Atopic dermatitis treated with homeopathic medicines

Atopic dermatitis is a long-term (chronic) skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes.

Atopic dermatitis is due to a hypersensitivity reaction (similar to an allergy) in the skin, which leads to long-term swelling and redness (inflammation) of the skin.

People with atopic dermititis may lack certain proteins in the skin, which leads to greater sensitivity.

Atopic dermatitis is most common in infants. It may start as early as age 2 to 6 months.

Many people outgrow it by early adulthood.

People with atopic dermatitis often have asthma or seasonal allergies.

There is often a family history of allergic conditions such as asthma, hay fever, or eczema.

People with atopic dermatitis often test positive to allergy skin tests.

Dr. Eizayaga and team (Eizayaga JE, Eizayaga JI) of Departamento de Homeopatía, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires, Argentina, conducted a prospective observational study of 42 patients with atopic dermatitis treated with homeopathic medicines.

Despite being a condition frequently treated with homeopathy, the evidence is still insufficient to define homeopathic treatment’s efficacy and the best therapeutic strategies.

Researchers wanted to evaluate the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment of Atopic dermatitis (AD) in a general homeopathic practice setting.

Patients spontaneously seeking homeopathic treatment meeting Hanifin and Rajka’s criteria were prospectively treated.

Severity of disease was evaluated by Rajka and Langeland’s score and a set of four Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) evaluating disease severity, itch, general and psychological wellbeing and quality of sleep.

Assessed outcomes were:
– change in AD extension,
– change in VASs, and
– a categorical scale for global subjective perception of evolution.

Forty two patients were eligible.

Twenty-one had other atopic comorbidities and 28 (66.7%) were moderate or severe cases.

Sixteen (38.1%) patients dropped out.

Significant differences were found comparing first and last consultations in mean percentage (95%CI) of affected skin area, 21.1% (10.9; 31.4) versus 5.5% (1.3; 9.7) respectively, P=0.002, and in the change or the four VASs: [mm (95%CI)] AD 31.1 (20.6; 41.7), P<0.0001; Itch 35.0 (23.6; 46.4), P<0.0001; General wellbeing 11.1 (1.2; 20.9), P<0.0188, and Sleep 17.4 (5.0; 29.8), P<0.0073.

Homeopathic aggravations were reported after 29.8% of prescriptions.

Twelve individualized homeopathic medicines were prescribed; Sulphur accounted for 60% of cases with good treatment response.

Researchers suggest that in a general medical practice setting, homeopathic treatment could be regarded as an effective choice for patients with Atopic dermatitis – AD.

The study is published in Homeopathy. 2012 Jan;101(1):4.


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