Eczema Sufferers Test Out Benefits Of Water Softeners

ScienceDaily (Nov. 30, 2007) — In the very first trial of its kind in the world over 300 families are being recruited to find out if water softeners can help in the treatment of childhood eczema.

The independent trial run by clinicians at The University of Nottingham has received funding of nearly £1million from the Department of Health's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme. The study will focus on hard water areas in Nottingham and Leicester, Cambridge, London and the Isle of Wight.

The aim of the Soft Water Eczema Trial (SWET) is to discover whether eczema can be improved by deliberately softening all water used in the home — except at one tap in the kitchen which will supply mains water for drinking.

Families of eczema sufferers and some doctors have said that living in a hard water area may make eczema worse.

Recently a team of researchers at The University of Nottingham found that eczema is more common in primary school children living in hard water areas in the UK compared with children living in soft water areas. No one really knows why, but it could be because hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, leading to increased use of soaps which can act as skin irritants.

Professor Hywel Williams and his research team at the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology are running the trial. Professor Williams said: “I have wanted to do this study for many years as patients keep telling me that water softeners help their skin, but other people aren't so sure. Carrying out a proper randomised controlled trial will help us find the answer. If ion-exchange water softeners are found to improve the symptoms of eczema, this will be an extremely important finding for both patients and doctors. Many patients worry about the possible side effects of the usual treatments for eczema, so this would be a welcome addition to their treatment options.”

The study is in the process of recruiting 310 children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years who have moderate to severe eczema.

Up to one fifth of all children of school age have eczema, along with about one in twelve of the adult population. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, red and itchy, whist in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding. Eczema is not contagious and with treatment the inflammation of eczema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care and protection against dryness.

The water softener industry (through their representative body, the UK Water Treatment Association) – is closely involved in the development of the trial and a generic water softener has been specially produced for the study. The industry is meeting the costs of producing and installing water softener units. The study findings will be quite independent from any industry influence.

The trial will run until the end of next year and the results won't be known until the end of 2009 when all the information has been analysed.

Reference: http://sciencedaily.com
Adapted from materials provided by University of Nottingham. University of Nottingham (2007, November 30). Eczema Sufferers Test Out Benefits Of Water Softeners.

Eczema Club note on hard water:

What is hard water?

Hard water is water containing a high level of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals. Hard water reduces the cleansing power of soap and produces scale in hot water lines and appliances. On contrary, water with a low mineral content is known as soft water.

Source: http://aquatechnologies.com, http://wikipedia.org

Eczema Treatment From the Inside Out With Wheatgrass

Just about every health food store displays trays of wheatgrass, one of the latest superfoods gaining in popularity. Rich in many vital nutrients, wheatgrass is purported to cure a number of conditions, including eczema. While you can’t apply it directly to the skin, a good shielding lotion is the best external eczema treatment, there is a good chance that eating wheatgrass or drinking the juice will reduce eczema flares. Here’s why.

Wheatgrass has an extremely high nutrient content. Similar in structure to hemoglobin, it is said to contain every vitamin and mineral needed by the human body. Researchers estimate one pound of wheatgrass to contain the nutrients available in 25 pounds of high quality vegetables. It is a complete food that can be eaten or taken in its liquid form, found on the shelves as liquid chlorophyll.

In addition to being promoted as effective eczema treatment, anecdotal evidence has found wheatgrass to benefit the digestive and cardiovascular systems, cleanse the liver and detoxify heavy metals, prevent hair loss, constipation and even cancer.

How do you take Wheatgrass? While chewing it is possible, the juice is far more convenient and palatable although it doesn’t taste great. Mixing with a little apple juice will help. If you’re liquefying it yourself, it’s best to use a manual press or very low revolution, and, therefore, low heat, food processor is best. A regular blender or juicer will destroy the nutrients. It can be quite a shock to the system at first, so start off slow - 1 ½ tablespoons on the first day, gradually working up to about a ½ pint. If you get diarrhea or stomach problems, stop taking it until the symptoms subside then start again with a lower dose.

When using wheatgrass as eczema treatment, you can expect to see results in about three weeks.

