Atopic Eczema & Allergic Asthma

Atopic Eczema is a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin that typically presents with dryness, intense itching, redness, and recurrent eczematous lesions. It is most common in children but can persist or appear in adults. The condition is associated with a personal or family history of atopic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies.

Allergic asthma is a long-term lung condition where a person’s airways become inflamed and narrow when exposed to allergens like pollen, dust, or pet fur. This causes symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

Atopic Eczema in infant patient before and after one month of German integrative therapy

Integrative Diagnostic Procedures for allergic skin disorders

In agreement with the above mentioned indications a panel of clinical, functional and laboratory Investigations are mandatory for every patient immediately after admission into the hospital.
Beside an intensive clinical investigation and an anamnestic procedure with tens of questions concerning the disease history, our MDs are ordering in this respect:

A personalized microbiological investigation of the microbial foci of the skin, oro-pharingeal and vaginal mucosa, to be performed in our own lab in cultures for pathogenic bacteria, yeasts and molds, followed by appropriate resistance tests against antiseptics, antibiotics and antimycotics.
The identification of chronic persistent infections by means of specific antibody tests against viruses (EBV, CMV, HHV, VZV, HPV, SARS-CoV2) Spike Proteins, bacteria (Staph. aureus, haem. Streptoccoci, Klebsiella sp., Clostridia) or yeasts and molds like Candida sp, Geotrichum sp. Aspergillus sp. and Mucor sp., respectively.
The investigation of redox potentials, free radicals and total antioxidative activity in blood and plasma to monitor the oxidative stress and inflammation state by admission and during the therapy.
The evaluation of the intestinal and vaginal microbiome in our own lab and partially in outside labs, in view of a personalized pre- and probiotic therapy of the disturbed intestinal and vaginal flora.
Investigation of the fatty acids and aminoacids profiles in blood for appropriate compensation during the therapy.
Evaluation of the individual toxic burden in blood and urine for organic (pesticides, detergents, paints, preservatives, pfthalates, formaldehyde, etc) and anorganic toxins (heavy metals like mercury, tin, lead, nickel, cobalt, chromium, arsenic, etc) by means of special analytic methods like GC-MS, HPLC, AAS and ICP, respectively.
Evaluation of the individual sensitisations and allergy reactions against food and inhalatory allergens by means of allergen specific tests for IgE, IgG4 and cellular (LTT) mediated reactions, as background for personalized diet plans. Additional investigation of lactose, fructose and histamine intolerances by appropriate oral challenge and blood tests.
Evaluation of the neuro-hormonal status in plasma or urine in view of an appropriate compensation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic activities. (Adrenalin, Noradrenalin, Serotonin, Dopamin, Acetylcholine, GABA and Glutamate)
Gene expression profiles for detoxifyng, inflammatory markers by means of micro-array and PCR tests.

Herpes superinfected atopic eczema before and after one month of German integrative therapy

Integrative Therapy Guidelines for Atopic Eczema

It is no secret that classic dermatological interventions for Atopic eczema with Cortisone, Calcineurin inhibitors, antihistamines, Metrotrexate and UVA/UVB radiation, generally result in a short term alleviation of the symptoms followed by repeated unpleasant reccurences by the interruption of these therapies.

By contrast, our therapy system in the hand of skilled dermatologists addresses the above mentioned genetic polymorphisms and epigenetic factors leading to:

A rapid elimination of the chronic cutaneous and intestinal and vaginal infections by means of topical and oral antiseptics, antibiotics or plant extracts with proved anti-microbial activity, followed by administration of pre- und probiotic bacteria for the recovery of the intestinal and vaginal microbiome associated with a shift from a TH2/TH17 back to a TH1 immune profile.
A gradual reduction of the total environmental load of the patient by means of Plasmapheresis for organic toxic compounds, food- and microbial specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies, circulating immune complexes and auto-antibodies. The same for the gradual elimination of toxic metals like mercury, tin, arsenicum, lead, aluminium, nickel, cobalt or chromium by means of an appropriate intravenous administration of chelating compounds like DMPS, DMSA, EDTA and others.
The avoidance of allergic and pseudo-allergic reactions against different food allergens based on the above mentioned IgE, IgG4, LTT and Lactose, Fructose and Histamine intolerance tests, respectively.
The 6 months administration of a personalized, hypoallergenic diet in rotation system is mandatory to reduce the continuous degranulation of the intestinal mast cells and one of the keys for a long-term symptom freedom and comeback to a normal life (and to a normal diet). Besides, specific vegetables from the Cruciferous family are able to activate Phase II detoxifying enzymes like the Gluthatione-S-Transferases increasing the urinary and intestinal elimination of different toxic compounds.
A new balance of the autonomous nervous system (sympaticus vs. parasympaticus) and of the sleep rythmus by means of specific food supplements and appropriate relaxation techniques like autogenic training, yoga, progressive muscular relaxation, etc, completed by personal appointments with our psychological trainers.
A new quality of life and long-term symptom freedom after discharge, at home, when following the main therapy rules, the rotation diet and when eliminating important sensitizing stuff from kitchen and bedroom.

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Allergic Asthma and Non-Allergic Asthma

In addition to the well-known allergens, the role of microbes and certain environmental pollutants becomes increasingly important role in the development of allergic asthma in recent years.

Triggers of Allergic Reactions

A complex interaction of various blood and tissue cells (macrophages, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, PMNs) and mast cells, mediated by their information substances (cytokines), is of crucial importance in external influences (induction) as a normal immune response or allergic reaction and resulting inflammatory components.

