The skin is always contaminated by a large number of micro-organisms which generally cause us few problems. Stress, exhaustion or a weak immune system usually gives them the opportunity they need.

Athlete’s foot (Tinea pedis) is a very common fungal infection affecting the space between the toes and toenails. Depending on the infecting fungus it can either involve inflammation and itching or may simply result in scaling skin and general discomfort. Like all their species, the yeasts causing athlete’s foot thrive in warm, damp places, so good, sensible foot care — making sure the toes are well dried after bathing and that shoes are comfortable — is important. Using creams based on anti-fungal herbs, such as tea tree, marigold and echinacea, can help.

Boils are very tender inflamed areas of skin containing pus, generally caused by a staphylococcal infection of a hair follicle or a break in the skin. A cluster of boils is known as a carbuncle. Boils are usually a sign of reduced resistance to infection — perhaps because of general debility, chronic illness, exhaustion or overwork. There could also be some deep-seated septic focus such as a dental abscess adding to the over-all toxicity. Frequent outbreaks of boils can suggest a more serious underlying cause — possibly diabetes or kidney disease. Unskilled lancing of boils can spread infection and is best avoided. Herbal treatment can include the use of poultices or drawing ointments accompanied by antiseptic creams or lotions to encourage the boil to discharge. Effective external options include slippery elm, chickweed, tea tree and echinacea, with herbs such as hemp agrimony, garlic or echinacea taken internally to boost the immune system and combat bacterial infections.

Herbal Beauty

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex Type I virus, which is believed to be carried by around 50% of the adult population. The sores are always quite localized and take the form of tiny blisters which usually start with a tingling sensation and rapidly develop to inflamed, red areas generally occurring around the mouth. Once a person has been infected, the virus can remain dormant in the body for years, usually causing a recurrent outbreak of sores if the sufferer is at all run down or over-tired. Women sometimes find that cold sores will coincide with menstruation and they can often herald a cold or flu simply because both can occur when resistance is weakened by exhaustion. The virus is extremely contagious during the blistering stage and can spread in saliva or by contact, so it is important to avoid touching the cold sore and spreading the infection to other parts of the body. Cold sores are more of a nuisance than a serious health hazard: try applying tea tree, marigold or lavender oils or creams as soon as the initial tingling sensation starts.

Dandruff is simply rather larger than usual flakes of dead skin which in the normal course of events would be more discreetly replaced every 28 days or so. It can be associated with seborrheic eczema where over-production of sebum (the natural oil secretions which lubricate the skin and hair) leads to oily, yellow flakes and often sore red patches on the scalp. Dandruff is believed to be caused, in part, by a fungal infection (due to Pityrosporum ovate), although it is not contagious and seems to depend on an individual over-response to the fungus. Wearing hats can make dandruff worse as the hot, damp environment they cause encourages fungal growth. Use of medicated shampoos can also worsen the condition because of the effect of detergents on scalp secretions and natural bacteria. Use the same sorts of cleansing remedies as for eczema and add infusions of rosemary leaves, chamomile flowers or stinging nettle roots to hair rinses to improve scalp quality. Use gentle, soap-based shampoos rather than detergents.

Head lice epidemics are commonplace in schools. Lice are tiny brown insects about the size of a pinhead which lay six to eight eggs a day at the base of the hair shafts (usually at the nape of the neck or behind the ears).These hatch to produce white nymphs and discarded egg husks (nits).These live for about 20 days in an immature form — happily feeding on blood from the scalp — before pupating to the mature insect. Lice do not fly or jump, they simply walk from one head to another, which is easily achieved in the close confines of the classroom or playground. Tea tree is an ideal remedy: simply put a few drops of oil on a fine comb and comb the child’s hair thoroughly night and morning, or add 1020 drops of tea tree to 500 ml of hot water and use as a final hair rinse.

Warts are benign lumps in the skin caused by a virus which makes the cells multiply abnormally quickly. Common warts are usually found on the hands, knees and face and are mildly contagious, spreading as the virus comes into contact with damaged skin or when flakes from the wart touch other moist skin areas. Although they can be unsightly and a nuisance, these sorts of warts are usually quite harmless and most will disappear of their own accord. Useful herbal remedies include the sap of both greater celandine and dandelion, which can be squeezed onto warts each day until they disappear. The common garden weed, wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides), is also known in some country districts as wart weed from the tradition of using its juice in a similar way. Professional help is needed for warts which appear to erupt on the site of moles or which start to bleed or change colour.

Verrucas are plantar warts that occur on the sole of the feet. Because they are always being walked on, the small growths can become painful and are often covered by thickened areas of skin or calluses. Readily available ring plasters and callous pads can provide some relief. The constant pressure also makes these warts grow inwardly rather than erupting outwards as with common warts; persistent cases usually need treatment from a chiropodist, although tea tree creams can help.

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Assorted Skin Infections Herbal Remedies