The Eczemas


The terms ‘eczema’ or ‘vicharchika’are synonymous. They refer to distinctive reaction patterns in the skin , which can be either acute or chronic and due to a number of causes.



Types of Eczemas :

There are two groups of eczemas: Exogenous and endogenous. While overlap between the two groups is common, distinction between them is critical for treatment because avoidance of incriminating contactants takes precedence over other measures in the management of exogenous eczema. The box below shows the classification of the eczemas.

Symptoms

• In the former, there is no secretion whereas in the latter, water may come out from the patches, either by scratching or without it.

• Redness and swelling, usually with ill-defined margin

• Papules, vesicles and more rarely large blisters.

• Exudation and cracking.

• Scaling.

• Lichenification, a dry leathery thickening with increased skin markings, is secondary to rubbing and scratching.

• Fissures and scratch marks.

• Pigmentation.
  
  
  

  Enzymes and Skin

   

  The skin is loaded with natural enzymes that serve a vital purpose in running cellular machinery. They are the catalysts of virtually all biochemical activities in the body. Their vast responsibilities include food digestion; brain stimulation; and tissue, organ and cell repair. The body's enzymes are often divided into two groups-digestive enzymes and metabolic (or systemic) enzymes. Digestive enzymes are secreted along the gastrointestinal tract and break down foods, enabling nutrients to be absorbed. Their three main categories are protease enzymes, the protein digesters; amylase enzymes, the carbohydrate digesters; and lipase enzymes, the fat digesters.

   

  Digestive enzymes are not active inside cells but are produced in the pancreas and released into the small intestine where they chemically break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The body's ability to produce digestive enzymes decreases with age, and the enzymes produced are not as active. This enzyme deficit leads to poor digestion and therefore poor absorption of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients necessary for healthy skin. For example, without sufficient enzymes, the body can't extract beta-carotene from foods and convert it to vitamin A, which is critical to skin health.

   

  Cancer is probably the most serious skin damage caused by free radicals. In fact, one out of every three cancer cases diagnosed this year will be skin cancer, and one out of every five Americans will develop skin cancer sometime during his or her life- time, making this the most common form of cancer in the United States.

   

  There are many kinds of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, the most common type, which affects nearly 1 million Americans each year. Squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common skin cancer, affects 100,000 Americans yearly. Although not diagnosed as frequently as other skin cancers, malignant melanoma is the most dangerous skin cancer and affected 41,600 people in 1998. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation of New York, the incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing at an alarming rate.

   

  The Enzyme Deficit

   

  Free radicals are not the only culprits destroying enzymes and damaging skin. Many people develop an enzyme deficiency because of the foods they eat. Although raw foods contain the enzymes necessary for their digestion most people eat foods that have been cooked and processed and are, therefore, "enzyme dead." A diet lacking in enzymes puts an additional burden on the pancreas.
  
  
  

  Steps to Healthy Skin
  
  
  

  • Drink lots of water to keep the skin hydrated and minimize wrinkling.
    

  • Eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables
    

  • Get sufficient rest
    

  • Quit smoking, avoid alcohol and excessive sun exposure
    

  • Get sufficient exercise to improve circulation and enzymatic activity
    

  • Eat more whole foods avoiding processed and artificial ingredients
    

  • Avoid coffee and tea (tea has the substance used to tan leather)
    

  • Eat foods rich in enzymes (avocados, papayas, pineapples, bananas, mangos and the richest food: sprouts
    

  • Use only products with natural and healthful ingredients