Skin Disorders
Eczema, Psoriasis, Dermatitis
by Phillip Day

Profiles and symptoms
Skin conditions are unsightly, uncomfortable and downright embarrassing. 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 (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.
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: A 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 yeasts, fungi, giardia, bacterial streptococcal infection. 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 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, 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.

Take action©
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 can include common household products such as shampoos, 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 Environmental Toxins).

Action for these skin complaints comes in the form of detoxification, replenishment of nutrients, a bowel cleanse, an anti-fungal program, skin (topical) applications and… a holiday!

· RESTORE NUTRIENT BALANCE: COMMENCE THE BASIC SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM, ensuring:
· ANTI-CANDIDA/FUNGAL SUPPLEMENTATION
· Zinc, 30 mg, twice per day
· Vitamin A emulsion (safe form of A), 50,000 IU per day (do not use if pregnant)
· Allicin capsules, 3 x three times per day
· 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….
· DIET: COMMENCE THE ANTI-CANDIDA DIETARY REGIMEN, ensuring that foods to which you are sensitive are avoided. These might include, but not be limited to eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, gluten products made from wheat, barley, rye and oats (including beer), citrus and chocolate
· TIP: Limit intakes of animal fats, replacing these with oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, halibut, etc. Ensure these are cold-caught and not farmed
· TOPICAL TREATMENTS: Allicin cream applied three times a day over the infected area. You can also include 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 40 mins a day (not walking) and get the heart rate up to 65%-70% of maximum. Cycling, hill-climbing, stair-climbing, jogging, etc.
· 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 (for the salt!). Moderate but consistent exposure to the sun is OK unless you burn easily (use safe creams only!)

RESOURCES
Extracted from The ABC's of Disease by Phillip Day