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Arnica - problem with allergic reaction

I had foot surgery 7 weeks ago & took arnica pills. For the first 3 weeks my recovery was so fast that my doctor was amazed.

During the 4th week, in addition to the pills, I started using arnica gel, applying it to the areas where the incisions were (open wounds that had been healing nicely). I applied the gel for 3 days days and developed the worst eczema all over my body. The foot that had the surgery is very swollen, covered in oozing bumps, and the skin is dark.

My entire body itches all the time. My doctor said to use hydrocortisone, calamine lotion, and take Zyrtec. But after 3 weeks of this, the itching and swelling are just as bad. The rapid healing to my foot has been completely undone. It is now a swollen, covered in bumps, itchy, discolored & painful.

After doing some research online about side effects, I now realize I shouldn't have applied the gel to the open wound, or taken the pills for 5 weeks. But what's done is done.

What can I do to correct this problem?
[message edited by positivespirit on Sun, 15 May 2011 18:55:40 BST]
[message edited by positivespirit on Sun, 15 May 2011 18:56:42 BST]
[message edited by positivespirit on Sun, 15 May 2011 18:58:20 BST]
 
  positivespirit on 2011-05-15
This is just a forum. Assume posts are not from medical professionals.
Your own chronic disease (which lies beneath the surface waiting to come out with the right trigger) is now active and must be cured.

Arnica, like any homoeopathic remedy, can have side effects if misused, as you now know.

As per our guideline in our Organon of Medicine, the case needs to be retaken and a remedy suitable to the new symptoms and any ongoing ones must be given.

Do you know how to give a case to a homoeopath?
 
brisbanehomoeopath last decade
You say, 'Do you know how to give a case to a homoeopath?'

So I should only see a homeopath, and forget about seeing a regular doctor?
 
positivespirit last decade
Face-to-face treatment would probably be the best option, although we may be able to help you here as well.

Orthodox treatment would most likely consist of either antihistamines or cortisone, which will suppress the problem deeper in and could cause more serious problems later. Homoeopathy is usually a better option for your long term health.

It is always your choice on the way you wish to go.
 
brisbanehomoeopath last decade
Logging in to observe progress.
 
Joe De Livera last decade
I'm very interested to hear how you can help me. What do you recommend?
 
positivespirit last decade
I presume that you have STOPPED using the Arnica which is the obvious answer to your allergic reaction to using the Arnica gel which is not of any use for your problem at the moment.

I would not like to interfere with the advice of David Kempson who has already taken your case and shall observe how he proposes to help you.

I presume that you understand that your case is very complicated and I have never in my past experience had a report such as yours:

'developed the worst eczema all over my body. The foot that had the surgery is very swollen, covered in oozing bumps, and the skin is dark.

My entire body itches all the time. My doctor said to use hydrocortisone, calamine lotion, and take Zyrtec. But after 3 weeks of this, the itching and swelling are just as bad. The rapid healing to my foot has been completely undone. It is now a swollen, covered in bumps, itchy, discolored & painful.'

It is my hope that other members who read this post will realize the danger of using drugs and Homeopathic remedies in the manner that you have done which has caused you so much unnecessary suffering.
 
Joe De Livera last decade
Start by giving a complete list of all symptoms you have currently.

Each symptom must be detailed by discussing

1. What it feels like to you (sensation/pain)?

2. What makes it feels worse?

3. What makes it feel better?

4. When does it happen (in terms of time)?

5. What triggers it into happening (external causes)?

6. When did the whole problem start (what was happening around that time)?

7. What symptoms or problems all tend to occur together, in clusters or in sequence?

It is important to describe:

8. How do you feel in yourself with this problem (emotional, mental)?

9. How are you coping with the problem?

10. What is your history of health problems?

11. Is there anything else in your history that has had a long-term impact on you?

David Kempson
Professional Homoeopath
 
brisbanehomoeopath last decade
I completely stopped using the arnica gel. I took the last arnica pills 8 days ago.

