Prickly Heat, Nettle Rash, Hives, Urticaria

Four names for the same thing, a specific skin condition caused by huge amounts of histamine released by the Mast cells found in the skin.  It can be caused by a number of things, dust, pollen, animal fur, and excessive heat.

The name Nettle Rash is appropriate because that is what it looks like, small, angry red blisters. So too Prickly Heat as it often appears when the weather is very hot.  Yes, it does prickle, and is itchy. It usually shows on the arms, neck and throat. Just what you don’t want on holiday.

In severe cases this can cause swelling around the eyes, and if it affects the throat, then breathing can be difficult, and would require medical treatment.

You may find that Prickly Heat only affects you when on holiday. Consider what is different from being at home (apart from loads of sun!) Hotel soap, new perfume, and of course the sun protection. It is found that the sun protection causes 3% of Prickly Heat. Did you have the problem last year? If so, think about what you used, and consider a different cream.

Stress can also be a factor.

Certain foods may make the situation worse, with the help of a nutritionalist one can find out the offending foods.

Anti-histamine will help combat the histamine causing the problem. This can be an over the counter remedy and it would be wise to take some with you just in case.  Some of these can cause lethargy, even the anti drowsy one. Cortisone is very effective at controlling Hives, but can cause drowsiness as well as other side effects

A short term solution could be a hot shower which would increase the histamine production. Once the histamine has been released, this should bring some relief for a few hours until the histamine builds up again. In the long term not the complete answer, but will offer some comfort until another solution can be found.

Alternative solutions.

• Nettle (Urtica)  as tincture, tea, capsules
• Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
• Vitamin C
• Beta-carotene supplement (15 mg)
• Quercetin
• Bathing
• Aloe-Vera
• Homoeopathy
• Food
• Sandalwood Essential Oil
• Mint Ice Cubes
• Flower Essences, Rescue Remedy

Something from the following should be of benefit. We are all different as human beings, and what might work for one may not work for another. Here are the suggestions.

Nettles in spite of causing a  rash, the plant contains anti-histamine and anti-allergic properties.  This can be taken in tincture form, in capsules, or made as a tea and applied topically.

Jewel weed (Impatiens capensis).  Dr James Duke recounts the story of experimenting by stinging both wrists with the stinging nettle.   He then applied a solution of lawsone, the active ingredient of the Jewel weed plant to one wrist, the treatment was instant.   The crushed plant would also help.

Vitamin C is  a natural anti-histamine, it will reduce the amount of histamine produced.   If low doses are taken throughout the day, in conjunction with the  A. Vogel tincture Urtica, this increases the effectiveness of the treatment.

Beta-carotene supplement (15 mg) daily, taken two weeks before the holiday. Find it in health food shops.

Quercetin, amongst other things is an anti-histamine.  The foods rich in Quercetin are lovage, apples, tea and onion, especially the red onion. The highest concentration occurs in the dry, outer skins.   Quercetin can be bought as a supplement. The recommended dose, 500 mg twice a day.

Bathing the body with a slice of lemon in the water.

Aloe-Vera has long been associated with bringing about relief from sun burn, and burns in general.   This can be applied as a gel, or taken internally.

Homoeopathy -There are a few that are reputed to work according to how the Prickly Heat presents it’s self. The condition can vary from being worse at night,  causing chills, very red and large, chronic and causing fever. The suggested remedies are Apis, Natrum muriaticum, Rhus toxicodendron, Urtica and Arsenicum album. If you chose this method of  treatment, it is wise to ask the advice of a Homeopath.
Also, Weleda’s Urtica Cream can bring about relief.

Food -During an attack of Hives Dr Thomas Bartram recommends avoiding foods that cause sweating;  hot drinks, curries and peppers.

Sandalwood Essential Oil – The ancient Indian Ayurvedic treatment would be to use 20 drops of oil to one ounce almond carrier oil,   Apply every 3-4 hours.   In India Hives are known as ‘pitta’ meaning fiery.   Sandalwood will calm the skin.

Mint Ice Cubes,  cooling cubes are an idea from herbal educator Norma Pasekoff Weinberg, using two teaspoons of fresh mint, or one of dried, add boiling water, allow to to infuse, strain and cool. Pour into cube trays, freeze, and when needed cool the affected parts.

Flower Essences. If the attack is more sever at times of stress, perhaps looking at a mental solution, for example the Bach Flower Remedies, Mimulus for fear and anxiety.   Rescue Remedy would be the best ‘first aid’ for the emotions.

