SKIN DISEASES

Jan’s knowledge and experience as a natural health practitioner is communicated as always with an ease of style that is a joy to read. His book is a practical and common-sense approach to Skin Diseases.

As a sufferer of psoriasis myself for over 15 years, I remember well the feelings of discomfort, isolation and rejection that are associated with the disease.

My personal success with a holistic approach to healing the skin included careful attention to diet and used the resources that nature provided.

You too can have clear, healthy skin and new confidence in your life using this approach.

The skin is one of the biggest organs of the body and a man has roughly 1.5 square metres of skin, weighing about 4.5 kilogrammes with 10 kilogrammes of fat underneath. Contrary to the male, the skin of a female weighs about 3 kilogrammes and the fat underneath weighs 12 kilogrammes.

The skin is made up of two distinct layers. The outer or superficial layer is called the epidermis, while the deeper layer is known as the dermis. During the first month of pregnancy, an embryo is covered by a single layer of ectodermal cells. During the second month the periderm develops over the surface. By the end of the fourth month, four distinct layers of skin are evident. The basal layer is known as the germinative layer and is responsible for producing new skin cells. This latter layer forms into ridges and hollows which we see as fingerprints on the surface. Fingerprints form the basis of many genetic studies and, of course, are used in criminal investigations. During the third and fourth months the lower layer is formed. This is the dermis, and the inner layer is called the subcorium, while the outer layer is known as the corium. The skin glands form in the corium and the deeper layer, or subcorium, consists of fatty tissue. The epidermis is responsible for the growth of nails and hair, and the dermis contains arteries and nerves.

Depending on what is required from the skin, it can be thick and rough, or fine and supple. Hormonal secretions determine whether the skin is dry or oily.

The cells of the epidermis house a substance called keratin. These cells are very thin fibres on the top layer of the skin. Keratin strengthens the skin and also makes it impossible for water to permeate, thus making us waterproof. There are also glands which ensure that water cannot penetrate the skin, and they secrete a fatty substance which destroys bacteria on the surface. This network which also consists of small blood vessels or capillaries in the cutis, penetrates the epidermis and carries nourishment to the follicles and the skin glands.

The elastic and collagen fibres which surround this structure do a highly efficient job. When we see how quickly the skin regenerates after a little damage, we realise that it deserves to be treated with great respect. It is really wonderful to see how a small cut is healed by so many invisible helpers. There are few tissues in the body that work as effectively as the skin and yet, on the whole, we take little care of this valuable, protective layer.

Keratin is a very important substance and is the main ingredient of nails and hair. Nails start to grow after two months’ growth of the embryo in the uterus, and after five months the nails are fully developed. While the total thickness of the skin is only a few millimetres, finger nails grow at a rate of about one millimetre a week.

All over the body the skin is covered with sweat glands, with the exception of the lips. There are about three million sweat glands, mostly on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, and also the armpits. These allow perspiration to maintain the body temperature although, especially under the armpits, perspiration can often result in an unpleasant odour, and is also a common cause of many skin conditions. There are many deodorants available, although unfortunately a lot of them are of an inferior quality. Deodorants are available not only for use on the armpits, but also for other parts of the body. The deodorant should be chosen with great care. Those with an aluminium content are not very beneficial and nowadays special natural deodorants are available in health food shops.

Anti-perspirants are not such a good idea, as these block the sweat glands and prevent them from working normally. We can create a number of problems for ourselves by using the wrong products, and I have seen quite a few unidentified skin problems under the arms which have been self-inflicted. Care must be taken to select a good deodorant which has no side-effects. The same applies to deodorants for the feet. There are a lot of products which could aggravate or even cause a fungal skin condition and I have come across this on many occasions. In the case of sweaty feet it is much more sensible to sprinkle a little Borax powder into the shoes. This works extremely well and although it does not stop the feet perspiring, it will take away the odour.

