Children are often affected, but sometimes, unfortunately, people suffer from atopic dermatitis, eczema, and other skin problems their entire lives. Topical application of cortisone-containing creams promises rapid relief and is therefore often recommended. Unfortunately, the effect is often short-lasting and can even become problematic in the long run. For those affected, and especially for parents of affected children, the situation is often very difficult: rapid relief from the itching is needed, and the relief should be lasting, but preferably without (long-term) side effects.
Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck, general practitioner, mother of four and KAMI skincare founder, talks about the pros and cons of cortisone-containing preparations:
"First of all, I would like to point out that I am, after all, a conventional doctor and therefore convinced of the importance of cortisone, even though home remedies and natural remedies are often very effective. Like antibiotics, cortisone is extremely important for medicine, as there is no other drug with a comparable anti-inflammatory effect. The Nobel Prize was rightly awarded in 1950 for its discovery and the first synthetic production. However, I believe that its use should be carefully considered, as long-term use can lead to side effects.
I, too, found myself in a situation where our youngest child's atopic dermatitis, only 1.5 years old at the time, put a strain on our entire family life. We, the parents, and the three older siblings, often couldn't sleep because of the crying child. The little one was scratched raw, and he was truly miserable. I, too, couldn't resist the temptation to find quick relief from our situation with cortisone creams. However, the effect was always only short-term, and when our Kami repeatedly suffered from acute eczema, I started looking for alternatives.
Although the side effects of cortisone when applied locally are not as severe as when taken orally, there is still a depot effect. The long-term effects on the
- The skin becomes thin in the long term;
- It loses its ability to retain moisture;
- It becomes parchment-like and very dry;
- Pigment disorders are common, white spots appear;
- Wound healing is disrupted.
In the long term, the skin loses the ability to defend and regenerate itself.
I wanted to find something that would reduce inflammation while also strengthening the skin and helping it heal itself. A friend who works as a developer in the cosmetics industry introduced me to marmot oil.
Marmot oil has always been known for its healing properties. It has been a widely used natural remedy in Central European folk medicine since ancient times:
- For skin problems such as wounds, burns, eczema and neurodermatitis, psoriasis and hardened scars;
- For muscle pain, rheumatism, gout, sprains, etc.;
- To facilitate childbirth;
- The oil was formerly used both externally and internally for lung problems.
In short, I tried a mixture of plant oils and marmot oil on my child, and the problem was resolved within a few days. While the results weren't as dramatic for some patients and friends, we were able to achieve relief for all of them, delaying and reducing flare-ups, which are common in people with atopic dermatitis.
What is effective in marmot oil?
Marmot oil contains small amounts of corticosteroids. However, the oil's concentration is only about 1/80 of that of regular cortisone-containing ointments, yet it still has anti-inflammatory effects. The secret lies in its blend of 59% unsaturated fatty acids and 23% polyunsaturated fatty acids, with a very high content of linoleic and linolenic acids, which are very beneficial for the skin. This strengthens and regenerates the skin simultaneously.
If you combine this marmot oil with high-quality plant oils that can penetrate deep into the skin and thus have a soothing effect, as well as soothing essential oils, this can provide long-term healthier skin care.
I've focused on natural ingredients specifically for inflamed, dry skin prone to itching and redness. The result is our KAMI SOS Skin Care Oil. You can find out more about all the other amazing ingredients in the SOS Oil on our website under "Ingredients"!
If you or your children are experiencing skin problems and are stuck, please feel free to contact me at info@kami-skincare.com . While I can't diagnose online, a few additional tips can often be encouraging in such situations!
All love
Yours, Kerstin Schallaböck
Examples of skin problems are: