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Dermatitis & Skin Health |
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Health
Concerns Articles |
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DERMATITIS & SKIN HEALTH
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.) |
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NATURAL SKIN
HEALTH |
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Skin disorders like
dermatitis can be
frustrating, but
diet can often play
a role, as does
toxicity in the
body. The
right food,
supplements, and
herbs will usually
make a difference. |
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SKIN
CONDITIONS LIKE DERMATITIS
CAN BE VERY FRUSTRATING,
ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS NO
APPARENT REASON FOR THEM... |
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Dermatitis means
inflammation of the skin.
It is a general term that
describes skin that scales,
flakes, thickens, weeps,
crusts and itches. The skin
may also change
colour.
Eczema is a term used
interchangeably with
dermatitis. Some
of the
more
common types of dermatitis
are listed below. |
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Atopic dermatitis is caused
by allergies, temperature
change, stress and
infection.
Contact dermatitis or
allergic dermatitis is
caused by skin contact with
an irritating substance.
Seborrheic dermatitis is
dermatitis affecting the
scalp or face.
Conventional treatment of
dermatitis involves the use
of corticosteroid cream or
oral corticosteroids. This
treatment will take away the
skin reaction but does not
prevent its reoccurrence.
Side effects of this
medication include skin
thinning, immune suppression
and decreased bone density.
The cause of dermatitis is
variable because there are
so many forms. Atopic
dermatitis maybe due to the
early introduction of foods
to infants’, resulting food
allergies. It could
also be due to defective
production of essential
fatty acids in the body,
lack of stomach acid, or
emotional stress.
Contact dermatitis is occurs
when the skin is exposed to
an irritant such as wool and
cleaning agents. |
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What you can do FOR
HEALTHY SKIN: |
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EAT LOTS OF
VEGETABLES |
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AVOID
ALLERGENIC
FOODS |
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DETOXIFY
YOUR BODY
WITH HERBS
(SEE BELOW) |
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AVOID
REFINED
SUGAR |
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DON'T EAT
DEEP FRIED
FOOD |
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TAKE
ESSENTIAL
FATS |
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ENSURE
PROPER
DIGESTION
WITH AN
ENZYME
SUPPLEMENT |
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DON'T SMOKE
OR DRINK
COFFEE;
CAUSE THE
SKIN TO AGE
PREMATURELY |
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DID YOU KNOW?
(SKIN HEALTH FACTS) |
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An eruption
on the skin
can be a
symptom of
toxins
building up
in the body. |
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The skin is
the largest
organ |
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Antioxidants
can help
slow the
degeneration
of skin
cells |
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To fight dermatitis
topically avoid chlorinated
tap water for drinking and
bathing. Use gloves while
handling any substance that
irritates the skin. Avoid
perfumes and
colourings
in laundry and personal
hygiene products. Use
glycerin and natural soaps
to wash your body, face and
hair. For dermatitis in the
scalp make a concentrated
tea with rosemary, nettle,
witch hazel and tea tree
oil. Apply it to the scalp
after shampooing and leave
on for 10-15minutes.
Take oatmeal baths to
relieve itching. Avoid
picking at rashes to prevent
infection.
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If an area does become
infected diluted tea tree
oil or grapefruit seed
extract can be used to clean
the area. Calendula or
vitamin E cream or ointment
can be used to heal the
skin. Apply medicinal clay
to the affected area to draw
out toxins and speed
healing.
Dietary change is important
for dermatitis prevention.
All foods that promote
detoxification of the body
are essential. They include
high-fiber foods and lots of
water. Avoid any foods that
you are sensitive to
especially, sugary foods,
dairy products, alcohol,
caffeine, chocolate, fried
foods, processed foods,
strawberries, raw eggs,
peanuts and soy products.
Try a gluten free diet for 2
months if other dietary
changes do not help.
Eat
foods high in zinc such as
whole grains, sunflower
seeds and raw nuts. Eat
lots of fruit, especially
mango and apricot, for its
water content and alpha-hydroxy
acids. Eat raw foods that
contain oxalic acid like
almonds, beets, cashews and
chard.
The following list of
supplements can be used to
manage dermatitis. Adult
doses are given.
(CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).
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SUPPLEMENT |
DOSAGE |
THERAPEUTIC
EFFECT |
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Silica |
1000mg horsetail
extract daily |
Needed for
production of
proteins to repair
damaged skin |
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Essential fatty
acids (flax and
evening primrose) |
Flax
2-4 tbsp daily
EPO
1000 to 3000 mg
daily. |
Active ingredients
are linolenic and
linoleic acid that
are used for skin
repair and proper
fat metabolism. |
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Collagen or
Hyaluronic acid |
As directed on label |
Provides proteins
needed for effective
repair of skin. |
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Betaine HCl |
As
directed on label |
Low
levels of
hydrochloric acid
are commonly found
in dermatitis
sufferers. Do not
use if you have
stomach ulcers. |
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Vitamin B complex |
50-100mg 3 times
daily |
The
body’s natural
chemical processes,
including digestion,
need B vitamins.
Biotin or B6
deficiency has been
linked to
dermatitis. Helps
the body when under
stress.
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Zinc |
30-80mg daily, do
not exceed 100mg
daily |
Helps
heal tissues and is
involved in the oil
production of the
skin. Consider
supplementation with
copper for long-term
use. |
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Vitamin A
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50000
IU acutely, then
5000-25000 IU
daily.
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Helps
heal the skin. Do
not use when
pregnant. |
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Red clover,
dandelion leaf and
root, milk thistle,
burdock root
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As
directed on label |
One
or more herbs can be
used as a tea,
tincture or raw
herb. They help to
cleanse the liver,
kidneys and blood. |
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Also
beneficial for
DERMATITIS & SKIN
HEALTH: |
Multivitamins,
digestive enzymes,
beta-carotene,
Vitamin C, Vitamin
E, Vitamin D,
chromium, garlic,
chlorophyll, MSM,
selenium, chamomile,
gotu kola,
goldenseal. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2012. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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