River Medicines - Naturopathic Dermatology Lismore

NATUROPATHIC DERMATOLOGY

Treatment for Psoriasis, Eczema, Acne, Tinea and other Fungal Infections.

Peter Wilson graduated from Southern Cross University in 2004 as a naturopath and has specialized in the treatment of Psoriasis, Eczema and Fungal infections over the past 15 years.

Effective treatment of skin conditions requires working on contributing factors such as gut repair, helping the body deal with the effects of stressors, and identifying factors that are fuelling the inflammatory response in many skin conditions. Peter uses herbal medicines, practitioner-only nutritional medicines, homoeopathy and dietary ‘coaching’.

He also makes topical ointments which are tailored to each case and don’t contain any harmful chemicals such as fragrances and preservatives. His ointments use specific carrier oils and essential oils which can reduce itching and inflammation as well as promoting the healing of the skin. The essential oils are acquired from reliable sources as there are many sub-optimal oils on the market that are ineffective and can sometimes worsen the condition.

To discover the triggers of the skin conditions he often uses food intolerance testing, hair tissue mineral analysis and information from blood tests. A dietary analysis is also a key factor in treatments.

Sometimes the discovery of the presence of heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium or lead among others are a significant factor in designing the treatment program for the client.

One of the ‘fringe benefits’ of having skin symptoms is that it can be like the “canary in the mine” where it can indicate that other body systems such as liver function, gut function or nervous system among others are under threat and need corrective action. This corrective action might not have been carried out if it were not for the skin symptoms. Treating the skin symptoms naturopathically now may prevent other serious conditions developing in the long term.

It is quite a common thought that you should conduct a detox program for skin conditions. However, preparatory work usually needs to be done before embarking on a ‘detox program’. Otherwise, such detoxes can make things worse.

This type of prep work can include repairing the gut lining, supporting the nervous system, checking and treating for parasites, correcting gut motility, improving liver and gallbladder function.

The treatment of Psoriasis, Eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions varies from case to case and needs to be tailored to the individual. Triggers vary from person to person and addressing these triggers is a necessary component of successful treatment.

BEFORE AFTER

This client's skin would react like this after drinking wine and sometimes other alcohol. HOWEVER, it turned out wine wasn't the problem (thank heavens !).

It turned out she had a number of food intolerances, in particular eggs, dairy, garlic and sesame. When these foods were avoided, the improvement her skin was immediate (she also suffered quite bad acne on her chest and back and sebaceous cysts which never returned following the food eliminations).

Wine contains natural high levels of histamine which can precipitate an allergic response if the body is unable to break it down, in this case it was the catalyst not the cause.

After about 6 months of food avoidance and supplements to heal the leaky gut and reduce the histamine response, she was able to reintroduce the intolerant foods (even eggs which was a strong food intolerance) a couple of times a week without reaction.

It was a great result considering she had suffered like this for about ten years before coming to see us.

BEFORE AFTER

This client had this rash for 3 years and tried many treatments to no avail. Peter prescribed his classic GREEN CREAM formula for topical application some moderate dietary changes and NO OTHER MEDICINE.

The rash was resolved within 3 months and has not returned 3.5 years later.

It was a classic case of how successful Peter's topical treatments are. He has developed a range of ointments and cleansers over 12 years of treating skin conditions. He adjusts them as needed for individual conditions.

Skin problems can return unless the triggers and exacerbating factors are identified and treated with dietary modification and/or ingested medicines. However, sometimes a client does not want to make changes, in these cases our ointments almost always clear the rash when it presents, EVEN IN THE CASE OF PSORIASIS.

Most naturopaths will tell you psoriasis is hard to treat, Peter's success rate with this condition is approximately 95%.

TREATING THE CAUSES AND EXACERBATORS OF SKIN CONDITIONS IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS

FOOD INTOLERANCES

We test for intolerances to 57 individual foods. By identifying which foods are causing and exacerbating the inflammatory immune response, eliminating them and repairing the gut damage caused by the inflammation most cases resolve completely.

HIGH HISTAMINE

Low levels of the enzyme that breaks down HISTAMINE results in inflamed skin conditions.

There are foods that increase this the activity of this enzyme.

The result is that people become less reactive to their “allergies”.

Learn how to avoid high histamine foods and use foods that help break down your

high histamine levels.

GUT FUNCTION

The right probiotic is paramount. People have various responses to many of the different strains of probiotics and I find the right one! For example many people produce the acid forming D-lactate from carbohydrates in which case they should avoid certain types of probiotics.

Some cases only need the right probiotic strain and their skin clears up.

