Prevention

 probiotics. Probiotics may help reduce the risk of atopic eczema in people with children and at risk. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 132 pregnant women having a family history (or a partner affected) of atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis or asthma. These mothers took either a placebo or a formula based on Lactobacillus GG during their pregnancy, as well as their babies during the first 6 months of their life. At 2 years of age, the incidence of atopic eczema was 2 times lower in babies treated with lactobacilli compared to those in the placebo group⁴⁷. In addition, at the age of 4, children in the treated group still enjoyed the same protection compared to those in the placebo group.⁴⁸.

Processing

Relief treatments

These treatments relieve eruptive crises and are applied to the skin, in the form of ointment, cream or compresses.

 Aloe (Aloe vera). Aloe gel is a clear mucilage extracted from the heart of the large leaves of this plant. It has emollient properties and is very often used in dermatology. Researchers have examined the effectiveness of aloe in treatingseborrheic eczema. The controlled study was carried out on 46 people treated either with an emulsion containing 30% aloe vera applied twice a day, or with a placebo¹⁶. At the end of the treatment lasting 4 to 6 weeks, the improvement was greater in the group treated with aloe. In another trial conducted in 2003 with 30 workers at a manufacturing plant who suffered from hand eczema, gloves designed to diffuse aloe gel throughout the day were tested for effectiveness. job. The authors of the study concluded that this technique was effective in relieving the symptoms suffered by these workers.¹⁷.

Remark. Aloe can cause dermatitis in some people.

 Borage (Borago officinalis). A double-blind trial, published in 2003 and involving 118 children at risk, gave positive results on the symptoms of eczema. Taking 100 mg of GLA per day (435 mg of borage oil) did not prevent eczema, but it still reduced the severity of seizures in the participants.⁵. In another study, relief of eczema symptoms (redness and itching) in children was achieved by external application of borage oil.⁶. However, the hydration of the skin due to the application of any oil, could explain the effects obtained.

 Virginia witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Certain constituents of witch hazel have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. The results of 3 small studies (95 subjects in all) indicate that witch hazel may be useful in relieving the symptoms ofeczema atopic¹⁸. On the other hand, another trial, lasting 2 weeks, involving 72 subjects with eczema gave inconclusive results.¹⁹. Commission E and ESCOP recognize the use of witch hazel for local skin inflammation.

 oat (Avena sativa). Commission E recognizes the effectiveness of oat straw in balneotherapy to treat skin diseases characterized by inflammation, seborrhea and itching. No clinical studies have been performed to test its effectiveness in treating eczema.

Dosage

Put about 250 g of oatmeal in a sock or in a muslin pouch and boil in 1 liter of water for a few minutes. Squeeze the pouch and pour the liquid thus extracted into the bath water. Use the pouch to rub yourself. You can also mix with bath water an infusion made with 100 g of oat straw for 1 liter of boiling water.

 German chamomile (Matricaria recutita). The use of German chamomile flowers is recognized in the West for the treatment of eczema. It is also recognized that its compounds have anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and antiseptic properties. An uncontrolled study showed that chamomile topically (chamomile cream called Kamillosan®) had the same effectiveness as treatment with hydrocortisone (0,25%) and more effective than others classic treatments²⁰. A more recent study gave results that were difficult to interpret: chamomile was not more effective than placebo, but both treatments were more effective than hydrocortisone cream (2%)²¹.

Dosage

Make compresses using either an infusion of 30 g to 100 g of flowers per liter of boiling water, or 1% liquid extract or 5% tincture (1: 5 in 45% ethanol) diluted in water. You can also apply a mixture of 5 drops of essential oil in 20 ml of vegetable oil.

 Pepper mint (Mentha piperita). ESCOP recognizes the external use of peppermint essential oil to relieve itching and skin irritation.

Dosage

Rub the affected part with 2 or 3 drops of essential oil, diluted in lukewarm water or vegetable oil. Repeat as needed. See the Peppermint fact sheet for other ways to use it.

Cons-indications

Peppermint essential oil should be avoided when applied topically near the respiratory tract in children under 4 years of age, as it can trigger spasms of the larynx or bronchi and cause temporary suffocation.

 Worry (Calendula officinalis). Marigold is recognized in all European pharmacopoeias for its anti-inflammatory properties and is widely used worldwide in cosmetics and dermatology because of its healing power. Commission E and ESCOP recognize its effectiveness in external use in the case of skin wounds that heal poorly (including varicose ulcers).

Dosage

Apply the infusion or tincture locally or make a compress with the infusion or tincture diluted 1: 3 in previously boiled and cooled water. Repeat as needed. It is also possible to use an oil, a cream or an ointment containing from 2% to 5% of flowers.

Note. Many plants have traditionally been used in the treatment of eczema for their anti-inflammatory or healing properties, including sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), oak bark (Quercus sp), turmeric (Curcuma longa), myrrh (Commiphora sp.), plantain (Plantago sp.) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) was used to soothe the itching.

