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PRIMROSE OIL AND ECZEMA
As long ago as the 1930s it was known that essential fatty acids are vital for healthy skin and hair.
But it is only in the last ten years or so that essential fatty acids - evening primrose oil in particular - have proved to be an effective treatment for some common skin complaints, especially eczema.
What happens to the skin when there is a low level of essential fatty acids has been shown in animal studies. The main findings are:
• The skin becomes scaly and rough and sheds dandruff-like scales. In severe deficiency, an eczema-like dermatitis may develop and the skin may break down.
• Wounds take longer to heal.
• There is greater water loss from the skin, making it drier and making it age more quickly.
Atopic eczema
Atopic eczema is a chronic, patchy, mild inflammation of the surface of the skin which almost always begins in infancy or early childhood. It can be made worse by irritants, but often occurs without any apparent cause. The main signs and symptoms are dry, scaly, itchy red patches on the skin. Atopic eczema is different from contact eczema which is an inflammation caused by contact with an irritant, such as a chemical or a cosmetic. In recent years, evening primrose oil has had excellent results in the treatment of atopic eczema, in both adults and children. In several trials done so far, the results of evening primrose oil on atopic eczema are good or very good in about three quarters of all patients.
Improvement does not happen overnight. The first signs of improvement in moderate or severe cases of atopic eczema will be in the first four weeks at the earliest, but almost certainly between four and 12 weeks after starting to take evening primrose oil.
Many people who have taken evening primrose oil to treat their eczema have carried on taking it after the end of the period of trial, sometimes for years.
*13/60/5*
GENERAL HEALTH
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