Showing posts with label medicine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medicine. Show all posts

Friday, January 15, 2016

RHUS TOXICODENDRON.

RHUS TOXICODENDRON.

POISON OAK.  N. O. Anacardiaceæ. Tincture of fresh leaves gathered at sunset just before flowering time.

[Under the name Rhus Hahnemann published his proving of "R. radicans, also calledToxicodendron." Botanists agree in recognising no distinction other than that of habit between the two. Millspaugh (American Medicinal Plants) tells in his masterly account of the plant that he has seen the two varieties springing from the same root-stock. He advises that the tincture should be made from specimens of both. Rhus tox. is a shrub with erect stem from two to four feet high. The stem is devoid of rootlets. Rhus r. has more or less tortuous stems, four to thirty feet high, profusely studded with dark-coloured rootlets, by which it clings to its support.Our own Ivy (Hedera helix) in the same way may run along the ground, rooting at intervals if it cannot find a support, and growing to a great height if it can; and it may be an erect shrub with no rootlets and no tendency to climb.The two forms have been proved independently, and when necessary to distinguish them I shall name them Rh. r. and Rh. t. When reference is made to both or either in this work I use the term Rhus without distinction. All other varieties of Rhus will be distinguished.]

Clinical

Abortion. Acne rosacea. After-pains. Amenorrhœa. Anus, fissure of. Appendicitis.Appetite, lost. Beri-beri. Bones, pains in. Cæcum, inflammation of. Chilblains. Circulation, feeble. Cyanosis. Dengue fever. Diarrhœa; chronic. Diphtheria. Dysentery. Dysmenorrhœa. Dyspepsia. Ear, eczema of. Ecthyma. Enteric fever. Erysipelas. Erythema nodosum. Exostosis. Eyes, inflammation of; choroiditis; sight, weak. Feet, pains in. Gastro-enteritis. Glands, inflammation of. Gout. Hæmorrhages. Hæmorrhoids. Hands, pains in. Hernia. Herpes. Herpes zoster. Housemaid's knee. Hydrocele. Influenza. Intermittents. Jaw, cracking in. Liver, abscess of. Lumbago. Measles. Menorrhagia. Metrorrhagia. Neuralgia. Ovary, tumour of.Paralysis. Paraphimosis. Pemphigus. Periosteum, pains in. Pleurisy. Pleurodynia. Pneumonia; typhoid. Ptosis. Pyæmia. Redgum. Relapsing fever. Rheumatism. Scarlatina. Sciatica. Sleep, restless. Small-pox. Spine, diseases of. Sprain. Strictures.Tongue, affections of. Typhus fever. Urticaria. Warts. Wens. Yawning.

Characteristics

The Poison Ivy grows in thickets and low grounds in North America, flowering in June. It was introduced into England as a plant in 1640. In 1798 Dufresnoy of Valenciennes first used it as a medicine. It was brought to his notice by the cure of a young man of an herpetic eruption (dartre) of six years' duration, through his being accidentally poisoned with the plant. Dufresnoy used it successfully in eruptive diseases, paralysis, rheumatism, and amaurosis. The milky juice, which turns black on exposure, is used as a marking ink (like Anacard.) and as an ingredient of varnishes for finishing boots. The tincture contains Rhoitannic acid (C18H28O13) and Toxicodendric acid, a poisonous, volatile principle. A peculiarity of the plant is that it is more poisonous during the night, and when bursting into leaf, or at any time in June or July when the sun is not shining upon it. Absence of sunlight, together with dampness, seems to favour the exhalation of Toxicodendric acid. "An acrimonious vapour, combined with carburetted hydrogen, exhales from a growing plant of the Poison Oak during the night. It can be collected in a jar, and is capable of inflaming and blistering the skin of persons of excitable constitution who plunge their arms into it" (Porcher, quoted by Millspaugh, from whose work I take the above facts). Those who care for Signatures will not fail to connect the cardinal aggravations of Rhusat night and from dampwith the increased virulence of the plant at night and in damp atmosphere. (One prover of Rh. ven. was not influenced by contact with the leaves when his skin was dry, but only when perspiring; and the worst poisonings with Rh. divers. happened to persons when moist and heated.) Millspaugh relates instances of Rhuspoisoning: Out of ten men employed to clear a piece of land of shrubs among which the Poison Vine greatly predominated only four escaped: "Most of the men soon began to show signs of being tired, and at the end of the fourth day six of them were flat on their backs too sick for anything." Actual contact with the plant is not necessary in order to produce its effect. One sultry day in June a young lady drove a croquet ball across a lawn to a clump of Poison Ivy that grew beside it. Knowing her susceptibility she reached under the plant and drew out the ball without touching a leaf. During the evening of the same day her face began to itch and burn, and in the night it swelled so that the eyes were not merely closed, the lashes even disappeared in the swelling. It took nearly two weeks for her to recover. Millspaugh summarises the effects of Rhus (the majority of poisonings have been caused by Rh. rad.) as follows: First redness and swelling of the affected part, with intolerable itching and burning, followed by vertigo, weariness, and a sort of intoxication. Infiltration of face and eyes, and agglutination of the lids after sleep; great restlessness, pain, thirst, and fever. The surface of the skin becomes after a time studded with confluent bullæ where the cellular tissue is loose, then a dermatitis follows resembling erysipelas; this may spread rapidly and finally be communicated to the mucous membranes. This is followed by swelling of the mouth and throat, cough, nausea, and vomiting. Rheumatoid pains develop about the joints, and a painful stiffness asserts itself in the lumbar region, while the legs and arms become numb. Confusion of mind and delirium may then set in, during which the patient may become so ill-humoured, restless, and anxious that he will jump out of bed. Concomitants are: Inflammation of eyes, dilation of pupils, weak vision, sometimes diplopia; epistaxis; brown-coated tongue with triangular red tip; swelling of parotids; difficult swallowing; griping; diarrhœa; profuse urination; oppression; rapid pulse; prostration; soreness of muscles, < by rest; > by exercise; sleepiness; chilliness followed by fever and copious sweat.The American provings were made with Rh. rad., and the majority of the poisonings have occurred from this plant. Though it is not certain that Hahnemann used Rh. tox. at all, or exclusively, Jahr gave a separate presentation of the Rh. rad. symptoms. H. C. Allen (quotedCritique, vi. 409) notes in Rh. rad. a periodicity which marks it as a great antipsoric. It is, he says, on deeply psoric or tubercular constitutions that its toxic effects are most felt and longest lasting, and these constitutional effects "seem ineradicable without the antipsoric." One case of his showed a return of symptoms at 12.45 a.m. on July 5th, each year during sixteen years, except the year 1898, when the previous use of Tuberculinum, a dose once each month, prevented an attack; and modified the 1899 attack. Guernsey considers Rh. rad. deeper acting than Rh. tox., being indicated in phlegmonous erysipelas, especially where it begins in ankles and moves gradually up the leg, moving in the deeper tissues, no fever; and for axillary glands when the swelling is very deep and hard. Farrington gives as distinctive indications for Rh. rad.; Occipital headache with rheumatic stiffness of nape. Drawing tearing pains in legs. Pleurodynia when the pains shoot into the shoulders. Mahony (M. A., xxvi. 109) reports a case of eczema on perineum and scrotum with sweat in cleft of nates, both relieved in a week withRh. rad. 12, twice daily.Hahnemann quickly perceived the keynote of the Rhus symptoms: "We observe," he says, in his preface to the proving, "this curious action (which is found in few other medicines, and in these never to such a great degree), viz., the severest symptoms and sufferings are excited when the body or the limb is at rest, and kept as much as possible without movement. The opposite of this, namely, an increase of the symptoms by movement, is much more rarely, observed." He contrasts Rhus with Bry., which has almost identical rheumatic pains with the opposite Conditions. Neidhard adds a note in Hempel's Jahr which brings out a modification of this "< by rest" which is of the greatest practical importance, as I can testify. Neidhard says that the disease in which he has made most use of Rhus is a form of rheumatism common in North America, and characterised by the following symptoms: "Rigidity, paralytic weakness of the joints, with stinging pain along the tendons and muscles. Swelling and redness on or near the joints. Rheumatism of the hip-joint and wrist seem to be most effectually controlled by its action.The greatest rigidity and pain is experienced on first moving the joints after rest, and on waking up in the morning. After the joints are moved for a while the pain is lessened." Contrasted with Bry., Rhus has: "The more he moves the > he is"; whereas Bry. has "The more he moves the < he is." It is necessary to bear in mind this distinction or a wrong prescription will often be made. Rhus has not only < during rest, but < after resting also. However, Rhus and Bry. complement each other: it is not unusual for the Conditions of a case to change under one of these remedies, and then the other will be required. Hahnemann says "these two antagonistic sister remedies "each in its placesuccessfully met the typhus which prevailed in the countries desolated by the war which raged from the summer of 1813 and onwards. Of 183 cases treated by Hahnemann in Leipzig not one died. Thisrestlessness of Rhus will be found to qualify the symptoms in a large proportion of the cases in which it will be called for. It is as restless as Acon. and Ars., but in a different way from either. With Rhus it is due to the pain and soreness temporarily > by movement; or a nervous internal uneasiness which makes the patient want to be on the move when there is no particular pain present (Nash). The presence of restlessness is a leading indication for Rhus in fevers, typhoid and other. Other indications areclouded sensorium, stupefaction, muttering delirium, dry tongue. The characteristic tongue of Rhusis dry or dark coated, with triangular red tip. In intermittents a characteristic is "Cough during the chill." Hahnemann pointed out another keynote of Rhus: "Multiplied experience has taught me that Rhus is the most efficacious and the specific remedy for the frequently fatal effects of over-lifting, inordinate exertions of the muscles, and contusions." He was, of course, led to this inference by the "bruised and sprain-like pains" and "stiffness" of the provings. Rhus is in the front rank of vulneraries. It meets threatened abortion from a sprain; and also prolonged after-pains and other effects of the strain of a severe labour; axillary abscess from this cause has been cured with Rhus. Straining, rheumatic coughs. Ailments from straining a single part, muscle, or tendon; over-lifting, particularly from stretching high up to reach things. There is an analogy to this in the dreamsdreams of great exertion: rowing, swimming, working hard at his daily occupation. Rhus has cured many forms of paralysis: Rheumatic paraplegia from getting wet, lying on damp ground; sleeping in damp sheets; after exertion; after parturition, sexual excess, or fevers. Ptosis. Paralysis of single limbs. Numbness of parts paralysed. Facial neuralgia, lumbago, and sciatica (esp. of left side), with restlessness; coming on after a wetting or after a bath are cured by Rhus. The neuralgic pains and eruptions make Rhus a perfect simillimum in many cases of herpes zoster. Fever-blisters round mouth. Howard Crutcher relates (M. A., xxii. 38) how after standing on a wharf with his right side exposed to a cold wind from the river he began to have severe pains shooting up the ulnar nerve, a steady ache uniform throughout arm and forearm, but extremely severe in structures beneath deltoid. The pain was much < in a warm place; it did not interfere with movement. At 8 p.m. Crutcher took Rhus30 dry on the tongue, and almost immediately he was called into the open air again. In thirty minutes the pain was decidedly better; in ninety minutes it was gone. A case of Rhuspoisoning reported by Morey (Med. Cent., February, 1898; H. W., xxxiii. 309), showed an effect on the menstrual period, and was remedied by Crocus. Miss M. was severely poisoned by Rh. rad. (it is called "Ivy") in July, 1895, during her menstrual period. She was treated with Bell. and Rhus internally, and anOxide of Zinc ointment externally, and appeared to make a rapid recovery. On September 1, 1897, without further known poisoning, another similar attack developed during the menstrual period, and frequent minor attacks had occurred in the two years, always at the time of the menses. Later on she had another attack which developed rapidly and greatly alarmed her. The menstrual flow commenced a week before she came to Morey, was very scanty, dark, and clotted, as had been the case for sometime. The flow had scarcely well begun when it ceased suddenly and the eruption appeared.Croc. was given, and the first dose re-established the flow, which was normal in appearance and quantity, and the eruption at once disappeared. Peculiar Sensations are: As if intoxicated. As if asleep. As of a weight behind right orbit. As of a band strapped across forehead. As if head were swelling out. Brain, as if loaded; as if torn; as if loose; as if fluctuating; as if a quantity of blood shot into it when stooping. As if muscles of back of head screwed together. As if a hundredweight on nape of neck. As if a veil before eyes. As of sand in eyes. As if lids difficult to move. As if jaw would break. Teeth as if being torn out; too long; loose. As if tongue had been skinned. As if a hernia about to protrude. As if pharynx inactive or paralysed. Stomach, as if overloaded; as if a stone in; as if pit of stomach swollen or drawn together. Hypochondria and abdomen as if beaten. Digging as if caused by a worm. As if a knife in right abdomen. As if something torn loose in abdomen, chest, and inner parts generally. As if a lump lay like a pressing heavy weight in abdomen. As if one side of rectum grown up. As if everything would come out of rectum. As if breath were stopped at pit of stomach. As if sternum were pressed inward. As if sprained or dislocated: back, jaw, arms, wrist, hip, knee, ankle. As if one had been lying in an uncomfortable position. As if bruised in right side of lumbar vertebræ and in small of back. As if flesh of small of back had been beaten. As if back were broken. As if some one were pressing on left shoulder. As if hand were held in hot water. Hand, as if withered; as if lame; as if pins pricking points and palmar surfaces of first phalanges of fingers. Rectus cruris muscle as if bruised. As if hamstrings and tendons of limbs too short. As if knee too-short. Legs (and right foot) as if made of wood. Feet and ankles as if asleep. Heels as if stepping on pins. As if running nails under skin of heels. As if walking on needles. Joints as if bruised. As if bones ached. As if sinking through bed. As if something forced him out of bed. Bones, as if being scraped; as if flesh being torn loose from them. As if whole body was burning. As if cold water poured over him. As if blood ran cold through veins. As of subcutaneous ulceration. As if inner parts grown together. Peculiar Symptoms are: Craving for cold drink and laborious dreams. Herpes alternating with asthma and dysentery. Chokes easily on swallowing. Swallowing = pain in middle of back. Anorexia in palate and throat. Nausea in chest. Taste of blood with cough (no blood being raised). Coldness in left tibia. Scalp sensitive, < turning hair back. Hour-glass contraction of abdomen. The symptoms are: < By touch; > by rubbing. < From riding; blows; jars; sprains. <By rest; and commencing motion; > continued motion. (Lying down > colic and diarrhœa.) Lying on hard floor with pillow under back >pain in back. Must hold head to > weight in it. Bending head back > pain in occiput; = pain in head and down spine. Limbs lain on fall asleep; no sweat on them. < Side lain on. Lying on left side = palpitation and pain in heart. Swallowing = pain in back. Inclination to stretch. Stretching = cracking in knees; soreness in abdomen. Unwonted exercise =paralysis. Over-exertion = palpitation; <coxalgia. < Evening; night; morning after sleep. Sensitive to cold open air; raw north-east winds. Effects of drinking cold water; getting wet, especially after being heated, cold bathing; sea bathing. > By warmth and hot applications. < Warmth of bed. Sciatica is > by warmth from exercise. < Change of weather; damp, stormy weather; before a storm; snowstorm; in autumn; in winter. Nausea <after eating. Craves cold water, which is vomited immediately.

