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The Excema Informational Site

Advice on Excema, because there are no Excema Cures, only Controls.

What is Excema?  |  Which type of Excema do I have?  |  Is there a Cure for Excema?  |  Managing Excema  
 Diet for Excema  |  What Causes Excema?  |  Types of Excema  |  Children with Excema  |  Treatments for Excema   

Treatments for Excema

Excema usually occurs for the first time in infants, with rashes typically occuring on the cheeks, elbows or knees. excema, although often less of a problem in adulthood, can persist, especially if a person is exposed to allergens or chemical irritants or is under stress. In adults, excema is commonly located on the inner elbow or behind the knee.
People with excema frequently have family members with asthma, hay fever, or excema.

 

Natural Remedies for excema

1) Probiotics

Probiotics, or "good" bacteria, are live microbial organisms naturally found in the digestive tract. They are thought to suppress the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, influence immune function, and strengthen the digestive tract's protective barrier.

Studies suggest that babies at high risk for allergic disorders such as excema have different types and numbers of bacteria in their digestive tracts than other babies, and that probiotic supplements taken by pregnant women and children may reduce the occurrence excema in children.

A large, long-term study examined whether the use of a probiotic supplement or a placebo could influence the incidence of excema in infants. Researchers randomized 1223 pregnant women carrying high-risk babies to use a probiotic supplement or a placebo for 2 to 4 weeks before deliver.

Starting from birth, infants received the same probiotics as their mothers had plus galacto-oligosaccharides (called a "prebiotic" because it has been shown to help multiple strains of beneficial bacteria flourish) for 6 months. After 2 years, the probiotics were significantly more effective than placebo at preventing excema.

In addition to the use of probiotics to prevent excema, probiotics have also been explored as a treatment for infants and children who already have excema. Some studies have found that probiotics alleviate symptoms of excema only in infants and children who are sensitized to food allergens.

Researchers are testing different strains of bacteria to see if one particular strain is more effective for excema. One of the most commonly used probiotic strains used in excema studies is Lactobacillus GG. Other strains used include Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-033 PCC, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Bifidobacteria lactis. The prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides has also been used.

Consult a qualified health professional before using probiotics. Children with immune deficiencies should not take probiotics unless under a practitioner's supervision. For more information about probiotics, read Acidophilus and Other Probiotics.

2) Topical Herbal Creams and Gels

Gels and creams made from herbal extracts of chamomile, licorice, and witch hazel have been explored to reduce symptoms of excema. The following are results of some of the preliminary studies.

A double-blind study compared a 1% and 2% licorice gel compared to a placebo gel for excema. After two weeks, both the 1% and 2% licorice gels were more effective than the placebo gel, and the 2% gel was more effective at reducing redness, swelling, and itching than the 1% gel.

A study compared chamomile cream to 0.5% hydrocortisone cream or placebo. After two weeks, the chamomile cream was more effective than the hydrocortisone cream, but was not significantly more effective than the placebo cream. This study was not double-blind, so it cannot be used as proof that chamomile cream is effective for excema.

In a German double-blind study, 72 people with moderately severe excema used either a placebo cream containing witch hazel extract, 0.5% hydrocortisone cream, or the cream alone for 14 days. The hydrocortisone was more effective than witch hazel. Witch hazel was not significantly more effective than the placebo cream.

Consult a qualified practitioner before using any topical herbal applications. Some herbs, such as chamomile, are known to cause allergic contact dermatitis.

3) Gamma-linolenic Acid

Gamma-linolenic acids (GLA), such as evening primrose oil and borage oil, are a type of essential fatty acid. GLA has been shown to correct deficiencies in skin lipids that can trigger inflammation, which is why it is thought to help with excema. However, recent, well-designed clinical studies with GLA have generally found that it does not help with excema.

For example, one double-blind study examined the use of borage oil (500 mg a day) or placebo in 160 adults with moderate excema. After 24 weeks, the overall effectiveness was not significantly better with borage oil compared with the placebo.



 

Excema Information:

There are many different forms of excema (also referred to as dermatitis). The skin is very dry and is caused by external or internal factors. The severity of the condition can range from a few dry, red, itchy patches to huge areas of the body which can be covered in sore, inflamed, weeping and bleeding skin which can invariably become infected.

Excema cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. It is especially distressing in children, but a large proportion do grow out of it.

It is advisable to visit your GP and/or dermatologist regularly for more detailed information.

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