It is worth remembering that blood circulation in the skin is very important. The circulation of the blood is controlled by the hypothalamus, situated in the brain. This gland works like a thermostat in controlling the body temperature.

The outer horn layer of the skin contains the blood supply and different pigments, for example melanin, which determines skin colour, and sensory nerves. The sensory nerves in the skin are vital for our pleasure and protection. It is because of these nerve endings that we experience pain when we cut or burn ourselves, or pleasure when we are touched or stroked. It is also because of these receptors that we experience taste, itchiness or tickling. A healthy skin is of vital importance if we are to enjoy life to the full, and provided we take care of our skin it will look good all our lives. My mother, who was almost ninety when she died recently, still had a perfect skin. She always looked after it, and although she had a lot of tension, worry and emotional upset during her life, she maintained bodily cleanliness and a healthy spirit. A healthy skin was the visible evidence that her diet consisted of the right food.

It is said that, apart from the stomach, the skin is misused more than any other part of the body. Too often we are inclined to ignore the warning signs. Frequently we are careless when handling chemicals and often heedless of the contents of skin creams and cosmetics. Even so, the skin sends us all kinds of messages and warnings, sometimes in the form of an itch, while at other times warning signs are perceived in the form of a blister or rash.

Small itchy areas or skin rashes can be the start of major problems such as dermatitis or eczema. These problems can be caused, especially in young people, by incorrect eating habits. In a later chapter I will write in detail about such instances. However, it is broadly true to say that infantile eczema can be caused by an allergic reaction to various specific foods, and if this is not resolved, severe problems can result in later life. It is also essential to protect the skin when handling any sort of chemicals. Gloves must be worn, and care should be taken not to inhale any fumes. If a substance causes a reaction externally, it is easy to imagine what that substance might do to the lungs if it is inhaled.

Another source of skin irritation can be synthetic fabrics such as nylon and dralon. I have had to treat patients with some very nasty conditions because of allergies to these synthetic fabrics. Recently a charming young girl came into my surgery in the Netherlands with an extremely unpleasant, weeping, reddish skin condition. She was very upset and told me that she had been to doctors, specialists and faith healers, and every time the diagnosis was simply an ‘unidentified skin disease’. I could see that she was desperate and her nervous system was stretched to its limits. She also told me that she had not been able to work for some time, and gradually her problems seemed to be getting worse. I talked for quite a while with her and it took some detective work to get to the root of the trouble: when I did some tests I found that hairspray, and the material used in some of her clothes, had triggered off this most unpleasant condition. She now has beautiful skin and is a much happier person. Too often people who suffer from skin conditions are told that they have to live with them, or that they are just unfortunate in having a poor skin.

I believe that every skin condition can be improved if it is treated correctly. A skin problem can be triggered off by something as insignificant as a hairnet, earrings or a small metal clip. Even the material used in the manufacture of our clothes can lead to skin problems. I need only look at my wife who, as a teacher, had the greatest difficulty in using chalk for writing on the blackboard, because, in her, it caused a skin reaction. Even a leather strap on her wrist-watch could trigger off an itchy condition. Very often minor details, seemingly insignificant, can be decisive in skin conditions. Skin problems may be so severe that people are unable to work, and yet the problem can often be cleared when the patient is desensitised. There are many methods in complementary or naturopathic medicine for dealing with such problems.

I remember a lady who consulted me about unusual swelling of the lips. No matter what she did, she could not overcome this. It turned out that it was her lipstick that was causing the problem but the more she tried to conceal the problem, the worse it became. The lips and nose can sometimes show the first signs of an allergic reaction to food, clothing, dust, pollen or in fact to anything with which we come into contact. With all allergies, the skin will soon let us know that something, somewhere, is out of sorts.

