Gallbladders and blisters

Q I got my gallbladder removed in October 2011 and I have not been right since. I went back to the hospital for MRI and CT Scan and they were clear. At another hospital I was told I had helicobacter pylori. I took the prescribed antibiotics (Klacid 500mg and Amoxicillin 500mg) but still no improvement. Three weeks ago I started taking mastic gum. How long is this bug going to last? It’s really terrible.

A Mastic gum is an excellent remedy for treating the very difficult helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). You will need to take 1500mg of mastic gum each night before bed for an entire month, and then reduce this dosage to 1000mg for the following month. If you find that you still have symptoms of H. pylori (depending on the extent of your condition) then you will need to take the mastic gum for a third month, but at a smaller dosage of just 500mg before you go to bed.

Mastic gum is the resin of the pistacia lentiscus tree, and it works by killing off the H. pylori while assisting the restoration of digestive function and reducing intestinal inflammation. I like the mastic gum supplement called Mastika, available from health stores where 60 x 500mg capsules cost e27.17.Antibiotics can trigger the development of a resistant strain of H. pylori, resulting in the need for stronger medication, whereas the mastic gum you are taking actually destroys the bacteria and repairs the intestinal ulceration caused by this bacteria. Stick with the outlined treatment plan for the two to three recommended months, and hopefully you will begin to experience some relief from your symptoms sooner rather than later.

Q My daughter is 33-years-old and about six months ago developed blisters on the palm of her right hand (she’s left handed). It sometimes hardens and becomes itchy and scaly and dark in colour like as if it was a burn. She tried tea tree oil but to no use. I would appreciate your help in this matter.

A This sounds very much like a condition called chiropompholyx. While the name may sound somewhat daunting, it is simply a type of eczema which presents with blisters on the hands.

Chiropompholyx blisters typically itch and burn, and in some cases can lead to peeling and cracking of the palms of the hands. This form of dyshidrotic eczema can also appear on the feet (pedopompholyx).

The cause of this condition is still largely unknown, however we do know that people who spend a lot of time with their hands in water are more inclined to develop these blisters. Detergents and solvents aggravate chiropompholyx, so minimise the use of these products — this will also help to reduce the incidence of secondary infection or the additional issue of contact dermatitis.

There is a natural remedy which can help to dry up these blisters. Use a compress of apple cider vinegar in water and apply three to four times daily for 15 minutes at a time.

Note: This is specific to healing these types of ‘wet’ eczema and should not be used by sufferers of dry eczema conditions.

All types of eczema are considered to be difficult to treat in the long term, but this is one area of health where homeopathy is definitely worth a try. Since homeopaths prescribe on a constitutional basis, choosing remedies as a result of taking an in-depth individual analysis rather than using a one-remedy-fits-all approach, homeopathy will often achieve great results in these so-called difficult conditions.

To find out more about homeopathy and recommended practitioners, contact the Irish College of Homoeopathic Medicine on 066-9765816.