Eczema

May 24

MEDICAL MARIJUANA TREATMENT FOR ECZEMA

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition marked by itchy and inflamed patches of skin. It is a reaction pattern that the skin produces in several diseases. It begins as red, raised tiny blisters containing clear fluid atop red, elevated plaques. When the blisters break, the affected skin will weep and ooze. In older eczema, chronic eczema, the blisters are less prominent and the skin is thickened, elevated and scaling. Different types and stages of eczema affect 31.6 million people in the United States, which equals more than 10% of the population.

TYPES OF SKIN CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE ECZEMA:

There are at least 11 distinct types of skin conditions that produce eczema. To develop a rational treatment plan, it is important to differentiate the types.

Atopic Dermatitis: This health condition has a genetic basis and produces a common type of eczema. Atopic dermatitis tends to begin early in life in those with a predisposition to inhalant allergies, but it probably does not have an allergic basis. Characteristically, rashes occur on the cheeks, neck, elbow and knee creases, and ankles.
Pompholyx ( dyshidrotic eczema): It classically affects the hands and occasionally the feet by producing an itchy rash composed of tiny blisters (vesicles) on the sides of the fingers or toes and palms or soles.
Irritant dermatitis: This occurs as a result of repeated skin exposure to excessive washing or toxic substances.
Stasis dermatitis: It commonly occurs on the swollen lower legs of individuals with poor circulation to the veins of the legs.
Fungal infections: This can produce a pattern identical to many other types of eczema, but the fungus can be visualized with a scraping under the microscope or grown in culture.
Allergic contact dermatitis: After repeated exposures to the same substance, an allergen, the body’s immune recognition system becomes activated at the site of the next exposure to the same allergen and produces dermatitis. An example of this would be poison ivy allergy.
Scabies: This is caused by an infestation by the human itch mite and may produce a rash very similar to other forms of eczema.
Seborrheic dermatitis: It produces a rash on the scalp, face, ears, and occasionally the mid-chest in adults. But in infants, it can produce a weepy, oozy rash behind the ears and can be quite extensive, involving the entire body.
Lichen simplex chronicus: It produces thickened plaques of skin commonly found on the shins and neck.
Xerotic (dry skin) eczema: The skin will crack and ooze once dryness becomes excessive.
Nummular eczema: This is a nonspecific term for coin-shaped plaques of scaling skin most often on the lower legs of older individuals.

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF ECZEMA

The most common signs and symptoms are:

Dry and Scaly Skin
Skin Flushing
Itching
Rash of different categories
Open, crusted or weeping sores

ECZEMA AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Marijuana may be useful in treating symptoms related to skin diseases like eczema according to research. Some research suggests that cannabinoids may possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-itch qualities. More and more research is being conducted to understand the physiological effects underlying these anecdotal reports. The plant, cannabis sativa is known for the psychoactive ingredient THC, which is the component that can cause psychoactive effects.

Dr. Henry Granger Pffard, MD (1842-1910), was one of the founders of American dermatology. He was the founding editor of the Journal of Cutaneous and Venereal Diseases, known by its current name, JAMA Dermatology. He wrote the first textbook on dermatologic therapeutics. In it, he notes, “a pill of cannabis indica at bedtime has at my hands sometimes afforded relief to the intolerable itching of eczema.” Ever since then there have been several studies published on the potential benefits of Medical Marijuana on skin conditions.

How Can I Get Medical Marijuana in Virginia to Help with Eczema?

If you suffer from eczema or other skin issues that cause severe itching, pain, or prevent you from sleeping then you may qualify for medical marijuana in Virginia. To start the process of getting access to the medical marijuana dispensary locations in Virginia all you need to do is schedule an appointment with our marijuana doctor. We offer same-day appointments, immediate access to your medical cannabis certificate after approval, and a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not certified for any reason.

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