Soothing Skin Inflammation
Inflammatory skin problems often develop when the skin's production of sebum (oil) or skin cells — or both — has gotten out of control. There isn't any clear cause for these problems, although many seem to involve an allergic or abnormal immune response. But we do know that there are plenty of contributing factors, including stress, infection, and certain pharmaceuticals.
Three of the most common skin inflammations are rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. Conventional medicine treats eczema and psoriasis with a slew of medications. They include oral antihistamines like OTC diphen-hydramine (Benadryl) and prescription-only hydroxyzine (Vistaril), plus topical steroids like OTC hydrocortisone (Cortaid) and prescription triam-cinolone (Kenalog) and betamethasone (Betatrex). Topical immunomodu-lating drugs like prescription-only tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) are sometimes used for resistant cases of eczema.
Oral antihistamines often cause sedation. Topical and oral steroids can cause thinning of the skin and increased risk of infections. Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus have been associated with increased risk of cancer and immune system suppression. Herbal treatments, which can be used in conjunction with conventional treatments, include these:
• Aloe (Aloe vera) |
Aloe vera is the herb of choice for inflammatory skin conditions and has proven antibacterial and antioxidant effects. In one study, aloe cream cleared psoriasis outbreaks in nearly everyone who used it. |
• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) |
Research shows that topical applications can relieve the inflammation and itching of chronic dermatitis as well as hydrocortisone creams — and better than nonsteroidal drugs. |
• Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) |
Gotu kola is well known in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for its skinrepairing abilities. Research suggests that topical extracts can relieve symptoms of psoriasis. |
• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) |
Licorice has soothing emollient and wound-healing effects and can help relieve the symptoms of inflammatory skin problems like dermatitis and rosacea. Studies on dermatitis patients show that topical licorice extracts relieve the itching, inflammation, and discomfort better than hydrocortisone. |
• Saint John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) |
Saint John's wort is a powerful weapon against many skin disorders, and studies show that topical applications reduce the severity of several inflammatory skin diseases. |
