| Dermatology Patient Photos - Homeopathic Treatment |
Homeopathic medicine is a gentle form of complementary medicine which uses natural remedies which are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Homeopathic medicines are listed in the homeopathic pharmacopoea of the United States (HPUS). Even though Dr. Signore's practice is limited to the treatment of skin diseases, he asks the homeopathic patient many questions regarding his or her life and past medical history. The more accurate details you can provide for the homeopathic practitioner, the better he can match your symptoms to a remedy. Usually, the closer the symptoms match the remedy, the better the healing results are. If you wish to be treated with homeopathic medicine, please ask for a "homeopathic office consultation" when you make your appointment, so we can allow additional time for your office visit.
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| This young woman had acne for 3 years and was on minocycline, an oral antibiotic as well as Retin A Cream and Benzaclin Gel from her previous dermatologist. Her acne pimples had not cleared up despite these treatments. When she came to Dr. Signore's office, she stopped her oral antibiotics. Over the next 36 weeks, she was treated with a total of 4 homeopathic medicines by mouth, and she began washing with 4% benzoyl peroxide wash. She continued her topical Benzaclin Gel. In the above photos, you can see the improvement in her acne from the initial photo on the left to the 36 week photo on the right. Additionally, her tinea versicolor on her back cleared with her homeopathic treatment. Finally, her sadness and anger improved greatly with her homeopathic treatment, as well. |
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| This patient was successfully treated with a natural homeopathic medicine, which was helpful in avoiding the use of systemic antibiotics in this patient. |
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Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral infection which is seen in children and adults. It is transmitted from person to person by skin-to-skin contact. Molluscum contagiosum skin lesions are often treated by dermatologists with surgical curettage, freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery), imiquimod cream, and topical cantharidin liquid. However, this viral infection may be amenable to homeopathic treatment, if the signs and symptoms of the patient are matched closely to the proper homeopathic remedy.
The young child with molluscum contagiosum of the underarm and chest, shown below, was successfully treated with homeopathic medicine. (Note - No other medicines were used in the treatment of this patient's molluscum contagiosum:
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Note: When this young boy's father came in with him at his 4 week check-up,
he noticed that his son's atopic eczema itched less while taking the homeopathic calcium carbonate. We continued this remedy and when he returned at 8 weeks, not only were his molluscum still clear, but his eczema was 99 % clear. (The patient was able to discontinue his pediatrician's topical steroids.)
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Eczema is a skin condition which can be treated with homeopathic medicine. Often, the sooner eczema is treated with homeopathic medicine, the more readily the eczema may respond. Eczema commonly begins very early in life, in infants or in older children.
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The young woman shown below, who was treated in Dr. Signore's dermatology office, had a new onset case of atopic eczema on the eyelids, ears, chest, back, arms, and legs. It occurred shortly after a major family stress which caused her to feel very sad and angry. Even though she was sad, she was uncomfortable with consolation. Her eczema had failed her previous physicians' treatment which included: topical steroids, oral steroids, and an antihistamine. This patient also had photophobia (her eyes were extremely sensitive to bright sunlight - she could only tolerate 1 minute of bright sun without wearing sunglasses.)
The photo below shows her eczema before and after treatment with homeopathic sodium chloride 30C and topical desonide ointment. After 3 weeks of treatment, her eczema severity improved by approximately 70%. Her mother also noticed she was happier and had much less sadness and anger. Interestingly, her eyes became much less sensitive to bright sunlight. When a patient is treated with homeopathic medicine, sometimes other seemingly unrelated medical conditions can improve in addition to their skin.
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The patient in the photos below is a very nice woman in her fifties who had irritant contact eczema of her fingertips. Her fingertips were very painful because her eczema formed deep fissures (cracks) in the skin. Her eczema was persistent despite the use of high-potency prescription steroid cream and ointment.
The photo on the right shows the same patient with complete healing of her eczema four weeks after beginning homeopathic NATRUM MURIATICUM 200C taken by mouth every two days. Note: no topical steroids were used. Interestingly, her bowel movements, which had been constipated, were now softer and more normal. Her knee pain, which previously was worse with walking up and down stairs, has also improved. Her guilt and anxiety also improved since taking
her homeopathic medicine.
