The skin, sometimes called the third kidney, is the body's largest eliminative organ after the liver. When it functions efficiently,
it eliminates two pounds of waste acids daily, so its ability to excrete toxins is of paramount importance; when the skin
ceases to function properly, an increased burden is placed on the lymphatic system and other excretory organs. One of the
greatest treasures that a woman or a man can have is healthy, radiant skin. A beautiful complexion and glorious body skin
are a reflection of our personal life-style practices. The skin excretes, absorbs and protects. If the balanced of the skin
becomes disturbed especially through poor nutrition the functions associated with the skin cells cannot act in a balanced
manner and can result in dryness, excessive oiliness, and inability to protect against infectious organism.
The skin and waste management in liver disease management
·The skin is the largest most important eliminative organ in the body and is
responsible for one quarter of the body’s detoxification each day. It plays a vital role in ridding the body of toxins
and impurities and taking load of the liver. With less work, the liver can rid itself of viruses and bacteria and recover
speedily from assaults.
·The skin eliminates over one pound of waste acids each day in the
average adult, most of it through the sweat glands.
·The skin is the largest organ in the body, and is responsible for
one-fourth of the body’s detoxification each day. It also makes it one of the most important elimination organs. For
this reason, the skin is also known as the “third kidney”, with the lungs being known as the “second kidney.
“
·The skin receives one third of all the blood circulated in the
body.
·The skin is the last to receive nutrients in the body, yet the first to show signs of imbalance
or deficiency.
·The skin works with the colon, the kidney, and the lungs to rid
the body of the byproducts of metabolic wastes and toxins that are the culprits in most diseases. Since we make a new top
layer of skin every 24 hours, it is necessary to consciously brush away the old top layer to let the new top layer come to
the surface. Under normal circumstances the skin eliminates more than one pound of waste products every day. If the skin becomes
inactive with its pores clogged with millions of dead cells and other debris, toxins will remain in the body. This puts undue
stress on the other eliminative organs, such as the kidneys and liver, making them increase their activity. Eventually they
become overworked.
Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman N.D. - "What is your skin trying to tell you? Often the skin is a metaphor
for deeper issues and a way for your body to send up a red flag to warn you that all is not well underneath. When our skin
is unhealthy it is usually a reflection of the internal state of our bodies, and is often a sign of poor elimination of toxins
and waste products."
The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total
area of about 20 square feet. The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits
the sensations of touch, heat, and cold.
Skin has three layers:
The epidermis, the outermost layer
of skin, provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone.
The dermis, beneath the epidermis, contains tough
connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
The deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and
connective tissue.
The skin’s color is created by special cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment
melanin. Melanocytes are located in the epidermis.
Taking care of the skin
Benefits of dry-skin brushing
Dry skin brushing is one of the best techniques to open up
the pores of the skin, and to stimulate and detoxify the lymphatic system.
Dry (meaning not in the bath) skin brushing help stimulate
the sweat glands, keep the pores open, facilitates the circulatory system that supplies the tissues and organ systems, opens
up the pores of the skin, and makes it easy for the skin to breathe and eliminate toxins. The blood regularly brings wastes
to the skin, and skin brushing help open the pores and facilitates the elimination metabolic wastes.
The whitish, scaly, powder-like substances
that come off of the skin during brushing are crystals of uric acid and other toxic wastes brought to the surface through
perspiration.
Brushing increases our blood supply to
the area, bringing with it nourishment and oxygen. In addition, the dry brushing of your skin stimulates
your lymphatic system to move and carry toxins out quicker. When the pores are not clogged with dead cells and the
lymphatic system is cleansed, the body is able to carry out its important function of eliminating toxins and waste material
How to do dry-skin brushing
Always dry
brush your dry and naked body before you shower or bathe in the morning, because you will want to wash off the impurities
from the skin as a result from the brushing action. It can be done once or twice daily. A thorough skin brushing takes about 15 minutes.Ideally, a sauna is an excellent place to go after dry brushing—you've now opened your pores
and will easily sweat out your toxins. It is preferable to take warm detox baths, as they continue to help draw out the toxins.
To dry brush, use a soft natural-fiber brush with a long handle, so that you are able
to reach all areas of your body. One with a removable head with a strap for your hand is a good choice, preferably, bough
from a health food store. A long sponge or a rough towel can also be used. Most nylon and synthetic fiber brushes are too sharp and may damage
the skin.
The body should be
dry, and the brush should pass once over every part of the body except the face.
Do not wet the skin since it will not have the same effect because wet skin stretches.
The skin should not become red. If it does, you may be brushing too hard.
There should be no back and forth motion, circular motion, scrubbing, or massaging—one
clean sweep does it. Use long gentle, but firm, stokes.
Medimix has been clinically proven to be effective against many skin conditions such as; pimples (acne), body odour, prickly
heat, boils and other skin infections. Medimix soap contains 18 Herbs, coconut oil, natural oils and natural colour. Contains
no animal fat. Helps to prevent spots, prickly heat and dandruff and is an effective antiseptic. Medimix beautifies the skin
and hair. Its rich lather is enriched with the extracts of 18 potent herbs. Is made with completely natural ingredients, making
it perfectly safe even for a baby's skin. Moore
To brush the skin, use long, gentle, but firm strokes:
oStart at the feet and legs, brushing upwards to your groin.
oThen do your hands and go up your arms to the armpits.
oThen brush upwards on your buttocks.
oBrush down the neck, chest, and trunk.
oBrush
your lower abdomen towards the center.
