt
Place a few pieces of rock salt in a vial and add the oils. The salt will quickly absorb the oil. Inhale.
An aromatic diffuser-a glass piece (often hand-blown) connected to a small electrical compressor- disinfects the atmosphere by releasing droplets of essential oil as a cool, fine mist. One advantage to using a diffuser is that the essential oil vapor can be directed into the nose, throat or even ear passages. It can be turned on in a sickroom for 10 to 15 minutes every hour to clear airborne bacteria.
Do not use thick oils such as vetiver, sandalwood, vanilla, myrrh and benzoin in a diffuser unless they are diluted with a thin oil-such as the citruses, eucalyptus or rosemary-or mixed with alcohol. If oils sit too long in a diffuser, they oxidize and thicken. Also, expressed citrus oils often contain sediment that may clog a diffuser.
To clean or unclog it, soak the glass unit in alcohol and unplug the opening with a pin or toothpick. Rinse and air dry.Diluted essential oils can also be used as a throat spray through "nebulization." A nebulizer sprayer, with its long spout that reaches to the back of the throat, used to be a standard item in the home medicine cabinet. A perfume atomizer or spray bottle will work just as well.If you don't have a diffuser, simply combine water and essential oils in a spray bottle. Studies show that a two-percent dilution of eucalyptus oil kills 70 percent of airborne staph bacteria.

Disinfectant Room Spray
- 3 drops eucalyptus
- 1 drop peppermint
- 2 drops pine
- 1 drop tea tree
- 2 drops bergamot
- 1 ounce of waterCombine ingredients.
Shake well before using. The combination is also suitable as a chest rub. (Replace the water in this recipe with a carrier oil.)Generations of Europeans, especially singers, have gargled sage, thyme or marjoram tea sweetened with honey to relieve laryngitis and tonsillitis. A few drops of essential oils diluted in two ounces of water may also do the trick. In case of sore throat, gargle frequently, at least every half-hour.

Throat Spray/Gargle
- 1/2 cup thyme or sage herb tea
- 3 drops each cypress, lemon, tea treeShake well to disperse the oils before each use. For a gargle, half a teaspoon of salt may be dissolved into the solution.

For lung congestion a salve or a massage oil containing essential oils can be rubbed over the chest, back and throat. The oils will be absorbed through the skin and lungs as the vapor is inhaled. Place a flannel fabric on the chest after rubbing in the oil to increase warmth. Commercial "vapor balms" still use derivatives of essential oils (or their synthetic-oil counterparts), such as thymol from thyme and menthol from mint, in a petroleum ointment base. Natural alternatives are also sold in natural-food stores.

Vapor Balm
- 2 teaspoons peppermint oil
- 3 teaspoons eucalyptus oil1 teaspoon thyme oil (chemotype linalol is best)
- 1 cup olive oil
- 3/4 ounce beeswax

Melt beeswax into olive oil over very low heat. Cool a bit, add essential oils and stir. (Be sure to keep your face away from the oils as you stir them in.) Allow to harden. Store at room temperature.
Poultices are an age-old remedy for chest congestion. A ginger or onion compress on the chest breaks up lung congestion and makes breathing easier. Onions also help curb asthma and allergic reactions.

Poultice
- 1 onion, chopped and 1/4 cup ginger, gratedwater
Lightly cook together in a little water until soft. Cool slightly, mash and apply to the chest while still warm. Cover with a soft cloth.Herbal Adjuncts-Herbs that loosen mucus from the lungs include elecampane, horehound and mullein.

Respiratory relaxants, such as wild cherry bark and wild lettuce, are used in cases of extreme spasmodic coughing. Demulcent herbs, which soothe inflamed mucous membranes, include flaxseed, marshmallow root and licorice. Use these herbs in a tea, tincture, pills or syrup.

