A case of Allergic contact dermatitis

Dr. Amit Arora & Dr. Udesh Kumar

Senior Medical officers, Directorate of AYUSH, Govt. of NCT of Delhi

Abstract: Dermatitis (eczema) clinically manifest as pruritis, erythema, edema,

papules, vesicles, scaling and lichenification. In homoeopathy, skin ailments they fall
under the category of local maladies. As per directions of Dr. Hahnemann in Organon, local
maladies should never be treated with topical applications. They require internal constitutional
medication, based on through case taking, in order to be cured.
Keywords:
Dermatitis, Eczema, Allergic, Homoeopathy
Introduction:
Allergic contact dermatitis can manifest as acute or chronic dermatitis. Acute
eczema manifests as erythema, edema and papulovesicular. Chronic eczema is dry,
scaly and often lichenified. It is characterized by hyperpigmentation, thickening of
skin and increased skin marking. The lesions are more scaly and less exudative.
The constitutional factors predispose the patient to develop eczema. It develops due
to involvement of type IV hypersensitivity reaction to an exogenous antigen.
Cause: Causative agents can be Plant, metals, cosmetics, medicines, rubber
CASE
A male patient of age 28 years consulted with scaly, dry, pigmented, itchy lesions bilaterally on
back of hands since 7 years.
The lesions appeared 5 years back. At that time he used to work as a mason and because of is
nature of work, he used to have contact with cement. The complaint started gradually after
around a year of starting work of mason. The lesions started as small itchy vesicular eruptions
on back of both hands and gradually increased. The lesions got better with some local applicant
medicine. The lesions then appeared after some time but this time more in intensity and since
after that he started having recurrent episodes. He then left the work and started doing driving
job. But even after leaving the contact with cement, his complaint did not get better rather
increased. Now because of repeated episodes, the condition has become chronic and lesions now
are dry, itchy, scaly and lichenified. He gets some relief with topical medicine but as he leaves
applying it, the itching prevails. (Attached Pic 1 during time of 1st visit).
Past history: Nothing specific
Family history: Nothing specific.
Generals:

Thermal reaction: Chilly

Appetite: nothing specific
Thirst: 7-8 glasses per day
Desire: Sweets
Stool: once in morning, satisfactory.
Urine: 4-5 times a day.
Perspiration: more on palms and soles.
Built: Thin built
Mind and behavior: Mild patient. Like to be with family, does not like to be alone. Hard
working. Want to earn well so that his family can live well. Fear of dark.
Prescriptions:
1st prescription: On basis of mildness, perspiration of palms and soles and exposure to cement (its
silica component) Silicea 30/ 3 dose were prescribed, followed by Sac Lac 30, thrice for 15 days.
2nd prescription: No specific change. Sac Lac 30, thrice for 15 days.
3rd prescription: SIlicea 200/ 1 dose, Sac lac 200, thrice daily for 15 days.
4th prescription: No change.
Here again the case was reviewed. Now taking into consideration about the components of
cement which are more of Lime and Silica and considering the built, his likeliness to be with
family, his hard work for the security of family (description in Jan Scholten in Homoeopathy and
the elements), perspiration the medicine selected was CALCAREA SILICATA.
He was prescribed CALCAREA SILICATA 30, one dose OD for 3 days and SAC LAC 30, thrice
daily 15 days.
5th prescription: Slight improvement appeared. Sac Lac 30 continued.
6th prescription: Patient came back after a month, with reappearance of lesions. Prescribed
CALCAREA SILICATA 200, 3 doses followed by Sac Lac 30 continued for 7 days.
7th prescription: All lesions cleared. Prescribed SAC LAC 200/tds/15 days.
8th prescription: No lesions. Prescribed SAC LAC 200/tds/15 days.
Thereafter patient followed for around 6 months and there were no reappearance of lesions.

Basis of Prescription:
The basis of prescription was built, his likeliness to be with family, his hard work for the
security of family of patient and along with that the nature of allergen was also considered and
on basis of that a similimum was prescribed which improved the case.

Before treatment

During treatment (After 4th prescription)

After treatment
BIBILIOGRAPHY

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Allen H.C., Keynotes and characteristics with comparisons, Reprint edition, A.B.
publications, Kolkata, 2002.
Sarkar, B.K. Organon of Medicine, 5th and 6th edition, M. Bhattacharya and co. (Pvt) Ltd,
Calcutta 1987
Khanna, Neena, Illustrated synopsis of Dermatology and Sexually transmitted diseases,
4th edition, Elsevier, 2011
Scholten, Jan, Homoeopathy and the elements, Homoeopathi medical publishers,
Mumbai, 1996
http://civiltoday.com/civil-engineering-materials/cement/10-cement-ingradients-withfunctions