Individualized homeopathic treatment of dermatological complaints in a public outpatient clinic.

UNLABELLED: This study sought to assess the effectiveness of individualized homeopathic treatment on dermatological complaints in a public outpatient clinic. METHODS: Children and adults spontaneously seeking for homeopathic treatment for dermatological complaints were prescribed single individualized remedies and followed up for a minimum of 3 months; assessment was clinical and recorded graphically. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria. Outcomes were positive (59%); no effect (4%); drop-out (37%), from which 6% was due to homeopathic aggravation. No manifestations of suppression were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Outcome studies are useful to point out to the effectiveness of individualized homeopathic treatment in dermatological complaints. Outcomes suggest that actions focusing on pathological categories do not lead to homeopathic suppression.

Effect of homeopathic treatment of 60 Japanese patients with chronic skin disease.

BACKGROUND: Many individuals who appear to suffer from incurable chronic skin disease use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Homeopathy has recently increased in popularity among patients with skin disease. The effects of homeopathic treatment have yet to be fully investigated in patients for whom conventional dermatological treatment is not sufficiently effective. OBJECTIVES: To describe patient-reported and clinically observed effects of individualized homeopathic treatment of chronic skin disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The effectiveness of individualized homeopathic treatment was measured using the patients' own assessments of seven elements (overall impression, improvement of skin condition, reduction of itchiness, reduction of sleep disturbance, satisfaction in daily life, fulfillment at work and satisfaction in human relations) using a nine-point scale similar to the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital Outcome Scale (GHHOS). Sixty patients with chronic skin disease were included in the study: atopic dermatitis (AD) (n=25), eczema other than AD (n=20), severe acne (n=6), chronic urticaria (n=6), psoriasis vulgaris (n=2) and alopecia universalis (n=1). These patients received individualized homeopathic treatments in addition to conventional dermatological treatments for a period of from 3 months to 2 years 7 months. RESULTS: Six patients reported a score of 4 (complete recovery), 23 patients a score of 3 (75% improvement), 24 patients a score of 2 (50% improvement) and 7 patients a score of 1 (25% improvement). A total of 88.3% of patients reported over 50% improvement. Around one-half the patients with AD and eczema reported greater satisfaction in daily life, greater fulfillment at work and greater satisfaction in human relations. CONCLUSIONS: The psychological, physical and psychosomatic symptoms and effects of chronic skin diseases are inextricable. Individualized homeopathic treatment can provoke a good response in patients with chronic skin disease; therefore, the holistic approach used in homeopathy may be a useful strategy alongside conventional treatment.

Use of complementary medicine among outpatients with dermatologic conditions within Yorkshire and South Wales, United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing throughout the Western world, particularly by patients with chronic disease. In 1999, 20% of the United Kingdom population reported that they had used CAM in the preceding 12 months. OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the use of CAM by outpatients with general dermatologic conditions in 3 United Kingdom cities: Leeds (North England), and Cardiff and Swansea (South Wales). METHODS: Independently constructed, anonymous, self-directed questionnaires were designed and distributed to 400 consecutive outpatients with dermatologic conditions in Leeds and 637 consecutive outpatients with dermatologic conditions in Cardiff and Swansea. RESULTS: In Leeds 302/400 questionnaires were fully completed with 39% patients having used CAM. In South Wales 415/637 questionnaires were fully completed with 34% having used CAM. Of these, 45% of patients in Leeds and 50% of patients in South Wales were using CAM to treat their dermatologic condition. The most popular treatments in Leeds, Cardiff, and Swansea were herbal medicine and homeopathy. LIMITATIONS: These results were obtained from outpatients with dermatologic conditions in the United Kingdom and may not be applicable to other populations. CONCLUSIONS: More than one third of outpatients with general dermatologic conditions in two geographically distant regions are using CAM. More than 45% of these patients used CAM to treat their dermatologic condition.

