Skin In Distress.

An overview on today’s methods to treat dermatitis and psoriasis 

A look at the health statistics[1] tell a sad yet true story: Skin disorders have reached epidemic proportions in Canada. Millions of Canadians seek help for sometimes chronic and often painful skin disorders such as dermatitis and psoriasis. Health Canada seems to allocate only limited resources for dermatological treatment as a look into the Canadian Business Directory shows: Only 0.2 % of all registered physicians are dermatologists.  

While those in the medical trade who earn their living with our vanity experience a boom as never seen before – the cosmetic surgeries trade is growing at double digit rates – the field of skin health seems to be left to overwhelmed GPs, alternative healers and self therapy.  

Countless self help groups dedicated to skin issues document the high level of interest in the subject among Canadians.  

Dermatitis  

Topic dermatitis, commonly referred to as eczema, is a chronic disorder categorized by scaly and itching rashes. Eczema is most common in infants less than 3 years old. In adults it is generally a chronic or reoccurring condition. Contact with irritants can worsen symptoms as can dryness, exposure to water and stress. Diagnosis is primarily based on the appearance of the skin and on personal and family history. Most cases of dermatitis are linked to digestive disorders, arthritis, stress and substance allergies or sensitivities.[2]  

 Prognosis

Eczema is a chronic condition but it may be controlled with treatment and avoidance of irritants. Complications can come in form of secondary bacterial infections of the skin and permanent scar formation. 

Treatment options 

GPs and even dermatologists usually prescribe corticosteroids, man-made forms of cortisol, a hormone made by the adrenal glands.  This group of anti-inflammatory drugs has shown some success but causes strong side effects including thinning of skin and immune-system malfunction. 

Naturopathic medicine usually focuses on reducing toxin levels in the patient’s system (liver cleanse) as well as systemic therapy. Usually, nutritional therapy includes plant sterols, mega b complex, vitamins A and E and minerals with inflammation-reducing effect. 

Homeopathy uses calendula, arnica, pulsatilla, net muir and thuja in a combination of topical and systemic remedies. 

According to senior dermatologist Dr. Mariella Fleischer from University Clinic Luebeck, Germany there is no simple and universal treatment plan available as every patient reacts differently to the various therapies available to modern dermatology: We use a combination of systemic and topical therapeutic options that have shown remarkable success, especially if the patient is willing to cooperate”. 

She concludes significant improvement can be achieved with a strict regiment involving dietary discipline, stress management and elimination of irritants such as wool, nickel, harsh alkaline soaps, alcohol and tobacco. Helpful cleansing and soothing agents - according to her - are calendula and soapwort. The group of B vitamins is also helpful to improve the skin condition of a majority of patients. Limiting contact to water has also helped her patients. [3] 

Psoriasis 

Like dermatitis, it is a chronic and often painful disorder. About 1 million Canadians suffer from it. Psoriasis is characterized by accelerated growth of the epidermis (scaling) and skin inflammation as immune cells are drawn into the dermis. The blood vessels expand due to enhanced nutrient demand of skin cells and lead to redness of psoriasis lesions. It usually is a progressive disorder and affects extremities first - especially joint areas. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis lesions are often occurring parallel in advanced stages.

Prognosis 

As the cause of the accelerated cell proliferation is still unknown, there is no reliable cure available. Like in dermatitis, the disorder can be managed. Frequency and intensity of outbreaks may be substantially reduced. 

Treatment options   

Allopathic therapy usually involves three basic categories of treatment: Narrowband UVB light therapy, application of topical agents and systemic medication. Topical medication containing steroids are most commonly prescribed for moderate psoriasis and are usually quite effective to clear it and provide relief. Overuse of cortisone can however result in severe side effects including stretch marks, easy bruising, thinning of the skin and organ malfunction. Other popular topical medications contain calcipotriene (vitamin D analogs) or retinoids.  Especially the vitamin D analogs are known to be fairly effective for clearing of mildly psoriatic skin. Retinoids might have mucocutaneous side effects and can also result in organ dysfunction.  

Systemic medications are biological immune modulators, cyclosporine or methotrexate.  Immune modulators might be toxic to blood cells and increase infection risk, cyclosporine increases skin cancer and lymphoma risk while methotrexate can cause liver damage, birth defects and might even bring about psychiatric changes. 

Naturopathic therapy uses a similar treatment strategy as with dermatitis and tries to promote detoxification programs and nutritional healing. Homeopathy is once again resorting to remedies which focus on anti-inflammatory champions’ arnica and calendula as well as net muir and colloidal silver.[4]    

Success rates of alternative treatments are low and are not documented in proper scientific fashion (empirical evidence is usually based on low case numbers).    

In view of such bad news I once again resort to European research in an attempt to find light at the end of this dark therapeutic tunnel. Leading dermatologist Dr. Fleischer points at the difficulties to elaborate a successful universal protocol as the cause(s) of this autoimmune disorder is still unknown. She recommends “moderate narrowband UVB light therapy in combination with radical changes in diet and skin care routine” as first choice of treatment. Especially reduction in yeast and alcohol consumption appears to be crucial. Also, she recommends discontinuing the use of alkaline or alcohol-based cleansers and minimal exposure of affected skin parts to water. A ‘clean-up’ operation and subsequent removal of toxic make-up and skin care products from the bathroom is also advisable in her opinion.[5] 

The use of corticosteroids should be limited to 3-4 times a year and not applied long term due to possible side effects. Any medication or nutrients like the group of B vitamins capable of curbing the stress-related release of histamine are also welcome in order to reduce the frequency of outbreaks. In extreme cases of psoriasis patients often suffer from other chronic disorders such as arthritis at the same time. Overmedication and interaction between different prescription drugs is known to worsen psoriasis over time. Dr. Fleischer concludes “there is a strong empirical link between skin health and digestive health. A well functioning digestive tract is a prerequisite to sustainable skin health”. If her findings are correct, it might be worthwhile adding some Kefir (probiotics), fermented lactic acid, neem and aloe vera gel to our diet as all these foods and plants have proven to be tremendously beneficial for our digestive tract. 

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Health in balance with nature