What wheatgrass will not solve is the problem of eczema caused by contact with harsh chemicals – which accounts for the vast majority of eczema cases. The best solution for that is a shielding lotion. Now recommended by thousands of doctors for eczema treatment, a good shielding lotion bonds with the outer layer of the skin to form a protective barrier that locks in moisture and keeps out harsh chemicals that damage the skin. Between the Wheatgrass and the shielding lotion, you should have your eczema licked in no time!

Reference: http://glovesinabottle.com

Eczema at Work

Working while living with eczema can be difficult, especially when the way you look affects your confidence and your physical discomfort makes even the smallest of tasks like typing or washing an ordeal. The following fact sheet highlights some of the issues surrounding eczema at work and offers guidelines towards making life more comfortable.

-- Contact dermatitis or eczema is the most common type of work related skin disease and affects 9% of people in the work place1

-- It can lead to extensive time off work and loss of earnings

-- Contact describes eczema that develops after direct contact with irritants or allergens in the environment

-- Irritant contact dermatitis usually develops after prolonged contact with substances that de-grease and irritate the skin i.e. detergents, engine oils, hair dyes and bleaches among many others

-- Allergic contact dermatitis results from a specific sensitivity or allergy to a material such as rubber or nickel

-- Patch tests are used to detect allergic contact dermatitis

-- A patch test involves having dilute forms of suspected allergens placed on the skin of the back. The patches are checked for a reaction at 48 and 96 hours. If a reaction has occurred the results are graded according to the severity of the reaction

-- Maintaining an everyday skincare routine at work is vital. This can involve regularly applying moisturisers (emollients), avoiding soap which can dry skin and contact with substances that can irritate the skin

-- In jobs where there is a lot of hand washing or contact with irritants, emollients should also be available to staff

-- Soap containing perfumes and colours can be drying and potentially irritating. A soap substitute or cleansing bar can be effective

-- Water on its own can also have a drying affect. Emollients may double as a soap substitute.

-- Paper towels can irritate the skin and hot air dryers may lead to excessive dryness

-- Eczema cases can be affected by extremes and changes in temperature. Avoidance of direct source of heat or a window (sunlight) is important

-- Air conditioning can dry the skin and become a source of irritation. Workplaces should be adequately ventilated to reduce further exposure to irritants and allergens

-- In industrial situations, the hands and forearms are most at risk. The use of proper gloves, coupled with a high standard of hygiene can minimise contact with substances

-- Regular washing and changing of gloves will help prevent and reduce contact with potential allergens or irritants

-- VDU screens may cause dust circulation and a dry atmosphere. A saucer of water on the desk can help reduce dryness

-- Paperwork should be filed as soon as possible and not allowed to sit and gather dust. If a task involves a lot of dust, wearing a pair of cotton gloves may help

-- Cigarette smoke can irritate some people's skin - a smokeless workplace is vital

-- The stress of starting a new job or other work-related pressures could cause eczema to flare up

-- For information relating to careers for people with eczema contact: Employment Medical Advisory Service (EMAS) of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which will be found under the HSE in the telephone directory

Career areas which could cause a flare up:

-Hairdressing: frequently putting hands in hot soapy water and handling hair colorants, bleaches, perm solutions etc

-Kitchen work: contact with juices of raw fruit and vegetables together with frequent hand washing and use of detergents

-Engineering or motor vehicle repair: contact with oils and coolants etc

-Patient care of any kind: frequent hand washing, complications of infections

-Animal handling: animal dander, hand washing

-Building work: contact with cement can cause irritation in some cases and allergy to chromate is common

-Work with adhesives containing cyanoacrylates and epoxy resins, both of which can cause allergic contact eczema

Reference: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

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Defective Skin Barrier - Key to Eczema

A defective skin barrier is the primary cause of eczema not environmental irritants, according to new research.

The research shows that instead of problems with allergies, tiny cracks in the skin barrier predispose some people to the atopic dermatitis.

Dr John Su from the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne says the findings will revolutionise scientists' understanding of the skin disease, previously thought to have been caused by an immune reaction to allergies.