A double-blind, controlled clinical trial of homeopathy and an analysis of lunar phases and postoperative outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To use scientific methods to evaluate 2 claims made by practitioners of alternative medicine. DESIGN: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study of homeopathy in children with warts, and a cohort study of the influence of lunar phases on postoperative outcome in surgical patients. SETTING: Outpatients of a dermatology department (homeopathy study) and inpatients evaluated at an anesthesiology department (lunar phases). SUBJECTS: Sixty volunteers for the homeopathy study and 14,970 consecutive patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia for the lunar phase study. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment of children with warts with individually selected homeopathic preparations (homeopathic study); surgical procedures including abdominal, vascular, cardiac, thoracic, plastic, and orthopedic operations and assessment of the lunar phase at the time of operation (lunar phase study). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reduction of area occupied by warts by at least 50% within 8 weeks; death from any cause within 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: Nine of 30 subjects in the homeopathy group and 7 of 30 subjects in the placebo group experienced at least 50% reduction in area occupied by warts (chi 2 = 0.34; P = .56); the mortality rate was 1.20% in patients operated on during waxing moon and 1.33% in patients operated on during waning moon (chi 2 = 0.49; P = .50). CONCLUSIONS: Statements and methods of alternative medicine--as far as they concern observable clinical phenomena--can be tested by scientific methods. When such tests yield negative results, as in the studies presented herein the particular method or statement should be abandoned. Otherwise one would run the risk of supporting superstition and quackery.

Herbal and complementary medicine in dermatology.

This article is a description of how I have integrated Complementary Medicine into the practice of dermatology over the past 2 decades. It emphasizes observing the principles of the system being used, such as the herbal concept of the synergy of the entire plant extract. Examples discussed include the use of flavonoids to protect the liver and capillaries. Herbs and techniques for reducing the inflammatory response, as well as for enhancing immunity, are given. The concept of homeopathy and a few remedies to use in office practice are discussed. Finally, a few methods to complement the treatment of melanoma are presented.

Evaluation of two new filtration systems--Fenwal PS400 and Organon Teknika Curesis--and comparison of results with two centrifugation systems--IBM model 2997 and Haemonetics V50.

Two new filtration systems (Fenwal CPS 10TM - PS 400 and Organon Teknika Curesis - M82) were evaluated and compared with two centrifugal cell separators (IBM 2997 and Haemonetics V50). 11 patients with auto immune diseases and dermatological diseases underwent 230 consecutive plasma exchanges. For the filtration systems, the average whole blood rate was 50 ml/min and the plasma separation rate was about 21 ml/min for a transmembrane pressure about 70 mmHg. The pre/post percent reduction and sieving coefficient were calculated for some plasma and blood components. A variety of laboratory studies was monitored to assess the efficacy of plasma separators, their biocompatibility and some yields. These results show that the 2 filters appear safe and efficacious but their modules are too simple and do not offer a great security (no transmembrane pressure control or no extracorporeal fluid balance). For a blood banker, IBM 2997 seems more interesting if we take in account its characteristics during plasma exchanges and the possibility which is offered to carry out cytapheresis procedures. But for a thrombopenic patient the filtration systems keep their advantages.

Alternative therapies in veterinary dermatology.

This article presents an overview of alternative therapies for skin disorders including traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture and Chinese herbs), homeopathy, and Western herbs and plant extracts. The medical and veterinary literature on the aforementioned modalities will be reviewed with a focus on reduction of inflammation and pruritus of the skin and ear canal in the canine species. Clinical application and potential adverse effects will also be included when available.

Complementary and alternative medicine in dermatology: an overview of selected modalities for the practicing dermatologist.

According to survey data, 35-69% of patients with skin disease have used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in their lifetime. A literature search on this subject reveals a number of studies on the efficacy of CAM treatment for dermatologic conditions, as well as a number of articles showing the growing prevalence of CAM use amongst patients suffering from these conditions. Given the consensus amongst these articles that dermatologists require increased education on CAM, this paper presents an overview of some of the most widely used systems of alternative medicine to serve as a tool for practicing dermatologists. Specifically, the history and theory behind psychocutaneous therapies, traditional Chinese medicine (including acupuncture), homeopathy, and Ayurvedic medicine will be described, along with current evidence for their efficacy and reports of their adverse effects. The authors conclude that more evidence and better studies are needed for each of the major CAM modalities before they may be considered as independent therapeutic options. Moreover, given the shortage of evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of CAM, dermatologists should obtain a thorough history of CAM use from their patients. In general, ingestible substances including most homeopathic, Ayurvedic, and traditional Chinese medicine herbal formulations that are not US FDA regulated should be viewed with caution as they may cause severe adverse effects such as arsenicosis and hepatotoxicity. On the other hand, less invasive techniques such as acupuncture and psychocutaneous therapies may be more acceptable given their low-risk profile. Ultimately, until the availability of more sound data, these treatments should primarily be used in combination with conventional treatment and rarely independently.