Allergies Are on the Increase

By Jane Thurnell
A third of the population believe that they suffer from allergies, and even though some of these people may be mistaken, everyone agrees that eczema, asthma, hay fever, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. are now more and more common. So, what has happened?It is often unclear why a person has a tendency to be allergic or intolerant to a range of substances. Medical practitioners talk about atopic individuals - atopic means out of place. To the unknowing this sounds like a medical diagnosis, but in fact all it means is: You have a tendency to have allergies; you may have several different symptoms caused by your allergic reactions; this often runs in families; we don't know why. Describing someone as an atopic individual is not saying anything the person does not already know about themself!
Genetic Predisposition
Allergy problems undoubtedly do run in families, so there may be a genetic component, although the exact mechanism is not clearly understood. Some small genetic mutation can cause the immune system to be triggered more easily, so that family members sharing this mutation will all have a tendency to allergic reactions, although not necessarily to the same substances, but this does not explain the rise in the incidence of allergies in recent years.
Severe Virus Infections
A severe virus infection can lead to damage to the immune system, so that the individual is more likely to develop allergies in the future. Again, although this may explain why someone has allergies, the incidence of virus infections is not on the increase.So we have to look elsewhere to explain the rise, and there are several completely different possibilities.
Parasites
One allergy theory now being proposed is that the lack of the proper enemies (liver fluke, tapeworms, etc.) has led to an idle immune system finding inappropriate work in allergic reactions. There are many antibodies produced in the body to protect it against invasion by harmful organisms. IgE antibodies deal effectively and quickly with the extreme danger of infection by large parasites, such as tapeworms. Parasites' effect on health can be devastating, so over the years individuals with efficient IgE mechanisms have lived to reproduce and pass on their genes at a greater rate than people with a less efficient IgE mechanism.The IgE antibodies are also involved in allergic and hypersensitivity reactions, so people with these inherited efficient IgE mechanisms are more likely to suffer allergy problems than people who have inherited a less efficient system. This super-charged immune system was a plus for an asthma sufferer's distant ancestors inhabiting a world with many life-threatening parasites, but now leads to a trigger-happy immune system firing off inappropriately.Other practitioners (notably Hulda Clark in Cure For All Diseases) take the opposite view, and see many allergy symptoms as being a reaction to an infestation of parasites.
Excessive Cleanliness
The obsession with the danger of 'germs' is thought to have led to an increase in allergies. Much of this obsession with cleanliness seems to be driven by the media and advertising. Headlines about 'killer bugs', and advertisements that claim a product kills even more germs have led many people to buy more and more products to wipe out these dangerous enemies.A view now gaining ground among many researchers and some doctors is that a certain level of dirt is good for us, particularly during infancy and early childhood when the immune system is maturing.T-helper cells in the immune system recognize foreign antigens and then secrete substances to activate other cells to fight the invader. In pregnancy the T-helper cells that attack invaders directly without producing antibodies (Th1 cells) are less active, as these could lead the mother's system to reject the fetus.This means that the T-helper cells that are responsible for antibody reactions (Th2 cells) are more prominent. These are the ones that are involved in allergic reactions. The new baby's immune system has the same emphasis as the mother's had during pregnancy. It is believed that the exposure of the very young to some level of dirt is beneficial in that it helps to rebalance the immune system to emphasize the T-helper cells that are not involved in the allergy process.In an excellent article ('New Scientist' July 18th 1998) Garry Hamilton talks about 'the gentler side of germs'. If the young are not exposed to 'dirt', the immune system does not go through this rebalancing process, and a tendency to allergy can result. Linda Gamblin in 'The Allergy Bible' cites several medical research projects, which support the idea of allowing children to be exposed to dirt and minor infections to help protect against allergies.
Vaccination
Our children are now being vaccinated against a bigger and bigger range of diseases. While some of these are serious, many are mild illnesses that were once considered part of a normal childhood. Many alternative practitioners consider that these childhood illnesses help to prime the immune system so that it is better able to cope with a whole range of illnesses later in life.This view is not accepted by most of the medical profession, and indeed it would be difficult to prove. However, there is some evidence that vaccination alters the ratio of T-helper cells and T-suppresser cells. This would be likely to have an effect on the vaccinated child's susceptibility to allergy reactions. It is also known that most vaccines stimulate the branch of the immune system that is concerned with the more extreme immune reactions to invaders such as parasites (New Scientist July 18th 1998).
Ubiquitous Presence Of Some Foods
Before the advent of freezers and airfreight most people ate local foods in season. Now most fruit and vegetables are available all year round, so that our systems are exposed to the same foods continually without respite.There has been a dramatic increase in people experiencing soya allergy, since soya has become a common ingredient in many processed foods. In Europe and North America rice allergy is relatively uncommon, whereas in Asia where it is consumed more frequently it is much more common.
Technological Developments
Developments that make modern life more comfortable have also led to an increase in allergies. With the advent of air conditioning, central heating and wall-to-wall carpeting, house dust mites and moulds such as alternaria have an ideal environment in which to thrive. Modern offices with sealed windows mean that everyone is exposed to the perfumes worn by other people. The increasing use of plastics, formaldehyde, benzene etc. have led to all of us being exposed to an amazing variety of chemicals.
Contamination By Environmental Pollutants
The chemicals in diesel fumes are known to damage the outer membranes of pollens. This means that when the pollen is breathed in, the pollen proteins are immediately in much closer contact with the delicate membranes in the mouth, nose and lungs than they would be if the pollen had not been damaged in this way.It has now also been suggested that the immune system is reacting to some harmless substances because they have been contaminated by environmental pollution: the immune system does not recognize the food, for example, if it has molecules from tire rubber attached to it. These molecules sometimes appear similar to enzymes produced by parasites and so the immune system attacks the 'parasite'.Although more and more evidence is accumulating for a role for environmental pollutants, this does not explain why New Zealand, which is relatively unpolluted, has one of the highest incidences of asthma in the world.
Electro-Magnetic Pollution
An increase in electro-magnetic pollution has run parallel with the increase in allergies. The scientific jury is still out on the danger of mobile phones, power lines, etc., but many people are becoming more concerned about our constant exposure. People who are sensitive to computers, etc. often also show many symptoms typical of allergic individuals. In some cases correcting this sensitivity to electro-magnetic sources, results in all or most of the adverse reactions disappearing. (I recommend health kinesiology for this.)
Stress
The pace of life is quickening all the time: modern technology gives us more possibilities and many of us want to experience as many of these as we can. A survey found that half of the 950 young people in their 20's interviewed said that they would feel a failure if they did not own a home by 26, were not married by 27 and not both rich and parents by 29. Many of the interviewees said they were prepared to sacrifice a healthy diet and way of life to achieve this. These expectations and pressures are not conducive to long-term health and can also lead to stress and allergies. Pre-packaged, processed foods eaten in front of the television, too much alcohol, too little fresh air and exercise all take their toll.Sometimes particular traumatic events can explain a particular allergy. One of my clients was allergic to wool and tea. She told me that when she was a small child she had pulled a cup of hot tea on to herself. At the time she was wearing a wool sweater, and the tea soaked into the sweater and burnt her very badly.DietIt is now well known that bottle-fed babies are more likely to be prone to allergy problems than breast-fed ones. Sudden or early weaning can contribute to the problem too.Sadly the modern diet may be abundant in calories, but there is more and more evidence that it is low in some important nutrients. People are eating more pre-processed foods, which may be nutritionally compromised.Soil is becoming depleted of some minerals, because they have long been taken up by plants grown in the soil. If the mineral is not in the soil, it cannot be in the plant, and so it is not available in the foods we eat either.It is unlikely that there is one simple answer as to why people are allergic, intolerant or sensitive in general or to particular substances. Research is still being carried out in this fascinating area. Fortunately with the tools that are available it is not necessary to know why someone has allergy problems in order to be able to detect and correct them.
Jane Thurnell-Read is a writer and researcher on health, stress, alternative medicine, and happiness. Visit her web site http://www.healthandgoodness.com for tips and information on how to live a happier, healthier life no matter how busy you are.

