General
When treating eczema with a homeopathic remedy, patients
should continue taking the remedy until they notice an improvement.
Once the skin begins to improve, stop taking the remedy.
If however, the skin worsens after taking the remedy, stop
using it and consult your practitioner. 
Treatment
The following is a list of suggested homeopathic treatments
for eczema. This is in no way exhaustive and patients
should always consult a practitioner as to the dose and
combination of the treatments.
Graphites:
used if patches of eczema are moist and oozing, with a
clear or slightly yellow discharge.
Mezereum:
to be used if eczema is infected and oozing and if it
is particularly bad on the scalp.
Psorinum:
is helpful if the eczema is worse on the legs.
Rhus
toxicodendron: This remedy is for the person who
feels better with warmth. It is good for the dry, itchy
areas in the folds of joints, which are usually accompanied
by small blisters on the skin.
Sulfur:
if
you feel better exposing your skin to the air, dislike
bathing, if you are sweaty and generally throw off the
covers, then this remedy is better suited to you. It is
for the patient who feels warm and has very, hot-looking
patches of skin.
Calendula:
used for wet and weeping eczema. Usually given in a homeopathic
cream and applied directly to the area.
Urtica
urens:
comes as an ointment or gel and is used for dry and scaly
eczema, to elevate the dryness.
Vinca
minor: helpful for skin that is red, sensitive,
sore and itching intensely.
Bach
Flower Remedies:
Rescue remedy is available in an ointment form that is
soothing and helpful for dry eczema.
General
Recommendations
·>Try
to reduce itching as much as possible and therefore reduce
scratching. When eczema is scratched it causes the skin
cells to reproduce rapidly thus leading to the eczema
patches spreading. This then makes the condition much
more difficult to control. A cool compress applied to
the affected area can decrease the itching quickly as
can an Oatmeal bath.
>Oatmeal
bath - Firstly, wrap a cup of oatmeal in a clean clothe
to form a bag. Put this bag under a running tap and swish
it through the bath water. Next, squeeze and rub the wet
bag over the skin. Oatmeal can be very soothing to dry
and inflamed skin.
·>Try
not to dry the skin out. Avoid long baths and showers
as they can easily remove vital, natural oils from your
skin. Moisture can be locked into the skin by applying
a non-allergenic cream or lotion after washing.
·>Try
to expose affected areas of skin to the air as much as
possible. Lengthy exposure to sunlight should be avoided
as this will have a detrimental affect on the eczema,
but 30 minutes in the sun can help to reduce inflammation.
>
Try to wear soft cotton clothing and try to make sure
that it is soap free. A second rinse of clothes, towels
and washcloths may be useful, as would a non-biological,
gentle detergent.
>
Try to consider possible food and environmental allergens.
·>Try
to reduce everyday stress and the stress of the condition
by relaxing and mediating when possible.
Collaboration - GP and Homoeopath
It is likely that any patients consulting a homoeopath
will already be in the care of their GP or dermatologist.
Wherever possible, it is most beneficial to the patient
to have communication between GP and homeopath. Firstly,
it is improper for a second party to interfere with the
treatment prescribed by the first party without their
prior knowledge. Secondly, successful homeopathic treatment
will almost certainly lead to the reduction or modification
of the original conventional medicine, and the original
prescribing doctor should be aware of this. However, while
I welcome cooperation with GPs, I will also respect patient's
wishes, should they not want contact to be made with the
GP .
Persevering with Homeopathy
The
biggest, single reason for the homeopathic treatment of
eczema failing is a patient giving up on the treatment
prematurely. Many patients are used to almost instant
relief from using conventional treatments such as hydrocortisone
cream. It is therefore critical, that all patients are
aware that homeopathic treatment is not going to be an
overnight process.
It
may take between one to two years to achieve a substantial
result for an adult with a chronic case of eczema. Infants
and children may need up to six months of treatment.
However,
it should be noted that it does not always require such
a long period to see improvements in the condition, but
to achieve a lasting cure does require time. Perseverance
does not always guarantee success, but it vital for achieving
significant improvement in a condition like eczema.
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