Relations

Antidoted by: Bry., Bell., Camph., Coff., Crot. t., Grind., Merc., Sang., Sul., Verb. h. Antidote to:Bry., Ranunc., Rhod., Ant. t., Sapon. (Ars.).Complementary: Bry. Inimical: Apis, before or after, especially in skin affections.Compatible: Arn., Ars., Bry., Calc., Calc. ph., Cham., Con., Lach., Ph. ac., Puls., Sul.Followed well by: Calc., Bell., Graph., Nux, Pho., Pul., Merc., Sep., Sul., Ars., Bry. Compare:The other Rhoes and Anacardia. Eye symptoms, > by motion, Comoc. (Rhus > by warmth; Comoc. <). Rheumatic paralysis from exposure to damp and cold, Caust. (Rhus restless, > by motion day and night; Caust. restless only at night). Parotid gland, Am. c. (Rhus left; Am. c. right). Result of working in water, Calc. Granular ophthalmia, Arg. n. (Rhus has more spasm; if lids are forced open scalding tears gush out and cause pimples round the eye). Cough excited by cold drink, Sil. (> Caust.). Sweat of body, head dry (Sil. sweat of head, body dry). Nose-bleed at beginning of typhoid, Ph. ac. (with Rhus it >, not with Ph. ac.). Enables persons to withstand muscular fatigue, Fl. ac., Ars., Coca. Hypertrophy of heart from over-exertion, Bro., Arn., Aco. Ulcers on legs in dropsy, Ars., Lyc. (Lyc. in dropsy from liver disease). Fear of being poisoned, Glo., K. bro., Hyo., Bap. Profuse gushing tears excoriating cheek, Euphr. (Rhus < right eye; pus thinner). Ptosis or any ocular paralysis, Gels. (Rhus rheumatic patient, from wetting; Gels. with sluggish thought and suffused face). Scarlatina, erysipelas, &c., with drowsiness and œdema, Apis (Rhus dusky red, bodily restlessness; Ap. rosy red, fidgetiness. Rhus itching preponderates; Ap. less tendency to form pus). Enteritis, peritonitis, typhlitis, Lach. Heart affections with numbness of left arm, Aco. (tingling in fingers), Kalm., Puls. (numbness, especially about elbow), Act. r. (as though arm tightly bound to body), Phyt. (right arm). Dreams of business of day, Bry. (Rhus and Bry. have opposite Conditions; and Rhus menta. state is hopeless and despondent, Bry. fretful, peevish, irritable.) Typhoid, Pho. (follows Rhus well; pneumonia; stools yellow and blood-streaked, at times like "flesh water"), Ars. (irritable and anxious in spite of prostration), Bapt. (face dark red, besotted; stool dark, fluid, very offensive; drowsy, stupor; tossing about with delusion that limbs are scattered about bed feels hard), Arn. (complete apathy; involuntary stool and urine bloody sputa if lungs affected). Empyema and induration of axillary glands, Bell. (Bell. at climaxis, Rhus after labour). Eczema, Mez., jug. r. (favus). Cough < from evening to midnight, Mez. (Rhus also from uncovering). Colic > bending double, Coloc. (Rhus also >moving about). Conjunctivitis from getting wet, Calc. Glaucoma, Caust. Cracking and breaking pain in jaw, Ign., Petr. Paralysis from rheumatic meningitis (from rheumatic myelitis, Dulc). Acute spinal paralysis of infants, Sul. (complementary). Averse to be uncovered, Ars., Hep. Bearing down in hypogastrium, Puls. Flesh feels beaten off the bones, Thuj. Aversion to darkness, Am. m., Bar. c., Calc., Carb. a., Stro., Val., Stram. Averse to be washed, Ant. c., Clem., Hep., Sep., Spi., Sul. Effects of raising arms high to lift things, Pho. Bloody urine discharged in drops, Pul. Phimosis, Cann., Merc., Sul., Nit. ac., Sep., Thuj., Sabi. Hunger in early morning, Aga., Ant. c., Asar., Calc., Carb. a., Lyc., Ran. b., Saba., Zn. Semilateral coat of tongue, Daph., Lob. (Rhus white). Hot breath, Calc., Carb. s., Sul. Nocturnal salivation, Cham., Nux, Pho. Difficult swallowing of solids, Atrop., Bell., Bar. c., Calc., Chi., Dro., Lyc., Plb., Sil. Parotitis, Aur., Merc., Pilo.; metastasis to testes, Rhus, Pal., Bell., K. ca. Yearly returns, Ars. Cold from wetting head (Bell. from hair-cutting). Sensation of subcutaneous ulceration, Ran. b., Pul. Chokes easily when swallowing, K. ca. >Warm food, Lyc. Epistaxis at night, (Bry. morning). Punctured wounds as if stepping on nails, Hyper., Led. Backache > lying on hard floor, Nat. m. Hydroa, Nat. m. Acne from getting wet, or ice-cold drinks, when heated, Bellis. Desires cold drink and vomits it immediately, Ars. Ailments from spraining a single part, muscle, or tendon, Calc., Nux. Vertigo < lying down (Apis >); < rising from lying or stooping, Bry. Jelly-like stools, Colch., K. bi.

Causation

Slightest anger. Cold. From wetting head. Damp sheets. Bathing, in fresh or salt water. Getting wet when heated. Strains. Over-exertion. Over-lifting. Raising arms high to lift things. Drinking ice-water. Beer (headache).