STRESS and HISTAMINE

STRESS causes ‘mast cell degranulation’

i.e. Histamine release >> = Inflammation.

Nervine and Adaptogenic herbs and supplements as well as homeopathic remedies help improve how the body copes with high stress levels, reducing the negative impact of stress on health.

GREEN CREAM

MATERIA MEDICA

German Super Blue Chamomile - A superior anti-histamine (contians high levels of quercetin) antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic (pain relieving),

anti-inflammatory - superior to 0.5% cortisone in clinical trial

French Alpine Lavender -

anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, analgesic, antibacterial to antibiotic resistant staph (acne, boils), anti-fungal

Carrot Seed Oil - Improves skin tone, elasticity and general skin health, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, antiproliferative

Patchouli Oil - antimicrobial, anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory, also a transdermal agent meaning in carries the other ingredients through the layers of skin

Geranium Oil - astringent, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, very effective in clinical trial against post herpatic pain, works within minutes to relieve pain

Calendula Oil - increases glycoprotein and collagen production, particularly useful for burns, inflammation, wounds that resist healing and ulcers,

protects skin from damage against chemicals and sunburn

Frankincense Oil - reduces scarring and stretch marks, strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, research shows it also has anti-carcinogenic, anti-tumor and anti-proliferative effects

Myrrh Oil - astringent and antiseptic, tightening the top layers of skin to reduce secretions, relieve irritation and improve tissue firmness

Rosemary Oil - stimulates circulation improving delivery of nutrients to skin, astringent and toning, antimicrobial, supports healthy collagen development, neutralises free radicals

Emu Oil - anti-inflammatory and improves the healing of wounds and burns from radiation therapy, reduces stretches marks and bruises, also another transdermal agent

Zinc Oxide - speeds healing time of damaged tissues, stimulates local immunity in broken skin, increases collagen growth

Black Sesame Oil - stimulates cellular regeneration but inhibits growth of abnormal cells, strong antioxidant, skin softener, antifungal and antimicrobial

Jojoba Oil - closely resembles the natural oil on our skin therefore readily absorbed without feeling greasy, promotes skin rejuvenation minimising wrinkles, breaks down sebum plugs in acne

AHA Fruit Acid Complex (alpha hydroxy acids) - removal of dead skin cells, to treat acne and improve scarring, improve the appearence of photo-aged skin, debriding action to remove thick plaques of psoriasis etc, used in treatment of severe dry skin conditions, decreases hyperpigmentation (dark areas)

Also contains Sweet Almond Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Apricot Kernal Oil, Avocado Oil and Macadamia Oil and Vitamin E.

It can be used for –

Eczema, Dermatitis, Psoriasis, Tinea, Infections, Staph, Bites, Stings, Burns,

Any Itch, After waxing and shaving, Acne, Sunburn, Cold Sores, Insect Repelling, Night Cream, Antioxidant Moisturiser, Thrush and Vaginal Itching, Hemorrhoids

WRINKLE REDUCER MOISTURISER

Contains the same wonderful ingredients as the green cream with the addition of ALLANTOIN from comfrey.

Comfrey is one of the most powerful plants for stimulating growth and repair of connective tissue via the stimulation of collagen cross-linking.

This actually fills in lines and wrinkles, many of our clients call it the FACE-LIFT CREAM!

Common Sense Skincare

We also have a range of products to maintain healthy skin when there is no overt pathology.

STOP PUTTING DAMAGING CHEMICALS AND PRESERVATIVES ON YOUR SKIN AND THEREFORE INTO YOUR BODY AS WELL.

FACIAL CLEANSER

Containing Black Sesame Oil and French Alpine Lavender. Removes excess oil, dirt, skin cells and makeup without stripping the natural oils from your skin. Actually reduces the oil production as your skin does not have to produce so much to maintain its moisture level.

It has a strong antioxidant effect reducing damage to skin cells and a natural SPF protecting skin from damage due to daily sun exposure.

Skin feels so soft after use you don't even need to moisturise !

pH BALANCING TONER

With distilled Witch Hazel, Myrrh, Calendula and Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the "mother".

Witch Hazel and Myrrh are two of the strongest astringents known to herbal medicine to reduce pore size, improve tissue firmness and reduce excess secretions.

Calendula reduces skin irritation and improves collagen production, useful in acne and acne scarring.

Vinegar may seem a strange addition, but the ideal pH of the skin is slightly acidic. This encourages the natural bacterial balance of the skin which protects against staph which causes acne and fungus which causes pigmentation problems.

The use of soaps and foaming cleansers strip the skin of its protective oils and disturb this bacterial balance making the skin vulnerable to infection and ACCELERTING AGING.