“Until now, we believed most people with eczema were having an immune reaction to some external influence,” Dr Su said.

“However, this new report showed that up to 66 per cent of children with mild to moderate eczema did not actually have raised allergic antibodies.

“Rather, a key factor in developing eczema is the structure of the skin barrier and the integrity of the cells' lipids and binders.

“So we now believe that tiny cracks in the skin barrier predispose some people to eczema.”

The report, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, finds that defective genes can affect normal functions of the skin, such as the shedding of dead skin and new skin replacement.

People with those defective genes shed the skin cells much faster than they should resulting in thinner skin barriers.

“People prone to eczema have a much thinner skin barrier than people with normal skin and this can be seen under a microscope, even if they do not have obvious eczema lesions,” Dr Su said.

He said while thin skin barriers make people more susceptible to developing eczema, flares or lesions often first occur following the use of irritants such as soap.

The report found genetic predisposition to skin barrier breakdown combined with environmental irritants significantly increases the chance of eczema flares.

The new findings also confirm the importance of treating eczema much earlier in the cycle rather than waiting for a flare to occur, he said.

Reference: http://news.com.au

Natural Treatments for Eczema

What are some natural eczema treatments available to the modern day sufferer and how effective are they in soothing inflammations? Well, it has been proven that almost 80% of the patients having an Eczema condition are 'owners' of a hyperactive immunity control system. As we have already said it when talking about antihistamines, the immune system releases histamine as a reaction to offending factors.

Moreover, patients suffering from Eczema do not process appropriately essential fatty acids. This leads to a faulty control of fatty acids, a fact which triggers mild to severe skin inflammation.

Primrose oil is one of the natural solutions preferred by patients suffering from Eczema. 250-300 mg per day of this oil will re-establish control over fatty acids and diminish skin swelling.

Also, one useful and fairly cheap solution is fish oil. About 5-10 grams of fish oil will work miracles in the reduction of skin swelling symptoms.

Another natural treatment is grape seed extract (administered three times per day, about 50 mg). Grape seed extract works as an antihistamine and this is why it is preferred in treating mainly allergic contact dermatitis. However, it has its share of success in the treatment of atopic dermatitis as well.

Licorice root has high anti-inflammatory properties and it can be applied on the skin. It functions similarly to topical corticosteroids. This means that it diminishes swelling and itchy sensations. It is generally recommended in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Licorice root extract included in the composition of a moisturizer will give the best result in the amelioration of Eczema symptoms.

On the other hand, licorice can be also taken orally: you can make a solution out of one teaspoon of licorice root in 10 ounces of water (kept in there for 10-15 minutes). It can be administered three times per day. Pay attention: too high doses can lead to high blood pressure.

Burdock root extracts are successfully functional in skin healing. For adults, the dose can be administered two times per day, for one week. For children, burdock root tea or burdock root extract can be administered once (maximum twice) a day.

Balsam of Peru, an ingredient often used in fragrances and which could lead to Eczema aggravations, is nonetheless used in the treatment of such a condition as well. The herb has anti-inflammatory properties. If associated with ointments (whether they are moisturizing ointments or topical steroids), balsam of Peru leads to reduction of skin inflammations and of itchy sensations. Skin dryness can be managed by applications of calendula creams or ointments.

Source: articlesbase.com

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Pet Cat May Up Eczema Risk in Infants

Early Exposure to Cats May Affect Risk for Skin Condition

Newborns who share a home with a pet cat may be more likely to develop eczema as infants than other babies.

A new study shows babies exposed to cats shortly after birth had higher rates of the allergic skin condition at age 1 than babies who lived in homes without cats.

Although the results showed having two or more dogs at home was associated with slightly lower rates of eczema, this protective effect was not significant.

Researchers say the results contradict previous studies that have suggested having cats or dogs at home may protect against allergic diseases like eczema.

“The findings do seem to add more questions about pets and asthma and allergies,” says researcher Esmeralda Morales, MD, a pediatric pulmonary fellow at the University of Arizona, in a news release. “Since there are a lot of contradictory data out there already, clearly it’s a topic that needs further research.”