1. Mind

Anxious sadness and excessive anguish, esp. (at twilight) in evening and at night, with wish for solitude and inclination to weep.Restlessness which will not suffer the patient to remain seated.; and compels him to throw himself about in bed.Anguish with fear of death and sighs.Fear of being poisoned.Suicidal mania (desire to throw himself into the water).Irritability and ill-humour, with repugnance to labour.Moral dejection with anthropophobia.Helplessness and profound despondency.Uneasiness respecting one's children, affairs, and the future, with want of self-confidence.Weakness of memory and forgetfulness (cannot remember the most recent events).Want of ideas and of mental energy.Difficult comprehension.Slowness of conception and mental dulness.Delusions of the imagination and visions.Mild delirium; with insensibility.

2. Head

Head bewildered as from intoxication.Stupefaction; with tingling in head and pain in limbs, > on motion.Staggering gait without vertigo.Staggers to r. when walking.Vertigo and staggering as if about to fall; esp. when getting out of bed (chilliness and pressure behind eyes).Vertigo as if he were held up high, while sitting.Emptiness in head.Vertigo, with fear of death, on lying down in evening.Headache (< in the morning, while lying; from cold) immediately after a meal or after drinking beer, and also on moving the arms (> by heat and when moving about).Headache < morning, r. side, with vertigo as if she would fall back on getting out of bed, acute darting pains in both temples, can hardly hold up, and a mist comes before sight when doing anything quickly or getting up in a hurry (produced.R. T. C.).(Incito-motor function defective).Attacks of headache with need to lie down; every vexation and exercise in the open air renews the attacks.Periodical headache.Pain in head as if brain were bruised, esp. in morning,< by moving and lifting up head.Passive congestion of head > by repose.Heaviness and pressive fulness of head (esp. in forehead; as if a weight were falling forward, with heat in face), with sensation, on stooping, as if the brain were about to burst.Head so heavy obliged to hold it upright to > the weight pressing forward into forehead.Sensation of compression or expansion in head.Drawings and tearings in head, and esp. in temples, principally in evening and at night.Lancinating headache day and night, extending as far as ears, root of nose, and the cheek-bones, with the teeth set on edge.Beating and pulsations in head, esp. in occiput.Pains, esp. in occipital protuberances.Sanguineous congestion in head.Burning sensation, esp. in forehead (when walking) and occiput.Occipital headache with rheumatic stiffness in nape (R. rad.).Painful tingling in head.Sensation as if a quantity of blood shot into brain when stooping.Rush of blood to head with burning-tingling and beating in brain, bright redness of face, great restlessness of body in morning when at rest, < after eating.Liability to take cold from having head wetted.Buzzing and noise in head.Balancing and sensation of fluctuation in head at every step, as if brain loose, also when shaking head.Painful sensibility of exterior of head, as from subcutaneous ulceration, esp. on turning up hair and on touching it; < on side on which he does not lie, and from becoming warm in bed.Contraction of the scalp as if the hair were pulled.Drawing and tearing in scalp.Swelling of head.Erysipelatous swelling of head and face with vesicles drying up and forming itching scabs.Gnawing tingling in scalp.Dry herpes on scalp.Periodical scald-head, reappearing every year.Scald-head with thick scabs, which destroy the hair, with greenish pus (offensive smell), and violent itching at night.(Eczema of entire hairy scalp, causing loss of hair.R. T. C.).Small, soft tubercles on the scalp.Wen of many years' duration cured with Rh. t. Ø, which caused erysipelas at same time (H. W., xxxi. 199).

3. Eyes

Pains in eyes on moving ball of eye.Pressure and burning sensation in eyes.Eyes fixed, dull, and downcast.Smarting in eyes and lids.Affections of internal surface of eyelids.Inflammation of the eyes and lids, with redness and nocturnal agglutination.Profuse lachrymation (eyes full of water, blear-eyedness) with œdematous swelling round eyes.Meibomian glands enlarged, cilia fall out.Photophobia.Bladder-like swelling of the lids, closing the eyes.Swelling (erysipelatous) of whole eye and of surrounding parts.Rheumatic ophthalmia, particularly of r. eye.Gouty keratitis, < in damp, rainy weather, sight dim.Paralytic rigidity of the eyelids.Jerking and quivering of eyes and eyelids.Blue colour about the eyes.Heaviness of the eyelids.Styes; on the lower eyelids.Veil before eyes and weak sight; all objects appear pale.

4. Ears

Otalgia.Painful throbbing in ear at night.Swelling of ears.Discharge of sanguineous pus from ears, with deafness.Whistling, squeaking, or ringing in ears when walking, changes to low resonance when lying down, as if membrana tympani were burst.Swelling and inflammation of parotids with fever.Suppuration of parotids.

5. Nose

Redness of point of nose, with pain as from excoriation on touching the part.Hot swelling of the nose.Breath seems so hot it burns the nostrils.Dryness of the nose.Discharge of greenish fetid pus from nose.Epistaxis also at night and on stooping or hawking; blood dark; scabs about nares.Frequent violent and almost spasmodic sneezing.Abundant discharge of mucus from nose, without coryza.

6. Face

Face pale, sickly, wan, with eyes surrounded by a blue circle and nose pointed.Drawing and burning in superciliary region and in cheek-bones.Face disfigured and convulsed.Face red, with burning heat.Erysipelatous inflammation and swelling of face, with pressive and tensive shootings and burning tingling.Vesicular erysipelas, with yellow serum in the vesicles.Humid eruption and thick scabs on face, with running of fetid and sanguineous serum.Acne.(Acne rosacea; impetigo on the face or on forehead.).Commissures of lips sore and ulcerated.Herpetic, crusty eruption round mouth and nose, with itching, jerking, and burning sensation.Exanthema on cheeks, chin, and around mouth.Desquamation of skin of face.Incisive contractions and burning spasmodic pains in cheeks (which are red and hot).Cold sweat on face.Eruptions of burning pimples round lips and chin.Cramp-like pain in jaw-joint when at rest and when moving the jaw, with cracking on least movement, > by strong pressure from without and by taking warm things.Spasms in the jaw.Constant desire to yawn until it seems as though the jaw would break.Hard and painful swelling (pressive digging) of the parotid and submaxillary glands (with sticking on swallowing).Lips dry and brownish.

7. Teeth

Toothache as from excoriation, or with tearings, shootings, jerkings, digging, and tingling, frequently at night, or < in open air and > by external heat (and in warm room), sometimes also in consequence of a chill.Looseness of teeth.Teeth feel elongated.Looseness of lower incisors, cannot bite with them.Fetid exhalation, from carious teeth.Burning pain in gums as from excoriation, also at night.

8. Mouth

Dryness of mouth with violent thirst.Copious accumulation of saliva in mouth.A yellow, and sometimes also a sanguineous, saliva flows from mouth at night.While sitting asleep in afternoon saliva runs from mouth.In morning in bed mouth full of salt water.In morning mucus and tongue are salt.Copious accumulation of viscid mucus in mouth and throat, with frequent expectoration.Offensive smell from mouth.Tongue: dry, red or brownish, and cracked; triangular red tip; yellowish-white at root.Tongue white; often on one side.Sensation as if tongue covered with a skin.

9. Throat

Sensation of dryness of throat.Sore throat, as if caused by internal swelling, with pain as from a bruise even when speaking, and with pressure and shootings during deglutition.Sensation in throat as if something were torn out of it.(Sore throat after exertion in speaking.).Difficulty in deglutition and pain in swallowing solid food as from contraction of throat and œsophagus; difficult swallowing of liquids as from paralysis.Brandy causes an extraordinary burning sensation in throat.Copious accumulation of mucus in throat, with frequent hawking in morning.Pulsative pain in bottom of gullet.

10. Appetite

Putrid taste, esp. in morning and after a meal.Insipid, clammy, acrid, bitter, sour, or metallic taste.Greasy taste in mouth but food tastes all right.Taste as if stomach had been deranged with putrid meat, but food tastes right.Sweetish taste in mouth.Bitter taste of food, esp. of bread, which appears rough and dry.Anorexia with repugnance to all food, esp. bread, meat, coffee, and wine.Anorexia in palate and throat with empty feeling at stomach, and at same time ravenous hunger, which goes off after sitting for some time.Sensation of fulness and satiety in stomach, which takes away all appetite.After a meal strong disposition to sleep, pressure and fulness in stomach and abdomen, nausea with inclination to vomit, lassitude, vertigo, and shuddering.When eating sudden vomiting.Bread lies heavy on stomach.Want of appetite with unquenchable thirst.Hunger without appetite.Pain and heat of head after drinking beer.Thirst most frequently from a sensation of dryness in mouth, also at night or in morning, with desire chiefly for cold water and cold milk.Craving for dainties; for oysters.

11. Stomach

Risings with taste of food.Empty risings after a meal or after drinking.Eructations from stomach, which seems to be transferred to r. side of chest, as if it settled there.Violent risings with tingling in stomach, > by lying down, < on getting up.Pituita in the stomach.Pain in stomach and nausea from drinking ice-water.Nausea and disposition to vomit, principally after a meal and after drinking, as also in night or morning after rising, > by lying down.Vomiting immediately after eating.Pains in stomach as if there were a stone in it, esp. after a meal; and when standing.Pressure at stomach and scrobiculus, often with obstructed respiration.Beating and shooting in epigastric region.Squeezing, sensation of swelling, and pain as from ulceration in pit of stomach.Sensation of coldness in stomach.Sensation in pit of stomach as if something were torn away from it, esp. on stooping or making a false step.

12. Abdomen

Distension of abdomen, esp. after a meal.Pressive drawing from below upward, in l. hypochondrium.Soreness, as if beaten, in hypochondria, and still more in abdomen; <on side lain on when turning and when beginning to move.Pressive heaviness in abdomen, from a weight.Contractive spasms in abdomen, which force patient to remain bent double.Hard and visible contraction of abdomen across navel; abdomen distended above and below this stripe.(Pain in abdomen with tightness across forehead and sleeplessness.Violent and continuous pain round navel, caused by retching.R. T. C.).Digging turning in abdomen, as if caused by a worm.Incisive tearings, jerks, and pinchings in the abdomen (esp. after eating; > after stool).Pain in region of ascending colon.Burning sensation in the abdomen.Relaxation of the abdomen, with internal shaking at every step.Violent colic, often at night, or < by all kinds of food or drink, sometimes with sanguineous evacuations.Sensation in abdomen as if something were torn away.Scarlet colour of abdomen.Soreness in integuments of abdomen, as if they were ulcerated, esp. on stretching in morning.Swelling of inguinal glands.Pressure in groins towards exterior as if a hernia were about to protrude.Bloated abdomen, esp. after eating.Great flatulence, with grumbling, fermentation, and pinching movements in abdomen.Exceedingly offensive flatus.

