Because of our modern diet, full of sugar and processed wheat, up to 90% of the population are thought to be adversely affected by the proliferation of Candida, a yeasty organism occurs naturally in small quantities in the intestines, mouth and genitals.
Excess quantities of these organisms can allow them to leak into the bloodstream and colonise other parts of the body.
Following long-term courses of antibiotics or steroids, the creases and folds of the skin are the ideal place for this proliferation. Itching is the body’s natural defence against something it wants to remove from the skin and one of the main causes of persistent itching is Candida.
When it becomes aware of a foreign invader, the natural immune system is activated and inflammation occurs. This is the equivalent of putting up a hot wall, which is difficult for the attacking micro-organisms to penetrate, whilst it waits for the immune system to kick in and destroy the invaders.
However, Candida albicans is very difficult for the body to fight effectively because it has two key weapons – the ability to avoid detection by changing its appearance and to emit substances that cause the body’s natural immune response to be suppressed. This means that the cavalry doesn’t come over the hill with its full complement of big guns to relieve the beleaguered fortress.
Because the Candida is never completely destroyed, the protective defence of the inflammation steadily increases, becoming ever more painful and causing unexplained rashes which last for years or dermatitis, with its increased histamine activity leading to debilitating conditions such as eczema or the scaly, thick lesions of psoriasis.
Traditionally, these are treated using steroid or anti-fungal creams with some short-term success. However, the symptoms will return once the course of the treatment has been completed and can often make the original problems worse.
Removing the nutrients that feed the yeast in the gut is the best way to counteract these skin complaints.
Excluding yeast, fungus, sugar, processed wheat and vinegar from the diet will deprive the Candida of its main food source, allowing it die back. Slowly the outposts that have grown up all over the body will begin to follow suit.
Homeopathic treatments, such as milk thistle, can help to boost the immune system by improving liver function and topical treatments, like tea tree oil and virgin coconut oil can also be very helpful. Always consult with a registered homeopath before embarking on any such treatment.