Sources

Alternative Cures  Bill Gottleib ISBN 978-0-345-50539-2
Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine   Thomas Bartram    ISBN 978-1-85487-586-0
Green Pharmacy James Duke  ISBN 0-87596-316-1
Alfred Vogel Institute

Acne

Whilst this is not in any way a serious illness, the effects on the person suffering can be devastating.  It is our face that we show to the world and when it is mutilated by an horrendous outbreak of spots, often at a time when we have just developed an interest in the opposite sex, it can seriously affect confidence and self esteem.

Conventional acne remedies, using drugs.

According to the Bioglan literature available at the doctor’s surgery, the recommended treatment for severe acne is the drug isotretinoin.  It unfortunately has a very bad press.   The web site http://isotretinoinsideeffects.com/ highlights some of the concerns.  Much has been written about the suicides associated with the drug. Clinicians argue that people suffering with acne might already have suicidal tendencies, and further testing would be needed to find out the full facts of the case.

7 natural acne remedies you could try

1. Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B 5

The popularity of this treatment for acne has come about as a result of postings on the Internet.  The web surfers proclaim a daily dose of between 5g-10g per day of Pantothenic Acid will lead to having spot free skin. The medical establishment have shown concern at the high dosage, 4-mg – 7-mg daily they say should be the upper limit.

A study of 100 patients in Hong Kong in 1995 in Hong Kong showed a decrease in the sebum secretion on the face soon after the initial therapy.  [reported in the Medical Hypotheses, the author Dr. Lit-Hung Leung of the Department of General Surgery,]

It was reported that moderate cases cleared up in eight weeks, with more serious conditions taking up to 6 months. Dr Leung argued that people with acne may be deficient in Vitamin B 5 which is a component of coenzyme A, a chemical involved in fatty acid metabolism It is possible that during puberty, hormonal development could take priority, and therefore a lack of coenzyme A for the fats.   While the medical establishment consider the pros and cons of this radical treatment, the Internet is full of sites promoting and selling Vitamin B 5.

The respected herbalist Thomas Bartram writes that B 5 produces healthy skin and hair.

2. Agnus Castus

Agnus Castus is a small Mediterranean herb, used for centuries to balance the female hormones.  It can also be used to treat adolescent acne, for both boys and girls.   Whilst there is no hard evidence, it is thought that it works at a hormonal level to improve the function of the sebaceous glands, and that is at the root cause of the spots.

Agnus Caste can be taken as a tincture.

3. Diet

Q “Does eating greasy food or chocolate make acne worse?”
A “No.   Although acne is linked with too much grease production by the sebaceous glands in the skin, this is not affected by your diet, so don’t let anyone blame your  acne on eating too many chips or too much chocolate.”

That is the medical take on the problem as found in the leaflet in the doctor’s waiting room. It is not a view shared by alternative therapists, nor the celebrities who grace the glossy magazines.

When we consume  food and drink, it travels though our system delivering the nutrients before the waste exits through  the colon and bladder. When the system has had an overload of junk food that it cannot get rid of, then the toxins need to find another route, the skin.  The skin is the largest organ in the body.

The ‘bad foods’ are ones containing saturated fat in animal products, and hydrogenated fat in processed food.  What is required is a change in eating habits, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and lots of water to drink.

4. Nettle Tea

In the days before supermarkets, and indeed grocery shops, the folks of the land would welcome the first green plant after the winter, the nettle.   It was a source of food, but also recognised as a ‘blood purifier’.  After a long winter of cereals and salted meats the human body needed tis change.  Until recently older people in the country would still recommend the drinking of nettle tea to cleanse the blood, to rid the body of toxins, and thus clears the skin.

Other plants that provide the same service are the leaves of the blackberry, strawberry or raspberry, or the flower of the coltsfoot.  To each add boiling water, infuse, strain an drink.  Honey can be added to make it more palatable.

Please see our previous post on how to make nettle tea.

5. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can work in different ways to help in the treatment of acne.  Following the previous topic, it is necessary to get rid of the toxins in the system.  An aromatherapist can use oils and massage to increase the circulation, and improve the lymphatic system. A body performing well will help make a start on the underlying problem.

Certain oils can be used to treat the face, for example, Tea Tree in dilution will help with skin hygiene.

With a problem like acne when the skin is distressed, it would be better to take professional aromatherapist advice to find the oils suitable to the individual.  The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) can help you find a qualified aromatherapist.

6. Facial Steam Treatments

Having a weekly at home facial steam treatment using the herb Yarrow can help. Add 1 teaspoon of yarrow to a basin of steaming water, cover the head with a towel, and allow the steam to open and drain the pores. Be sensible about the distance to the steam, do not get so close that it will cause the face to burn.