Allergic Eczema - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Allergic eczema appears in individuals who have a family history of allergy. Besides eczema, they may be have other manifestations of allergies such as asthma or seasonal sneezing as well.SymptomsWith children, it begins in the first year of life. The skin on the cheeks, scalp and at the creases of the body is dry and cracked. Because of itching and irritation, it is red and sometimes oozing.Initial lesions consist of dryness and redness over the skin with uniform pinhead-size eruptions. There is an oozing of serum from these lesions.Crusts form oozing vesicles there and the whole area gets infected with bacteria, producing pus. At this stage, the child not only has irritation locally but may also have a general reaction in the body in the form of fever.If the eruptions become chronic are aggravated by continued rubbing and scratching, swelling and thickening of the skin may result. Chronic lesions darken the colour of the skin as well.
Causes
Causes of allergic eczema may be susceptibility to certain foods, pollens and dusts or to certain substances with which the skin comes in contact, and in latent allergens in adults. Wool and nylon clothes are also known to aggravate the lesions in some cases.Among factors which often have an unfavourable influence on the course of the disease are rapid changes in temperature, emotional tensions, dusty environments, alkaline cleansing agents, including common toilet, soaps, contact with greasy topical medicaments and infections like cold and sinusitis. Diseases associated with high fever, however, often exert a temporary beneficial action.Diagnosis Diagnosis of the attending allergies, in these cases is very important in order to cure the condition. This is done by means of clinical tests for avoidance and re-exposure to the suspected items.
Treatment
Keeping the skin moist through applications of creams, oils and ointments is helpful.Antihistaminic creams also reduce itching and in severe cases, application of ointments containing corticosteroids proves helpful. Some of the commonly used substances that cause this reactions and the site of reaction are as follows!Substance ---> SiteStocking, shoes, chappals, clothing ---> Feet legs + bodyPlants, vegetables detergents, kerosene oil ---> HandsDeodorant ---> ArmpitsNecklace ---> NeckLipstick ---> LipsNose Drops ---> Nose and area the noseSpectacles ---> Bridge of the noseEarrings ---> EarlobesEye cosmetics ---> Eyelids and area around the eyesHair Dyes ---> Forehead, behind the ears and back of the neck, scalp

