Feb

21

TCM For Skin Rash

Filed Under Eczema Treatment | Leave a Comment

Although I am Chinese, I have often found it difficult to understand fully Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM. Most of the medical literature are in Chinese and I have never been great in reading Chinese text as I come from an English speaking family. In addition, TCM is highly complex as it is a holistic system, whereby everything in the body is interrelated. Hence, treatment of diseases may involve several parts of your body, even though the symptoms may be apparant only in one part.

It is the same with skin diseases. While western medicine merely focuses on the treatment of what is visible, TCM suggests that the root cause is far deeper. In the case of skin rash or eczema, the problem is often described in terms of “excess heat” in the blood, excessive toxins and a malfunctioning liver. A poor diet emphasizing too much greasy food is often said to be a major trigger.

I was really happy, therefore, to come across an informative video (see below) explaining TCM for skin rash. You should not attempt to get the herbs yourself if you intend to try TCM. Always seek a consultation with a TCM practitioner so that herbs for your specific eczema case can be prescribed for you.

Feb

18

Risk Of A Facial Eczema Epidemic?

Filed Under Eczema On The Face, Eczema Treatment | 1 Comment

Goat Gazing

I never knew that animals can have eczema too. However, according to a recent news, it is possible and in fact, a major concern in New Zealand. Efforts are being made to encourage farmers to seek assistance to deal with this problem, if suspected.

Facial eczema (FE) is caused by the a fungus known as Pithomyces chartarum which grows in dead grass litter that is always present in pasture. It affects sheep, goats, deer and cows. The fungus grows best when humidity is high and temperatures at ground level are above 12-15 degrees C for a few days. These conditions are most likely to occur during February to April.

Once ingested, the spores cause liver damage. Waste that are normally removed from the body is not excreted. Instead, it flows back to the bloodstream, causing the animal to become sensitive to light and to develop the classical symptoms of facial eczema. In the most severe case, the animal may die or suffer lifelong depressions in productivity.

Usually, by the time facial eczema is detected, it will be too late to implement any effective control measures. Hence, prevention measures are best applied before the cattle graze toxic pasture. Tens and thousands of dollars can be affected, when cattle falls sick and/or die.

I tried to source for a picture of a goat or a cow with FE but could not find one. The picture above is one of a normal but old goat. Perhaps, no one will want to publish such a picture over the web if at all. A picture says a thousand words – it may just cause increased panic and a worldwide ban???? Without seeing one, I can only imagine how miserable the animal must feel with FE. Imagine a goat that is scratching itself all day on the face!

I hope our health authorities are aware about the risk and dangers of FE. A check in the supermarket does reveal that we do import beef from New Zealand. It will be most horrifying to be feeding ourselves with meat or milk that comes from a sick animal. As an eczema sufferer, I also would not relish the thought of eating a fellow eczema sufferer (even if it is an animal). Urgghh!!

It has been difficult but I have been encouraging my kids and family to eat less meat and go more vegetarian. My kids usually turn their noses up at any greens on their plates. Almost everyday, I spent quite a bit of time pleading with them to eat their veggies. Well, I will have to continue to persevere. Eating less meat may seem the way to go if we continue to hear of bird flu, facial eczema on cattle, or mercury found in fishes.

Source of News: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/eveningstandard/4404212a6003.html

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