-IBIS-1.7.6-
tx
cutaneous system
contact dermatitis/diaper rash
Integrative Therapies
Home Care
Contact Dermatitis:
This is an allergic reaction to chemicals, poison ivy, or poison oak resulting in itching, and skin rash. The following measures are for allergic skin rashes and not chemical, heat, or electrical burns Those are medical emergencies.
LET'S LOOK AT TOPICAL MEASURES FOR DERMATITIS:
1. First, remove the allergic substance. Then wash the skin with soap and water as soon as possible.
2. Make a baking soda compress by soaking a washcloth in a mixture of 2 tablespoons of baking soda per pint of water. Apply to the area for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
3. A moistened oatmeal compress can also be used, as well as calamine lotion.
4. Trimming of the finger nails is important in preventing spread of the rash or infection from scratching.
THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS ARE USED AND CAN BE TAKEN UNTIL SYMPTOMS IMPROVE:
1. Vitamin A 25,000 Units 2 times a day. Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant should not take more than 10,000 Units of vitamin A per day.
2. Vitamin C 1, 000 milligrams, 4 times a day for adults. For children, 250 milligrams times the age.
3. Zinc 25 to 50 milligrams, 2 times a day. For children, 5 milligrams times the age .
HOMEOPATHY:
From the following homeopathic medicines, choose the one that best matches your symptoms. Dissolve 3 pellets under the tongue.
Rhus tox 12C: Use when the skin is red, swollen, and itching. There may be blisters that feel better with warm applications. Take every 2 hours for the first 6 hours and then less often when symptoms improve.
Apis 6C: For skin that is pinkish and swollen. The skin feels better with cold applications and worse with heat. Take every 2 hours for the first 6 hours and then less often when symptoms improve.
Urtica urens 12C: For violent itching with burning and stinging. The skin feels worse with hot applications. Take 3 times a day.
Diaper rash occurs when a baby's skin is in prolonged contact with urine or stools. It can become worse if there is a heat rash or infection such as intestinal flu or candida yeast.
It is important to change the baby's diaper as soon as it becomes wet or soiled, allowing him or her to go without diapers several hours a day so the area will be exposed to fresh air.
Several things contribute to acidic, irritating urine, which causes diaper rash. First, is hot weather when the baby will lose more moisture through sweat. Thus, the urine becomes more concentrated and irritating. Encourage lots of liquids, especially water. Also, very spicy or acidic foods, such as too much pineapple or citrus fruits, eaten by a baby or a breastfeeding mother can cause the urine to be irritating. For the infant who is not breastfed, a diaper rash can be the sign of a specific food sensitivity. Look to recently introduced foods in the baby's diet for the source. Withdraw that food for a least a month before trying to reintroduce it. The most common offenders are cow's milk and wheat products.
Bowel movements can be irritating if there is diarrhea due to an intestinal infection or from overeating. Teething also can cause diarrhea, which in turn can produce a diaper rash. Too many sweets such as in candy, pastry, or soda pop can cause an overgrowth of candida yeast, also called a yeast infection. Avoid these as much as possible. A course of antibiotics can also cause a yeast infection to develop as a side effect.
THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS CAN BE TAKEN UNTIL SYMPTOMS IMPROVE:
For the breastfeeding mother:
Vitamin A 25,000 Units twice a day.
Vitamin B complex 50 milligrams twice a day.
Vitamin E 400 Units twice a day.
Flaxseed or Evening Primrose oil 2 capsules, 3 times a day.
Zinc 30 milligrams twice a day.
For the infant who is not breastfeeding:
A multi-vitamin once a day that contains the following:
Vitamin A 5,000 Units.
Vitamin E 50 to 80 Units.
Zinc 5 milligrams.
Flaxseed or Evening Primrose oil 1 teaspoon once or twice a day. It can be mixed with the baby's food or juice.
HOMEOPATHY
From the following homeopathic medicines, choose the one that best matches the baby's symptoms. Put 2 pellets under the baby's tongue. Pellets may be dissolved in water for small infants.
Cantharis 6C: Use when the skin looks raw and scalded. Give 3 times a day for 5 days.
Rhus tox 6C: For itchy, red eruptions. Use 3 times a day for 5 days.
ADDITIONAL MEASURES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Use an ointment containing Calendula, alone or combined with the following herbs: Chickweed, Comfrey, or Golden Seal powder.
2. Zinc ointment and castor oil applications can also be helpful.
3. Aloe Vera, cod liver oil, or vitamin E oil are also beneficial when applied topically.
Clinic
Footnotes
BarShalom R, Soileau J. (eds.) Natural Health Hotline. Beaverton, OR: Integrative Medical Arts, 1991-1999.