According to Coombs and Gell, a distinction is made between immediate and delayed allergic reactions from types I to IV. The immune system is always involved.

In addition to a significant predisposition, several other factors play an important role in the development of allergies. These include: The sensitizing potential of the allergen. For example, it is known that early weaning and the administration of formula based on strong allergens such as cow’s milk, soy, or foods containing egg and yeast can lead to the onset of an allergy in infants.

The composition of the so-called haptens (simple, low molecular chemical compounds) is crucial for the sensitization potency.

Repeated contact with different allergen concentrations, accompanied by temporary interruptions, is also a known prerequisite for the triggering of an allergy. Microbial bodies (Bordetella pertussis) and various irritants such as phenols (Freund’s adjuvant) also have an influence. Similar effects must be expected, for example, in infants who were infected early on by facultative or obligate pathogenic germs from the mother’s birth canal or the hospital, which can lead to false contamination of the intestine with an abnormal flora. Similar microbial conditions with the production of larger quantities of sensitizing degradation products (including phenol) can also arise later through intestinal decimating, antibiotic treatments or under the influence of immunosuppressive (artificially suppressive) radiation, cytostatic (chemical) or corticosteroid therapies. Such dysbiotic conditions (qualitative and quantitative disturbances in the balance of the intestinal oocytes) have become a hallmark of allergic diseases.

Various environmental pollutants are believed to play a significant role in triggering allergies. Several mechanisms are possible:

Damage to the skin and mucosal barriers caused by chemical, physical, or microbial influences via direct injury to cell membranes and the release of inflammatory mediators (histamine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes), such as after exposure to pesticides, alcohol, and microbial toxins. The increased permeability of the mucosal barriers leads to increased allergen uptake and sensitization.

Increased production of immunoglobulin E with the onset of allergic symptoms has been described following exposure to irritant and diesel exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, mercury compounds, and platinum salts. These pollutants can exert their effects at various cellular levels, depending on their absorption and irritation potential. The relationship between increased concentrations of traffic-related air pollutants and the increase in allergic respiratory diseases in patients from urban areas have been documented by several German and foreign studies.

Triggering of immunoglobulin E synthesis after binding of harmful substances to serum proteins (e.g. formaldehyde and formaldehyde derivatives with formation of new antigen structures) Intervention in the intermediate metabolism by influencing the structure and biological activity of various enzyme systems.

Typically, the symptoms of allergy sufferers and/or environmentally sensitive patients are the result of various internal and external pollutants. This also explains the different causes that can lead to death.

This highlights the paramount importance of preventive medical measures in dealing with allergy triggers and environmental toxins. A corresponding health-related attitude also becomes clear in the psychosocial area.

Pathological Mechanisms

Both the asthma caused by external influences (“extrinsic” exogenous allergic) and the asthma caused by respiratory infections, constitutional or hormonal factors triggered (intrinsic non-allergic) asthma, attribute their symptomatology (characteristic symptoms of a particular patient) to an attack-like airway obstruction (total closure) is caused by various stimuli resulting from an overactive bronchial system. Long-term relief from symptoms can be achieved through a series of proven therapeutic measures.

The closure of the airways (airway obstruction) is based on a complex mechanism, whereby increased tension of the bronchial muscles (bronchospasm), regulated by neural, cellular and humoral (body fluids) mechanisms the swelling of the mucous membrane due to the pathological accumulation of serous fluids, as well as the overproduction of mucus, associated with mucus congestion and blockage of the airways, are to be considered important components.

The basis for triggering asthmatic attacks is bronchial hyperactivity, which in turn is caused by allergic or allergen-specific factors or non-specific, non-allergic stimuli, such as bacterial and mold infections, physical causes, chemical environmental pollutants, medications, food additives, cigarette smoke, physical exertion and psychological reasons.

Patients with allergic asthma are typically exposed to both allergen-specific factors and the non-specific stimuli mentioned above, which reinforce each other and trigger various pathological mechanisms. These include: the release of inflammatory mediators (messenger substances) from mast cells and basophil cells, Beta-adrenergic blockade, based on a significant reduction in the number and function of beta-adrenoreceptors (alpha and beta receptors are distinguished according to the different effects of adrenaline on the individual organs), the disturbance in the synthesis of intracellular c-AMP (cyclic Adenosine-Mono-Phosphate, plays an important role in energy metabolism), which is accompanied by an excess of the cholinergic transmitter c-GMP (Guanosine-Mono-Phosphate). The known imbalance of these nucleotides also impairs the normal function of the cellular calcium pump, the increased release of acetylcholine (neutrotransmitter) due to an increased tension state of the parasympathetic nervous system with seizure-triggering, nerve-affecting reactions, which lead to increased contractility of the bronchial muscles.

Prevention and Therapy

Important preventive measures for allergy sufferers are already in place for pregnant women, where avoiding strong allergens in food, alcohol, nicotine, and externally exposed (exogenous) pollutants can lead to a reduction in the risk of atopy, a hypersensitivity to allergies, in the newborn. The treatment of internal (endogenous) stress factors such as infections of all kinds, of the skin, lungs, birth canal and the intestines is also more than justified.

In the treatment of allergic asthma, it has been shown that a low allergenic diet, offered in a rotation system, together with the elimination of microbial lung and intestinal infections, detoxifying procedure, lifestyle changes, sanitation of the air conditioning systems at home and working place, along with psychological support measures can make an important contribution to a long-term symptoms freedom.

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