The skin provides excellent protection for the human body and reflects the state of our general health. I will always remember a patient, many years ago, who grew lettuces commercially. He lived in England, but was so desperate that he travelled all the way to my clinic in Scotland. He had a so-called ‘unidentified skin problem’ which was in an advanced state. The tests I carried out left me puzzled. I took blood tests and asked him what sort of chemicals, pesticides, fertilisers, etc. he used in his greenhouses. After a great deal of thought and testing, I came to the conclusion that he was allergic to the chemicals he used to obtain lettuces with an attractive green colour. I pointed out to him that not only was this chemical bad for him, but also for the customers who bought and ate this produce. Once I had discovered that he was allergic to this specific chemical colourant, it was easy to persuade him to grow his lettuces organically, which he now does. Colouring and preservatives in food can easily be responsible for triggering off many food allergies, which manifest themselves as skin problems.

With any skin problems it is very important that we look at our lifestyle and our habits. By a process of elimination we can often discover the cause.

Women are particularly vulnerable, because of their use of cosmetics. Real problems can be caused by using the wrong sort of make-up. Some eye shadows, or heavy creams, are especially likely to cause problems. I remember one case in particular, where a lipstick was taken off the market, because it was thought there was a danger of it causing a pre-cancerous or cancerous condition. It pays to invest in a quality product, from a reputable skin care company. It is quite frightening to know of the many skin conditions which are caused by carcinogenic or questionable ingredients. It is not only the chimney sweep who comes in contact with soot, or the painter who uses creosote, who may be exposed to carcinogenic agents, but also the many people who work in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Certain chemicals may influence an existing carcinogenic condition.

It is important that we check up on the circulation of the skin and any other external signs. Especially with young children, it is easy to ignore a little irritation or rash. Yet, this is short-sighted as it could well be a fungus, which can spread rapidly in a relatively short time. Fungal problems are often ignored and yet they can be helped very effectively with some very simple remedies. It is not sufficient to treat these with a little cream or ointment, because by doing so we only manage to subdue the problem which will probably flare up again after a short time. Problems like these have to be cleared from the inside, and this is a point I will stress time and again in this book. Only by clearing the inside first will the outside skin condition be overcome.

When considering the development of skin conditions, it is important to note the psychological condition of the person concerned. Skin conditions can be triggered off by an emotional trauma. I have had quite a number of patients who developed nasty skin problems, for example shingles, after a time of constant worry, anger, or other psychological trauma. However difficult such conditions are to treat, they can be completely controlled with different herbal remedies. In such cases it is important for patients to help themselves by relaxing and trying to keep nervous conditions and stress under control. Often when teenage girls get a little spot, they become obsessed about it, producing an emotional reaction which is likely to result in a much greater skin problem. There is little point in trying to conceal spots under a layer of make-up, which often looks worse than the spot itself. In some cases medicines or drugs are prescribed to get rid of these spots, as it is a fact that an infectious skin disease may be caused by a bacillus. As I mentioned earlier, the condition of one’s skin is a good indicator of one’s general health, but the skin can also influence the functions of the heart, circulatory system, or the bowels, either negatively or positively. Too little sun can lead to a deficiency, particularly in vitamin D, while too much sun may lead to skin cancer.

Often we treat our skin unduly harshly and lack the intelligence or common sense warranted for such a delicate organ. Any sort of skin eruption deserves our attention. The easiest solution is often to take an antibiotic but this will make no impression on the root of the problem. Every skin condition is different and one has to identify the type of condition or eruption in order to be able to treat it properly. Consult a doctor or naturopathic practitioner who is experienced in treating skin problems. Whatever you do, never ignore it!

I was shocked recently when I heard about one of my favourite patients. I had treated this charming lady for many years, and I had grown very fond of her. When I returned from abroad a little while ago I was told that she had died suddenly from an unexpected infection. She was a great gardener and our love for gardening was something we had in common. While pruning her roses, she had scratched herself on a thorn. The skin reacted and an infection set in, which was so severe that it cost her her life. If action had been taken a little sooner, the story would probably have ended differently: any abrasion or wound must be taken care of immediately. This need not turn us into hypochondriacs or neurotics, it is merely a matter of common sense.