It is permissible to brush across the top of the shoulders and upper back, as the best
contact with the skin is made that way.
Avoid stroking away from the heart, since this puts extra pressure on the valves within the veins and lymph
vessels and can cause ruptured vessels and varicose veins.
Avoid
sensitive areas and anywhere the skin is broken, such as areas of skin rash, wounds, cuts, and infections.
Evening primose oil
Prostaglandins, which strongly influence skin health, are the body's chemical messengers, governing many processes,
including inflammation. They are not stored in the body but must be constantly synthesized from essential fatty acids (EFAs)
that are taken in from the diet. The best dietary sources of EFAs include flax, seafood and evening primrose oils.
Finish up with your regular shower, ending with three hot and cold cycles. That means turning on the water
as hot as you can take it for several seconds, then as cold as you can handle it, then hot, then cold, for three cycles. End
with either hot or cold. This will further invigorate the skin and stimulate blood circulation, bringing more blood to the
outer layers of the skin.Any well-designed
program will take about 45 days for you to see and experience the changes. Please be patient and keep up the program! For
a thorough detoxification, perform skin brushing daily for a minimum of five months.
Immunology dysfunction in skin diseases
that also includes atopic dermatitis / eczema
Since, immunological reactions
are a major trigger of eczema, immunology or the scientific study of the immune system in an atopic dermatitis patient is
very important. This apart, certain body parts, organs or systems fail to function normally or develop a medical abnormality
when our body is affected by a disease. This dysfunction also occurs in atopic dermatitis and is of two types in eczema; neurologic
and pharmacologic.
However, before we go into the details of immunology and dysfunction, here are few points that we
need to know. Firstly, the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is based on the three standard stages of the disease - infantile,
childhood and adult - often with dormant phases in between. Then again, each may be diagnosed as acute, subacute, and/or chronic.
Furthermore, the disease must be categorized as either intrinsic or extrinsic. The former is the non-allergic kind while the
latter is generally associated with a medical history (either personal or hereditary) of respiratory allergy.
Seventy
to eighty per cent of patients with eczema generally go on to develop allergic rhinitis or asthma later in childhood, while
there is a simultaneous improvement in atopic dermatitis. However, herein atopic dermatitis actually becomes latent and often
recurs later in life in up to 40% of patients.
Immunology
The study of immunology in atopic
dermatitis can be divided into medical disorders related to immunology, the associated pathology of biology (immunopathology)
and regulation at the cellular level (immunoregulation). Medical disorders related to
immunology
Respiratory allergy: It occurs in 70% of adult patients. The common triggers or allergens are dust mites,
pollen, animal fur and molds.
Food allergy: This is common among infants and children with moderate to acute atopic
dermatitis. It occurs in about 40% of patients. The common triggers are cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts and soy. See moore on allergies
Microbial allergy: Staphylococcus aureus is the most common microbial offender in atopic dermatitis. Microbial agents
generally affect over 90% skin lesions in atopic dermatitis patients. Proteins, carbohydrates and glycolipids present in these
microbes work as foreign antigens and their exotoxins as super-antigens to aggravate an atopic dermatitis attack.
Autoallergy:
It has been presumed that IgE autoantibodies create a connecting link in autoallergens (proteins) present in the human skin.
This is over and above the outside sources of allergens involved in instantaneous hypersensitivity in acute and chronic atopic
dermatitis cases. Moreover, it is disease action that has a connection with the occurrence of IgE autoimmunity (caused by
the response of an antibody to naturally present matter in the human body) in atopic dermatitis.
Viral and fungal infections:
On the contrary, eczema patients (mainly those with high IgE levels) are vulnerable to viral (herpes simplex, molluscum contagiosum
and verrucae) and fungal (trichophyton rubrum and pityrosporum ovate) attacks. This is often linked to weak and slow hypersensitivity.
See moore on the immune system
While fish and flax oils supply omega-3 fatty acids, evening primrose oil is one of nature's richest
sources of an even rarer fatty acid: gamma-linolenic acid. The exceptionally high gamma-linolenic acid content of evening
primrose oil makes it critical to skin health. That is because two key enzymes-Alpha6 desaturase and Alpha5 desaturase-involved
in metabolizing many of the EFAs and making them useful to the skin are absent in skin itself. However, the skin does not
require either of these enzymes to convert gamma-linolenic acid into favorable compounds required for mod-erating inflammation.
But, the skin requires the continual formation of gamma-linolenic acid from precursor compounds by the liver, and then depends
on the blood for transport to the skin. Although the body can convert other EFAs into gamma-linolenic acid, it may be more
beneficial to provide a constant supply of already-formed gamma-linolenic acid from evening primrose oil. That is because
the body's capacity to convert the more common linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid decreases with age, increasing the body's
requirements. Also, the activity of ?6 desaturase is inhibited by many environmental influences such as diet, stress, and
aging. Thus, supplying already-formed gamma-linolenic acid enables the skin to use EFAs more efficiently to fight off disease
and quell inflammation.
