Dear Dr. Mackey,
I am
having problems with my skin. The skin on my hands and feet peels and
itches. I’ve been to my doctor for it, got some medicine but it didn’t
help any. He sent me to a dermatologist who gave me a cream that helped
a little, but when I quit using it, the problem comes back. The doctors
say it is called eczema.
I don’t have any other health problems.
I clean houses for a living. I haven’t started using any new products
and can’t remember anything new I’ve done before the peeling happened.
Do
you have any other ideas? I’m a religious person and have prayed but it
hasn’t changed anything. This is driving me nuts, and it looks really
bad.
Tina
Dear Tina,
Eczema can be really annoying!
I’ve
included links to the Amazon page featuring the books quoted if you
want to read more about them. I don't know why, but sometimes the
Amazon icons don't show the book when your page loads. Sorry for the
inconvenience; just hit your refresh button.
Here are some ideas for you to consider:
Allergies,
particularly to nickel and chemicals used to tan leather, as mentioned
in the Merck manual. Did you know there’s nickel in shopping cart
handles and silverware? It’s easy to see how that could be a problem if
you’re sensitive to it.
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael Murray ND and Joseph
Pizzorno, ND mentions food allergies, especially to dairy products.
They recommend several supplements that might help.
Consider
mental causes (thoughts and attitudes). Louise Hay, in her book You Can
Heal Your Life, states that a common mental condition behind eczema is
“breath-taking antagonism. Mental eruptions.” She recommends using an
affirmation like, “Harmony and peace, love and joy surround me and
indwell me. I am safe and secure.”
Aromatherapy
could be helpful. Essential oils are blended into a soothing base oil
and applied directly to the troublesome areas. The Autonomic Nervous
System and Aromatherapy, by Jennine Stromkins, offers 3 different
possible blends, depending on your personality type. She recommends
starting off with either lemon, geranium, myrrh and manuka or
pettigrain, neroli, manuka and blue cypress then changing after 2
weeks.
There are also herbal preparations, homeopathic remedies, Bach flower
essences, Ayurvedic remedies, and Chinese medicine
(acupressure/acupuncture and herbs).
So don’t give up! There are a lot of things you can do for eczema.
Wishing you many blessings,
Linda Mackey DO