Eczema is a common skin condition that causes skin to become inflamed and itchy. Small blisters that ooze fluid and crust over can also occur.
Cats May Raise Eczema Risk

The study, presented this week at the American Thoracic Society’s International Conference in San Diego, involved 486 children who were followed since birth. Researchers asked the children’s parents how many cats and dogs they had in the house at the time the child was born and then followed up a year later to determine how many of the children had been diagnosed with eczema.

The study showed that of the 134 children who lived with cats, 28% had eczema by their first birthday compared with 18% of the 286 children without cats.

Researchers found the increased eczema risk associated with having a cat at home was especially pronounced among children whose mothers did not have asthma. Prior studies have shown that people with eczema are also more likely to have other allergic diseases like hay fever and asthma.

“Other studies have found that having cats or dogs at home seems to be protective against allergic diseases, so we expected to have similar findings,” says Morales. “Pets are a source of a compound called endotoxin, and if a child is exposed to endotoxin early in life, the immune system may be skewed away from developing an allergic profile.”

Researchers say that means that even though the children with cats in the study developed eczema at an early age, they may end up having a reduced risk of asthma or other allergic diseases later in life.

SOURCES: The American Thoracic Society’s 102nd International Conference, San Diego, May 19-24, 2006. News release, American Thoracic Society.

© 2006 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine for Eczema

Acupuncture, Herbs, and Dietary Changes Remove Toxic Heat and Soothe Inflammation

A dictionary might define the word eczema as derived from ancient Greek, meaning “to erupt” or “boil over,” but for anyone suffering from the condition the meaning is much more than that. Eczema is an ailment that can disrupt an entire lifestyle.

The condition, sometimes called dermatitis, is characterized by an inflammatory condition of the skin. This causes redness, itching and vesicular lesions that become scaly, crusted, or hardened. It isn’t pleasant to look at. Nor is it easy to live with.

The incidence of eczema has increased dramatically during recent decades, and current estimates are that eczema will affect 12-25% of children and 10-25% of adults worldwide.

Imagine what it would be like if the “seven-year itch” were more than a figure of speech; if you literally had to live with years of constant physical itching. That is what life was like for a teenage patient of mine. For years this young man had lived with his skin problem. Restless itching and lack of sleep had affected his self-esteem and schoolwork. He had gained weight, become depressed, and when he arrived at my clinic some six months ago he and his parents were in a state of desperation.

Eczema strikes patients of all ages and sexes. This young patient was typical of many I have seen over the years. He had consulted doctors and tried numerous prescription drugs and ointments, but his condition persisted. His skin was now hardened and discoloured and the natural inner balance of his body was obviously out of whack.

What is Eczema?

There are three basic types of eczema: Contact eczema – caused by an allergic reaction to external irritants. Atopic eczema – occurring primarily in patients with a family history of ailments such as asthma. And Generalized eczema – which is widespread over the skin. The young patient I refer to here suffered from atopic eczema, which is the most common type and often referred to as dermatitis or allergic eczema. Many patients who have this type may also suffer from asthma or hay fever, or they may have relatives who have these conditions.

I believe that the growing number of toxins in our environment contributes greatly to the growing epidemic of inflammatory skin conditions. When these toxins accumulate in the spleen they weaken the function of the immune system. The body then expels the toxins through the skin and the result is skin problems such as eczema.

Western Medicine Treatment of Eczema

Mainstream medicine generally depends on drugs for the treatment of eczema. While often effective, this approach only temporally alleviates the symptoms, and it ignores the underlying causes of the disease. In addition, the drugs often have negative side effects. The FDA recently warned about two popular eczema medications, pimecrolimus and tacrolimus (generally known as Elidel and Protopic respectively). Both drugs suppress the immune system and – although the jury is still out on this – they could contribute to cancer.

According to Chinese medical theory eczema is influenced by three essential factors: wind, heat and dampness. These influences may be external, as evidenced by the fact that many patients feel their condition worsens during damp weather. Or, the influence may be inside the body, emanating from the spleen, the stomach, or the lungs. This is why some patients also have digestive and/or breathing problems.