Detox bath-pulling
toxins from the body through the skin
The discomforting effects of these endogenous wastes and complications of skin disease can be relieved
with a detox bath using the following protocol, which helps decongest the blood, lymph and liver. Minerals and salts make
the bath water feel silky and leave your skin cleansed and soft. They help pull toxins from your body because of the osmotic
difference from the lymphatic and vascular systems. Baths are wonderfully healing, and it is easy to make your own homemade,
detox baths. Hot water draws toxins out of the body to the skin’s surface, and while the water cools, it pulls toxins from
the skin, according to naturopath Dr. Hazel Parcells. Epsom salts augment this detoxification by causing you to sweat. Other
salts—all highly alkaline and cleansing—used in baths include sea salt, baking soda, clay, and Dead Sea salts.
The detox bath with the salts capitalizes on the osmotic difference between the concentration of salt in the bath tub and
the salt inside the body to pull toxins from the body through the skin.The detox bath also reduces the workload of the liver, kidney,
and other internal organs to reduce the overall toxic load of the body. This is critical to the overall healing for all liver
patients.
The detox bath is high recommended
for all individuals in need for overall detoxification.
Basic detox bath recipe
As the tub fills with hot water, add the following mixture:
1 cup sea salts ,2 cups baking soda ,1 cup Epsom salts ,1 – 2 tablespoons glycerin per bath
Alternate
detox bath recipeCombine the sea salts, baking soda, and Epsom salts in a bowl. Stir to blend. Pour 1/4 cup
or so into the bath while the tub is filling. Add 1 – 2 tablespoons glycerin to keep your skin from drying out (more
for dry skin, less for oily skin) and essential oils of choice.
Preparation time: 2 to 3 minutes Shelf
life: Indefinite Storage: glass jar with a screw top
Ingredients:
·1/2 cup sea salt
·1/2 cup baking soda
·1/2 cup Epsom salts
·1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
·1 tablespoon oregano essential
oil
Stir the ingredients into the bath water; it should be clear. Bathe as normal; stay in the
tub for 15 – 30 minutes. Do the baths
a maximum of twice a week. You need not stay in the bath continuously, but can get out for brief breaks, and then get back
in. Adding more and more water makes the bath solution progressively more diluted. This progressively changes the energetic
effect, too. The important point about being in the tub while the energetics are shifting is to receive the full range of
these progressively-shifting energetics. This is comparable to the homeopathic principle: Change the homeopathic dilution
and you change the energetic effect.
It's usually better to begin the Epsom salts at the one-pound level. After a couple of baths at the one-pound
level, gradually work up to two pounds in 3-ounce increments.
Doctor’s
health advisory: Along
with detox bath, herbal infusions and/or decoction using 1 part each of licorice, dandelion, yellow duck, cleavers, artichoke,
ginger, Oregon grape seed, and calendula are very helpful in relieving the liver of denatured proteins and cellular wastes
that cause itching. Do not take hot baths and salt baths if you have heart trouble, high blood pressure, or are diabetic,
without consent and/or supervision of an alternative healthcare practitioner. Otherwise, much lower portions of the salts
should be used.
Worried about the salt and sodium level in the salt?
Doctors recommend less than 2,275
mg of sodium per day. We are using sea salt. We can see how much sodium is in salt:
·One teaspoon of table salt weighs 6 grams and contains about 2,325 mg of sodium.
·A teaspoon of sea salt weighs 5 grams and contains 1,872mg of sodium. If we were to do something crazy like eat at a
McDonalds Meat Lover’s Scramble (two eggs with chopped bacon, diced ham, crumbled sausage, and cheddar cheese, served
with two bacon strips, two sausage links, hash browns and two pancakes, this would adds up to about 5,690 mg of sodium .
Body cream for skin care
Skin care products
Dr. Gerard F. Judd Ph.D - "Fluoride disrupts the connective tissue, causing excessive cross-linking,
cysts, and premature aging of the skin!" Learn more about fluoride ...
Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman N.D. -
" Most of us are embarrassed by skin problems such as rashes, boils or acne, especially in places where others can see
our imperfections. The skin is the body's first line of defense against the environment. It has to deal with the effects of
weather, sun , cold, heat, dryness, humidity, scrapes, bumps, soaps, detergents, chemicals, perspiration and dirt of all kinds.
It is a wonder that our skin stays healthy most of the time! We can help our skin deal with this onslaught by optimizing our
general health and by protecting our skin from harsh environmental exposure. Western medicine generally treats skin eruptions
with either antibiotics, cortisone, or antifungal preparations. These medicines may alleviate the skin problem temporarily,
or occasionally for good, but do not address the source of the problem. Putting a lid on skin symptoms without getting to
the root of the imbalance may even result in suppression, that means the imbalance may be driven deeper causing more serious
health problems later without ever strengthening the underlying vital force of the person. Fortunately, naturopathic medicine
offers a wide vareity of effective treatments for skin problems."
Our skin is the largest organ of
our body. No other organ has as much area exposed to the elements as does the skin. It is able to breathe in nutrients
and it is able to expel waste. It is the skin which holds our bodies together, and gives us our glow, color and tone.
Our skin absorbs what ever we put on it. Have you ever read the labels of your cosmetics and personal care products? Try It!
