Rash

Symptoms

A skin rash is any skin irritation. When it appears in conjunction with other symptoms, it is a sign of a larger illness, such as chickenpox, measles, lupus or allergies. In other cases, it is a simple inflammation, as are most diaper rashes or insect bites. Conditions like eczema, psoriasis and seborrhea are strongly influenced by internal as well as external influences.

The type of skin condition is established by carefully noting how the rash looks, where and when it appears and how other symptoms might be associated with it. Well-defined, intensely itchy rashes are often due to fungal infections or eczema. Hives are also extremely itchy, and have easily recognizable welts. Scaling may suggest psoriasis or a healing eczema. Prickly heat is a skin rash that occurs in some people as a reaction to heat especially sunburn. Tiny pimples develop that itch tremendously. It is very common in children, and often occurs where there are sweat glands, for instance inside the thighs.

Rash Causes

The skin is a barrier against outside influences. It is the body's largest organ and is intricately related to the body's metabolism. Most chronic skin rashes are related to and affected by inner disturbances, especially by hormonal changes, and problems with diet, digestion and constipation. A sluggish liver and digestive tract are often underlying problems, usually caused by a poor or inadequate diet.

Skin rashes are often caused by allergies. Most skin conditions worsen with psychological and emotional stress. Virulent bacteria cause skin conditions such as impetigo or scabies. It is important to remember that the skin is a detoxifying organ and trying to eliminate skin rashes with cortisone and antibiotic ointments interferes with the skin's function.

Rash Nutrition

Unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil used every day as a dressing on salads or baked potatoes, mixed into pasta or rice dishes, stirred into yogurt or quark, or incorporated into any dish which does not require heating, will improve skin health. Unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil is an excellent source of the essential fatty acid omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid and also contains the other essential fatty acid, linoleic acid. These fats, are converted into hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which maintain healthy skin and reduce inflammations. Avoid saturated fats found in beef and pork, and trans-fatty acids found in margarine, shortening and most commercially-prepared foods.

A rash is often due to chronic overacidity of body tissues. To correct the imbalance, eat less meat, dairy products and grains and emphasize fresh fruits and vegetables. Drinking diluted lemon juice can also help correct overacidity. Although lemons taste sour, they burn in the body to alkaline ash. Eat fruits and vegetables mostly raw to provide fiber. Fiber promotes regular bowel movements and keeps the intestines clear of toxins, which otherwise would be absorbed into the body and possibly eliminated through the skin, causing a rash. Raw fruits and vegetables also provide enzymes, the vital igniters of metabolic and immune system functions. Enzymes are only available in raw foods. If the cause of the rash is not an obvious one, such as an insect bite or a reaction to cosmetics or heat, check for food allergies.

Rash Nutritional Supplements

In many cases of skin rashes, the essential fatty acids are missing from the diet. Since the essential fatty acids provide the skin with nutrients and contain anti-inflammatory properties, they are excellent for treating most skin conditions. Evening primrose oil and a combination of oils are excellent sources of essential fatty acids vital for healthy skin. The vitamins A, E and beta-carotene, are also important for maintaining healthy skin function. In cases where an allergic response or poison ivy has caused the rash, vitamin C with bioflavonoids in large doses is most helpful. Vitamin C prevents and treats all skin conditions and poison ivy. It also heals the connective tissues. Since the skin is a major organ of elimination, reducing the amount of toxins expelled through the skin by cleansing the liver, kidneys and bowels is highly recommended as a foundation for treating all chronic skin problems. Green food supplements provide chlorophyll, which will detoxify the blood and help renew cells.

Daily dosages:

Most Important

Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily

Vitamin A, 25,000 IU (avoid during pregnancy) or beta-carotene, 50,000 IU

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg

Helpful

Green food supplements, 1 tbsp.

Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400-800 IU twice daily

Herbal Remedies

A juice fast in combination with herbal remedies to detoxify and cleanse the blood and stimulate the liver and kidneys will improve any type of rash.

Dandelion and nettle juice are excellent for cleansing the blood and stimulating liver and gall-bladder action. Take 1 tbsp. of fresh juice three times daily.

Drink sage tea for the kidneys. Boil leaves in water for three minutes, strain and drink.

White willow bark is one of the best herbal remedies for most skin conditions and has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and astringent properties. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of bark powder and drink 2-3 cups daily. Mix 2 cups of boiling water with 4 tbsp. of bark powder to wash the area externally; avoid the eyes.

Wild daisy has pain-relieving and disinfectant properties. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 tsp. of flowers and leaves of wild daisy. Steep for ten minutes, strain and drink 1 cup twice daily. This tea can also be used to apply externally on rash.

Add rosemary to bath water or apply a rosemary salve to the area to stimulate the skin.

Dab infected areas with camomile, violet or tea tree oil diluted in water or extra virgin olive oil to soothe the inflamed skin.

Rash Homeopathy

Homeopathy can relieve the symptoms of an occasional rash. Take 2 tablets of the 6c strength, allowing them to dissolve under the tongue, and repeat three times daily for up to two weeks, if necessary.

Rhus tox, made from poison oak, is a popular skin rash remedy for the eruptions of tiny fluid-filled blisters which burn and itch, especially at night. Hot bathing brings relief.

Apis, made from the sting of a bee, is particularly useful for eruptions with marked swelling, which sting and burn with heat and pain. The skin is itchy, red and very sensitive to heat. Cold applications bring relief.

Sulphur is more useful for skin rashes that burn when bathing and where warmth aggravates the condition.

Urtica urens can be chosen when the rash is intensely itchy, appears in blotches and burns or stings. Cold worsens it and rubbing relieves the itching.

Rash Tissue Salts

Take 4 tablets four times daily under the tongue until the rash subsides.

For allergic skin reactions, Ferr phos is used in the beginning stages, when there is a hot, burning skin rash with fever.

If the rash is dry and scaling, worse in the evening and in the heat, use Kali sulph. This remedy will also help sticky, crusty and yellow skin rashes.

For clear blisters that form as a result of getting too hot or as a sun allergy, use Nat mur.

Honey-colored, creamy, irritating skin rashes and sour, acidic smelling discharges are remedied with Nat phos.

Rash External/Physical Therapies

A regulated lifestyle of rest and sleep is important to allow the body to heal itself. Avoid excessive stress.

Dab infected areas with liquid whey or apply clay and bran masks. Clay is very soothing and absorbs toxins.

Rash Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Molkosan (Bioforce)

Flax Oil (Flora)

Flax-O-Mega 1000 mg (Flora)

Flax Seed Oil 1000 mg (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil Liquid (Natural Factors)

Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil
(Natural Factors)

Vitamin A (Natural Factors)

Herbal Remedies

Dandelion Root (Nature's Herbs)

Willowprin Max (Nature's Herbs)

Homeopathy

Apis (Nelsons Homeopathy)

Rhus Tox (Nelsons Homeopathy)

Sulphur (Nelsons Homeopathy)

External Therapies

Rescue Cream/Bach Flower Remedies
(Bach-Karooch Ltd)

Camomile Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Lavender Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)