David Hauswirth, M.D., The Ohio State University
| Watch Live | World News Webcast |
Question: Are there any ways to treat atopic dermatitis using alternative medicine?
Answer: Alternative medicine has been used to treat atopic dermatitis, also commonly called eczema.
One way that people have tried to treat this is with traditional Chinese herbal medications. Often a mixture of several herbs is taken by mouth and will improve the symptoms of eczema. This has been studied in clinical trials where they have had both positive and negative benefit.
Other treatments have included a mixture of honey, beeswax and olive oil that is applied directly to the skin such as a moisturizer to prevent water loss.
Some people have tried nutritional supplements that contain either omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids. These are commonly found in evening primrose oil and are thought to replace some of the water and fat that are lost in people who have eczema skin.
Lastly, eczema can be treated with probiotics. People who use probiotics feel that these alter the balance of bacteria in the intestines and restore the immune system to a balance which will treat eczema.
Next: What Should I Know About Moisturizers And Atopic Dermatitis?
Previous: How Do You Treat Atopic Dermatitis?
