Holistic dermatology

Holistic dermatology doesn't focus solely on the skin's appearance, but rather addresses the multiple causes and interrelationships of the entire organism. The most common dermatological conditions with which patients visit my practice are acne, atopic dermatitis in adults and children, eczema, fungal infections, warts, and psoriasis.
A fundamental distinction is made between internal processes such as metabolic disorders, immune complex formation, or detoxification from external stimuli such as burns, chemical burns, and infections with parasites, bacteria, or fungi. However, chronic stress and psychological problems also have a major impact on our skin, and dissatisfaction with our own skin condition can trigger negative feelings.

Despite their different appearance, inflammatory processes of the skin often have very similar causal factors.

"The skin is a mirror of the soul" is a well-known phrase, and I can partially agree with it. Although skin diseases often have a linear relationship to stress, it's disastrous to believe that dermatological diseases are purely psychological in nature.
The psyche and the body with the skin are two different entities
In almost all skin diseases, an organic problem is involved. However, since our organism under stress is "ready to fight", the digestive processes, the metabolism and the Immune system “shuts down”, stress will negatively affect any illness. 

The inflamed skin and intestine

There are several connections between inflammatory skin diseases and digestive tract disorders. On the one hand, the intestinal mucosa and skin react similarly to metabolic disorders caused by the colonization of pathogenic microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. The immune response transports immune complexes into the skin. This often results in the release of the tissue hormone histamine.

Such processes play a major role in neurodermatitis, urticaria (histamine!), eczema and acne (immune complexes!) and are therefore often accompanied by histamine intolerance and digestive disorders.

However, paying attention only to the pathogenic microorganisms of the intestine is pointless, since the colonization of the digestive tract with beneficial microorganisms is also of immense importance for our immune system, metabolism and thus skin health. 

Skin diseases in the focus of environmental medicine

Long-term exposure to environmental toxins, such as contaminated water, insecticides, and heavy metals, leads to an accumulation and concentration of toxins in fatty tissue and the interstitium (the space between body cells). While detoxification of highly toxic substances via the liver, intestines, or kidneys can lead to critical inflammation, detoxification via the skin is relatively harmless. 

Household toxins such as mold or solvents cause vascular damage, disrupt the liver's metabolic function and weaken the immune system

Parasites and bacteria produce toxic metabolism with the aim of weakening our immune system.

Couperose and rosaceae, in particular, are associated with toxic exposure. However, hand eczema, with its liver involvement, also has a high causality in metabolism and inhibition of detoxification processes.

I'm not concerned here with "genetic defects" in the medical sense. As described above, there are several factors that promote skin diseases. However, since not everyone reacts to such agitators with skin problems, it seems likely that we detoxify, activate the immune system, or deal with inflammatory processes in different ways for genetic reasons. Rosaceae and psoriasis have a special connection to genetics. 

Inflammatory skin diseases can be said to be symptoms of compensation for internal pathological processes. This reaction, in response to an overload of the organism with toxins or immune complexes, can also be considered a genetic advantage.

Skin diseases of external origin

External causes primarily refer to infections of the skin with fungi and bacteria, or parasites, or burns and chemical burns. 

For external infections, treatment is similar to conventional medicine, with antibiotic or antifungal creams or tinctures. In addition, naturopathy also focuses on the skin-associated immune system, which is primarily related to intestinal health.

Severe burns and chemical burns are outside the scope of naturopathic treatment and generally require intensive medical care. However, scar decongestion, for example, through cupping therapy, is useful in aftercare.

Holistic skin diagnostics

Most patients have already visited several dermatologists, resulting in different diagnoses. This is understandable, as inflammatory processes of the skin are often difficult to classify. The pathologies are often similar in their causal relationship to the factors mentioned above.

To identify the individual factors that led to the illness, I first conduct a detailed consultation, in which all of the patient's symptoms are addressed. I also use diagnostic techniques from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Osteopathy and  Kinesiology.

In focus Diagnostics The human bio with intestinal health, environmental medical factors, nutrition, allergies and intolerances.

Skin therapy in naturopathy

Depending on the results of the diagnostics, I most often use herbal therapy from Chinese medicine (antibiotics) to restore the balance between harmful and beneficial microorganisms (biome), which I combine with vitamins and minerals (immune system).

Since nutrition has the greatest influence on the human biome and because the digestive tract is often involved in the disease, a nutritional analysis with advice is an integral part of the therapy.

Food intolerances such as histamine intolerance, fructose intolerance, or type 3 allergies. Gluten, milk protein and eggs are often associated with inflammatory skin diseases.

In some cases, environmental medical advice is also provided. Rosacae and some forms of eczema, in particular, have a strong affinity for detoxification processes.