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Skin Disorders
Eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, etc.

Profiles and symptoms
Skin conditions are unsightly, uncomfortable and downright embarrassing. Once again, a skin condition tells us the immune system is reacting to an assault and attempting to repel it.

Eczema: Dry, itchy skin, blisters forming with clear fluid in them (serum), a reddening around the affected area. Eczema is characterised by internal causations, i.e. external toxins and agents do not play a primary role (compare with dermatitis). Traditional treatments usually involve systemic or topical corticosteroids and cyclosporin A.

Tinea (pityriasis) versicolor: Oval or irregularly shaped spots or lesions that often join to form larger areas. Clearly defined curling border with red, dark tan or pink interior. Area itches, especially when in a warm, moist environment. Sweating often stops the itching since salt kills the yeast/fungus responsible.

Atopic eczema: Skin rashes associated with asthma and hay fever. Patients (up to 20% of the population!) have a history of allergy or will go on to develop asthma or hay fever.

Seborrhoeic eczema: Caused by Pityrosporum yeasts. Affected areas are usually the scalp, nose, eyelids and lips. Mostly associated with those with severe immune deficiencies, such as AIDS.

Dermatitis: Itchy skin, rashes, and blisters caused by external agents, chemicals, detergents, irritants, metals, etc. The primary goal here is to remove the irritant from the patient’s environment. This condition is common with nurses, cooks, metal workers, hairdressers, etc. Nickel dermatitis has been found in the European population handling the new nickel euro coins (yet another reason not to join the euro).

Psoriasis: An autoimmune, chronic skin condition manifesting itself as pink scaly skin most commonly affecting the scalp, knees, elbows, buttocks, etc. Skin cells replicate too rapidly, accumulating to form a silvery scale most commonly associated with the condition. Affects approximately 2% of the population and is often associated with bacterial streptococcal infection and also linked with arthritis. Traditional treatments will include steroidal drugs, tar and dithranol. Methotrexate or cyclosporine are sometimes used for the worst cases.

Commentary
I have grouped these skin conditions together as the remedial actions are very similar. The causations are either internal (eczema and psoriasis) or external (dermatitis). Internal causations for eczema and psoriasis will usually involve a classic western profile of stress, poor immunity, lack of vitamin D, fungal/yeast and bacterial problems caused by their ejected toxins, bowel toxaemia, incomplete protein digestion, alcohol consumption, and poor liver function. These internal causations may often result in allergic reactions, e.g. food sensitivities, hay fever, asthma, etc. External causations will usually involve constant exposure to chemical or metallic toxins either in the home or at work, and will also include a chronic vitamin D deficiency:

VITAMIN D PREVENTS SKIN INFECTIONS

A study suggests that vitamin D bolsters the production of a protective chemical normally found in the skin. This could help prevent skin infections that are a common result of atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema. Atopic dermatitis is characterized by areas of severe itching, redness and scaling.

The study found that supplemental vitamin D appeared to correct a defect in the immune systems in patients with this skin disease. The researchers studied a small number of patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

It has previously been shown that defects in the immune system interfere with the skin's ability to produce a peptide called cathelicidin, which is protective against microbial invasion. Study participants were all given 4000 IUs of oral Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) per day for 21 days. The researchers found that oral vitamin D use by the patients appeared to correct the skin's defect in cathelicidin.1

The toxins picture
Obviously chemicals play their part in a variety of skin complaints. The Toxic Substances Control Act was passed by the US Congress in 1976. The aim of this law was to decide which of the 70,000-plus substances in public use should be tested for toxicity. However even the United States federal government, with its limited funding in this area, has scant resources to conduct a large number of its own safety tests. Nevertheless, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) was set up, involving eight federal agencies, specifically to test for carcinogenic properties of selected substances. The reality of the NTP is that only a few dozen target chemicals are tested each year in any detail. Researcher Peter Montague argues that even these tests are useless, since they do not examine the effects of these substances on the nervous system, the endocrine system, the immune system and on major organs, such as the heart, liver, lungs, kidney and brain. He writes:

