Alternative Therapies
 People with eczema have tried various alternative
treatments, particularly in recent years. However, it is important to realise
that in general these medications are not tested in the same way as
prescription medicines, and so placebo effect cannot be ruled out. Also, their contents and safety are not strictly
controlled in the way that prescription medicines are.
Some of the alternative therapies commonly tried:
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Chinese herbal treatment
- Dietary modification
- Evening primrose oil
- Homeopathy
- Relaxation
The National Eczema Society recommends the following guidelines
if you are considering using an alternative therapy:
- Discuss it with your doctor first – there may be interactions
between certain medications. Conventional treatments
should never be stopped suddenly, without consulting your doctor.
- Ensure
that
the practitioner is properly qualified and registered
with the appropriate regulatory body – it has been found
that some Chinese eczema creams actually contain synthetic
steroids.
- Remember
that
a treatment described as natural or herbal is not
guaranteed to be safe.
- Different people will respond to different treatments.
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