13. Stool and Anus

Constipation, sometimes alternating with diarrhœa.Hard and slow evacuations.Tenesmus, sometimes with nausea, and tearing or pinchings in abdomen.Painful tenesmus without stool.Evacuations loose, bloody, watery, or mucous, frothy, gelatinous, red, or streaked with white and yellow.Dysentery; jelly-like, odourless stools, more frequent after midnight, preceded and followed by much pain with great restlessness.Obstinate or dysenteric diarrhœa.Fæces perfectly white.Nocturnal diarrhœa, with violent colic, headache, and pains in all limbs (> after an evacuation or when lying on abdomen).Chronic painless diarrhœa, only in morning preceded by marked commotion in the bowels.Diarrhœa with tearing pains running down back of the leg with every stool.Involuntary stools when asleep at night.Short respiration during stool.Tingling and itching in anus and rectum.Sense of constriction in rectum, as though one side had grown up.Protrusion of hæmorrhoids from anus after a soft evacuation, with pain as of excoriation.

14. Urinary Organs

Retention of urine.Frequent and urgent want to urinate, day and night, with profuse emission.Incontinence of urine, esp. during repose (at night or when sitting).Urine emitted in a divided stream.Emission, drop by drop, of blood-red urine, with tenesmus.Diminished emission of urine, although much drink may be taken.Deep-coloured, irritating urine, which soon becomes turbid.White, turbid urine.Urine clear as water with a snow-white sediment.Swelling of urethra.

15. Male Sexual Organs

Profuse eruption on genital organs (closing the urethra by swelling).Inflammation of the glans.Running vesicles on the glans.Swelling of the glans and prepuce; prepuce dark red.Paraphimosis.Red spots (blotches) on the interior of prepuce.Swelling and thickening of scrotum (with intolerable itching).Erysipelas of scrotum.(Hydrocele; from over-lifting).Scrotum flaccid and hanging low.Moist eruption on scrotum.Frequent erections at night, with want to urinate.Strong sexual desire in morning.

16. Female Sexual Organs

Catamenia premature and too profuse.Menstrual flow light-coloured and acrid, causing biting pain in the vulva.Erysipelatous inflammation of the external genitals.Soreness of vagina soon after (or hindering) coitus.Catamenia of too long duration.Menstrual discharge = violent pain in vulva.Membranous dysmenorrhœa.Menorrhagia from strains; from wetting.Discharge of blood during pregnancy.Pain as from excoriation and shootings in vagina.(Uterine polypus with metrorrhagia.Relieves shooting pains of cancer uteri.R. T. C.).Bearing-down pain; when standing.After-pains of too long duration, after severe labour, with much and excessive straining.Discharge of blood and clots of blood from uterus, with labour-pains.After labour, vitiated discharge from vagina, with shootings upward in the parts and a bursting sensation in the head.For weeks after delivery pain in r. limbs with numbness from hips to feet (varicose veins).Abortion from strain.Axillary abscess after delivery.Breasts painfully distended, red in streaks, rheumatic state.Amenorrhœa from getting wet; with milk in breasts.Milk-leg, typhoid metritis after delivery.Diminished secretion (or suppression) of milk; with burning over body.

17. Respiratory Organs

Hoarseness and roughness of throat, with a sensation of rawness in chest.Sensation of coldness in throat on taking an inspiration.Tendency to be choked when swallowing.Burning exhalation from larynx.Sensation of constriction in throat-pit after a short walk.Cough excited by a tickling in air-passages; generally short and dry, with anguish and shortness of breath, and principally in evening before midnight.Dry, fatiguing cough.Dry, teasing cough coming on just before the chill and continuing during the chill.Cough with vomiting of food, esp. in evening, and when lying on back.Cough after waking in morning.During the cough gets a taste of blood in the mouth but does not cough up blood.Short cough with bitter taste in mouth, in evening after lying down and in morning after waking.Cough with stitches in chest and profuse general perspiration.Whooping-cough; spasmodic, violent cough, caused by tickling in larynx and chest, with expectoration (except in evening) of acrid pus or greyish-green cold mucus of putrid smell; or of pale, clotted, at times brown blood.Putting hand out of bed brings on a cough.Pneumonia with typhoid symptoms, often after re-absorption of pus.Cough with pain in stomach, or with shaking in chest and head.Terrible cough which seems as if it would tear something out of chest.Cough with expectoration of, a bright-red blood and sensation of faintness in chest.

18. Chest

Difficult respiration after a moderate walk.Anxious oppression of chest, even at night.Nausea in chest; <stooping.Respiration impeded by a pressure and squeezing in pit of stomach.Shortness of breath in evening with tension in chest.Frequent want to take a full inspiration.Weakness in chest, which renders speech difficult after a walk in open air.Sensation of constriction in chest.Shootings and lancinations in chest and sides of chest; esp. when sitting with body bent forwards, when speaking, when breathing deeply, when sneezing, seldom when walking or when using vigorous exertion.Inflammation of lungs, also pneumonia nervosa.Pleurodynia, chest pains shoot into shoulders (Rh. rad.).Tingling in chest, with tension of muscles of chest, < by repose.Rush of blood to chest.

19. Heart

Weakness and sensation of trembling in heart.Violent palpitation of heart while sitting quietly.Shootings in region of heart, with painful sensation of paralysis and numbness of l. arm.Pulse rapid, small, compressible.

20. Neck and Back

Rheumatic stiffness of nape and neck, with painful tension during movement.Painful swelling of axillary glands.Rheumatic tearing between scapulæ, not affected by movement,< by cold, > by heat.Tearing between shoulders, drawing together from both sides.Transient coldness in back.Contusive pain in loins, esp. on touching the parts, and during repose.Pain in small of back when sitting still or when lying; >when lying on something hard or from exercise.Bruised pain in sacrum when he lies still on it or sits still; feels nothing of it when moving.Painful rigidity in loins.Painful exostosis on sacrum.Distortion of the vertebral column.Pains in loins, in back, and nape, as from lifting too great a weight.Drawing and stitches in back, esp. when seated and on stooping.Opisthotonos.

21. Limbs

Swelling, stiffness, and paralysed sensations in joints, from sprains, over-lifting, or over-stretching.Lameness, stiffness, and pain on first moving after rest, or on getting up in morning; > by constant motion.Trembling or sensation of trembling in limbs.The limbs on which he lies, esp. arms, go to sleep.Rheumatic tension, drawing, tearing in limbs, during rest.Excessively cold hands and feet all day.

22. Upper Limbs

Burning shooting under l. axilla, on the arm.Tearing and burning sensation in shoulder, with paralysis of arm, esp. during the cold season, during repose, and in heat of bed.Coldness, paralysis, and insensibility of arm.R. arm weak; rheumatic paralysis.Exostosis in arm, with burning sensation and ulcers, which discharge a sanious pus.Erysipelatous swelling and pustules, with burning itching in arms, hands, and fingers.Red spots on arms.Violent stitches in r. upper arm from without.Jerks, shootings, and tearing in arms.Tension in elbow-joint.Jerking tearing in elbows, wrists, and joints of fingers.Digging in bones of the forearm.Weakness and rigidity of forearm and fingers during movement, and trembling of those parts after the least exertion.Hot swelling of the hands in evening.Swollen veins on hands.Vesicular eruption in clusters on wrist.Rhagades; smarting of back of hands.Back of hand covered with chaps and hot; skin hard, rough, and stiff.Tearing in all the finger-joints.Warts on hands and fingers.Hangnails.Swelling of fingers.Jerking in thumbs.Contraction of fingers.

23. Lower Limbs

(Eruption with sweat in cleft of nates.).Aching pains in legs; must change position every moment.(Pains in l. lower limb, thigh chiefly, from septic absorption in old abdominal disease, with vesical irritation.R. T. C.).Shootings and tearings in hip-joint, extending to ham, esp. when resting on foot; or with dull drawings and burning sensation during repose, and painful sensibility of joints on rising from a seat or on going up stairs (or other over-exercise; involuntary limping).Tension and stiffness of the muscles and joints of hips, thighs, legs, knees, and feet.Paralysis of the lower extremities.Cramp in calf after midnight, when lying in bed, and when seated after walking; it goes off on bending the knee.Cramps in buttocks, thighs, and calves, esp. at night, in bed, or when seated after walking.Spasmodic twitching of the limbs when stepping out.Tension in the knee as if the tendons were too short.Painful swelling above knee.Drawing and jerking tearing in the thighs and legs.Lancinations in the thighs, legs, knees, feet, and toes.Heaviness in legs, esp. in hams and calves.Tingling pain in shafts of tibiæ at night when the legs are crossed, with constant necessity to move, preventing sleep.Coldness in l. tibia.Paralysis of legs and feet.Shootings and wrenching pain in anklebones when resting on foot.Inflammatory swelling of instep, sometimes with pustules and miliary pimples on part affected.Swollen round ankles after sitting too long, particularly in travelling.Erysipelatous swelling of feet.Swelling of feet in evening.Numbness and paleness of feet (feet dead).Distortion of toes.Corns on feet, with burning sensation and pain as from excoriation.

