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The
skin consists of three principal layers: The thin outermost layer
is the epidermis. The layer below this is the dermis, which contains
sweat glands for cooling and sebaceous glands for producing oil.
The deepest layer, or subcutaneous layer, is comprised mainly of
fat and connective tissue and includes important immune-system substances.
Various things can irritate the skin and produce a rash, including
harsh chemicals, allergens and dust; ultraviolet rays; and bacteria,
fungi or viruses. Rashes can also arise from a buildup of toxins
are secreted by the sebaceous and sweat glands, causing redness,
blisters, pustules, itching, scales or other signs of inflammation.
If a rash is visible on the skin's surface, there will be accumulations
of fluids, white blood cells or other substances in the deeper layer
of skin as well.
The benefits
of barley water
Barley water can help alleviate skin inflammations. To make it,
boil 3½ oz. of barley in 1 qt. of water for 15 min. Strain
the liquid and allow it to cool. Soak cotton balls in the barley
water and carefully dab the liquid onto the affected areas.
What you
can do:
Use toiletries that are free of skin irritants, such as fragrances
created from chemicals. In addition, allow your skin to breathe
by wearing clothing made of natural fibers. Good nutrition is vital
too, because a number of vitamins and minerals contribute to healthy
skin, as do various herbs. Finally, short periods of sun exposure
(10-15 minutes) are important, because sunlight heals many skin
ailments and helps the body from vitamin D.
Vitamins
and minerals
Vitamin A, B6 and E, as well as zinc, selenium and potassium, can
all help to relive skin inflammations. Calcium may also be beneficial,
especially if the irritations are caused by allergies. Silicon speed
the growth of new skin cells.
Oatmeal bath
for itching
For itchy skin due to eczema or other causes, try oatmeal bath.
Place a pound of oatmeal in fine-gauze netting and let it soak in
the warm bathwater for half an hour. Then use the oatmeal pack as
a soothing sponge during your bath. Or, sprinkle colloidal oatmeal-finely
ground oatmeal sold at many pharmacies-into your bathwater. Oatmeal
can be slippery, so take care when getting in or out of the tub.
To prolong the effects, allow your skin to air dry.
Oak bark for inflammations
Oak bark, an anti-inflammatory, contains a high proportion of the
astringent tannins, which is particularly well tolerated by the
skin. Soak compresses in oak-bark tea, dab them lightly on affected
areas and allow your skin to dry.
Chamomile
for wounds
Chamomile-tea compresses can be used to soothing inflamed skin.
Chamomile also promotes wound healing.
Extra
tip : Wheat-grass juice helps heal
skin inflammation. The chlorophyll in the juice accelerates the
formation of new skin. The juice also offers protection against
bacteria. Sprinkle the juice liberally on a gauze pad and apply
the pad to skin.
Natural-healing
techniques
- Stimulation
therapy
Some healers advocate autohemotherapy to alleviate allergic skin
eruptions. A small amount of blood is removed, mixed with an herbal
or homeopathic remedy, and then reinjected into the body. This
technique is believed to reset the immune system, enabling the
body to respond normally to allergens once again so that the overstimulated
skin can heal.
- Toxin-elimination
therapy
Various remedies have been used to rid the body of toxins that
may cause skin inflammation. One of these remedies, known as the
Baunscheidt process, uses a specialized instrument to insert needles
just under the skin's surface. Skin-irritating oil is then applied,
causing an artificial skin eruption that reportedly draws out
toxins.
- Intestinal
cleansing
Cleansing the intestine with fasting or other natural remedies,
is sometimes advocated to reduced the body's toxin load and ease
skin eruptions. Use herbal teas of dandelion, burdock or Oregon
grape roots.
Method of
administration
- Moist
compresses for eczema
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. each malva flowers and
whole yarrow. Allow the tea to cool, and then pour it over it
over a gauze compress; apply the compress to skin to relieve eczema.
The mucilage in the malva forms a protective layer, and the yarrow
acts as a pain-reliever and anti-inflammatory
- A soothing
oil for irritated feet
Castor oil helps relieve burning, itchy feet. Simply rub caster
oil on the affected areas.
- Anti-inflammatory
compresses
Dissolve 2 drops of chamomile oil in ½ cup of rose water.
Apply this mixture to inflamed areas 3 times daily with a cotton
ball. Rose water soothes the skin while chamomile oil heals the
inflammation.
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