Got Red Eyes ? Allergic Conjunctivitis Is Treatable

by: Brue Baker

Eye allergies affect millions of people every year. There are a few different eye allergies and allergic conjunctivitis is one of the most common. Although it does affect a lot of people allergic conjunctivitis happens to be one of the most treatable eye conditions, both in children and in adults. In order to treat conjunctivitis however, one must know the major causes. There are many different factors that can cause allergic conjunctivitis, including:* Viruses* Bacteria* Irritating substances* Sexually transmitted diseasesTreatment For Allergic ConjuctivitisThere are a few different treatment options when it comes to the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. One is topical decongestants, which are medicines that help to reduce redness in the eyes by constricting small blood vessels in the eye. As a result the eyes look less pink and are less irritated in general. However, these are not recommended for long term use and typically doctors will only suggest that the patient use them for a couple of weeks at the very most.
There are also many topical antihistamines that are available for treatment of allergic conjunctivitis which also help to reduce redness in the eyes but as well swelling and itching. There are topical steroids which are often recommended and which must be used with careful consideration because otherwise they can be potentially dangerous. The specific treatment plan for allergic conjunctivitis that is going to work best will have to be determined by a medical professional. Your doctor will take your personal characteristics into consideration as well as a number of other factors including how severe the condition is and how long you have been dealing with it for. All of these issues are going to play an important role not only in the matter of the doctor deciding on the appropriate treatment, but also on how you can prevent yourself from getting it again in the future.There are many other eye allergies that one can develop as well and of course prevention is always the best method. Some prevention methods include:* Washing your hands frequently (especially after meals and going to the bathroom)* Avoiding shaking hands as much as possible* Not using anyone else's cosmetics* Not using other people's personal items Just as one would to prevent a cold, it is important to stay guarded against bacteria and disease because this is how the conjunctivitis, allergic or not, begins. The best way to stay guarded is to amp up your immune system.
You can do this through exercise, following a healthy diet of organic fruits and vegetables as well as taking a natural immune booster such as Echinacea or Interferon. If you have already developed conjunctivitis make sure that you go see your doctor and follow any of their recommendations. Otherwise remember to follow the preventative measures listed above to keep you out of the doctor's office in the future. Good luck on you journey towards health and wellness!

10 Winter Skin Care Tips

" The weather outside may be unsightly, but your skin doesn't have to be. How to banish dry skin and give your winter skin care regimen a boost."