“During a typical year, while the National Toxicology Program is studying the cancer effects of one or two dozen chemicals, about 1,000 new chemicals enter commercial markets. Our federal government is simply swamped by new chemicals and cannot keep up. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that this situation will change. No one believes that our government – or anyone else – will ever have the capacity to evaluate fully the dangers of 1,000 new chemicals each year, especially not in combination with the 70,000 chemicals already in circulation.” 2

Translated? You’re on your own when it comes to watching out for your health in regard to what products you slap on your skin. In fact, a complete 40,000-mile service is in order for the skin-rash sufferer. Those suffering from dermatitis need to review carefully the chemicals in their environment with which they come into contact on a regular basis. These include common household products such as shampoos, toothpastes, skin creams, make-up, perfumes, bath cleaners, washing-up liquid, soap powders, as well as the nightmares you may be using at work… you get the picture.

See Moles, warts and skin tags for specific treatments for these. For everyone else, switch to a diet comprising 80% plant-based organic foods, 70% eaten raw (see DVD Food Matters), detoxification, replenishment of nutrients, a bowel cleanse, an anti-fungal program, skin (topical) applications where necessary and… a sunny holiday!

  • Take action?
    DIET: COMMENCE THE FOOD FOR THOUGHT LIFESTYLE REGIMEN
  • VITAL: Increase water intake to A MINIMUM OF four pints (2 litres) per day
  • VITAL: Half a teaspoon (tsp) of unrefined sea salt or, best, Himalayan salt for every ten glasses of water, taken straight into the mouth in the morning (NOT sodium chloride, an industrial poison). Sprinkle a few flakes on your tongue and allow to melt upon retiring
  • RESTORE NUTRIENT BALANCE: COMMENCE THE BASIC SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM, ensuring:
  • ANTI-CANDIDA/FUNGAL SUPPLEMENTATION
  • Optimise vitamin D3 serum levels to 80 ng/ml during treatment and then reduce to 60 ng/ml
  • Vitamin C complex (ascorbates plus bioflavonoids), 30-40 g/day
  • Zinc, 30 mg, twice per day
  • Vitamin E (natural tocopherols), 800-1,000 IU
  • Vitamin A emulsion (safe form of A), 50,000 IU per day (do not use if pregnant)
  • Selenium, 200 mcg per day
  • Silymarin, 70-200 mg, three times per day
  • DETOXIFICATION: A week’s fasting, except for blended vegetable juices taken throughout the day (avoid fruit juices) and plenty of fresh, clean water
  • DETOXIFICATION: At the same time, commence a two-week magnesium oxide bowel cleanse. Then, after one week….
  • TOPICAL TREATMENTS: Applied two to three times a day over the infected area can include allicin cream and spray, as well as preparations containing glycyrrhetinic acid, chamomile or witch hazel. Drs. Murray and Pizzorno recommend preparations of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Arctium lappa or Taraxacum officinale in either their dried/powdered root form or in fluid/tincture extract. An herbalist or naturopathic doctor should be able to help. Avoid steroidals where possible
  • Exercise regularly. Peak performance training is most effective for boosting immunity and improving oxygenation if you have time constraints or just don’t like exercising
  • Avoid stress and get plenty of rest. In fact….
  • Go on holiday, especially the wandering-through-the bazaar, sleeping-until-noon-and-lazy-days-in-the-surf type. Moderate but consistent sun exposure is OK. (If you are fair-skinned, tan for 20 minutes until pink, then that’s it for you for the day)

1.Eurekalert, 6th October 2008, www.eurekalert.org

2.Montague, Peter edits the Environmental Research Foundation’s weekly publication, Rachel’s Environment and Health Weekly, PO Box 5036, Annapolis, MD 21403-70336 USA