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The young woman shown below had irritant eczema of the hands. She, too, had painful cracks in the skin which were associated with frequent hand washing associated with her occupation. As you can see in the following photos, her eczema completely cleared with the use of her homeopathic remedy. Note: no topical steroids were used. (Photos copyrighted by: Cosmetic Dermatology Journal). (Reference: Signore RJ. "Classic Homeopathic Medicine and the Treatment of Eczema". Cosmetic Dermatology. 2011; Vol. 24: Pages 420-425.) To read our article online, go to www.cosderm.com and click on the Sept., 2011 issue, and click on the red arrow (in the upper left side of the page - where it says "read digital edition") and scroll to page 420.
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| Patient with hand eczema. Hands are dry and chapped. Note deep painful cracks in skin. (Photo Copyrighted By: Cosmetic Dermatology Journal, 2011) |
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| 9 days after starting treatment with homeopathic petroleum 30C three times daily by mouth, cracks in skin have healed and hands are approximately 80% less dry. Note: pain from cracked skin was much improved within first 3 days of treatment. |
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| After 3 weeks of homeopathic petroleum 30C three times daily, fissures and dryness are completely resolved, despite frequent handwashing and hand sanitizing. Note: no topical steroids were used. (Photo Copyrighted By: Cosmetic Dermatology Journal, 2011) |
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| This woman's hands (pictured above) were very dry as a result of the cold and dry winter weather. She was initially treated with homeopathic sulfur which helped the painful cracked skin heal. However, when the homeopathic sulfur was stopped, the cracked skin returned. Based on her extensively repertorized history, a new homeopathic remedy was selected. On the third day of Staphysagria 30C, this patient's cracked skin had healed. |
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The individual, shown below, had irritant hand eczema, which was worse with washing hands and with wet work. This eruption was associated with itching and burning sensations of the skin. Homeopathic natrum muriaticum 200C by mouth once daily was prescribed. Pictured below is the appearance pre-treatment and at three months. The right hand cleared completely, as shown below. A very small area of eczema appeared on the left hand and the same homeopathic remedy was given. Note: no topical steroids were used.
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Warts are a common cutaneous viral infection which can be amenable to gentle treatment by homeopathic medicines. The young person, shown below, is an actual patient treated in Dr. Signore's dermatology office. She had 14 warts on the fingers. Additionally, she had guilt, sadness, and anxiety. Also, she was quite thirsty. Upon further questioning, her mother suffered the loss of her grandfather while she was still pregnant with the patient show below.
When we studied the case in detail (repertorization), we found that the homeopathic remedy NATRUM MURIATICUM best fit the totality of the case. This remedy fit the patient's sadness, grief, and even her thirst. NATRUM MURIATICUM 30C (2 pellets twice daily) was prescribed.
At 4 weeks, the patient only had 6 warts remaining on the fingers. Her guilt, sadness, and anxiety had improved by 70%.
At 8 weeks, all the warts on the fingers had resolved. Her guilt, sadness, and anxiety had also resolved. Interestingly, her great thirst had normalized.
This successful case illustrates that homeopathic medicine seeks to treat the patient, not just the specific disease. When the homeopathic medicine fits the patient's signs and symptoms very closely, other seemingly unrelated symptoms have the chance of healing as well.
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| Viral warts are a common skin condition amenable to gentle homeopathic medical treatment. This young person had 14 warts on the fingers. |
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| At 4 weeks of homeopathic medical treatment, there are only 6 warts remaining on the fingers. Notably, the patient's guilt, sadness, and anxiety had improved by 70%. |
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| At 8 weeks of therapy, all warts on the fingers had resolved. Her sadness, guilt, and anxiety had resolved. Her thirst had also normalized. |
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The patient pictured below was going away to college in a few months and wished to heal the unsightly warts around the fingernails. Homeopathic medicine was chosen and a lengthy medical history was obtained, including aspects of the mental / emotional and physical health. Based on the information obtained, a homeopathic remedy was chosen which best suited this individual patient. SEPIA was started. At six weeks, one wart had completely resolved, but the other was still present, so CAUSTICUM was added.
The following photo, at 10 weeks, shows both periungual warts resolved completely, without any discomfort or evidence of scarring. Of note, the patient's mild acne vulgaris also improved.
Homeopathic medical remedies are inexpensive and many are available over-the-counter. However, one of the most important aspects of homeopathic medicine is the process of repertorization, by which the physician closely matches the patient's signs and symptoms (also known as 'rubrics'). The more closely the patient's signs and symptoms match the remedy's known signs and symptoms, the higher the likelihood is of healing.
