Handling Dermatitis

 The skin is the largest organ in the body with numerous responsibilities , including protecting us from harmful invaders and eliminating unwanted elements, such as toxins. When the skin shows signs of irritation and inflammation it’s revealing that it is overburdened in its tasks of protection and/or elimination.

Contact dermatitis causes various eruptions, irritations and inflammations on the skin because the skin comes in contact with some kind of external irritant or allergen. Once the offending agent is discovered, ongoing dermatitis can be eliminated. Topical support, such as an ointment made with olive oil, calendula, comfrey and chickweed, can really help calm the dermatitis and return the skin to health more quickly. Building a stronger immune system may actually eliminate the dermatitis response to this agent, if the client is interested in taking this preventative approach.

                The kidneys, liver, lungs and immune system are designed to cleanse our blood by tackling offending elements which enter our body via food, breathing, absorption and body fluids. The skin also supports elimination of toxins every day by ‘breathing out’ toxins in the form of vapors we can not see.   A signal that our body is exposed to more toxins than the internal organs can handle is dermatitis. This kind of dermatitis is an internal one and must be handled with internal support. A topical ointment will only send the toxins back into the sickened body adding to the toxic overload and creating a toxic response somewhere else. This is the classic seesaw between asthma and eczema.

                Cleansing the internal organs will require a food and herb program that supports healthy organs and blood. Fresh vegetables, fruits, broths, with little meat, is a good start. Minimal or no dairy, alcohol, or sugar, is also advised. Herbs that are known as alteratives include milk thistle, dandelion, red clover and cleavers and would be recommended for their healing abilities. Alteratives are cleansing as they breakdown toxic elements, neutralize inflammatory responses and promote elimination. I also have a bowel formula in capsule form that is usually essential for returning the client and their skin to wellness.

                Reflexology encourages elimination of toxic material, absorption of nutritional food and balance to all organs and glands to ensure that the body can return to health. After all,  the good food and herbs in the world can do little if the organs and glands are not functioning well enough to take full advantage of them.