AboutJacqueline Jacques, ND Expertise I can answer any question related to conditions treated by naturopathic medicine and how they might be approached. These would include (but are not limited to) allergies, arthritis, depression/anxiety, autoimmune diseases, irritable bowel, PMS, menopause, hormone dysfunction, chemical sensitivity, headache, and chronic pain. I am also happy to discuss naturopathic therpaies including herbal/botanical medicine, medical nutrition, diet therapy, detoxification, manipulation, hydrotherapy, and natural hormone replacement. I would also welcome questions on naturopathic philosophy, licensure, scope of practice and education
Experience I am a licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) with ten years of experience. The focus of my work has been in women's health, obesity and pain, but I have treated all conditions. I currently see private patients, consult in the natural products industry, formulate product for a medical nutrition company, write for several publications, and speak across North America. I additionaly serve on the medical advisory board of several companies and non-profit organizations.
Organizations California Naturopathic Doctors Association (member and past board member)
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (member)
National Nutritional Foods Association (member)
Obesity Actional Coalition (Medical Advisory Board)
Samueli Canter for Integrative Medicine at University of California, Irvine (Board Member)
Publications Nutrition and the MD, Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Bariatric Times, Today's Dietitian, Integrative Health Retailer
Education/Credentials Lewis and Clark College
National College of Naturopathic Medicine
Awards and Honors Health Professional of the Year (2004) - Bariatric Support Centers International
I'm wondering if dermatitis is something that naturopathy addresses...I have a skin condition on my face that becomes red, flaky, dry in a recurring cycle. Occassionally it gets so dry that ointment (coconut oil) is needed in order to open my mouth without the skin burning/breaking. i'm sure that it started when i had a gnarly sunburn 6 yrs ago. i scrubbed the peeling skin around my mouth too harshly and it stung really bad. Ever since then, i've noticed the recurring red, flaky, dry symptoms that has slowly spread.
As far as i understand, MDs and dermatologists believe that this kind of thing(perioral dermatitis or sebhorric dermatitis) cannot be cured. While i've only tried one of the recommended steroids so far, i know i'd better consult you and the other helpful folks on allexperts first :) Since i otherwise have completely normal skin and the fact that the condition is localized, I suppose that a remedy must exist... thx for reading and i appreciate any input! roger
Answer Hi Roger,
In almost every case of peri-oral dermatitis I have ever seen, there is a cause to be found. While you trace to the a burn, that is probably just coincidence more than causative.
The two things I have most often seen cause this problem are:
1) Food allergies
2) Vitamin deficiencies
Ruling out food allergies can be done two ways - through and elimination diet (you can find books on this on Amazon) or via blood testing. I personally like the latter and recommend Immunolabs to do the test. It's not cheap, but it is very accurate.
The most common vitamin deficiencies causing perioral dermatitis are B2, B3 (niacin), B6 and B12. Iron or zinc deficiency can also be a cause. Again, you can get these things tested for - which I think is best. You could also try taking a B-complex for a while to see if it helps. I would not advise taking more the the RDA for iron or zinc unless you have a known deficiency as they have side effects and can be toxic.