You may begin to understand why your skin looks like it came from another planet. The ingredients certainly do not sound like
the language of earthlings. And they do not sound as if they grew out of the earth. We need to take responsibility for what
we feed our bodies (and our skin), and help our skin to create that deep Beauty that is “in the Eyes of the Beholder(s).
Dr. James Meschino, DC - "Dietary manipulation and nutritional supplementation has been shown to
be of clinical importance in the prevention and treatment of various skin conditions, including skin cancer, wound healing,
atopic dermatitis—eczema, seborrhea, psoriasis and acne. Eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and, to a lesser degree,
acne are skin conditions that are highly responsive to nutritional management. Skin smoothness can be enhanced, as well, through
specific dietary manipulation and supplementation with essential oils, B-vitamins and antioxidants at established doses. Regarding
nutrition and detoxification, research reveals that many skin conditions are aggravated by faulty detoxification mechanisms,
excess toxicity and compromised liver function. The liver is the main blood filtration plant to neutralize and eliminate toxins
from the body. Conversely, a number of skin conditions have been shown to respond favorably when the body's detoxification
centers are supported through dietary manipulation and the appropriate use of supplements. Thus, nutritional support is a
vital aspect of skin health and appearance, and optimizing detoxification is a primary target in the treatment of a variety
of common skin conditions. Although enhancing detoxification is not the only role of nutritional management for skin conditions,
it is an often overlooked area of intervention." James Meschino, DC, serves on the board of advisors of the Academy of
Anti-Aging Research and is the clinical and research director for the RenaiSanté Institute of Integrative Medicine
in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada.
To understand the relationship between detoxification, intestinal
cleansing and prevention of acne, we must first understand the relationship between our skin, the digestive system and excretory
system.
"AUTOINTOXICATION" ( also known as autotoxicosis , enterotoxication, intestinal intoxication,
intestinal toxemia or self-poisoning) which means the toxins released by the decay process, brought on by bacteria, pass into
the blood stream and travel to all parts of the body. Every cell in the body can be affected and many forms of sickness can
result from it, including Acne and other skin eruptions.
5 Tips for Natural Skin Care by Cathy Wong
Tip 1:
Give Yourself a Dry Brush Exfoliation
A dry brush exfoliation can be done in the morning before you shower. It
eliminates dead skin cells and allows the skin to detox (skin is the largest organ of elimination). Dry brush exfoliation
also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming
to the nervous system. To give yourself a dry brush exfoliation, you'll need a soft, natural bristle brush. •How
to Give Yourself a Dry Brush Exfoliation
Tip 2: Rev Up Your Digestion
In alternative
medicine, good skin is a reflection of a good digestive system. People with skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis
often suffer from constipation, imbalanced "good" vs. "bad" bacteria, leaky gut, and other digestive conditions.
The two most common sluggish digestion culprits are: •Culprit #1: Not Enough Water Water bathes cells and eliminates
waste products, preventing constipation. 5 Ways to Boost Your Water Intake
•Culprit #2: Not Enough Fiber
Most people lack fiber in their diets - the average person eats only 12 g of fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of
Sciences Food and Nutrition Board established recommended fiber intakes. For men aged 19-50 years, 38 g fiber is recommended,
and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women aged 19 to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for women over
50, 21 g fiber is recommended.
Some suggestions: 1.Add Whole Grains - Choose whole grain products over refined.
Have brown rice instead of white or make your own 50:50 combination.
2.An Apple a Day - Have an apple, skin on, as
a snack.
3.Eat Cauliflower - Try this delicious Roasted Cauliflower recipe!
4.High-fiber snacks - Snack on nuts,
seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, figs, and prunes.
5.Try a "Prune Power" Smoothie - Prunes are a great
source of fiber. Start your day with this tasty Prune Power smoothie.
6.Eat Beans and Legumes - Open a can of your favorite
beans or legumes. Rinse them well and add them to your meal.
7.Ground Flaxseeds - For any easy fiber boost, sprinkle
ground flaxseeds (available at health food stores) on rice, salads, oatmeal, or any other meal. Store flaxseeds in the fridge.
Tip 3: Invigorate Sluggish Circulation
Do you sit at your desk for hours, only getting
up to go to the bathroom? One of the best things you can do for your skin, stress level, and overall health is to get moving!
Inactivity may affect skin and promote bloating and puffiness, acne, cellulite, and loss of muscle tone. You'll learn more
about exercise in Step 9 of the Wellness Makeover. Here are some quick suggestions: •Take a quick break to go outside
and walk around the block.
•Book a massage therapy appointment.
•Close your door and stretch.
•Go
to the gym.
•Start each morning by stretching.
•Get a skipping rope.
Tip #4: Avoid
Excess Sugar
Most people do not realize this but excess sugar is considered one of the main causes of premature
aging. The more sugar we eat, the more sugar we have entering our bloodstream. Over time, this can result in a process known
as glycation, which is when a glucose (sugar) molecule damages a protein molecule by sticking to it. The new molecules formed
are called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs. AGEs damage collagen in skin, cartilage, and ligaments and promote a
loss of elasticity. Wrinkles form and skin begins to sag. •Try This - It may seem impossible to reduce your sugar
intake, but it can be done! A gradual approach works best. In the next week, choose one thing you're going to do to decrease
the amount of sugar you consume. For example, start by cutting the amount of sugar in your daily coffee or tea by half. Every
week, find another way you can decrease your sugar intake. Pretty soon, you'll be surprised at how far you've come!