24. Generalities

[We are led to think of this remedy where we find an irresistible desire to move or change the position every little while, followed by great relief for a short time, when they must again move, and experience the same relief for a short time; this condition is usually < at night.After resting for a time, or on getting up from sleep, when first moving about, a painful stiffness is felt, which wears off from continual motion; but relief is experienced from continual motione.g., a nursing mother may have sore nipples, and when the child begins to nurse, the nipple hurts exceedingly, but on continued nursing it becomes much easier.Pain in chest (often rheumatic), < by using armsas in making a bed, sweeping, &c., stiffness of nape of neck; sensation as if flesh were beaten off the bones, or as if a dog were gnawing it off; as if any part were contracted; as if a part were increased in size; as if certain parts were grown together; of heaviness in outer or inner parts; jerking pains in outer parts; darting and rending pains; of tension or tightness in outer or inner parts; arthritic pain in the joints; trembling sensation in inner parts; dyspeptics often complain of trembling in the stomach; of scraping along the periosteum.For any troubles or complaints, whether acute or chronic, resulting from a sudden and a thorough drenching by a shower of rain; by getting wet in any way; there may be troubles of very long standing, which were so caused.Troubles in general affecting the r. abdominal ring; l. chest; l. arm; l. lower extremity; l. side of body; of scalp, as in erysipelas when it runs up to the scalp; glands about the neck, particularly if they are swollen or inflamed with red streaks, as often are in scarlet fever; joints of the jaws, particularly when they are < on beginning of motion, and get > from continued motion; of the abdominal cavity in general; mons veneris, there may be a great deal of itching, sometimes a hard blue boil is found there; shoulder-blades; small of the back, as, e.g., when one stoops his back hurts so that he cannot straighten up without helpthis may result from an old sprain, or from a sudden "crick" in the back; sacrum; buttocks; forearm; shoulder, back of hand; fingers joints in general shoulder-joint; elbow, wrist, bones of the arm; calves; joints of the leg hip-joint, knee, and ankle; weakness of joints.Coagulated blood from the nose; cough bloody, blood being coagulated; face covered like erysipelas; increase of saliva; difficulty in swallowing, it hurts so in the back; fluent catarrh of the nose.Inability at first to move the parts affected.One is very easily sprained by lifting; palsy of the limbs; staggering when walking.Strictures after inflammation, and hence may sometimes be used for strictures resulting after gonorrhœa; swelling in general, with inflammation and without; debility; aversion to washing; wounds, with sprained muscles.Axillary glands where the swelling is very deep and hard.Symptoms < before a storm of rain; after midnight; in the morning; before falling asleep; from bathing; can't bear cold water; complaints coming on in autumn; on taking a deep breath; on inspiration; from cold in general; in cold air; in cold and wet weather; from coughing; while chewing; from drawing up the limbs; from exertion of the body; after drinking; after fatigue; on uncovering the head; from surgical injuries; from sprains; from lying down; from lifting; from cold food; cold water; anything cold; during perspiration; from wet poultices; while resting; on first rising; while sitting; while talking; after undressing; in foggy, or foggy and wet weather; from getting wet; in winter; from getting wet while perspiring; women in confinement; small-pox; after-effects of syphilis.H. N. G.].Epidemic diseases with œdema of fauces threatening œdema glottidis, vesicles stud pharynx and voice is hoarse; rawness and roughness of pharynx (Dunham).Rheumatic and arthritic drawings, tension, and tearings in limbs, increased to the highest degree during repose, as well as in bad weather, at night, and in the heat of the bed, often with sensation of torpor and numbness in the part affected after moving it.Cramp and tension in different parts as from contraction of tendons.Contraction of some of the limbs.Tensive shootings and stiffness in the joints, < on rising from a seat, and in open air.Paralytic rigidity in limbs, esp. on beginning to move the part after repose.Ready benumbing of parts on which patient reclines.Torpor of some parts with tingling and insensibility.Tingling in parts affected.Wrenching pain in limbs.Paralysis, sometimes semilateral.Red and shining swellings, with shooting pain as from excoriation when touched.Contusive, or else a sensation in some places as if the flesh were detached from the bones.Pressive drawing in periosteum as if the bones were scraped.Sensation in internal organs as if something were torn away.Swelling and induration of glands.Icterus.Jerking in muscles and limbs.Convulsive movements and other sufferings, resulting from a cold bath.Semilateral affections.─< And appearance of pains and symptoms during repose or at night, as also on entering a room from the open air; > obtained by movement and walking.The cold, fresh air is not tolerated; it seems to make the skin painful; (a keynote on rheumatism.Dunham).Reproduction or < of many sufferings in unfavourable weather.General excitability of nervous system, < by slightest indulgence of anger.Drawings in all the limbs when lying down.Trembling of limbs after the least fatigue.Unsteady gait.Great lassitude and weakness with want to lie down.Syncope.Inability to bear the open air whether it is hot or cold; it makes a painful impression on the skin.

25. Skin

Vesicular erysipelas where the vesicles are large.Exanthema on face in general-on chin, face, cheeks, mouth, nose, forehead, causing much burning itching.Pustulous chilblains.Exanthema in general; burning; burning itching; pustulous; with swelling; blotches; like milk-crust; moist; like nettle-rash; blue with erysipelas; scurfy; tensive or tight feeling in; pock-shaped; black; purulent; zona or shingles; petechiæ; prickling; tickling; blisters which will sometimes spread up the limb, and are sometimes circular in form, spreading with a red edge in the advance, which gradually turns to a blister, the red border still keeping in advance (if the edges be black, Arsen.); itching < after scratching.Tetters in general.Ulcers burning; with corroding pus; with ichorous pus.Rash itches a great deal, in scarlet fever, small-pox, &c., with the peculiar restlessness.Phlegmonous erysipelas, esp. where the erysipelas begins in the ankle, and moves gradually up the leg, running up in the deeper tissues, no fever.Itching over whole body, chiefly in hairy parts.Stinging and tingling on skin, burning after scratching.Humidity of skin.Hardness of skin with thickening.Swelling (hard) of affected parts.Erysipelatous inflammations.Nettle-rash.Eruptions, generally vesicular, scabby, with burning itching, appearing esp. in spring and autumn.Eruption of small pustules on a red bottom, like zona.Gangrenous ulcers resulting from small vesicles, with violent fever.Petechiæ, with great weakness, amounting to entire prostration.Black pustules.Herpes, sometimes alternately with asthmatic sufferings and dysenteric looseness.Warts, esp. on hands and fingers; large jagged, often pedunculated, exuding moisture and bleeding readily.Rhagades on hands.Panaritium.Tingling or shooting or else burning smarting in ulcers, esp. at night.Chilblains.Corns on feet, with burning sensation, and pain as of excoriation.

26. Sleep

Frequent, violent, and spasmodic yawnings.Spasmodic yawning without inclination to sleep, and with stretching of limbs and pain as from dislocation of articulation of the jaw.Yawning in general; with violent stretching of the limbs; falling asleep late; lying on the back during sleep.Strong disposition to sleep during day, and also in morning in bed.Somnolency, full of distressing and broken dreams.Sleeplessness, esp. before midnight, generally caused by a sensation of heat, ebullition of blood, and uneasiness which does not permit patient to remain lying down.Disturbed sleep, with anxious and frightful dreams.Coma somnolentum, with snoring, murmurs, and carphology.Sleep hindered by gloomy ideas.Waking caused by bitterness and sensation of dryness in mouth.Sleep at night hindered by a pressure at stomach, digging pinchings in abdomen, and nausea, with inclination to vomit.Inability to remain lying on side at night.Starts with fright and jerking of body during sleep.Incomplete and agitated sleep, with tossing and many troublesome thoughts.Vivid dreams of the business of the day, with talking during sleep.Weeping while asleep.Dreams of fire.Sleep, with open mouth and short breathing.

27. Fever

Pulse irregular; generally accelerated but weak, soft; sometimes it cannot be felt or is intermittent.Shivering and coldness, generally in evening, and accompanied by paroxysms of pain, and other accessory symptoms.External coldness along skin; coldness, but does not mind cold air.Shivering and shaking in open air, with violent thirst.Continual transient shiverings, as if cold water had been thrown over body.Sensation of coldness on moving even but a little.Chill in back and heat in anterior portion of body.Coldness and paleness of face, alternately with heat and redness.Shiverings and heat intermixed, either general and simultaneous (internal shivering with external heat, and vice versâ), or in different parts.General heat, as if hot water were thrown over him, or as if the blood were flowing hot through the veins.General perspiration, frequently already during the heat, and then often not in the face.Fever in evening, first shivering, then heat and thirst, (and perspiration) accompanied or followed by cuttings and diarrhœa.First headache (throbbing in temples); afterwards chilliness, with thirst and tearing pains in limbs as from fatigue; afterwards general warmth, with slight chills during motion and livid face; finally profuse, sour-smelling perspiration.Tertian or quotidian fever.Tertian fever with nettlerash, which disappears after the attack; during the apyrexia burning and redness in sclerotica.Double tertian fever; first shivering and thirst, then general heat, with shivering on least movement, lastly perspiration.During the shivering pain in limbs, headache, vertigo, pulsative toothache, accumulation of saliva in mouth, and inclination to vomit.During nocturnal heat drawing in all limbs.Transient heat with perspiration, commencing from umbilical region, and rapidly alternating with shiverings.During or after the fever, jerks, tingling in ears, deafness, dry coryza, sleeplessness, with restless tossing, jaundice, and nettle-rash, pressure in pit of stomach, palpitation of heart with anxiety, colic, diarrhœa, and other gastric affections, and nocturnal thirst.Malignant fever with loquacious delirium, violent pains in all limbs, excessive weakness, dry or black tongue, dry, brownish, or blackish lips, heat and redness in cheeks, carphologia, pulse quick and small, coma somnolentum, with snoring and moans.Sweat during the pains.Perspiration in general; with heat; offensive.Perspiration when seated, often with violent trembling.Nocturnal sweat, sometimes with miliary and itching eruption.Sweat in morning, sometimes of an acid smell.Sweats from warm drinks.Constant perspiration.

AGARICUS MUSCARIUS.

AGARICUS MUSCARIUS.

Amanita muscaria. Agaricus muscarius. Fly Agaric. Bug Agaric. Champignon fou. (Europe, Asia, and America; in dry places, especially in dry pine woods.) N. O. Fungi. Trituration of the carefully dried-up cap (pileus); or tincture of the fresh fungus.

Clinical

Acne rosacea. Blepharospasm. Brain, softening of. Bunion. Chilblains. Chorea. Coldness. Cough. Cramp. Delirium tremens. Dysmenorrhœa. Enteric fever. Epilepsy (with great exertion of strength). Gangrene. General paralysis. Hyperpyrexia. Itching. Jaundice. Lachrymal fistula. Lichen. Lumbago. Meningitis. Myopia. Neuralgia. Numbness. Nystagmus. Phthisis. Rheumatism. Sacrum, pains in. Sebaceous tumours. Sexual excess, effects of. Spinal Irritation. Spleen, affections of. Starting. Stitch in side. Tic Convulsif. Toothache. Tremors. Typhoid fever. Typhus.