By Susan Davis WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

For many people, the cold clear days of winter bring more than just a rosy glow to the cheeks. They also bring uncomfortable dryness to the skin of the face, hands, and feet. For some people, the problem is worse than just a general tight, dry feeling: They get skin so dry it results in flaking, cracking, even eczema (in which the skin becomes inflamed).
"As soon as you turn the heat on indoors, the skin starts to dry out," Bonnie LaPlante, an esthetician with the Canyon Ranch resort in Lenox, Mass., tells WebMD. "It doesn't matter if you heat your home using oil, wood, or electricity. The skin gets dry."
Sound familiar? Read on to get WebMD's top 10 tips for boosting your winter skin care regimen, so that your skin stays moist and healthy through the winter months.
1. Seek a Specialist
If you go to your local drugstore, you'll be hard put to find a salesperson who can give you good advice. That's why going to an esthetician or dermatologist even once is a good investment. Such a specialist can analyze your skin type, troubleshoot your current skin care regimen, and give you advice on the skin care products you should be using.
But that doesn't mean you'll be stuck buying high-end products. "Inexpensive products work just as well as high-end ones," says David Voron, MD, a dermatologist in Arcadia, Calif. "In fact, the extra price you pay for the expensive stuff is often just for packaging and marketing. What's most important is how your skin responds to the product -- and how you like its feel, not how much money you paid for it."
2. Moisturize More
You may have found a moisturizer that works just fine in spring and summer. But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine. Find an "ointment" moisturizer that's oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. (Hint: Many lotions labeled as "night creams" are oil-based.)
But choose your oils with care because not all oils are appropriate for the face. Instead, look for "nonclogging" oils, like avocado oil, mineral oil, primrose oil, or almond oil. Shea oil -- or butter -- is controversial, because it can clog facial pores. And vegetable shortening, LaPlante says, is a really bad idea. "It would just sit on the skin," she says. "And it would be really greasy."
You can also look for lotions containing "humectants," a class of substances (including glycerine, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy acids) that attract moisture to your skin.
3. Slather on the Sunscreen
No, sunscreen isn't just for summertime. Winter sun -- combined with snow glare -- can still damage your skin. Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands (if they're exposed) about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently if you stay outside a long time.
4. Give Your Hands a Hand
The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means it's harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Wear gloves when you go outside; if you need to wear wool to keep your hands warm, slip on a thin cotton glove first, to avoid any irritation the wool might cause.
5. Avoid Wet Gloves and Socks
Wet socks and gloves can irritate your skin and cause itching, cracking, sores, or even a flare-up of eczema.
6. Hook Up the Humidifier
Central heating systems (as well as space heaters) blast hot dry air throughout our homes and offices. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. Place several small humidifiers throughout your home; they help disperse the moisture more evenly.
7. Hydrate for Your Health, Not for Your Skin
If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times: Drinking water helps your skin stay young looking. In fact, it's a myth. Water is good for your overall health and "the skin of someone who is severely dehydrated will benefit from fluids. But the average person's skin does not reflect the amount of water being drunk," Kenneth Bielinski, MD, a dermatologist in Oak Lawn, Ill., tells WebMD "It's a very common misconception."
LaPlante agrees. "I see clients at the spa who drink their 10 to 12 glasses of water a day and still have superdry skin. It just doesn't do that much."
8. Grease Up Your Feet
Yes, those minty foot lotions are lovely in the hot summer months, but during the winter, your feet need stronger stuff. Try finding lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerine instead. And use exfoliants to get the dead skin off periodically; that helps any moisturizers you use to sink in faster and deeper.
9. Pace the Peels
If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Instead, find a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, a toner with no alcohol, and masks that are "deeply hydrating," rather than clay-based, which tends to draw moisture out of the face. And use them a little less often.
10. Ban Superhot Baths
Sure, soaking in a burning-hot bath feels great after frolicking out in the cold. But the intense heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. "You're better off with just warm water," LaPlante advises, "and staying in the water a shorter amount of time."
A lukewarm bath with oatmeal or baking soda, can help relieve skin that is so dry it has become itchy, Bielinski notes. So, too, can periodically reapplying your moisturizer. If those techniques don't work, go see a dermatologist. "You may need a prescription lotion to combat the dry skin," Bielinski says. "Or you may have a condition that isn't simply dry skin and that requires different treatment."