Tip #5: Eat Some Good Fats
Essential fatty acids are simply fats your body cannot live without. They
are needed to make cell membranes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Essential fats are thought to keep your heart healthy,
fight inflammation, and possibly prevent cancer. They are also particularly important to people with inflammatory conditions
such as eczema and acne, and also for people with dry skin. People with essential fat deficiency sometimes notice bumps on
the backs of their arms. Here are my suggestions on getting more essential fats: •Flaxseed and walnut oil - Use
flaxeed oil or walnut oil with balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing. Be sure to keep these oils refrigerated. They should
not be heated or used for cooking.
•Cold water fish - Sardines are a good source of essential fats. Salmon is another
good source, however these salmon accumulate toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (otherwise known as PCBs) in their body fat during
the 95 percent of their lives they spend at sea.
•Supplements - Consider fish oil supplements.
Natural Skin Treatment
Natural skin treatment has become a popular choice for many people. Some prefer natural skin care products
since they are believed to be safer for all skin types. Others may have very sensitive skin or allergies, and use natural
products as an alternative to products with synthetic or chemical ingredients.
There are several different types of
natural skin treatment assurances to ponder when researching various products and needs. The word "treatment" is
actually quite relevant to particular skin ailments and problems. Some skin care products are specifically formulated to help
aid recurring or constant skin problems, such as eczema, dermatitis, acne, or psoriasis, for example.
Vast amounts of
people seek medical assistance with some of these problems, and skin care regimens can be tedious and also require taking
pills and prescriptions, on top of the topical creams and washes. Some promoters and creators of natural skin treatment products
believe they may be a sound and dependable alternative with positive results. The natural products vary as to the ingredients
they contain, and also as to which skin irritations they work best for.
Ingredients of Natural Skin Treatment
First of all, there are always some questions concerning what the definition of "natural" is. When natural is
used in the skin care world, it usually refers to products without synthetic or chemical active ingredients, and also those
which have gone through little or no processing. Most natural ingredients derive from some sort of plant, root, flower and
so on.
There are numerous products out there for people who prefer natural skin treatment, and the formulas for the
products will vary depending on the philosophies and performed studies of the companies who produce them. It is important
to research the ingredients of any new products under consideration, and perhaps even consult with a dermatologist if serious
allergies have occurred in the past.
One of the popular ingredients found in several natural skin treatment products
is aloe vera. It is common knowledge that aloe vera can provide relief for sunburns and other burns to help relieve the swelling
and redness. However, it can also be of great assistance for other types of skin irritations. Some topical creams containing
aloe vera have helped cure skin lesions experienced by psoriasis patients.
Natural Skin Treatment Contents
There
are also natural capsules available for skin problems such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. Some contents in capsules may include
rehmannia unprocessed root, red peony root and moutan root bark, for example. These ingredients may assist in cleaning out
some of the toxins in the blood. Toxins in the bloodstream can contribute greatly to skin irritations and create serious problems.
There
are many other ingredients found in some of the natural skin treatment products on the market with the ability to help detoxify
various organs in the body. Scute root, gardenia fruit, gypsum, lycium bark, and lonicera flower buds are just a few ingredients
used. It is important to understand that even if a product is all natural, allergic reactions can occur. If someone has an
allergy to nuts, for example, it may be wise to make sure the products do not contain almonds or any other nuts.
Skin Functions Besides making you
look good, skin serves you in diverse ways:
Protection - Your skin is an anatomical barrier between internal and external environment in bodily defense.
Sensation - Your skin contains a variety of nerve endings that react to heat, cold, touch, pressure,
vibration, and tissue injury.
Heat Regulation - Your skin contains a blood supply far
greater than its requirements which allows precise control of energy loss by radiation, convection, and conduction.
Dilated blood vessels increase perfusion and heat loss while constricted vessels greatly reduce cutaneous blood flow and conserve
heat.
Evaporation Control - Your skin provides a relatively dry and impermeable barrier
to fluid loss. Loss of this function contributes to the massive fluid loss in burn cases.
Storage and Synthesis - Your skin acts as a storage centre for lipids and water, as well as a means of synthesis
of vitamin D and B by action of Ultra Violet energy on certain parts of the skin. This synthesis is linked to pigmentation,
with darker skin producing more vitamin B than D, and vice versa.
Excretion - Waste matter
is removed along with sweat.
Absorption - Oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide diffuse
into the epidermis in small amounts.
SKIN DISORDERS
Acanthosis Nigricans Acanthosis Nigricans is a complex skin condition characterized by dark thickened velvety
patches, especially in the folds of skin in the armpit, groin, and back of the neck. It can occur in conjunction with endocrine
diseases such as Cushing disease, tumors of the pituitary gland, and diabetes mellitus. It is also common in people who have
insulin resistance, whose bodies are not responding correctly to the insulin being produced in their pancreas. Acanthosis
Nigricans also occurs as a result of underlying malignancies (especially carcinomas of the vicera), administration of certain
drugs, and as a genetic disorder inherited in an autosomal dominant (a pattern of inheritance in which an affected individual
has one copy of a mutant gene and one normal gene on a pair of autosomal chromosomes or non-sex chromosomes) manner.