Characteristics

As Agaricus is used in many parts for making an intoxicating drink, we find in alcoholism a sphere for its action, and also in all states of delirium, mania, and even idiocy. A peculiarity of the delirium is to make verses and prophesy; also silly merriness, and incoherent talk, with mania; kisses companions. Talcott considers Agaric. gives the nearest approach to general paralysis of all remedies; exalted notions of grandeur and power, hilarity, and excitement followed by depression, confusion, imbecility. Accompanying bodily symptoms are vertigo (marked and persistent), with constant impulse to fall backward; twitching about eyes and face, redness without heat, puffy and distorted. Ravenous appetite, with bolting of food. Sexual appetite enormous and enthusiastic, with relaxed penis and impotence. Throughout the body there are spasmodic twitchings, followed by waning tremulousness; finally relaxation and exhaustion. In all these respects the drug accurately corresponds with the disease. Typhoid states often call for it, and also epilepsy. Rolling of the head is a leading indication for it in brain affections and fever. Peculiar headaches are: "Throbbing headache, with sensation of stiffness of muscles of face." "Dull, drawing headache in the morning, extending into root of nose, with nose-bleed or thick mucous discharge." "Pain as from a nail in right side of head." One of the most characteristic of the Agaricus effects is the muscular jerking and twitching it sets up. This renders it appropriate in large numbers of cases of chorea. Twitchings are especially marked in the eyes, eyelids, and facial muscles; and Agaricus has cured many cases of blepharospasm and tic convulsif. Pain as if touched or pierced by needles of ice is very characteristic. Belonging to a low order of vegetation Agar. produces fetidity of breath, eructations, and stools. Sweat may be oily but is not offensive. Agar. is a spleen medicine, causing stitch in the side, and it has cured stitch in runners, enabling them to run further. The symptoms of Agaricus are apt to appear at the same time on opposite sides of the body but diagonally (right upper and left lower, or vice versâ). The nervous patients requiringAgar. pass little urine (opp. Ign.), though the bladder may be irritable.

Mushrooms are among the articles of diet forbidden by Grauvogl to persons having the "hydrogenoid constitution," as described by him, in which the patients are exceedingly sensitive to cold and damp. Agreebly with this we find in the provings of Agaricus great sensitiveness to cold air. All symptoms are <in cold weather, especially headache. Looking out of an open window causes toothache and pains in the limbs. Drinking cold water <Symptoms are < before a thunderstorm. At the same time many symptoms of intense coldness are produced: cold and blue; sensations as if touched with ice, or ice-cold needles. All the symptoms of frostbite and chilblains (itching, redness, and burning). Somewhat allied to chilblains is bunion, for which Agar. has been found specific by many practitioners. Many symptoms appear when walking in the open air; this is a very general and characteristic aggravation. On the other hand, all symptoms are < indoors and at rest, except vertigo, which may be either < or > in a room. Conversely to sensitiveness to cold there is sensitiveness to the rays of the sun, and sunstroke is within the curative range ofAgaric. < After moving, and by pressure from without.

Relations

Compare: Bovista; Sticta pulmon.; Act. r.; Can. ind.; Op.; Stram. (alcoholism, chorea); Coff. (ecstasy); Cicut. (spasm of eyes); Codein (spasm of eyelids); Mygale; Tarent.; Verat. alb. (icy-cold feeling in head); Ars. (hot needles; Agar. ice-cold needles) Agar. stands between Stram. and Lach. It is antidoted by: Charcoal; coffee; wine; brandy; camphor; fat or oil (relieves stomach); Calc. c. (relieves icy coldness); Puls.; Rhus (nightly backache). It follows well: Bell., Calc. c., Merc., Op., Puls., Rhus, Sil. Is followed by: Tarent. (typhoid with "rolling of the head"). Teste includes Agar. in his Belladonna group.

Causation

Coitus, subjective symptoms arising after. Frost. Sun. Fright. Mental application or excitement. Over-exertion. Sexual excess. Alcoholism. Blood poisoning.

1. Mind

Aversion to conversation.Indisposed to perform any kind of labour, esp. mental.Exuberant fancy.Ecstasy.Inclination to make verses and to prophesy.Mania, timid, or furious, with great display of strength.Embraces companions and kisses their hands; alternately with vexation.Silly merriness.Great loquacity; sings, talks, but does not answer questions.Delirium, tries to get out of bed.Delirium constant, knows no one, throws things at the nurse.Delirium tremens.Morose, self-willed, stubborn, slow in learning to walk and talk.

2. Head

Dizziness, as from intoxication, principally in the open air, in the morning, and on reflecting.Vertigo, with impulse to fall backward.The bright light of the sun instantly produces a dizziness, so as to occasion falling.Piercing pains in the head when seated.Dull pain, chiefly in the forehead, with drawing of the eyelids.Drawing pains in the head, extending to the eyes and root of nose, principally on waking in the morning.Pain, as if a nail were driven into the head; < when sitting quietly; >by slowly moving about.Digging pain and sensation as from a bruise in the brain.Semilateral cephalalgia; pulling and pressing with confusion in the head.Beating in the vertex, with almost furious despair.Pressure in the head to the bottom of the brain, increased by pressure or contact of the hair, and accompanied by a complete loss of energy.Sensation of icy coldness in the head; on the scalp, r. side of frontal bone.A jerking sensation in the forehead and in the temple.Great sensitiveness of the scalp, as from subcutaneous ulceration.Itching of the hairy scalp, esp. early in the morning.

3. Eyes

Itching in the eyes.Burning sensation in the internal corners of the eyelids, which are painful on being touched.Pressure in the eyes.Humour in the corners of the eyes, and agglutination of the lids.Twitching of the eyelids and eyeballs.The cleft of the eyelids growing narrower.Canthi itch, burn, are red; <from touch; stick together (lachrymal fistula).A viscid yellow humour glues the eyelids together.Weakness and confusion of vision, as from a mist before the eyes.Brownish spots (like flies) before the eyes.Black motes before the eyes.Myopia.Diplopia. Muscular asthenopia; nystagmus; squint.Clonic spasms.

4. Ears

Otalgia excited and aggravated on the admission of free air.Itching in the ears, with redness and burning pain, as from chilblains.Buzzing in the ears.

5. Nose

Excoriation and inflammation of the nostrils, with painful sensibility.Itching in the interior and on the exterior of the nose.Blood on blowing the nose, and bleeding at the nose.Increased acuteness of smell.Frequent sneezing without coryza. Dryness of the nose.Flow of clear water from the nose, without coryza.

6. Face

Tearing in the face and jaw bones.Twitching in the (r.) cheek.On waking, pain in l. jaw-joint, so violent, he can scarcely open his mouth.Itching, redness, and burning in the cheeks, as if from chilblains.Palpitations and pulsations in the cheeks.Bluish lips.Burning fissures in the upper lip.Herpetic eruption, principally on upper lip.Spasmodic drawing in the chin and in the lower jaw.Needle-like prickings in chin; chin covered with minute blisters.

7. Teeth

Tearing pains in the teeth, aggravated by cold.Tearing in the lower molar teeth, < from cold air.Shooting from r. lower teeth up to r. side of head.Gums swollen, painful, and readily bleeding.

8. Mouth

Pain, as from excoriation in the mouth and in the palate.Excoriation of the tongue.Tongue, after a meal, covered with aphthæ of a dirty yellow, with a sensation as if the skin were being taken off.Tongue coated white.Neuralgic splinter-like pains in tongue with salivation.Ulcer on the frænum of the tongue.Offensive smell of the mouth, as after eating horse-radish.Foam about the mouth.Flow of bitter saliva.Speech inarticulate.

9. Throat

Dry fauces and pharynx, causing contraction and difficulty of swallowing; with ravenous appetite.Pressure in fauces as though a foreign body stuck there which could not be removed by swallowing.Induration of tonsils.Tension in thyroid gland; < towards evening; feels cravat too tight.Throws up small floculi or solid lumps of phlegm almost without any cough.

10. Appetite

Insipid and fetid taste in the mouth.Want of appetite for bread.Hunger, with want of appetite.Attacks of bulimy, chiefly in the evening.After a meal, pressure in the stomach and the abdomen, with fulness.Very drowsy after dinner.

11. Stomach

Eructations alternately with hiccough.Eructations, with the taste of the food that has been taken.Frequent empty eructations; or with the taste of apples; or with the taste of rotten eggs.Nausea, with cutting pains.Inclination to vomit immediately after a meal.Pressure on the stomach, and in the precordial region, after a meal.Pain resembling cramp and oppressive heaviness in the stomach.

12. Abdomen

Shootings (sharp needle-like pains) in the hepatic region.Prickings in the region of the spleen during and after inspiration.Stitch in side from running.Cutting and pinching pains in the abdomen as from diarrhœa.Moving about and rumbling noise in the abdomen.Abundant expulsion of flatulency of a fetid odour, like that of garlic.

13. Stool and Anus

Hard stools of a dark colour after a period of constipation.Loose stools in the form of pap, with flatulency and severe colic.Loose stools, a painful drawing in the stomach and in the abdomen.Tingling in the anus.Itching in the anus, as from worms.Dysenteric flux.Diarrhœa of children, with grass-green, bilious stools.Fetid stools.

14. Urinary Organs

Urine scanty and infrequent.Urine clear, and of a yellow (lemon) colour.Flow of viscous mucus from the urethra.

15. Male Sexual Organs

Increase of sexual desire, with flaccidity of the penis.Scanty emission in coition.After coition great weakness and nocturnal sweat.Itching in the genitals.A sensation of drawing in the testes.

16. Female Sexual Organs

Awfully bearing-down pains almost intolerable.Menses too profuse and early, with tearing, pressive pains in back and abdomen.Itching and irritation of the parts with strong desire for an embrace.During menses: headache, toothache, pain and itching in l. ear, > by boring; labour-like pains; pains in l. arm; itching; palpitation; salivation.Leucorrhœa, with much itching internally and externally.

17. Respiratory Organs

Expectoration of small globules of mucus, almost without cough.Spasmodic, convulsive, nervous cough, which may provoke secondary hæmorrhage.

18. Chest

Respiration short and laboured, with difficulty of walking, even slowly.Respiration difficult, as if the chest were full of blood.Oppressive constriction of the chest, with a necessity for frequent and deep inspirations. Pain principally in the lower part of the chest, as if its contents were compressed.Prickings in the chest.Copious nocturnal sweat upon the chest.Itching of the nipples.

19. Heart

Stitches; burning, shooting pains in region of heart, extending to l. shoulder-blade; < by coughing, sneezing, or deep inspiration.Oppression in cardiac region as if thorax narrowed.Painful palpitations of the heart.With heart symptoms, paralysed feeling in l. arm and hand.Pulse weak, dicrotic, intermittent.

