Treating Dermatitis Holistically

Dermatitis is a skin rash that can feel devastating to the person with it, especially if it shows up in a visible place on the body. I know many who feel desperate to be healed, eager to try anything new if it will only bring a cure!

I had a form of Dermatitis called Perioral Dermatitis, as it was on my face, and I know the feeling first hand of looking in the mirror each morning and hoping and praying it was finally gone, that the new remedy I tried had done the trick. I also remember day after day of disappointment as the rash lingered month after month.

The purpose of this article is to look at what I believe are mental and emotional contributions we make towards the health or absence of health of our skin.

Our skin is a part of the integumentary system which is the largest organ system of our bodies. It’s function is to protect, nourish, insulate and cushion the body from harmful substances. This system begins to break down when we feel unprotected, threatened, humiliated, angry, self-critical, isolated, guilty, unsupported, and guarded.

So imagine how our skin might react when we feel unprotected for example. When my skin started to show the signs of dermatitis I was newly single, raising two sons, and starting a business. There were circumstances in my life that aroused in me feelings of powerlessness and the desire to defend my children and myself.

Once I became aware of how I was choosing to relate to my circumstances and began to accept the situations in my life, getting clear on what I could change and what I couldn’t, I took on a fresh perspective of hope versus despair. I chose new attitudes, new ways of thinking and being, and I let go of the frustration and anger.

This was a process, mind you, and one that included prayer, meditation, breathing and forgiveness. As I continued to love myself, love my skin and take care of myself inside and out, healing from the dermatitis came.

Some questions to ask yourself are:

What or who is getting under my skin?
What am I not expressing that I need to say?
Where am I feeling like I don’t belong and putting up barriers of self-protection?
Am I feeling insecure, second best, devalued, uncomfortable in my own skin?

I encourage you to breathe and release all the emotions that come up, the things you are telling yourself that are detrimental to your well-being and that are criticizing of self or others. Release judgments, choose to forgive, choose to see yourself with fresh eyes, as someone who loves you deeply sees you.

I believe if you want to find a higher path for walking through the circumstances in your life, then that path will avail itself to you.

Your body….your skin…..is giving you a message. Will you take the time to listen?

You are powerful beyond measure, I really believe that.

And I also believe that when we all learn to love ourselves, be kind to ourselves, and fully accept ourselves, then our bodies will respond in health.

Here is to your abundant health!