Complementary and alternative medicine is a controversial topic in the medical field for a variety of reasons.
The main point of contention is the fact that these treatments (almost by their very definition) lack sufficient clinical research to adequately assess their risks and benefits. This of course excludes treatments that have sufficient evidence to prove that they are dangerous or ineffective.
But as friends, family members, and Internet reports can easily attest, there are many complementary and alternative treatments whose effectiveness in treating eczema is supported by anecdotal evidence.
The problem is that randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are the gold standard for evaluating therapeutic treatments of any kind. And the majority of these treatments have not been rigorously proven to have therapeutic benefit and be free of harmful side effects in randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials.
Unconventional treatments for eczema are on the rise
Recent decades have seen an increase in the number of studies evaluating some of these treatments, but even then, sample sizes are usually too small or study designs do not adequately account for confounding variables, making difficult to draw a definitive conclusion.
Nonetheless, a few treatments have begun to gain traction. These include sunflower seed oil, evening primrose oil, and topical vitamin B12.
More recently, a few others have shown therapeutic benefits. In this article, we will explore the use of honey, L-histidine, East Indian sandalwood oil (EISO), vitamin E, and melatonin to treat eczema symptoms.
Honey studied as possible topical treatment for eczema
Historically, honey is known to possess broad antimicrobial and healing properties, as well as to affect specific aspects of immune system function. Two studies (both published in 2017) examined the application of honey in the treatment of eczema.
One evaluated the topical use of Manuka honey and showed that nightly application to affected areas for just seven days resulted in a significant reduction in symptoms. Another study evaluated the effect of medical treatment with honey drops three times a day for two weeks on outer ear eczema.
This study also showed significant improvement in symptoms, including itching, redness, scaling, and discomfort. Although both studies had a small sample size of 15 to 16 participants, no side effects were reported. However, these promising results warrant further investigation and validation in a larger study.
L-histidine explored as treatment for oral eczema
L-histidine is an amino acid that the human body cannot produce and can therefore only be obtained through diet. It is an essential part of the skin barrier and helps maintain skin hydration, two important elements in the prevention and treatment of eczema.
A 2017 study showed that 4g of L-histidine taken orally daily for eight weeks reduced the severity of eczema symptoms and that this effect was comparable to that of a medium-strength topical steroid.
The reduction in symptoms also persisted eight weeks after supplementation ended, and no side effects were noted. Although there was only one study with only 24 participants enrolled, the results suggest that L-histidine could potentially have a very profound impact on the treatment of eczema.
East Indian Sandalwood Oil (EISO) Shows Promise as a Topical Treatment for Eczema
EISO is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well as antimicrobial activity.
A 2017 clinical trial studying three topical formulations of EISO containing 0.1% colloidal oatmeal showed a significant reduction in eczema severity in a group of 25 children with mild to severe eczema.
In eight weeks, 87.5 percent of the group saw a 25 percent reduction. Seventy-five percent saw a more than 50 percent reduction in eczema severity scores, and 18.8 percent achieved complete remission.
The results are convincing, but it should be noted that part of the observed effect can be attributed to colloidal oatmeal. Additionally, the initial severity of eczema was not described, so the percentage reduction may exaggerate the absolute magnitude of symptom reduction.
Vitamin E may have a ‘short-term rescue effect’ on eczema
Vitamin E, an essential nutrient, is believed to have effects on the immune system and its antioxidant properties. A 2015 study of 70 participants with mild to moderate eczema compared the use of 400 IU of vitamin E to a placebo for four months.
Vitamin E treatment showed greater improvement than placebo in itching, redness, swelling, excoriations, and thickening of the skin. However, this effect did not persist three months after the end of treatment. In fact, a similar proportion of patients relapsed between the vitamin E and placebo groups, 25 percent (7.28) and 22.2 percent (6/21), respectively.
Vitamin E may have a short-term rescue effect for eczema. It can be effective with intermittent use, much like how topical steroids are used in the conventional treatment of eczema.
No side effects were reported in this study, but there were documented reports of contact dermatitis, burning, and itching related to topical use of vitamin E.
Melatonin may improve eczema-related sleep problems
Melatonin is a natural hormone that the body produces when it wants to tell us it’s time to sleep. Skin barrier function, inflammation, and blood circulation all operate in a rhythmic pattern.
High levels of inflammation, itching, and abnormal melatonin production at night can lead to sleep disturbances, which result in lack of energy, mood disturbances, and changes in the immune system toward a state which further perpetuates eczema.
Higher nighttime melatonin levels are naturally associated with better sleep and, interestingly, less severe eczema symptoms in children.
A 2016 study of 48 children with eczema who had difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep showed that oral melatonin was better than placebo at shortening the time it took to fall asleep and reducing the severity of the condition. eczema.
This effect may be attributed to an alteration of the immune system to a state that does not facilitate inflammation or a reduction in scratching opportunities following increased sleep time.
A reduction in scratching is important to prevent further breakdown of the skin barrier and environmental exposures that perpetuate inflammation and the itch-scratch cycle that exacerbates eczema flare-ups.
No side effects were reported in this study and melatonin is an over-the-counter supplement frequently used by the general population to aid sleep. It may prove useful as an adjunctive treatment for eczema, especially for those who also experience difficulty sleeping due to their eczema symptoms.
Remember that unconventional treatments have not been proven safe and effective.
Even though more than half of eczema patients have tried or are currently using complementary and alternative medicines, many medical providers are hesitant when it comes to discussing these treatments with their patients – and that’s understandable, because many of them have not been proven to be effective and safe.
However, the preliminary results of some treatments, such as L-histidine, are so promising that some dermatologists have introduced their use as a complementary therapy for their eczema patients.
It is important to note that there are no guidelines when it comes to recommending the incorporation of these non-traditional treatments. But we believe this is a valid point of discussion between the patient and provider, and the decision should be made together. From the medical community’s perspective, at a minimum, these treatments deserve closer attention and further study.
Always consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.
https://nationaleczema.org/natural-treatments-for-eczema/