Position paper on mesotherapy.

Mesotherapy is a controversial cosmetic procedure which has received publicity among the lay people, in the internet and in the media. It refers to minimally invasive techniques which consist of the use of intra- or subcutaneous injections containing liquid mixture of compounds (pharmaceutical and homeopathic medications, plant extracts, vitamins and other ingredients) to treat local medical and cosmetic conditions. This position paper has examined the available evidence and finds that acceptable scientific evidence for its effectiveness and safety is lacking. IADVL taskforce, therefore would like to state that the use of this technique remains controversial at present. Further research and well-designed controlled scientific studies are required to substantiate the claims of benefit of this mode of therapy.

Medicinal plants used for traditional veterinary in the Sierras de Córdoba (Argentina): an ethnobotanical comparison with human medicinal uses.

BACKGROUND: This is a first description of the main ethnoveterinary features of the peasants in the Sierras de Córdoba. The aim of this study was to analyze the use of medicinal plants and other traditional therapeutic practices for healing domestic animals and cattle. Our particular goals were to: characterize veterinary ethnobotanical knowledge considering age, gender and role of the specialists; interpret the cultural features of the traditional local veterinary medicine and plant uses associated to it; compare the plants used in traditional veterinary medicine, with those used in human medicine in the same region. METHODS: Fieldwork was carried out as part of an ethnobotanic regional study where 64 informants were interviewed regarding medicinal plants used in veterinary medicine throughout 2001-2010. Based participant observation and open and semi-structured interviews we obtained information on the traditional practices of diagnosis and healing, focusing on the veterinary uses given to plants (part of the plant used, method of preparation and administration). Plants speciemens were collected with the informants and their vernacular and scientific names were registered in a database. Non-parametric statistic was used to evaluate differences in medicinal plant knowledge, use, and valorization by local people. A comparison between traditional veterinary medicine and previous human medicine studies developed in the region was performed by analyzing the percentages of common species and uses, and by considering Sorensen's Similarity Index. RESULTS: A total of 127 medicinal uses were registered, corresponding to 70 species of plants belonging to 39 botanic families. Veterinary ethnobotanical knowledge was specialized, restricted, in general, to cattle breeders (mainly men) and to a less degree to healers, and was independent of the age of the interviewees. Native plants were mostly used as skin cicatrizants, disinfectants or for treating digestive disorders. Together with a vast repertoire of plant pharmacopoeia, the therapies also involve religious or ritualistic practices and other popular remedies that evidence the influence of traditional Hispanic-European knowledge. Although the traditional veterinary knowledge seems to be similar or else is inlcuded in the local human ethnomedicine, sharing a common group of plants, it has distinct traits originated by a constant assessment of new applications specifically destined to the treatment of animals. CONCLUSIONS: Veterinary medicine is a fountain of relevant vernacular knowledge, a permanent source for testing new applications with valuable ethnobotanical interest. Knowledge on medicinal applications of native plants will allow future validations and tests for new homeopathic or phytotherapeutic preparations.

Effect of alternative medicinal systems and general practice.

Alternative medicinal systems like Ayurveda and homeopathy are respected and legitimate sciences. The former was born in India. Colleges abound in this country churning out tens of thousands of graduates of these fields. It is ironic that a large number of them pratice allopathic general practice instead of, or along with, their field of specialisation despite laws prohibiting them to do so. Their gross lack of knowledge of dermatology wreaks a havoc. Even GPs contribute to this confusion for the same reason. Pharmacists contribute to unauthorised sale of dermatologic drugs and promote unsupervised treatment flouting the law. The result is neglected and vitiated dermatoses, unwanted adverse drug reactions and resource depletion for the patient. The practising dermatologist in India is unfortunately the one who bears the brunt of the above confusion. However these situations are also contributory to the enviable clinical skills that Indian dermatologists are so well known for.

Homeopathy in dermatology.