Le tar, this viscous material obtained from coal and petroleum, has been used for decades to treat eczema. Nevertheless, research does not seem to confirm the effectiveness of this remedy.²².

Support treatments

These treatments would reduce the number of seizures and their intensity in the long term. The D^r Edzard Ernst, in his book Complementary and Alternative Medecine, argues that the most promising approach to treating eczema includes psychological interventions, such as autogenic training (a deep relaxation technique), biofeedback and hypnotherapy^37,38.

 probiotics. Preliminary Trial Results Indicate Lactobacilli And Bifidobacteria May Help Treat Atopic Eczema In Children^23-26 . Subsequently, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 230 atopic children, a mixture of Lactobacillus GG relieved the symptoms of subjects with a specific allergy (IgE-type immunoglobulins in their blood)²⁷. Another strain of lactobacilli has also provided relief in children with moderate to severe atopic disease²⁸. See our Probiotics sheet.

 Autogenic training. In a randomized controlled study, 113 patients with atopic dermatitis³⁹ received for 3 months, once a week, one of the following 1 treatments: autogenic training, cognitive behavioral therapy, educational program or standard care. One year later, the benefits of autogenic training in reducing symptoms and reducing corticosteroid use were found to be similar to behavior therapy, and greater than other interventions.

 Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis). The gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) it contains is an essential fatty acid of the omega-6 type which has a regulatory action on the immune system and on the mechanisms that trigger inflammation. People with eczema have a hard time producing GLA. Clinical trials have given conflicting results. The authors of meta-analyzes published in 1989²⁹ and in 2000³⁰ had concluded that evening primrose oil could be useful for the treatment of eczema. However, according to the authors of 2 more recent meta-analyzes which respectively looked at 14³¹ and 19³² Studies, data on the therapeutic effect of GLA are inconclusive.

 Fish oils. Fish oils are prized for their rich content in omega-3 fatty acids, an essential fatty acid playing an important role in immune and anti-inflammatory reactions. In a randomized controlled study, people with atopic eczema received for 8 weeks either 5,4 g of fish oil as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or a placebo³³. Symptoms of eczema were significantly relieved in the treated group. However, these results need to be confirmed by a larger study. Previous research had not found a significant effect^34,35.

 Hypnotherapy. Various case studies have shown a significant reduction in eczema (use of corticosteroids, itching, sleep disturbances, tension) in children and adults, including those who have demonstrated resistance to conventional treatments.^40-43 . At the adults, interventions could include self-hypnosis, relaxation and stress-control approaches as well as direct suggestions (non-scratching, feeling of freshness of the skin, strengthening of self-esteem) and post-hypnosis suggestions. For the children and, we used the technique of ” magic music “. Suggestions are made using an audio cassette that the child listens to each evening. A story is told, and the child can relate to a character who solves a problem similar to their own. Treatments were carried out over periods of 1 ½ months to 7 months, and the positive effects were found to persist after several months.

 Massage therapy. Two studies revealed that a massage therapy treatment performed by parents on their child had a beneficial effect in reducing anxiety. In the first study, parents gave a 20-minute massage per day. The decrease in symptoms was significant after 1 month⁴⁴. The second study⁴⁵ compared the effects of a massage alone to those of a massage performed with a mixture of essential oils, chosen according to personal preferences. These massages were given by the mother, every day, for 8 weeks. In addition, a massage therapist massaged each of the subjects once a week. Symptom relief was observed in both groups with no noticeable difference. However, in the longer term (after 1 months of use), massages with essential oils have rather worsen eczema.

 Vitamins E. A single-blind study (only the subjects did not know whether they were taking a placebo or vitamin E) conducted in Italy looked at 96 people with moderate eczema. The results indicate that taking 268 mg of natural vitamin E (400 IU) daily over a period of 8 months helped to relieve the symptoms of this condition.³⁶. In addition, vitamin E caused a decrease in the blood level of immunoglobulins E (markers of allergic sensitivity) significantly more than placebo.

 Burdock (Arctium Lappa), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and chicory (psn) (Cichorium intybus) are herbs traditionally used as a supportive treatment for eczema.

Dosage

Refer to the corresponding sheets.

 Traditional Chinese Medicine. According to this medicine, many problems, including atopic diseases, are explained by a energy imbalance that she deals with acupuncture and herbs from the Chinese pharmacopoeia. Two preparations, the Long Dan Xie Gan Wan and San She Jie Yang Wan, have a traditional therapeutic use against eczema. (See the “More Info” section earlier on this page.) In addition, 4 clinical trials have focused on a product called Zémaphyte®, which contains 10 Chinese herbs. The authors of a meta-analysis consider that these are preliminary tests and point out that the results obtained are very variable.⁴⁶.