7. Cleanliness

Great care must be taken with hygiene.  The face should be kept clean, but without rubbing and scrubbing.  Gentle patting with fresh cotton wool can work.  Never share a face cloth with others.  Take care and use discretion with soaps and specialized products for acne.

Keep the hands and nails scrupulously clean, because there is an unconscious tendency to touch the face, we don’t realize just how often we do it.

8. Flower Remedies

The prevalent emotions presented with by acne sufferers are different forms of depression.  The following Bach Flower Remedies may also alleviate the following feelings

feelings of hopelessness and despair      Gorse
anguish                                                          Sweet Chestnut
descending gloom                                       Mustard
low self esteem                                            Crab Apple

The remedies are relatively inexpensive, there are thirty eight different emotions catered for, and one can self diagnose, leaflets are available in heal food stores.

Conclusion

Whilst it is true that the vast majority of acne cases are experienced in adolescents, one person in 20 will continue to have acne to some extent, often women in the days before menstruation.  It seems no coincidence that the  high instance of acne occurs around puberty when the hormones are in turmoil.   So in some measure if the hormones can be controlled or balanced, this will go some way to alleviating the problem. Therefore Agnus Castus could be a good herb to take.

In spite of the handout in the doctor’s surgery that diet is not a factor, it has been noted that  in the Eskimo society, acne was unknown until a Western diet was adopted. Another study found the teenagers in New Guinea and Paraguay did not suffer from acne, again Western food not part of the diet.   Scientists caution that more studies into the findings need to be made before conclusions can be reached.

The underlying causes are dietary and hormonal.   Acne may be aggravated if the diet contains too many carbohydrates or fats.   The body may not have the metabolism to deal with the problem.   Therefore cutting down on fatty foods and sweets should be encouraged.  More fruit and vegetables should be included into the diet.

Last thought.   Louis L. Hay who writes on the mental causes of health problems states that acne is   ‘Not accepting the self. Dislike of the self”  She suggests the affirmation
“I am a Divine expression of life, I love an accept myself where I am right now” You can make of that what you will – it doesn’t cost anything to do., so maybe give it a go?

Good luck

What is depression and why are so many people hooked on to prescription drugs to find relief?

There are many degrees of depression from feeling mildly fed up to clinical depression, but what is is the difference?  One type is known as exogenous which means problems arising from outside the self, that could be marriage break down, loss of job, or bereavement.  In other words a situation that requires to be dealt with, and that hopefully with the passage of time the situation will resolve itself or one learns to come to terms with the loss or change of circumstances. Endrogenious on the other hand is brought about by changes within the body.

A common cause of action to combat depression is the prescription of anti depressants like Prozac. At this time, there is significant media attention focused upon the ‘extravagant’ use of anti depressants, the fact that they are often no better than a placebo and at worst they can produce harmful side effects. This has led to a review as to the use and prescribing of the anti depressants.

It would be disingenuous to suggest that it is universally felt that the drugs are of no value and many people have benefited and have been able to get on with their lives. However, the medical establishment seem to feel that only in severe cases should anti-depression drugs be given.  Attention is therefore being shifted to alternatives such as counseling. The latest is cognitive behvioural therapy, involving sessions with a counsellor to help patients work through negative thoughts, thus encouraging positive thoughts.

Another way of doing this is with to use Bach Flower Remedies.  They are made by using the vibration essence of the flower petals, using spring water and then preserved with a little brandy.  They are more similar to the philosophy of Homoeopathy than herbal tinctures.  There are absolutely no side effects in their use, and can be taken until the negative emotion that is causing the depression has subsided. For example if something occurs that causes great anger so that you feel helpless to do anything, or you receive a shock, there are drops to help you deal with these emotions.  The Bach website details more about the different flowers and their purported remedies to help you self diagnose. Dr. Bach intended that these were available to help people help themselves. Obviously the drops won’t change the situation, but they will change your perception of it and therefore help you deal with it.

The best known of the remedies is the Rescue Remedy. This little bottle is a collection of five remedies and are particularly useful as the first aid for the emotions. When accidents strike, or unexpected circumstance rise an panic and shock set in, the Rescue Remedy will be of use.

St Johns Wort, a herb that has long been used to help mild to medium depression and indeed in trials has deem shown to work better than the drug equivalent. This can be purchased without prescription in a health food shop. There are few side effects but any herb should be used with care and always follow the guide lines given.