Are Alternative Eczema Therapies An Alternative?
The use of alternative eczema therapies has become increasingly popular, particularly among people suffering with eczema who have not found relief using standard treatments. Studies looking at why more people turn to alternative therapies have found that the main reasons given are:
- Lack of effectiveness of conventional treatment
- Negative side effects from conventional treatment
- Poor communication and/or relationship between themselves and their doctor
Many so called alternative therapies claim that they can “cure” eczema, even though they have no scientific evidence to back them up. There are numerous anecdotal reports of various alternative treatments being successful with eczema. But there are few reliable studies to support the claims. Let’s look at some of these alternative treatments.
Chinese Herbs
Chinese herbs have long been used for treating chronic skin diseases. The use of Chinese herbs is part of an age old system that sees disease as an imbalance and disharmony in the body’s energy system. Chinese herbs aim to address the underlying disharmony by using a mixture of herbs which can be administered in tea, tablet or cream form.
Much research has looked at whether the use of Chinese herbs can actually help in the treatment of eczema. The general opinion is that Chinese herbs can reduce symptoms such as redness, inflammation of the skin, and itchiness, as well as improve the quality of sleep. In fact, Dr David Atherton, a dermatologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital in the United Kingdom, was amazed when some of his eczema patients, who had not responded to conventional treatment, improved dramatically after being treated with Chinese herbs.
Usually a practitioner will tailor the herbal prescription to the individual. No two patients are treated in exactly the same manner with exactly the same mixtures. This is why it is important to seek the help of a qualified practitioner. Chinese herbs are easy and safe to take. It is important however to note that there have been a few reports of people having an adverse reaction to the herbs. This is why you should always stop taking them and consult a medical professional if you start feeling unwell in any way.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on treating the individual with highly diluted substances that trigger the body’s natural healing system. The substances come from plants, minerals and animal sources and are generally prescribed in tablet, granule or powder form.
Homeopathy seems to be a very effective way to treat allergies and skin complaints. Recent research has shown that homeopathic treatment can reduce the symptoms of eczema as well as help the person on a psychological level. In fact, one particular study found that patients who had homeopathic treatment were likely to improve considerably and see the effects last for as long as eight years.
Since homeopathic medicines are given in a diluted form, they are completely safe and generally present no side effects. They are perfectly safe to give to babies and children. The art of homeopathic treatment is in identifying the precise remedy suitable for any particular individual. For this reason, it is important to consult a qualified homeopathic practitioner.
Hypnotherapy
The aim of hypnotherapy is to induce a state of complete calm and relaxation in order to facilitate changes in behavior, emotions and habits. This type of treatment can be extremely useful in the treatment of eczema by reducing stress and breaking the habits that make eczema worse, such as scratching. We know that stress can aggravate the symptoms of eczema making you more stressed, creating a vicious cycle! Research has shown that hypnotherapy can help control the pain and discomfort, as well as improve the quality of sleep and reduce emotions such as anxiety, fear, low self-confidence and self-esteem.
The answer to the question, “are alternative eczema therapies an alternative,” is that research has shown that using Chinese herbs, homeopathic remedies and hypnotherapy can indeed be beneficial. Apart from reducing symptoms, alternative therapies can help you feel less stressed, more positive and in control of your life.
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