Below are my responses:

1. What it feels like to you (sensation/pain)? Toes & upper portion of foot feels sore and stiff. (Some numbness due to operation.) Pain in the foot is mostly due to swelling and healing of bones that were cut and reset. The eczema itch is everywhere.

2. What makes it feels worse? When my foot is not elevated it swells up, which causes soreness. Walking causes some pain. However, my podiatrist recommends that I walk everday for at least 1hr for exercise--so I can't keep up all the time. I cannot even wear shoes due to swelling and wear sandals instead.

3. What makes it feel better? Keeping it elevated. Ice packs.

4. When does it happen (in terms of time)? Anytime it's not elevated. The itch is persistent.

5. What triggers it into happening (external causes)? It's always swollen even when elevated. However not keeping it elevated triggers even more swelling. I'm not sure what causes the bumps. Every morning I wake up with new ones.

6. When did the whole problem start (what was happening around that time)? Eczema & itching originally started about 4 weeks ago when I first put on arnica gel twice. Then 2 weeks ago I put it on again and woke up with my foot completely swollen, covered in bumps all around the incisions and oozing.

7. What symptoms or problems all tend to occur together, in clusters or in sequence? Bumps and itching. (I don't understand question)

It is important to describe:

8. How do you feel in yourself with this problem (emotional, mental)? Annoyed that I've had a setback when I was doing so well. Frustrated that the problem has been going on for so long. Disappointed that my doctors aren't able to give me treatments that really work.

9. How are you coping with the problem? I am being compliant with treatments recommended. Keeping foot elevated and wrapping toes in bandage every other night to reduce swelling.Doing research online for what else I can do to help myself.

10. What is your history of health problems? Back pain from time to time, caused my old car and slip& fall accidents.
Surgeries: bunions & hammertoes; ACL; reconstructed upper jaw & zygomatic arch
Conditions: MVP, alopecia areata, slightly high cholesterol

11. Is there anything else in your history that has had a long-term impact on you? Fertility treatments messed up natural cycle.
 
positivespirit last decade
What does the ice help, the swelling, pain or the eczema?

What does the eczema look like?

What does the itching feel like (be more descriptive than using the word itch)?

Use words other than sore, if possible to describe the pain?

Describe what affects the stiffness?

How does walking affect the problem with the foot? What about movement generally?

You seem to have had a lot of accidents and surgeries - what has been the result of this on your body (if anything)?

Describe the oozing?

How is it discoloured?

What does the foot feel like when you hang it down?

Have there been any other changes to your health? Appetite (cravings, aversions), thirst, sleep (problems), energy (times of the day), dreams, anything at all.

When describing any sensation, pain, symptom it is useful to be as descriptive as possible, as our remedies are often differentiated on the basis of the 'shade' of it.
 
brisbanehomoeopath last decade
What does the ice help, the swelling, pain or the eczema? Ice reduces swelling. Reduced swelling alleviates pain.

What does the eczema look like? Small, fluid-filled bumps. Breakouts can be individual bumps or in clusters.

What does the itching feel like (be more descriptive than using the word itch)? At the beginning it felt like I have bugs crawling on my body and biting me. More recently it feels like I suddenly 'notice' certain parts of my body which goes away after scratching.

Use words other than sore, if possible to describe the pain? Area hurts a bit with any contact or pressure from rubbing or putting on a shoe. When your body is normal, you don't feel anything. However, I 'feel' the toes that had the surgery.

Describe what affects the stiffness? Walking relieves the stiffness. I also move the toes back and forth with my hands to enhance flexibility.

How does walking affect the problem with the foot? What about movement generally? Walking helps. After more than 60-90 mins of walking, the swelling starts to cause pain.

You seem to have had a lot of accidents and surgeries - what has been the result of this on your body (if anything)? I don't know.

Describe the oozing? Every once in a while, I'll feel a wetness between my toes or somewhere on my foot. This is due to a bump that popped open.

How is it discoloured? After the surgery the skin around the incisions and the upper part of foot was darker but had been getting lighter after several weeks. However, after third application of arnica gel, I woke up with foot very dark, swollen and full of bumps.

