Treating Eczema

By Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo
© 2002

Most Eczema is related to intestinal dysbiosis, food allergy, and leaky gut.  Treatment must include gastrointestinal restoration, the 4 “R” program:

1)  Remove: pathogenic organisms and offending foods.

      ·        Stool analysis will guide us here for botanical antimicrobials
·        Possible h pylori in stomach
·        Retest food sensitivities using kinesiology
·        Elimination diet
·        Blue Flag (iris versicolor) 10 drops three times per day to help restore proper response to food allergens by increasing IhM and IgG over IgE
·        Colostrum: provides IgG, IgM, And IgA which helps to decrease the IgE dominance that causes allergic symptoms

2)  Replace:  digestive enzymes, stomach acid as needed.

      ·        Use of a mixed enzyme formula at meals. 
·        Including bitters with each meal to improve digestive function

3)  Reinoculate :

      ·        probiotics to restore normal flora (lactobacillus and bifidobacterium species). 
·        Prebiotics such as inulin, fructooligosaccarides, soluble rice fibers and arabinogalactins help the organisms in the probiotics to establish themselves in the intestine

4)  Regeneration:healing of the intestinal membrane and restoration of function

      ·        Flax oil 2 Tbs / day
·        Fish oils: 1000 mg 3 times per day
·        Vitamin E 800iu
·        Beta Carotene 100,000 IU
·        Zinc 30 mg
·        Selenomethionine: 800 mcg
·        Glutamine: provides fuel for the rapidly replicating cells of the GI mucosa, protects the membrane and supports healing, and improves immune function in the gut by assisting in SigA production
·        Phosphatidylcholine: protects intestinal and gastric mucosa
·        Plantain fruit: protects the gastric mucosa
·        Licorice root: demulcent, anti-inflammatory
·        Aloe Vera: healing of the intestinal mucosa
·        Soluble fiber mixture with each meal: equal parts oat bran or rice bran, flax meal and slippery elm powder, 1 Tbs total,  mixed in water at the beginning of each meal
·        Triphala and tumeric powders ½ tsp each 3 times per day
·        Quercitin Chalcone 500mg 3 times per day to stabilize mast cells
·        Bromelain 2-5 grams per day on an empty stomach to help break down IgE and stimulate complement cascade clean up of the internal environment
·        Sea Cure or Sea Vive: a hydrolyzed fish protein concentrate which has been shown in studies to improve “leaky gut”

The following herbs have been useful in helping heal eczema in conjunction with the 4 R program:

     ·        Pilocarpus jaborandi, 4 drops 3 times a day,  and or Yarrow, 10 drops 3 times a day, act as  profound diaphoretics which promotes expulsion of the rash and increases secretion of SigA
·        Coleus Forskohlii 10-15 drops three times a day to promote camp production of cGMP nn..has been shown to have a positive effect on the resolution of eczema and psoriasis
·        Burdock, dandelion root, red clover and yellow dock to help with liver function.  Any one or two of these, 30-60 drops three times a day

Dietary: avoid all common allergens and specific known antigens.  Maintain a balance towards alkaline ash foods, per chart (80% 0f diet), and choose anti-inflammatory foods per chart.   Strict dietary needs to be followed for a period of one month while healing is taking place, to maximize the effectiveness of the supplemental therapies

Topical: Comfrey Goo: mix chopped Comfrey root or Comfrey powder  in the blender with a small amount of water.  Blend until well mixed and apply to the rash.  Cover with flannel or bandage material to decrease messiness and leave on overnight. 

Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo likes to think of  herself as a health coach.  She is a doctor of chiropractic and a certified clinical nutritionist.  In addition, she has a masters degree in human nutrition, advanced training in nutrition and integrated health care, and is certified in acupuncture.

 Her philosophy of health care stems from her belief that the body is born with enormous self-healing potential.  Unfortunately, lifestyle, habits, and beliefs often short circuit the self-healing mechanisms, and illness and dysfunction result.  Uncovering the underlying cause of health challenges, and integral part to the work that Dr. Loscalzo does, can be tricky. 

 Dr. Loscalzo incorporates a wide range of healing modalities into her practice, including lifestyle and nutrition counseling, stress management, manipulation, acupuncture and acupressure, craniosacral therapy, various forms of therapeutic massage, kinesiology, and supplementation of biocompatible nutrients, herbs, and homeopathic formulations. 

This article and all content of her website are copyrighted to Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo.  Feel free to share this information with friends and family.  However, reprint in all forms (including electronic and old-fashioned print) are by permission only.  You will find her receptive to most requests.  Just drop her an email.