20. Neck and Back

Pain as from fatigue and dislocation in the back, at the nape of the neck and in the loins, esp. when sitting or lying down.Painful weakness in the muscles of the back.Sensation of soreness and great weakness in the back.Paralytic pain in the loins, increased by walking or by standing.

21. Limbs

Limbs affected diagonally; l. forearm, r. thigh; r. knee, l. hand.Tearing in limbs, < in rest or sitting, > moving.Cracking in joints.Subsultus tendinum.Feels as if her limbs did not belong to her.

22. Upper Limbs

Arms weak and without vigour.Burning pain in the arms, followed by an eruption of small pimples with scaling of the epidermis.Irregular and hurried movements of arm.Upper arms shaken as from an electric shock.Prostration, weariness, and paralytic feeling in l. arm.Tearing in both hands; on l. wrist.Trembling of hands; and coldness.Tearing in the fingers.Cramp-like pain in the thumb.Paleness and numbness of the fingers, which are, at the same time, very sensitive to cold.Itching, burning pain, and redness in the fingers, as if from chilblains.

23. Lower Limbs

Legs heavy and fatigued, esp. in the thighs.Twitching, quicksilver sensation, in gluteal muscles.Pains in legs like electric shocks.On crossing thighs feels a violent pain in them.Drawing in the legs, as if in the interior of the bone, esp. when sitting or standing, > by motion.Painful sensation in the hip on walking.Drawing in the legs.Darting pain in the feet and in the toes.Drawing pressure in the malleolæ.Burning itching and redness in the toes, as if from chilblains.Bunion.

24. Generalities

Painful cramps in the muscles when seated.Sensation of tearing in the limbs, principally during repose, whether seated or standing, and which disappears on movement.Twitchings in the eyeballs, eyelids, cheeks, posteriorly in the chest, in the abdomen.Symptoms which exhibit themselves transversely (for instance, in the r. arm and in the l. leg), > by walking slowly.Great sensibility in the whole body; the softest pressure produces continued pains.Pains, as from a bruise in the limbs and in all the joints, after even moderate exercise.Soreness and sensation of rawness (nose and mouth).Piercing pains in different parts of the body, chiefly in the head, with desire for sleep, and faintness when seated.Tearing pains (face, legs) continuous while at rest, disappearing While moving about.Great weakness and heaviness in all the limbs.Trembling.Convulsions.Epileptic fits.Epilepsy (with great exertions of strength).Great sensibility to cool air.Great sensitiveness of the body to pressure and cold air.

25. Skin

Itching and titillation, which force the sufferer to scratch himself.Itching, burning pain, and redness as from chilblains in different parts of the body.Miliary eruption, whitish and close-grained, with excessive itching.

26. Sleep

Desire to sleep in the day, particularly after a meal.Violent yawning, followed by dizziness.In the morning, a sense of dizziness, and great difficulty in rising.As a rule sleeps badly and unrefreshingly.

27. Fever

Disposition exceedingly chilly, and shiverings in the open air, or on raising the bed-clothes, although the limbs may be warm.Shivering through the body from above downwards.Easy chilliness on slight movement.Violent shivering and trembling over the whole body, with heat in the face and cold in the hands.Sweat from even a moderate walk and slight exertion.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Atopic dermatitis (Eczema)

DEFINITION

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy. It's common in children but can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is long lasting (chronic) and tends to flare periodically and then subside. It may be accompanied by asthma or hay fever.

No cure has been found for atopic dermatitis. But treatments and self-care measures can relieve itching and prevent new outbreaks. For example, it helps to avoid harsh soaps and other irritants, apply medicated creams or ointments, and moisturize your skin.

See your doctor if your atopic dermatitis symptoms distract you from your daily routines or prevent you from sleeping.

SYMPTOMS

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) signs and symptoms vary widely from person to person and include:

Itching, (ITCHING: Acon., Agar.agn.ail., aloe., alum.,am-c.am-m., ambr.anac., anag., anan.ant-c.ant-t., anthr.Apis.arg-m.arn., ars-i.Ars., asaf., asar., astac.aur-m-n., aur-m., aur., bar-c.bar-m., bell., bism., bor., Bov.bry.calad.,calc-p.calc-s., calc.camph., cann-s., canth., caps., carb-ac.carb-an.Carb-s.Carb-v.,Caust., cham., Chel.chin-a.chin., Chlol.cic.,cina., cinnb., cist.clem.coc-c., cocc.coff., colch., coll., coloc., con.croc., crot-h.crot-t.,cupr-ar., cupr.cycl.dig.dios., dol.dros.,dulc.eupho., euphr., fl-ac.gamb.gels.,Graph., guai., hell., hep., hydrc.hyos., ign., indg., iod., ip.jug-c., jug-r.kali-ar.kali-bi.,kali-br., kali-c.kali-n., kali-p., kali-s.kreos.,lach.laur., led.Lyc.Mag-c., mag-m., mang.,med.meny., merc-i-f., Merc.Mez., mosch., mur-ac., nat-a.nat-c.Nat-m., nat-p., nat-s.,nit-ac.nux-v.Ol-an.olnd.op.par., petr.ph-ac., phos.plat.plb., Psor., ptel., Puls., ran-b., ran-s., rheum., rhod., Rhus-t., rumx., ruta.,sabad.sabin., sal-ac., samb., sars.sec., sel., seneg., Sep.Sil., spig., Spong.squil.stann.,Staph., stram., stront., sul-ac., Sulph.tab.,tarax., Tarent., tell., teucr., thuj.til.Urt-u., valer., verat., vesp.viol-o., viol-t.zinc) which may be severe, especially at night.(night : Ail., am-c., am-m., arg-n., bar-c., berb., bov., cadm., Carb-s., card-m., caust.Chlol.,cist.clem.cocc., croc., dol.euphr., gamb., gels., graph.iris., kali-ar., kali-bi.kreos., lach.,lachn., led.lyss., manc., merc-i-f., merc.,mez.nux-v., olnd., plan., puls., sars., sil.,stram., Sulph., thuj., Urt-u., zinc.) Red( red : Acon.Agar., agn., am-c.ant-c., Apis.,arn.Bell., bov., bry.calc., camph., canth., carb-v., chin., coc-c., cocc., coll., com.con., cop., crot-c.crot-h.crot-t.cur., cycl., dulc.,eupho., ferr-p., Graph., hyos., ign., kreos., lach., led., lyc.manc.Merc.nat-m.nit-ac.,nux-v.olnd., op.paeon., petr., ph-ac.phos.,phyt., plb., puls.Rhus-t.ruta.sabad.sec., sep., sil., spong., squil., stann., Stram., sul-ac., sulph.tarax.tell., teucr., til., zinc.)

to brownish( brown, liver spots : Am-c., ant-c.ant-t., arg-n.arn., ars-i., ars.aur.bad., bor., bry., cadm., calc-p., calc-s., calc., canth., carb-s.,carb-v.caust., con.cop., cor-r., crot-h.,Cur., dros., dulc.ferr-i., ferr., graph., hyos.,iod.kali-ar., kali-bi., kali-c., kali-p., Lach.,laur.Lyc., merc-i-r., Merc.mez.nat-a., nat-c.nat-p., Nit-ac.nux-v.petr., phos.plb.,puls., ruta., sabad., Sep., sil., stann., sul-ac.,Sulph., tarent., thuj.tub)

-gray patches(gray : Iod.)

 , especially on the hands( eczema : Anil.arn., ars.kali-br., merc., psor.) (Upper limbs-eczema : Canth.graph., merc.mez., phos.,psor.sil.)

, feet(eczema : Anil.apis., ars., bov.chel., jug-r., kali-br., merc., petr.psor.rhus-t)

 , ankles( eczema : Chel.nat-p., psor.)

, wrists(eczema : Jug-c.mez.psor.)

, neck, upper chest(eczema : Anac., calc-s., calc.carb-v.cycl.,Graph., hep., kali-s., petr.Psor.Sulph.) , eyelids, inside the bend of the elbows and knees, and, in infants, the face( eczema : Alum., anac.ant-c.Ars.bar-c.,bor.calc-s.Calc., carb-v., caust.Cic., clem., Crot-t., cur., cycl., Dulc., ferr-i., fl-ac.,Graph.Hep.iris.kali-ar.lyc.merc-i-r.,merc.mez.mur-ac., nat-m., petr.phos.,Psor., ran-b., Rhus-t.Sars.sep.sil., staph., sul-ac., Sulph.syph.vinc., viol-t.)

and scalpSmall, ( 

eczema : Agar.ant-t.Ars.arum-t.aur.,bar-c.bar-m.brom., calc-s., Calc.Carb-s.,caust.cic.cocc.dulc.fl-ac.Graph.Hep., iris., kali-ar., kali-bi.kali-s.kreos.Lyc.,mez.nat-m., nat-p., Petr.phyt.Psor.rhus-t.sars.sil.staph., Sulph., ust., vinc.viol-t.

margin of hair from ear to ear posteriorly :Nat-m.nit-ac., petr., Sulph.

Occiput : Caust.lyc.petr.sil.staph.sulph.

excoriating : Calc.graph.hep.Merc.nat-m.nit-ac.Petr.ph-ac.psor.rhus-t., sep.,Sulph.viol-t.

hard : Ant-c., carb-an., nat-m.)

raised bumps, which may leak fluid and crust (crusts, scabs : Acet-ac., agar., alum., anan., ant-c., ant-t.ars-i.Ars., arum-t., astac., aur.,bar-c.bar-m., brom., calc-s.calc.caps.,carb-ac., carb-s., carb-v., caust.chel.chin.,cic.Clem.Crot-t.Dulc.eup-per.fl-ac.,Graph., hell., hep.hydr.iod., iris.kali-ar.kali-bi., kali-c., kali-chl., kali-p., kali-s.kreos.lith.,lyc.merc-i-f.Merc.Mez., mur-ac., Nat-m., nat-p., nat-s.nit-ac.ol-j., olnd.petr.phos.,phyt.Psor.rhus-t.ruta., sars.sep.sil.,staph.sul-ac., Sulph., ust., vinc.viol-t.ERUPTION, crusts, scabs, bloody


bloody : Calc.

brown : Dulc.

greenish : Kali-bi.petr., sulph.

malignant : Brom.phos.

moist : Anan.bar-c.calc.graph.Psor., ruta., staph.

serpiginous : Psor.sars.

ulcerated : Ars., mez.Psor.

vermin, with : Carb-ac., lyc., mez.staph., vinc.

white : Alum., calc., mez.Nat-m., tell., thuj.

with thick white pus beneath : Mez.

yellow : Calc-s., calc., dulc., kali-bi., Kali-s., merc., nat-p., petr., psor., spong., staph., sulph., viol-t.
Occiput : Caust.clem.lyc.nat-m.sil.
Temples : Dulc.mur-ac.
desquamating : Calc.lach., merc-c., merc., mez., nat-m., Olnd., phos., staph.

dirty : Psor.sulph., thuj.

dry : Ars., calc.fl-ac.kali-ar., merc., mez.,Psor., sep., sil.Sulph.

offensive : Merc., sep.sulph.)

over when scratchedThickened, cracked, dry, scaly skinRaw, sensitive, swollen skin from scratching

Atopic dermatitis most often begins before age 5 and may persist into adolescence and adulthood. For some people, it flares periodically and then clears up for a time, even for several years.

