"First, do no harm"
Sir William Osler (1849-1919)
Canadian-born physician |
"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not "Eureka" (I've found it!), but "That's funny..."
Isaac Asimov |
|
|
Steroid-dependent Eczema - Response to Wheatgrass
|
A 60 year old male retired financial planner was referred to me by his own general practitioner. He was disillusioned with the limited efficacy of topical steroids and had heard that I might be able to help his patient with wheatgrass.
He had been using topical betamethasone almost daily on his face and body for approximately 15 years. He used such large quantities trying to control his itchy, dry skin, his dermatologist prescribed 10 x 100gm tubes of the topical steroid at each visit. He had attended numerous dermatologists seeking relief to no avail. The patient avoided soap and hot water and used moisturisers often for dryness.
Three days prior to attending my clinic, he suffered a severe flare secondary to a herpes simplex virus infection of the eye, which affected his face and upper body. He was commenced on oral steroids (prednisolone 50mg) and antibiotics, by another doctor. When I first saw him, he had a severe eczematous facial rash that was inflamed, fissured and weeping in places. He was commenced on wheatgrass topical spray twice daily combined with his normal (colloidal oatmeal based) moisturiser. Oral steroids were reduced to zero over the following week. He also ceased using topical steroids. The photographs below were taken 3, 7 and 16 days after commencing wheatgrass spray respectively. (Click to enlarge each thumbnail) The fourth photograph was taken nearly 3 months later when the patient returned to his own doctor. He had continued using the wheatgrass spray at least once daily since commencement of treatment. Nine months later, he had still not required topical steroids. (See photo)
Comment: This is a severe case of atopic eczema that responded well to topical wheatgrass spray. I have had numerous other patients, not so severe, but with chronically itchy, dry and discoloured skin that have recovered to the point that only basic preventive practices plus the wheatgrass have given them a greatly enhanced quality of life. Flares still occur, but these are usually mild and short-lived, and topical steroids hardly ever necessary.
How does the wheatgrass work? I don't really know, but I believe it has a lot to do with its immunomodulatory properties. Eczematous skin appears to break out and flare when the skin reaches a point of critical dryness. Dryness is governed by the output of sebum from the sebaceous glands, which in turn are hormonally controlled. Perhaps the wheatgrass modulates (in time) the activity of these glands so that their output becomes more consistent, thereby keeping the skin continuously moist instead of it being allowed to dry out intermittently.
We often consider atopic eczema to be a genetically determined problem, which it most likely is. But I believe there is also an important auto-immune component to the condition. The reason I say this is because of the apparent immunomodulatory effect of the wheatgrass. In other words, it perhaps reduces the level of auto-immune complexes under the affected areas of skin. |
|
|
| |
11 April 2003 - Prior to treatment with wheatgrass extract. Topical steroids ceased. Wheatgrass spray commenced twice daily. |
|
|
| |
15 April 2003 - After one week twice daily wheatgrass spray. |
|
|
|
|
| |
3 July 2003 - After nearly 3 months twice daily wheatgrass spray. Nil other medications required. |
|
|
| |
Nine months later, patient remains topical steroid-free. Skin stable. |
|
|
|
|
|
for Health Professionals