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| Warts located close to the nails can be difficult to eradicate. This patient opted for natural treatment with a homeopathic remedy. After obtaining a lengthy homeopathic history, an individualized remedy was selected for this patient. SEPIA was started. Then at 6 weeks, CAUSTICUM was added. |
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| At 10 weeks after beginning homeopathic medicine, the periungual warts are completely resolved, without any discomfort or scarring. |
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Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) is a medical problem treated by dermatologists. Excessive palmar sweating can interfere with occupations which require handling of tools and instruments. Of course, excessive sweating can be an embarassing social problem as well.
There are many effective conventional treatments for excessive sweating, but they are often inconvenient, time consuming, irritating, expensive, or painful. When treatment of excessive sweating with homeopathic remedies is successful, it is a blessing, as homeopathic treatments are relatively inexpensive, gentle, and easy to administer.
When a detailed homeopathic history is taken and the patient is treated as a whole homeopathically, it is possible that other aspects of the patients health and well-being might improve:
The young patient shown below presented to Dr. Signore's dermatology office in Tinley Park, Illinois with excessive sweating of the palms, soles, and underarms. As this patient's sweating improved, her mother noticed her mood improved and she was less antagonistic to her brother. Her energy level in the afternoon improved, and she had less of a need to take afterschool naps. Her mother remarked that her night-time sleep had also improved, with less tossing and turning. After beginning homeopathic sulfur, the patient noticed she had less desire for snacks in between meals, resulting in a 6 pound weight loss.
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| The above before and after clinical photos are from a patient treated in Dr. Signore's dermatology office. This very nice 12 year old girl had excessive sweating on her palms,soles, and underarms for the past 1 year. It was very embarassing for her. She began the natural homeopathic remedy, Sulfur 30 C - 2 pellets by mouth twice daily. At 5 weeks, her palms had approximately 50% less sweating. Interestingly, her mother noticed she was sleeping better, with less tossing and turning. She was less tired in the afternoon and took less afterschool naps. Her mood was happier, and she was less antagonistic towards her brother. After starting homeopathic Sulfur, she also noticed less of a craving for snacks, and as a result she lost 6 pounds. |
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Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition seen in both adolescents and adults. 70 percent of high school men and women have acne pimples. It is sometimes possible to successfully treat acne without the use of antibiotic pills by using natural homeopathic medicines as seen in the following actual patient photographs from Dr. Signore's office.
The young lady shown below had a difficult to treat variant of facial acne known as acne excoriee' des jeunes filles. In addition to acne, she had painful menstrual cramps which were severe enough to have to lie in bed for the first two days of each menstrual period. Also, she had situational anxiety and was under emotional stress. As a result, she struggled with insomnia with many sleepless nights. When she was evaluated for a homeopathic remedy, all these factors were taken into consideration, not just her skin problem:
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| Pre-treatment photo of acne patient with cutaneous excoriations |
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| 4 weeks after receiving homeopathic natrum muriaticum 1M (constitutional treatment) and calcarea phosphorica 30C, the patient's acne excoriee has healed almost completely. Her anxiety and menstrual cramps have also improved. Her insomnia completely resolved. |
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Four weeks after beginning her homeopathic medicines and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% wash, the above young lady's acne excoriee' was much improved. Interestingly, her sleep difficulties completely resolved and her menstrual cramps and anxiety also improved.
Homeopathic medicine strives to treat the whole person. Our office specializes in treating people with skin disorders. However, when the homeopathic remedy matches the person very closely, other underlying conditions have the possibility of improving also, as seen in the young women described above and below.
The next case, shown below, was a young woman who had inflammatory acne of the shoulders. Additionally, she suffered from headaches and upper abdominal pain. When selecting her homeopathic remedy, all these conditions were taken into consideration, not just her acne pimples:
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| Young woman with acne pimples on right shoulder, prior to homeopathic acne treatment |
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| 18 weeks after beginning homeopathic Pulsatilla 200C, acne pimples are almost completely clear. The addition of homeopathic treatment has allowed this patient to stop taking her antibiotic pills (doxycyline). The only prescription acne medicine still being used at 18 weeks is 8% benzoyl peroxide wash. Note: Additionally, this patient has not had any further headaches or abdominal pain. She has not needed her Aciphex (rabeprazole). |
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The young woman , shown above, was started on homeopathic pulsatilla by mouth and benzoyl peroxide 8% wash. The addition of a homeopathic medicine allowed this patient to stop her doxycycline antibiotic pills. At 18 weeks after beginning homeopathic treatment, her inflammatory acne improved greatly. At this time, she has not had any further headaches or abdominal pain.
