Q: I'm a 47-year-old female and as far as I have ever known, I have never been allergic to anything. For one month now I have been having severe itching on my arms. There is no visible rash, bumps or anything. Now they are irritated from scratching so much. The itching is coming from the inside out.
Here are some of my observations: I got stung by a bee one month ago but had no reaction at all. However, that is about the time the itching started. Also, I started taking black cohosh for the hot flashes that I am beginning to get. I was taking two pills (540 mg) each day for one month, but I discontinued it about three weeks ago. Could menopause be causing my itchy arms? I received and drank some free samples of "vitamin water." It has panax ginseng in it. I drank 10 of those in the last month. I discontinued those one week ago. I take several supplements from a very reputable company called Carotec. I have been taking them for years, so I called them to ask about reactions. They said I've been taking them so long that a reaction would have happened long ago. I am a very healthy eater. I stay away from most processed foods but do eat a lot of fruit. Could it be a pesticide reaction? I use hardly any chemicals at all on my skin, and I have not changed any products lately. I also drink a lot of distilled water. I eat healthy cereal and milk every morning with only one cup of coffee. Cortisone cream, itch powder, vitamin E cream and aloe vera help somewhat, but only temporarily. I am heading south for vacation soon. Could it be the sun? I spend a lot of time in the sun, but I do not burn and have never had a reaction from that either.
A: We often don't find the source of itching/allergic reactions. This is one area where medicine gets very interesting and we have to become our own “Sherlock Holmes.” It sounds like you have already done a significant amount of “investigative work,” so I'm sure you have thought about detergents, soaps, new foods and exposure to animals, etc. One common cause of itching is dry skin. It usually affects the whole body, but certain areas are more prone to the effects, such as hands, arms and legs. Fish oil supplementation (4,000-6,000 mg/day) can help with this, as dry skin can be a result of a deficiency in essential fatty acids (usually omega 3s). Other avenues to help dry skin include humidification of the home, less frequent bathing using cooler water, and applying mineral oil to the skin after the bath/shower before toweling off.
Another, less common cause of severe itching is scabies. This is an infestation by mites and occurs with contact with persons, animals or clothing with the infestation. Areas usually involved include hands (especially web spaces between the fingers), wrists and the waistline. The itching usually intensifies at night. Doctors usually prescribe Permethrin to kill the mites, but over the counter preparations can be very effective as well. Instructions are included to help prevent re-infestation. See your doctor if your symptoms do not resolve.
Q: I have just been diagnosed with periodontal gum disease. I was put on penicillin and am scheduled for scaling. What are some natural things I can do to help my body heal itself?
A: Periodontal gum disease has recently been linked to the risk of cardiovascular disease. The theory is that chronic low-grade inflammation caused by the gum disease increases the inflammation in the body in general. We have a greater understanding now that inflammation is the underlying cause of many diseases afflicting our culture. Natural ways to combat periodontal disease is great oral hygiene – including brushing, flossing and rinses – which your dentist will prescribe. Two over-the-counter herbal mouth rinses (Herbal Mouth and Gum Therapy) were shown to be more effective than Listerine and as effective as Peridex for killing germs. Garlic and tea-tree oil rinses may also be effective, but bad breath and burning sensation can be a draw back. I also recommend eating an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds, beans and whole grains. Avoidance of saturated and trans-fats, which are pro-inflammatory, is a must.
Q: Do you believe that drinking Noni Juice daily is a good preventive maintenance for the body, especially for women?
A: Tahitian Noni juice has been touted as a cure-all and preventive for almost everything. The current studies available are mostly still in the test-tube and animal-research phase. Noni has significant antioxidant effects and has been found to have pain relieving, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity in animals. The question becomes, “Is drinking Noni (at a significant price) better than eating a wide variety of other fruits and vegetables, which also have anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant effects?” There is no good answer to that question yet, and there won't be until long-term studies in humans have been completed. There is one case report in the literature implicating Noni ingestion and liver damage. So, if you decide the expense is worth it, make sure you have blood tests done every 6 months to ensure your liver can handle it.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this column is not meant to diagnose or treat any condition. Seek the advice of a medical professional before making any changes to your diet, supplements or medication.
Tanya Edwards, M.D., M.Ed., is the Medical Director for the Center for Integrative Medicine and is a staff member in the Department of Family Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. As a Family Practice physician, she sees patients at the Cleveland Clinic Independence Family Health Center, and will begin wellness consultations at the new Cleveland Clinic Wellness Center. For the past seven years, she has been teaching complementary and alternative medicine courses at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Some questions in the “Ask Dr. Edwards” column appear courtesy of NetWellness.org.
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