Alternative methods are commonly used in patients with dermatologic diseases, with homeopathy being one of the most common. Homeopathy was developed by Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) and is based on the law of similars and the law of infinitesimals. It is a regulatory therapy where high dilutions of particular compounds are thought to induce a counterreaction in the organism. In dermatology, homeopathy is often used in atopic dermatitis, other forms of eczema, psoriasis, and many other conditions. To date, however, there is no convincing evidence for a therapeutic effect. There are only a few controlled trials, most of them with negative results. The few studies with positive results have not been reproduced. Acceptance by the patient seems largely based on counseling and emotional care rather than on objective responses to the homeopathic drugs.

[Regulative therapy: treatment with nonspecific stimulants in dermatology in traditional and modern perspectives]. / Regulationstherapie: Behandlung mit unspezifischen Reizen in der Dermatologie aus traditioneller und moderner Sicht.

Stimulation or regulation therapies are old therapeutic procedures based on models reaching back to traditional medical faculties in ancient times and in the Middle Ages. Among this heterogeneous group are acupuncture, purgative procedures (especially the Aschner methods), autohemotherapy, fasting therapy, homeopathy, microbiological and physical therapies. The basic principle underlying all of these procedures is that stimulants applied in proper doses to the organism elicit counterregulation. The counterregulation stimulates 'self-healing processes' within the organism. The efficacy of stimulation therapies was originally deduced mostly from traditional explanatory models which have lost their relevance for modern medicine. However, it has been found in applications in dermatology that many of these stimulation therapies can lead to clinical improvement in selected indications and that modern explanatory models can be found for these effects. This presentation reports on exemplary applications of stimulation therapies in dermatology. Traditional and modern concepts of action are compared.

[Homeopathy. Basic aspects and principles of use in dermatology]. / Homöopathie. Grundlagen und Prinzipien ihrer Anwendung in der Dermatologie.

Homoeopathy was established in 1796 by Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). This method is an alternative form of therapy involving treatment by natural remedies. The basic principles of homoeopathic medicine, "similia similibus curentur", "experimenta in homine sano", "doses minimae" and "unitas remedii", are founded upon the idea of illness as a disorder of the internal equilibrium at the physical, mental and psychic levels. The entire picture of symptoms is ascertained in each individual case by scrupulous history taking. A remedy which provokes a similar picture of effects in healthy persons is finally employed as the homeopathic therapeutic agent (law of similars). According to the homoeopathic view, skin diseases are manifestations of an internal or constitutional disorder. Thus, homoeotherapy of skin diseases is based on morphological, local and constitutional criteria.

The usage of complementary therapies by dermatological patients: a systematic review.

Complementary medicine (CM) is more popular than ever before. Dermatology has not remained unaffected by this trend. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize all surveys of dermatological patients regarding the usage of CM. Three independent literature searches were carried out. Data were extracted in a predefined, standardized way and evaluated descriptively. Seven surveys met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Collectively they show a high but variable prevalence of CM. Lifetime prevalence ranged from 35 to 69%. The most frequently used treatment modalities comprise homoeopathy, herbalism and food supplements. With this high level of prevalence, research into the potential risks and benefits of CM is urgently needed. Dermatologists should consider discussing CM openly with their patients.

Users of homeopaths in Norway in 1998, compared to previous users and GP patients.

AIM: Homeopathy is the form of complementary medicine most frequently used in Norway. This study describes complaints and characteristics of patients who visited Norwegian homeopaths in 1998, comparing them with those who visited homeopaths in 1985 and general practice patients. METHODS: We conducted a survey of 1097 patients visiting 80 Norwegian homeopaths in 1998 and compared them with a similar survey in 1985 (1072 consultations) and a 1989 survey of general practice patients (90,458 consultations). RESULTS: One in four of patients visiting homeopaths in 1998 were children between 0 and 9 years of age, compared to one in ten in 1985 and in general practice. Almost half of the patients in 1998 had used prescription drugs provided by a medical doctor the previous month for the same complaints they presented to the homeopath. In 1998 patients sought homeopathy most often because of respiratory and skin complaints. In 1985 the most common reasons were musculo-skeletal and digestive problems. Four of the five commonest reasons for encounter in homeopathic practice in 1998 were also found among the five commonest reasons for general practice consultations. CONCLUSION: Patients currently visiting homeopaths differ in age and to some extent in complaints compared to previous users of homeopathy and general practice patients.