Homeopathic Approach in Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Homeopathy for Skin allergy – Allergic contact dermatitis is an allergic response caused by a contact with the substance known as allergen. It is termed as Type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction involving cell mediated allergic reaction. Sensatisation produces specific type of allergic antibodies by the immune system resulting in a positive allergy test. The sensatisation to an allergen begins when the body is first exposed to it, or sometimes even months or years before the onset of an allergic reaction, which is characterised by itching, erythema, vesiculation and scaling.

Homeopathic remedies for skin allergy – Allergic contact dermatitis can affect the neonates as well as the elderly individuals. The development of allergic contact dermatitis can be delayed initially, but once developed, it is more persistent. Contact allergy to topical medications is common among the age group of more than 70 years. Individuals with allergic contact dermatitis can have persistence or relapse in their skin conditions, particularly if the material to wZhich they are allergic, is not identified or if they continue using the same allergic products like harsh chemicals etc. Some individuals suffering from allergic contact dermatitis have the past history of persistent dermatitis. Patients, who are able to identify the allergens that affect them and are able to avoid its exposure/use, have better prognosis of their condition. Besides removing the maintaining cause, Hahnemann suggests the permanent removal of totality of symptoms to remove the cause of the disease.

Date:  02/12/12

Name: Mr RNB

Age/Sex: 85 yrs/male

Religion: Hindu, Brahmin

Education: B.Com

Occupation: Retired bank cashier

Marital Status: Married

Diet: Vegetarian

Address: Osmanabad, (Village in Maharashtra), India

Location	Sensation	Modality	Concomitant
Skin Forehead Since:1 year Onset: Slow Intensity:  Moderate Duration: Continuous Progress: Gradually↑	Itching3 Cracks3 Exfoliation2	Affections from: Application of vermilion (Since many years) < Being alone (In general patient feels bad being alone)	Decreased appetite

Nothing significant

Nothing significant

Taking allopathic medication but prescriptions not available

Thirst:  Normal

Appetite: Decreased since one year

Desire: Sweets3, Warm food2

Aversion: Nothing specific

Thermal: Hot

85 years old male visits the outpatient department. He is a retired bank professional, where he has worked as a cashier. He is a calm person generally and has no specific hobbies since his childhood. He has never indulged in any kind of addictions, or any kind of quarrels with anyone. Since his retirement, the family responsibilities are dealt by his eldest son. He is having cordial relationship with all the family members.

General Condition: Fair

Temperature: 98o F

Pulse: 60/min

BP: 140/80 mmHg

Central Nervous System: NAD

Cardiovascular System: NAD

Respiratory System: Clear

Per Abdomen: Soft

Skin: Forehead- Cracks+

Erythema++

Exfoliation + (where patient puts vermilion as a ritual)

No bleeding

Disease Diagnosis: Allergic Contact Dermatitis (affections from application of vermillion-an allergen; cracks, erythema, exfoliation)

Classification of Disease: Chronic

Miasm: Dominant; tubercular (hypersensitivity, cracks)

Susceptibility: Moderate

Sensitivity: High

Potency: Moderate; 200

Repetition: Infrequently

Location	Skin
	Forehead
Sensation	Itching3
	Cracks3
	Exfoliation/Scaling2
Modalities	Affections from application of vermilion
Concomitants	Decreased appetite
Physical Generals	Hot person
	Desire for sweets
	< being alone

Since complete symptoms are available in the case, it can be repertorised by using Boger Boenninghausen Repertory.

Rubric	Reason
Skin and Exterior Body-Skin- in general	Location
Head-internal-in general	Location
Skin & Exterior Body-itching-in general	Sensations & Complaints
Skin & Exterior Body-cracks, fissures, chaps	Sensations & Complaints
Skin & Exterior Body-desquamation, exfoliation, peeling etc of	Sensations & Complaints
Conditions of Aggravation and Amelioration in General- Alone, when, agg	Characteristic Modality
Appetite, want off	Characteristic Physical Concomitant
Appetite-Desire-sweet, dainties, etc	Characteristic Physical General
Appetite- Desire-warm or hot drinks-cooked food	Characteristic Physical General

Chilly	Totality & Symptoms Covered	Hot	Totality & Symptoms Covered
Sepia officinalis	19/8	Lycopodium clavatum	24/8
Calcarea carbonica	18/8	Sulphur	24/7

Final Selection of Remedy: Lycopodium clavatum was selected as the final choice of remedy seeing the generals and Thermal (Hot).

Follow up Criteria	07/12/12	16/12/12	30/12/12 (Telephonic follow up)*
Appetite	Improved	Normal	Normal
Skin itching- Intensity/Frequency	>/>	>+++/>+++	Absent
Skin- Cracks	Same	>+++	Absent
Skin- Exfoliation	>+	>+++	Absent
Skin- Itching < when alone	>+	>+++	Absent
On Examination: Skin	Cracks Erythema Exfoliation No Bleeding	No Cracks No Erythema No Exfoliation No Bleeding Linear Depigmented Mark	Absence of Linear Depigmented Mark Normal Skin
Action:	Lycopodium clavatum 200, 1 dose at bedtime. Placebo Pills, TDS x 7 Days	Lycopodium clavatum 200 1 dose at bedtime Placebo Pills, TDS x 7 Days	No Treatment