Acne Vulgaris
Acne is a common skin condition caused by changes via androgen
stimulation in pilosebaceous units, skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland. Most
of the time, the sebaceous glands make the right amount of sebum but as you age, hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands to
make more sebum. This can lead to acne when pores become clogged by too much sebum and too many dead skin cells. Later in
life, these glands produce less sebum, which contributes to dry skin in older people. Acne vulgaris affects the areas of skin
with the densest population of sebaceous follicles; these areas include the face, the upper part of the chest, and the back.
Severe acne is inflammatory, but acne can also manifest in noninflammatory forms. Acne lesions are commonly referred to as
pimples, blemishes, spots, zits, or simply acne.
Acne occurs most
commonly during adolescence, affecting more than 89% of teenagers, and frequently continues into adulthood. In adolescence,
acne is usually caused by an increase in male sex hormones, which people of both genders experience during puberty. For most
teenagers, acne diminishes over time and tends to disappear or at the very least decrease after the early twenties. There
is, however, no way to predict how long it will take to disappear entirely, and some individuals will carry this condition
well into their thirties, forties and beyond.
Aside from scarring,
its main effects are psychological, such as reduced self-esteem and, according to at least one study, depression.
Dermatitis Dermatitis is inflammation of the upper layers of the skin, causing itching, blisters, redness, swelling, and often oozing,
scabbing, and scaling. It is usually prompted by contact with a particular substance (causing allergic reactions), certain
drugs, varicose veins, constant scratching, and fungal infection. Dermatitis can become chronic when not given immediate attention.
Some types of dermatitis affect only specific parts of the body, whereas others can occur anywhere.
Seborrheic Dermatitis, a distinct form of Dermatitis, causes oily, waxy patches to develop on the
scalp. This can also affect babies, typically in the first six months of their lives in the form of a flaky, dandruff-like
condition on the scalp.
Eczema Eczema is a skin condition characterized by rashes, itchiness, inflammation,
dry skin, and sensitive skin. It is common in both children and adults and often affects people who suffer from asthma,
allergies, and stress. In more than 50% of patients, the onset of eczema occurred before the age of 10 years. One in five school-age children in Singapore has eczema and it is more common among the Chinese and Malays compared
with the Indians and other races.
The three common forms of Eczema are:
Atopic Dermatitis is the most common and is seen most often in children.
1 to 3 percent of adults compared to 10 to 20 percent of children have this long-term genetic disease, which causes itchy
rashes in the crux of the elbows and behind the knees.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis begins
to show in adulthood and is caused by environmental factors such as cosmetic agents, fragrances, and the metals in jewelry.
Nummular Dermatitis appears as red and flaky coin-shaped patches in the skin caused by dryness and is
accompanied by severe itchiness.
Graves Disease Graves Disease is the most common cause
of hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormone). The rare, painless, reddish lumpy skin rash of Graves Disease
is an autoimmune process, caused by thyroid-stimulating antibodies which bind to and activate the thyrotropin receptor on
thyroid cells. Factors that can trigger the onset of Graves Disease include stress, smoking, radiation to the neck, medications
(such as interleukin-2 and interferon-alpha), and infectious organisms such as viruses.
Keloid A keloid is a scar that doesn't know when to stop.
When your skin is injured, cells grow back to fill in the gap. Somehow, they "know" when the scar tissue is level
with the skin, at which point the cells stop multiplying. When the cells continue reproducing, the result is a what is called
a overgrown (hypertrophic) scar or a keloid, a tough heaped-up scar that rises quite abruptly above the rest of the skin.
It is irregularly shaped and tends to enlarge progressively. In other words, keloids are due to an excessive response to trauma
such as a cut to the skin. In creating a normal scar, connective tissue in the skin is repaired by the formation of collagen.
This occurs in the dermis (the layer of skin just below the epidermis, the outer layer of skin). Keloids arise when there
is too much collagen formed in the dermis during the repair of connective tissue.
Keloid susceptibility is clearly genetic. Keloids are known to have occurred in 5 successive generations within a
single family. People of African or Asian descent are more likely to get keloids than people with lighter skin. This tendency
is important when someone of African or Asian descent is considering elective plastic surgery; the surgery can lead to keloids
and more trouble than it cures.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis
is a chronic and disfiguring genetic disease that occurs when skin cells grow too quickly. This excess skin tissue build up
is caused by faulty signals in the immune system prompting new skin cells to form faster than normal. The body does not cast
these excess skin; they pile up on the surface of the skin as lesions. Psoriasis usually appears on the elbows and knees,
but can spread to other parts of the limbs and even the trunk. Stress, anxiety, and cold-weather condition aggravate this
disease.
Wrinkles Wrinkles are a by-product of the aging process. As you age, skin
cells divide more slowly and the inner layer (the dermis) begins to thin. The network of elastin (the protein which causes
skin to stretch) and collagen fibers (the major structural proteins in the skin) loosen and unravel to cause depressions on
the surface. Skin loses its elasticity and its abilities to retain moisture, secrete oil, and heal. All of these contribute
to the development of wrinkles.
