What I Learned in Boulder, Pt. 5 More on Skin Problems - Itching!

Itching and Dry Skin in Palliative Care:

(Again this doesn't include the basic course material, just notes I jotted in class in addition to the presentation packet.. And although the course was about palliative care, how many of these solutions apply to daily living, not just hospice situations.)

Itching:

Many different causes: Dermatological, infections, can be related to oncological conditions, or other diseases, can be side effect of treatment.  Can be caused by or trigger psychological issues.

Suggest adding Evening Primrose CO2 and Borage Seed CO2 to a base of Jojoba for treatment.

If the cause is known, can better address issues.  Even without that, if cause can't be treated we can still perform good skincare and address psychological issues.

Good base substances:  all the fatty oils,  Madeleine specifically mentioned Almond, Olive and Sesame as part of her 'basic tool kit."    Wheat Bran CO2, Evening Primrose and Sea Buckthorn Berry.

Soothing hydrosols: Witch Hazel, Helichrysum, German Chamomile and/or Lavender. 

Useful essential oils (in *very* low dilution, we don't want to risk irritating already traumatized skin!) German or Roman chamomile, Helichrysum, Lavender, Manuka (especially if infected!) Peppermint, Sandalwood, and, mentioned in class, Rose Attar. (especially when causes of itching re related to psychological issues?)

Dry Skin and Itching:

Bases:  Almond, Avocado, Borage CO2, Evening Primrose CO2, Jojoba or Olive Oil.

Essential oils (very very low dilution) Roman chamomile, Geranium, Frankincense, Rose, Sandalwood, (or Rose Attar.)  Possibly Ylangylang.     (Truly holistic care here,  because we could choose from the list oils that address other issues.)

Skin Maceration:  (long exposure to moisture, causing lesions, example, diaper rash, incontinence.)

Jojoba, with Seabuckthorn Seed CO2 and Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu).      For open wounds, food grade aloe vera gel.

Essential oils:  *Helichrysum*,  German chamomile, Benzoin (my note, Benzoin is a sensitizer, I would avoid.) Lavender (preferably higher in Linalol for analgesic effect as well as healing) Sweet Marjoram, Manuka, again, for infection.