Another young lady, pictured below, had acne vulgaris for two years. She had used two prescription medicines, Differin Gel and Epiduo Gel, without much success. She then began homeopathic natrum muriaticum 30C by mouth twice a day and applied over-the-counter Stridex pads once a day. Five weeks later, her acne had improved. Note: no antibiotic pills were used, as seen below:
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| At 32 weeks of homeopathic treatment, our patient's acne has improved. She has far fewer inflamed pimples. She received homeopathic Natrum Muriaticum, followed by Phosphorus, and Pulsatilla. At 32 weeks, she then received Sulphur. Additionally, she used Epiduo Gel and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% wash. |
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Lichen striatus is a self-limited, inflammatory linear eruption of sudden onset and unknown origin. It is unilateral and usually appears on the arm, leg, or lateral neck. However, it can appear on any area of the body. It occurs mainly in children, but it may also affect adults. Spontaneous involution can be expected within three to twelve months. However, some lichen striatus lesions can persist for over a year.
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| This healthy toddler presented with a 1 week history of a linear, serpiginous rash which did not get better with her primary physician's topical steroid cream. |
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| 3 weeks after beginning treatment with homeopathic calcarea carbonica 30C twice daily by mouth, the eruption had improved by approximately 50% in width and redness. Additionally, her stools were less hard and she no longer cried with bowel movements. Also, her head perspired less during sleep. |
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| After six and one-half weeks of homeopathic calcarea carbonica twice a day, the infant's lichen striatus rash had completely resolved. Note: lichen striatus normally takes at least three to twelve months to spontaneously resolve. |
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The 48 year-old woman, pictured below, was diagnosed by Dr. Signore with a case of early herpes zoster ( also known as shingles). Herpes zoster is a very painful and itchy rash which is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus. The rash of
herpes zoster is preceded by unilateral shooting or stabbing pains, which can last anywhere from 1 to 14 days. Once the eruption of untreated shingles occurs, active blisters usually form in clusters for the first 3 to 5 days. Crusts (scabs) then form over two to three weeks, and the rash then resolves.
The patient below was fortunate to have sought medical attention promptly - she was diagnosed within 12 hours of onset of the shingles rash. According to Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, early diagnosis and treatment (begun within 72 hours) may accelerate healing of skin lesions, decrease duration of acute pain, and decrease the frequency of post-herpetic neuralgia. Prescription antiviral drugs, such as
acyclovir, are normally prescribed for acute herpes zoster. However, this patient refused prescription antiviral therapy and requested only natural treatment of her shingles. Therefore, the case history was taken and repertorized. In this individualized case, the
most fitting remedy was HOMEOPATHIC RHUS TOXICODENDRON 200C, which was begun within the first 12 hours of the rash.
As you scroll through these case photos, you will see that the shingles rash continued to
worsen over the first 3 to 4 days, as one would expect. However, only one frank blister appeared, and the rash did not worsen any more after that. Note also that the back pain improved within the first 1 to 2 hours after beginning homeopathic medical therapy. So, even as the rash progressed during the first several days as would be expected by the natural course of the disease, the back pain had already improved greatly. The only other treatment the patient received for her acute herpes zoster was topical homeopathic CALENDULA CREAM for the first several days. (Note: no prescription antivirals or steroid medications were used.)
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As you can see below, on day 15, our patient's shingles rash has completely
resolved. (The faint pink patches are called "post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation" and will fade completely with time.)
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| Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by a reactivation of the chicken pox virus, which previously had stayed dormant in the body. The rash of shingles is characterized by a painful blistering linear eruption which is usually only on one side of the body. Pain usually precedes the rash by about 3 to 5 days. The blisters are usually arranged in grouped clusters. Unfortunately, shingles can leave scarring on the skin and can even cause blindness when it involves the eye. The sooner treatment is begun, the better. The goals of shingles treatment include: reducing pain, reducing viral shedding, and shortening the duration of rash. One serious long-term complication of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia. The pain of post-herpetic neuralgia is described as burning and shooting, and can last for months, and even years after the rash of shingles has gone away. |
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