There are a host of diseases and health conditions which
manifest on the skin, and many of them are specifically addressed in other detailed articles on this site, such as cold sores,
hives (urticaria), shingles, warts, boils & blisters, etc. The homeopathic view regards these and many other skin disorders
as indicative of an underlying disturbance in the human body's regulatory or "vital force." The homeopathic goal
is not to suppress the symptoms (and thus shift the disease inward) but to address the whole person, including other conditions
that accompany the skin problem.
We will focus here on two of the leading and most vexatious skin problems, eczema
and psoriasis. Other skin problems such as acne and dermatitis will be treated in separate articles.
The most common
form of psoriasis, called plaque psoriasis, can form anywhere on the body but is most commonly seen on the elbows, scalp,
knees, and lower back. With this chronic condition, which is not contagious but may be inherited, the affected skin becomes
red and inflamed, and silvery scaly patches often form. These patches can itch or burn, and a bad case of the disease can
be disabling or disfiguring.
Approximately 5.5 million people in the United States have plaque psoriasis. About 40%
of psoriasis sufferers have psoriatic arthritis, which affects both the skin and the joints. Psoriasis is best understood
as a disease of the immune system, rather than an affliction that is localized to the skin layer alone. Excess T cells trigger
inflammation and cause skin cells to grow more quickly than they can be shed, thus forming the scaly patches.
Conventional Treatment Treats the Symptoms Not the Cause
While there is no conventional "cure"
for psoriasis, treatment aimed at reducing symptoms includes the application of cortisone creams (corticosteroids, with their
attendant nasty side effects), Vitamin D, coal tar, and tree bark extracts. Additionally, some lifestyle moves are recommended,
such as increased (though not excessive) exposure to sunlight, maintaining skin moisture after bathing, avoiding scratching
or itching, eschewing most cosmetics, using ultraviolet units, and soaking in a bath infused with oils or coal tar.
If
both topical therapy and phototherapy (light therapy) fail, then drugs such as retinoids are sometimes administered. The more
common drugs include Psoralens such as Methoxsalen (Oxsoralen-Ultra) and trioxsalen (Trisoralen), which are always combined
with light therapy; Etanercept (Enbrel); Methotrexate (Rheumatrex); Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); and Alefacept (Amevive).
Many of these medications have significant, undesirable side effects, including the possibility of birth defects, impaired
liver function, and a suppressed immune system.
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic skin disease that is most frequently
seen in children and infants, but it can last into adulthood or first arise later in life. Eczema makes skin itchy and inflamed;
the most common places for its appearance on the body are behind the knees and on the arms.
In addition to sometimes-severe
itching (especially at night), Eczema symptoms include red to brownish-gray patches, thick, scaly, or cracked skin, and small
raised bumps that might leak fluid and crust over when scratched. Some cases are intermittent and unpredictable, with symptoms
subsiding for as long as several years.
Conventional treatment for eczema comprises several varieties of medication,
such as corticosteroid creams or ointments; antibiotics; antihistamines like Diphenhydramine (Benadryl); oral corticosteroids
such as prednisone; and immunomodulators such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) - as well as light therapy
(phototherapy).
Conventional Treatment Treats the Symptoms Not the Cause
There are a
vast number of homeopathic remedies for skin conditions. So many variables come into play when selecting a remedial treatment,
including the exact nature of the skin disruption and its precise location on the body, whether it's itchy or painful, the
patient's other presenting problems (is the rash accompanied by a headache or gastronomical disturbance, for example); the
selection process is subtle and complex. Some of the more common homeopathic remedies for skin diseases include Graphites
[Graph], Arsenicum. [Ars], Antimonium crudum, Natrum muriaticum, Mezereum. [Mez], Rhus toxicodendron. [Rhus-t], Psorinum.
[Psor], Oleander. [Olnd], Ranunculus bulbosus. [Ran-b], Apis mellifica. [Apis], Hepar sulphur. [Hep], and Kali muriaticum.
[Kali-m].
The Epidermis, the protective outer layer of your skin,
is about as thick as a sheet of paper over most parts of the body. Several pigments, including melanin, melanoid, carotene,
reduced hemoglobin, and oxyhemoglobin, are found in this skin layer. The epidermis has four layers of cells that are constantly
flaking off and being renewed. In these four layers are three special types of cells which are completely replaced every
28 days or so:
Melanocytes
produce melanin (situated chiefly in the stratum basale of the epidermis). This pigment gives skin its color and protects
the body from ultraviolet light. Everyone has roughly the same number of melanocytes; however, those of dark-skinned people
produce more melanin. Exposure to sunlight increases the production of melanin, which is why people get suntanned or freckled.
Keratinocytes produce keratin,
a type of protein that is a basic component of hair and nails. Keratin is also found in skin cells in the skin's outer layer,
where it helps create a protective barrier.
Langerhans cells help protect the
body against infection.
The Dermis, the inner layer of your skin, is composed of
blood vessels, nerve endings, and connective tissue. The two types of fibers in the dermis, collagen and elastin, help the
skin stretch and reposition itself when we move. Collagen is strong and hard to stretch whereas elastin provides elasticity.
As we age, some of the elastin-containing fibers degenerate, which is one reason for wrinkles that are triggered by frequent
sun exposure. The dermis also contains the sebaceous glands which surround and empty into our hair follicles and pores. These
glands produce an oil called sebum that lubricates the skin and hair. They are found mostly in the skin on the face, upper
back, shoulders, and chest.
