“Natural” products & Skin types - skin 5

Question 1

what are examples of products which are used for natural products for the skin?

Answer 1

Nearly everything!
Seaweed
Oils
Avocado
Apricot kernel
Carrot
Tea tree
Herbs
Sage
Flowers
Chamomile

But “natural” is NOT necessarily safe
Botulism toxin….botox

Question 2

what is arnica
what is it used for?

Answer 2

Arnicae flos, the flower of the European herb Arnica montana has a long history of use as a topical remedy- bruising on sheeps

mental or emotional symptoms,* stupor, forgetfulness, memory loss,* delirium * hopelessness and indifference * a fear of being struck by others or of being touched * vertigo * severe headaches* mechanical injuries resulting from concussion, skull fractures or compression of the skull* meningitis after concussion, bruising or falling where there was partial paralysis of the tongue, iris or limbs* eye inflammation * retinal haemorrhage* eye troubles resulting from blows and injuries * hardness of hearing since concussion* nose bleeds * toothache * bad breath* vomiting blood and soreness after injuries* indigestion
* offensive flatulence * diarrhoea and bladder problems* fevers* dysentery* acid urine * swollen penis and testes after injury* threatened abortion from falls or shocks* soreness after labour and birth* sore nipples * asthma from fatty degeneration of the heart * coughing causing bloodshot eyes or nosebleeds * pleurisy after injuries * strain of the heart from violent running* fatty degeneration of the heart * low pulse rate * paralytic pains in all joints while moving* feeling too hot or too cold between frequent attacks of violent convulsions * general sinking of strength* sleep apnoea* chills
malaria* Typhoid conditions* concussions and contusions * septicaemia* gout and rheumatism * skin tender when touched * sprains * bee or wasp stings * compound fractures* pressure from stitches* boils* recent or remote trauma* sore muscles * neuralgia * twitching tendons and muscles * osteomyelitis,* surgical operations, * anguish attacks* angina
* easily frightened* ear problems* stomach cramps* impotence * breast tumours after injury * respiratory ailments* palpitations * neck pain * hand strength* bed sores * sleeping problems* nightmares* fever* chills* travel sickness* tumours following injury * violent coughing and sneezing * chronic bronchitis* bitter taste in mouth* baldness* toothache* stiffness weariness of the limbs

Question 3

what is arnica topically used for?

Answer 3

Beyond homeopathy, Arnica is used externally in gels, creams.

Was originally steeped in schnapps for several weeks / months
Alcoholic extract

Applied topically for:
Bruising
Arthritis
Oedema due to fracture
Inflammation e.g. with insect bites

Question 4

what are pharmalogical effects of arnica?

Answer 4

Sesquiterpene lactones have been shown to affect inflammatory processes by inhibiting transcription factors at micro-molar concentrations.

Additionally, they influence the release of cytokines.

Inhibitory activity correlates with the quantitative and qualitative content of sesquiterpene lactones.

Further, the inhibitory potency of 11,13-dihydrohelenalin derivatives depend on their esterfication.
Compounds with unsaturated acyl moieties, such as methacrylate and tiglinate, exhibited a stronger activity than the acetate derivative

Question 5

does skin variability effect skin permeability

Answer 5

In terms of drug delivery, skin permeability varies:
Between body sites – eg eyelids highly permeable compared to palms
By up to 40% between the same site on different people
Pre-term infants (lack fully formed stratum corneum)

No variability between:
Racial skin types
Gender
On aging

“Treatments” such as cleansers with alcohol or fatty moisturisers can affect permeability
Usually in the short term as the skin recovers

Question 6

what is the cosmetic classification of skin?

Answer 6

normal
dry
oily
combination

Question 7

what is the Dermatology classification

Answer 7

Fitzpatrick skin scale most common
Based on response to UV therapy for psoriasis
some burnt easily, others not (so relates to sensitivity to sun)

ivory
beige
light brown
medium brown
dark brown
very dark brown

Question 8

arnica

V.v. Low amounts of the active phytochemicals get across the skin
Must be very potent
Expected vaso-constriction

Took a long time for the chemicals to get across skin in vitro
But in vivo study showed worked within 3 hours

Many have (some) proven pharmacological activity
But often tested in vitro
And in isolation

Understand the need to use your professional judgement when dealing with patients requesting “natural” therapies
MUST place patients safety first
Will it do them harm
Either systemic or (more likely) local harm, e.g. irritation
Will it interact with other medicines
Does it mean that they will not use evidence based therapy