Skin Health: Looking Deeper

Monday, May 16th, 2011

by Dr. Hilary Costello

Nature Cures Clinic physician

The Pacific Northwest allergy season is slow to develop this year as the spring season and its multitude of blooms are patiently awaiting the warmth and sun to arrive. It has been an unusually cool spring and the various pollens and allergy triggers are yet to cause many of the signs and symptoms that we are used to seeing at Nature Cures Clinic by this time of year. This is the perfect time to begin to support the immune system and reduce reactivity to allergens by increasing the bioflavonoids, vitamins, and minerals in the diet. The wonderful array of local Portland area farmers markets are filled with all the fixings for lovely organic and delicious nutrition for the entire family.   

Fruits and vegetables are the most nutrient-dense foods. Fermented foods and beverages such as sauerkraut, cultured yogurt (dairy or coconut), kefir, miso, kombucha, etc. provide high levels of the good bacteria required for proper digestion. The good bacteria are also called probiotics. Beneficial bacteria for the gut is an essential part of the treatment plan for allergies. These probiotic-rich traditionally prepared foods are excellent choices for regular consumption and are available at health food stores. Make sure to have several servings of fresh vegetables every day. It really does make a difference in the functioning of the gastrointestinal system to have adequate fiber and mineral dense vegetables and fruit. It is also the perfect time to get your vegetable starts planted to ensure a bountiful summer crop.

May is the month of skin health awareness at Nature Cures Clinic. A common skin ailment that exists in populations across the world is atopic dermatitis, otherwise known as eczema. Most of us have family members or friends that have experienced eczema at some point in their lives. Atopic dermatitis is part of a triad of illnesses that often runs in family lines. Asthma, hay fever, and atopic dermatitis make the triad of atopy and family members may be affected by one or all three. If an individual has a relative with one of the three, it increases the likelihood of developing one of the triad over his or her lifetime. As with any chronic or acute inflammatory illness, diet and life style choices can dramatically improve the symptom picture.

Eczema can develop in the newborn or can spontaneously emerge later in life. We often see children with eczema that is caused from food sensitivities or premature introduction of certain foods that the child is unable to metabolize without creating inflammation. Cautious and conscience food introduction is a great way to prevent eczema in a baby or toddler. In older children or adults, eczema is often related to food sensitivities, liver health, environmental toxicity, allergies or stress. Unfortunately, it is often a combination of many things.

From an allopathic or conventional medical model, hydrocortisone or steroid cream is often the treatment of choice. However, this does not address the underlying cause of the inflammatory response. Naturopathic medicine truly shines in the case of identifying the cause of illness and finding ways to directly improve metabolism and digestion by decreasing inflammation. In the process of becoming more healthy overall, many of the acute health issues, such as eczema in this case, slowly disappear. It is the philosophical principles of naturopathic medicine that guide the healing process.

Identifying and treating the cause, not the symptom, allowing the healing power of nature to act, and treating the whole person are some of the guiding principles that create the quality healing that will allow an individual to live symptom free.

Naturopathic medicine has many treatment options for atopic dermatitis and other chronic skin conditions such as acne or psoriasis. A thorough health history including a review of the organs systems of the body will help to identify the cause of the skin inflammation and guide the treatment plan. Botanical medicine, homeopathy, Chinese herbal formulation, nutritional therapy, vitamin and mineral supplementation and lifestyle recommendations are the components that define a holistic medicine plan at Nature Cures Clinic.

Holistic dermatology is an area of specialty within my medical practice and I see many patients, young and old, with various skin conditions. I spend a lot of my clinical time working with individuals to solve skin issues. Please feel free to schedule a 30 minute free consult to learn more about your naturopathic options. Enjoy the spring!

If you or someone you know is suffering with allergy symptoms right now, don’t wait to get relief! Purchase a bottle of Nature Cures’ own Allergy Relief tablets from the Nature Cures Clinic store page today.

Image courtesy Cara Photography

Tags: allergies, allergy relief, Dr. Hilary Costello, Nutrition, skin, skin health, spring
Posted in Articles by our Doctors, Dr. Hilary Costello | Comments Off