ECZEMA

Eczema also called Atopic dermatitis is an immune-mediated inflammation of the skin, often with a significant genetic component. Pruritus (itching) is the primary symptom; skin lesions range from mild erythema to severe lichenification. Diagnosis is by history and examination.

Treatment is based on plant based moisturizers, systemic medicinal plant based medication and avoidance of allergic and irritant triggers. A blood allergy test may be helpful to identify the underlying causes.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is IgE-mediated (extrinsic type, 70 to 80% of cases) or non-IgE-mediated (intrinsic type, 20 to 30% of cases). IgE-mediated disease is better characterized; non-IgE-mediated disease is non-familial and idiopathic.

Clinical Findings in Atopic Dermatitis*

Common features

Chronic or chronically relapsing

Personal or family history of atopic disease

Pruritus

Typical morphology and distribution:

Facial and extensor eczema in infants and children

Flexural eczema in adults

Frequent features

Cutaneous infections

Early onset

Elevated serum IgE

Nonspecific dermatitis of hands and feet

Positive type I allergy skin tests

Xerosis

Occasional features

Cataracts (anterior subcapsular)

Facial erythema

Food intolerance

Ichthyosis

Infraorbital folds

Itching with sweating

Keratoconus

Nipple eczema

Pityriasis alba

Recurrent conjunctivitis

White dermatographism

Wool intolerance

The London Skin Clinic

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Zest Magazine 01/08
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Pregnancy & Birth Magazine 01/08
Claudia's advice on skin-care for acne during pregnancy.

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Claudia's Skin-care as seen 3-months consecutively in Tatler magazine.

Family Health 08/07
Claudia's patient is interviewed by Family Health, the magazine issued by the Royal College of Nursing, to be found in all GP surgeries.

Claudia Louch
^{BSc Hons
MCPP; MSc Pharm; MSc RNutr}

Practitioner of Nutritional Science; Pharmacologist;
Phytotherapist

BBC Two

June 2008

Claudia Louch is the Nutritionist on the BBC programme 'The Supersizers'

The Observer Magazine 03/08
The Observer features Claudia's treatment options for Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS).

Natural Health Magazine 02/08
Natural Health votes Claudia's skin-care as the treatment of the month and the equivalent of choosing haute couture over high street!