Factors that worsen atopic dermatitis

Most people with atopic dermatitis also have Staphylococcus aureus (arsenicum album,bapticia tinctora, carbo animal is, echinasia angustifolia, helper sulpher calcaria, mercury group, nitricum Acidum, phosphoricum Acidum, phosphorus, pulsatilla pratensis, pyrogenum, silica terata, sulphur, thuja occidentalis.) on their skin. The staph - multiply rapidly when the skin barrier is broken and fluid is present on the skin. This in turn may worsen symptoms, particularly in young children.

Factors that can worsen atopic dermatitis signs and symptoms include:

Dry skin,(DRY: Acon-f., acon.alum.am-c.ambr., ant-c., ant-t.anthr.apis.arg-m., arg-n., arn.ars-i.Ars., asaf., bar-c., bar-m., Bell.bism.bor.,Bry., bufo., calc-s., Calc.camph.cann-s.,canth., carb-an., carb-s.carb-v.caust.,Cham.chel.chin-a.Chin., clem., cocc., coff.,Colch., coloc., con., crot-h.Dulc.Eup-per., ferr-ar., ferr-p., ferr.graph.hell., hep., hydr-ac.hyos.ign., iod.ip.Kali-ar., kali-bi., Kali-c., kali-n., kali-p., kali-s., kreos., lach.laur.,Led.lith.Lyc.mag-c.mang., merc.mez., mosch., mur-ac., nat-a.nat-c.nat-m.nat-p.,nit-ac.Nux-m., nux-v., Olnd.Op., par., Petr.,ph-ac.Phos.phyt.plat.Plb.psor.puls.,ran-b., ran-s., rhod., rhus-t.rumx., ruta.,sabad.samb., Sec.Seneg.sep.Sil., spig.,spong.squil.staph.Stram., stront., sul-ac.,Sulph.sumb.Teucr., thuj., ust., valer., vera),) which can result from long, hot baths or showersScratching, which causes further skin damageBacteria and virusesStressSweatChanges in heat and humiditySolvents, cleaners, soaps and detergentsWool in clothing, blankets and carpetsDust and pollenTobacco smoke and air pollutionEggs, milk, peanuts, soybeans, fish and wheat, in infants and children

Atopic dermatitis is related to allergies. But eliminating allergens is rarely helpful in clearing the condition. Occasionally, items that trap dust — such as feather pillows, down comforters, mattresses, carpeting and drapes — can worsen the condition.

CAUSES

Miasma:

The exact cause of atopic dermatitis (eczema) is unknown. Healthy skin helps retain moisture and protects you from bacteria, irritants and allergens. Eczema is likely related to a mix of factors:

Dry, irritable skin, which reduces the skin's ability to be an effective barrierA gene variation that affects the skin's barrier functionImmune system dysfunction Bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, on the skin that creates a film that blocks sweat glandsEnvironmental conditions

RISK FACTORS

Factors that put people at increased risk of developing the condition include:

A personal or family history of eczema, allergies, hay fever or asthma(alternating with eruptions : Calad., crot-t.,hep.kalm.lach., mez., rhus-t., sulph.) Being a health care worker, which is linked to hand dermatitis

Risk factors for children include:

Living in urban areasBeing African-AmericanHaving parents with a high level of educationAttending child careHaving attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

COMPLICATIONS

Complications of atopic dermatitis (eczema) include:

Asthma and hayfever(hay asthma : Ambr.ars-i.ars.bad.carb-v.,dulc.euphr.Iod.kali-i.lach.naja.nat-s.,nux-v.op.sabad.sil.sin-n.stict.). Eczema sometimes precedes these conditions.( eruptions, after suppressed : Apis.ars.carb-v.dulc.ferr.hep., ip.psor.Puls., sec.,sulph.)Chronic itchy, scaly skin. A skin condition called neurodermatitis (lichen simplex chronicus) starts with a patch of itchy skin. You scratch the area, which makes it even itchier. Eventually, you may scratch simply out of habit. This condition can cause the affected skin to become discolored, thick and leathery.Skin infections. Repeated scratching that breaks the skin can cause open sores and cracks. These increase your risk of infection from bacteria and viruses, including the herpes simplex virus.Eye problems. Signs and symptoms of eye complications include severe itching around the eyelids, eye watering, inflammation of the eyelid (blepharitis) and inflammation of the eyelid (conjunctivitis).Irritant hand dermatitis. This especially affects people whose work requires that their hands are often wet and exposed to harsh soaps, detergents and disinfectants.Allergic contact dermatitis. This condition is common in patients with atopic dermatitis. Many substances can cause an allergic skin reaction, including corticosteroids, drugs often used to treat people with atopic dermatitis.Sleep problems. The itch-scratch cycle can cause you to awaken repeatedly and decrease the quality of your sleep.Behavioral problems. Studies show a link between atopic dermatitis and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, especially if a child is also losing sleep.

TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS

No lab test is needed to identify atopic dermatitis (eczema). Your doctor will likely make a diagnosis by examining your skin and reviewing your medical history. He or she may also use patch testing or other tests to rule out other skin diseases or identify conditions that accompany your eczema.

Therapies

Wet dressings. An effective, intensive treatment for severe atopic dermatitis involves wrapping the affected area with topical corticosteroids and wet bandages. It has proven to control signs and symptoms within hours to days. Sometimes it is done in a hospital because it's labor intensive and requires nursing expertise. Or, ask your doctor about learning how to do this technique at home.

Light therapy. The simplest form of light therapy (phototherapy) involves exposing your skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight. Other forms use artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) and narrow band UVB either alone or with medications.

Though effective, long-term light therapy has harmful effects, including premature skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. For these reasons, phototherapy is not used for infants and young children. Talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of light therapy in your situation.

Treatment for stress. Counseling may help children and young adults who are extremely embarrassed or frustrated by their skin condition.Relaxation, behavior modification or biofeedback. These approaches may help you with habitual scratching.

Infantile eczema

Treatment for infantile eczema includes:

Identifying and avoiding skin irritationsAvoiding extreme temperaturesLubricating your baby's skin with bath oils, lotions, creams or ointments

See your baby's doctor if these measures don't improve the rash or if the rash looks infected. Your baby may need a prescription medication to control the rash or to treat an infection. Your doctor may recommend an oral antihistamine to help lessen the itch and to cause drowsiness, which may be helpful for nighttime itching and discomfort.

LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES

The following tips may help prevent bouts of dermatitis (flares) and minimize the drying effects of bathing:

Try to identify and avoid triggers that worsen the inflammation.Reduce your exposure to your unique triggers.Take shorter baths or showers.Limit your baths and showers to 10 to 15 minutes. And use warm, rather than hot, water. Bath oil also may be helpful.Use only gentle soaps. Choose mild soaps that clean without removing too many natural oils. Deodorant and antibacterial soaps may be more drying to your skin. Use soap only on your face, underarms, genital areas, hands and feet. Use clear water elsewhere.Dry yourself carefully. After bathing, brush your skin rapidly with the palms of your hands, or gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel and apply moisturizer.Moisturize your skin at least twice a day. Creams or lotions seal in moisture. Thicker moisturizers work best — such as Cetaphil, Nutraderm and Eucerin. You may also want to use cosmetics that contain moisturizers. If your skin is extremely dry, try applying baby oil or a similar product while your skin is still moist. Oil has more staying power than moisturizers do.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Many alternative medicine therapies have helped some people manage their atopic dermatitis. One study showed that people who used Chinese herbal medications experienced reduced itching and other symptoms, but only temporarily. Another showed that four weeks of acupressure resulted in reduced itching and scaling.

Evidence for the following approaches isn't conclusive:

Dietary supplements, such as vitamins D and E, zinc, selenium, evening primrose oil, borage seed oil, oolong tea, probioticsOther plant-based therapies, including St. John's wort, calendula flowers, tea tree oil, German chamomile, Oregon grape root, licorice, rice bran broth (applied to the skin)AcupunctureAromatherapyBath therapyUse of electrodes to change electromagnetic waves of the body (bioresonance)Therapeutic use of color, light and relaxation techniques (chromotherapy)HomeopathyMassage therapy

If you're considering dietary supplements or other alternative therapies, talk with your doctor about their pros and cons.

COPING AND SUPPORT

Atopic dermatitis can be especially stressful, frustrating or embarrassing for adolescents and young adults. It can disrupt their sleep and even lead to depression. And close family members of people with this condition may face financial, social and emotional problems.

Seek psychological support from family, counselors or support groups.

Homoeopathic medicine:

eczema : Alum., am-c., am-m., anac., ant-c., arg-n., Ars-i.Ars., astac., aur-m.aur., Bar-m., bell., bor., brom., bry., calad.Calc-s.,Calc., canth., carb-ac., carb-s., carb-v.caust.,Cic., clem., cop., Crot-t., cycl., Dulc., fl-ac.,Graph.Hep., hydr., iris.Jug-c.Jug-r.kali-ar.kali-bi., kali-c., kali-chl.kali-s.lach.,Lappa-m., led., lith.lyc.merc.Mez., nat-m., nat-p., nat-s., nit-ac., Olnd.Petr., phos., phyt.,Psor.ran-b.Rhus-t., rhus-v., sars.sep.sil.,staph.Sul-i.Sulph.thuj.viol-t.

alternating with internal affections : Graph.

elevated : Anac., ars., asaf., bry.calc., carb-v., caust., cop., crot-h., cupr-ar., dulc., graph., lach., merc., mez., op., phos., sulph., tab., tarax., valer.