The Subcutaneous Tissue, the
bottom layer of your skin, is composed of connective tissue, sweat glands, blood vessels, and cells that store fat. This layer
protects your body from blows and other injuries and helps it preserve heat.
There are two types of sweat-producing glands in your skin: the Eccrine Glands, mostly found in the forehead, palms,
and soles of the feet, and the Apocrine Glands, which develop at puberty and are concentrated in the armpits and pubic region.
By producing sweat, these glands help regulate body temperature and excrete waste products. A normal, healthy adult secretes
about 1 pint (about half a liter) of sweat daily, but this may be increased by physical activity, fever, or hot environments
One of the most important discoveries about psoriasis is that it's more than just a skin disease; it's a chronic inflammatory
disorder of the immune system, known as autoimmune condition. This system includes a type of white blood cell,
called a T cell, that normally helps protect the body against infection and disease. Scientists now think that, in psoriasis,
an abnormal immune system causes activity by T cells in the skin. These T cells trigger the inflammation and excessive skin
cell reproduction seen in people with psoriasis. It is believed that you must have a genetic tendency to be susceptible
to the condition. But once your immune system is triggered, it sends a false alarm to your skin cells, telling them that they’ve
been damaged. The skin cells react by attempting to repair this “damage.” They begin reproducing at an accelerated
rate (the process that takes roughly 26 days in normal skin now occurs in about 5), rising to the skin surface, dying, and
building up there. The skin surface thickens. As blood vessels expand and more blood flows to the skin, it becomes red. The
result is the flaky, red patches you know as plaques. Because psoriasis is a condition of the immune system, researchers have
turned their efforts toward medicines that target the immune system directly.
Skin Conditions
Rash: Nearly any change in the skin’s appearance can be called a rash. Most rashes are from simple skin irritation; others
result from medical conditions.
Dermatitis: A general term for inflammation of the skin. Atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema) is the most common form.
Eczema: Skin inflammation (dermatitis) causing an itchy rash. Most often, it’s due to an overactive immune system.
Psoriasis: An autoimmune condition that can cause a variety of skin rashes. Silver, scaly plaques on the skin are the most common form.
Dandruff: A scaly condition of the scalp may be caused by seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, or eczema.
Acne: The most common skin condition, acne affects over 85% of people at some time in life.
Cellulitis: Inflammation of the dermis and subcutaneous tissues, usually due to an infection. A red, warm, often painful skin rash generally
results.
Skin abscess (boil or furuncle): A localized skin infection creates a collection of pus under the skin. Some abscesses must be opened
and drained by a doctor in order to be cured.
Rosacea: A chronic skin condition causing a red rash on the face. Rosacea may look like acne, and is poorly understood.
Warts: A virus infects the skin and causes the skin to grow excessively, creating a wart. Warts may be treated at home with chemicals,
duct tape, or freezing, or removed by a physician.
Melanoma: The most dangerous type of skin cancer, melanoma results from sun damage and other causes. A skin biopsy can identify melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma: The most common type of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is less dangerous than melanoma because it grows and spreads more
slowly.
Seborrheic keratosis: A benign, often itchy growth that appears like a “stuck-on” wart. Seborrheic keratoses may be removed by a physician,
if bothersome.
Actinic keratosis: A crusty or scaly bump that forms on sun-exposed skin. Actinic keratoses can sometimes progress to cancer.
Squamous cell carcinoma: A common form of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma may begin as an ulcer that won’t heal, or an abnormal growth.
It usually develops in sun-exposed areas.
Herpes: The herpes viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause periodic blisters or skin irritation around the lips or the genitals.
Hives: Raised, red, itchy patches on the skin that arise suddenly. Hives usually result from an allergic reaction.
Tinea versicolor: A benign fungal skin infection creates pale areas of low pigmentation on the skin.
Viral exantham: Many viral infections can cause a red rash affecting large areas of the skin. This is especially common in children.
Shingles (herpes zoster): Caused by the chickenpox virus, shingles is a painful rash on one side of the body. A new adult vaccine
can prevent shingles in most people.
Scabies: Tiny mites that burrow into the skin cause scabies. An intensely itchy rash in the webs of fingers, wrists, elbows, and
buttocks is typical of scabies.
Ringworm: A fungal skin infection (also called tinea). The characteristic rings it creates are not due to worms.
According
to Shé D'Montford, Shambhallah, from Australia ‘The human body "WILL HEAL"... If we get out of our
own way and allow it, it heals itself. It is our basic nature. Anybody who tells you other than that is trying to sell you
something. No matter what you have been told. Don't give up on yourself and don't buy into the lines like ... ‘oh well
you've had a good life'... 'at your age'... and the worst of all ...'there's nothing further I can do, I suggest you finalize
your affairs'... How dare anyone tell you to give up! So much in society combines to convince us of the propaganda that some
things never get better. It's up to you ... do you want to get better? Make things better? It is human nature to make things
better, evolve and grow.”
This site is intended to provide general information only and is not a substitute
for medical evaluation or treatment. All matters regarding health or a particular health situation should be supervised by
a licensed health care professional.The author and the publisher shall not be held responsible or liable for any harm or loss
allegedly arising, directly or indirectly from any information in this site
