BACKGROUND:
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disease which usually develops during childhood. Despite being a condition frequently treated with homeopathy, the evidence is still insufficient to define homeopathic treatment’s efficacy and the best therapeutic strategies.
AIMS:
To evaluate the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment of AD in a general homeopathic practice setting.
METHODS:
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.
RESULTS:
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.
CONCLUSIONS:This study suggests that in a general medical practice setting, homeopathic treatment could be regarded as an effective choice for patients with AD.
So what can you use?Based on the above study, Sulfur 30C has been shown most effective for the type of allergy most dogs are dealing with (atopic dermatitis)
Top homeopathic medicines for Allergies1. Apis Mellifica: Apis mellifica is a homeopathic medicine that holds a prime position to treat the hives or urticarial rash due to allergic reactions. This medicine can be utilized in all cases of allergic hives that result in violent itching with burning and stinging sensations. Patient may be relieved by cold applications. The skin is sensitive to touch. Swelling also accompanies. Slight betterment in the skin symptoms in open air is another prominent factor which, if present, confirms that this medicine should be used.
2. Arsenic Album: Homeopathic medicine Arsenic Album is a frequently used medicine for treating nasal allergy. The symptom in gist that points towards this medicine’s implication is fluent and burning discharge from the nose with much sneezing. This may be accompanied by watering from eyes with burning.
3. Natrum Mur: Natrum Mur is suitable medicine for both nasal and skin allergies. The important pointers for using Natrum Mur in nasal allergy are running nose with sneezing and breathing difficulties; and in skin allergies it is used mainly when excessive itching is present that mainly gets worse in warm room and better in open air. Craving for salt is usually noted in all the patients requiring Natrum Mur.
4. Sulphur: When it comes to skin allergies, Sulphur is the foremost and an infallible homeopathic medicine for allergies. This can be employed in all those cases of skin allergy where excessive itching with extreme burning sensation is present. Skin usually remains dry. The patient scratches the skin and gets relief. These are all the local skin symptoms for using this medicine. The constitutional symptoms used for selecting this medicine for chronic treatment include an aversion to bathing, unhealthy dirty looking skin, craving for sweets and an utmost heat in the whole body.