What does the foot feel like when you hang it down? It feels like fluid is moving into it.

Have there been any other changes to your health? Appetite (cravings, aversions), thirst, sleep (problems), energy (times of the day), dreams, anything at all. No.

When describing any sensation, pain, symptom it is useful to be as descriptive as possible, as our remedies are often differentiated on the basis of the 'shade' of it.
 
positivespirit last decade
Ok can you get hold of Rhus-tox 30c?
 
brisbanehomoeopath last decade
Yes, I can buy Rhus-tox 30c. How should I take it?
 
positivespirit last decade
Yes, I can buy Rhus-tox 30c. How should I take it?
 
positivespirit last decade
I had called Boiron Homeopathics over the weekend & they just returned my call.

Please tell me what you think of their pharmacist's recommendation. He said for next 2-3 weeks drinking lots of water, exercise, naproxen, benadryl at night, hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, stop taking vitamins and supplements, & use detergent with no perfumes.
 
positivespirit last decade
That is the orthodox model of suppression without any understanding (or care for) what is going on. That is completely shocking that a homoeopathic pharmacy is suggesting orthodox drugs. Frankly I would make a complaint - I assume he doesn't believe in homoeopathy. I never get remedies from them - I always go to a pharmacy where real homoeopaths that have faithy in what we do work.
 
brisbanehomoeopath last decade
I will get the Rhus-tox. What is the dosage?

I'm curious to hear what it will do. Will it detoxify to remove the excess arnica from my system? Or eliminate the eczema & itching? Or something else?

This is my first time using homeopathy and am interested in learning. Thank you.
 
positivespirit last decade
Are you getting pillules or a liquid dose? That will decide what instructions I give.

Homoeopathy is simply based on the principle of Like cures Like. We use the symptoms that the patient displays to prescribe a medicine that could cause similiar symptoms in a healthy person. Because those symptoms are already present, the remedy instead neutralizes them.

We also know that all disease comes from a derangement of the vital energy, which then manifests symptoms in various parts of the body (or even in the mind and emotions). This 'control system' for your health is the target of our medicines' actions, not the local parts where you may be experiencing the symptoms. By correcting the dysfunction at this level, all current sufferings will also be corrected - by the body itself without any intervention by an outside agency or a need to aim at each complaint separately.
 
brisbanehomoeopath last decade
I will look for Rhus-tox tomorrow, as it is now nighttime. I will let you know which type I got.

Also, what do you think of applying fresh aloe vera to skin to help with eczema?
 
positivespirit last decade
Aloe juice is fine to help soothe skin.
 
brisbanehomoeopath last decade
Dr. Kempson,
I purchased Boiron's Rhus toxicondendron 30c pillules.

Also, the aloe vera helped with the bumps. There are fewer of them on my foot now.
 
positivespirit last decade
Does that mean you recieved them?

You will need to dissolve 2 pillules in a full cup (250ml) of water. Stir thoroughly like you are whisking an egg. Take 1 teaspoon into the mouth. Put the water aside and cover.

Wait 6 hours, then stir again and take 1 more teaspoon.

Take only those 2 doses for the moment.
 
brisbanehomoeopath last decade
Yes, I have the pillules.

I will do what you said. I'll report back to you tomorrow.

Thanks.
 
positivespirit last decade
I took the two doses of the Rhus-tox solution yesterday.

I am still using the aloe vera on my skin. The bumps continue to get a bit smaller but there is still a little bit of itching, mostly on hand and palms.

Please let me know the next step.
 
positivespirit last decade
How are the other symptoms - the pain, the swelling, the stiffness, the oozing?
 
brisbanehomoeopath last decade
After walking for 60-90 minutes, there's a bit of soreness & pain. Once I sit and elevate, there's no pain.

There's a little bit of swelling. But nothing like before. Today I was able to wear snug boots to go on my walk.

The toes are a bit stiff, but limbering up with the more walking I do. Limping is only slight.The oozing has stopped.

Skin is still discolored (darker).
 
positivespirit last decade

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