“We come into this world head first and go out feet first; in between, it is all a matter of balance.” – Paul Boese

TCM Treatment for Eczema

The underlying theory of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is that the body should be in a perfect state of physical and emotional balance to reach harmony with the outside world. When the balance is upset, disease results. In the case of my young eczema patient it was obvious after an examination of his pulse and the colour and texture of his tongue, that the cause of his problem was excessive dampness in his stomach causing indigestion. In addition, the drugs he had been taking to control his condition had, over time, contributed to the accumulation of excess of toxins in his body.

Following time-honoured TCM principles I use two key methods to restore balance: acupuncture and herbal therapy. Acupuncture involves the insertion of sterilized fine steel needles at specific points in the body in order to stimulate the function of internal organs.

Three body meridians are essential to the treatment of eczema – the lung, spleen and liver meridians. These three organs have direct influence on the skin. The choice of acupoints in the spleen meridian is of primary importance for eczema patients and it takes a qualified practitioner to identify them correctly. In the hands of an expert the procedure isn’t painful and most patients gain immediate relief from itching.

The TCM treatment of eczema aims for more than temporary relief. The ultimate goal is 100% cure.

In the Chinese medical system there are some 10,000 herbs that are used for medicinal purposes. About 1,000 of these are used in daily practice. The selection of herbs is highly sophisticated and it takes knowledge and experience to make the optimal choice for each particular patient. Rarely does one prescribe the same herbs for different patients. This is true even if patients suffer the same disease.

Blood plays a defensive role by delivering nutrients and removing metabolic wastes, toxins and pathogens from the body. In the case of chronic eczema, I have observed that the patient’s blood is deficient and the immune function is weak. This problem is not difficult to solve. Herbs with properties of cleansing and enriching are safe, effective and economical. They may taste bitter but when taken as prescribed they can be highly effective.

As well, patients should detoxify their system regularly with herbs that are readily available in supermarkets and herb stores, such as:

• Coix Seed – a grain with anti-bacterial, anti-cancer properties.

• Mung Bean – to help expel heavy metals and pesticides from the system. Boil until the beans split, and eat as a warm dish.

• Honeysuckle Flowers and Dandelion – helps remove toxins from the lung and stomach. (Cooked or raw.)

• Portulaca – helps cleanse the intestines

A healthy lifestyle is of utmost importance to prevent re-occurrence of eczema. Anything that aggravates the symptoms should be avoided. This includes food allergens; although food allergies are a very individual matter, common irritants may include wheat, corn, dairy, soy, peanuts, eggs, beef, and lamb. As well, patients should avoid skin irritants such as wool and lanolin. Exposure to environmental triggers can also worsen symptoms, as can exposure to water, changes in temperature, sweat and stress. Dry skin often makes the condition worse. When washing or bathing, patients should keep water contact as brief as possible and use a minimal amount of soap. After bathing it is important to apply a high quality lubricating cream to trap any moisture while the skin is still damp.

Other rules include:

• Do not smoke or drink alcohol, coffee or soft drinks.

• Limit your sugar intake and avoid junk food.

• Eat lots of fresh vegetables and whole foods.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Exercise daily and get outside for fresh air.

If patients take shared responsibility for their well-being, eczema can be cured. After six months of regular treatment my young male patient had finally returned to good health. He is an example of the hope that TCM offers for all sufferers of eczema. By following a well-designed program of treatment and adhering to dietary recommendations, patients can permanently live life without the constant itch.

Article source: http://vitalitymagazine.com

About the author:
Jian Ping (Jenny) Shi received her Doctorate in Acupuncture from the renowned Chinese Traditional Medical College in Hubei and a master of science (Pharmacology) degree from Tongji Medical University in China. She certified in pharmacology at the University of Illinois and has extensive teaching and research credits including projects sponsored by the U.N. World Health Organization. Dr. Shi has been in practice for more than twenty years and now runs her own clinic in Toronto. For an appointment please call (416) 707-7552.

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