Dr. Kirk Slagel-

Posted By admin on July 18, 2009

By Dr. Kirk Slagel, N.M.D., M.Ed.

The skin is our largest and perhaps most complex organ.  It consists of three primary layers:

1. The Epidermis- approximately 1.5mm thick.  Practically speaking, the primary purpose of the epidermis is to provide protection.
2. The Dermis- approximately 3mm thick.  The dermis would be considered the more active layer.  It is the interface site with a multitude of different nerve fibers, capillaries, sebaceous and apocrine glands and hair follicles.
3. The subcutaneous or fatty layer- thickness varies significantly from individual to individual.  The site of large vessels and connective tissue, this layer also provides for insulation and temperature regulation.

Our body surface area is but a few square meters, however it offers a magnitude of anatomical and physiological functions in its half a centimeter of depth.  The skin represents our appearance and emotions, sometimes revealing more than we might like; protects us from bumps and bruises, pathological microbes and abrupt temperature changes; is the interface between the external and internal world; protects against dehydration, stores fuel as fat, and serves as a site for the synthesis of vitamins.  It acts as the receptor for touch, pressure, pain, heat and cold; is an excretory mechanism of wastes and is the integration site for the matrix- the body wide connective tissue system that interfaces and communicates with all other organ systems.

Many conditions of the skin are seen as various diseases or microbial infections.  However, while I acknowledge the presence of these conditions for diagnostic purposes, I generally view them as superficial or deep milieu disturbances, which may also have associations with opportunistic microbes.
It is important to remember several factors:

• The skin is one of the four emunctories and therefore, is involved in the elimination of metabolic debris. Imbalanced metabolism may show as skin issues, i.e. a dysbiosis in the skin milieu along with what may inhabit this area.
• The skin is often associated with, and a representative of, digestive efficiency. Poor digestion often reveals itself with skin issues.

All internal and external surfaces of our bodies, the internal and external skin, if you will, are exposed to the outside environment.  This is either directly or by us transporting material into these areas, i.e. food entering the gastrointestinal tract.  As such, these ‘exposed’ skin surfaces house a barrier protection of beneficial microbes that resist the presence of non-beneficial microbes.  Although we may not appreciate the context, bacteria and fungi exist on and in us for our own protection!  So, when there are milieu imbalances they are usually associated with microbial imbalances.  Also, skin dysfunction and the presence of non-beneficial flora represent a need to look further than ‘skin deep’.
In treating patients with skin issues I have found the SANUM remedies to be instrumental in rebalancing the microbial population and altered milieu. The following are some common ailments and the treatments that I have used successfully.

• Tonsils
• Acne
• Eczema
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Athlete’s foot/groin rash

The Tonsils- first site of imbalance
Prior to detailing the treatment for these conditions, I think it is important to assess and most likely treat, the origin of many gastrointestinal and skin conditions, i.e. the tonsils. The tonsils are primary lymphatic tissue, histologically very similar to the Peyer’s patches of the small intestine. They are located superiorly and inferiorly at the lateral aspects of the posterior oropharynx. As the initial point of immune/lymphatic protection, allergic reactions seem to first be obvious here. When a patient presents with a sore throat of any sort, I keep in mind that this may be an immune challenge in the digestive tract.

Often this challenge originated from infancy, such as an allergenic food component that made its way into the breast milk via an immune reaction from mom. Or, if the infant wasn’t breast fed, then adult foods were introduced prior to proper development of the immune system within the gastro-intestinal tract. This causes irritation to the mucosa, decreased sIgA and beneficial flora; and creates the long-standing possibility of leaky gut syndromes.

Interestingly, when infants have digestive immune challenges, skin lesions are commonly found as well.  This could be in the form of rashes, particularly in the groin, eczema, Seborrheic dermatitis and/or erythema about the mouth or anus. I have recommended that parents be alert to the redness about the anus when diaper changing as a sign of possible food or other allergies.

Many people with skin issues had throat and/or sinus issues, i.e. sore throats, sinusitis, tonsillitis or Strep throat.  Often, there was a deficiency of duration or complete lack of breastfeeding, which sets the stage for an improper immune response since birth. As such, the digestive tract and immune system, including the tonsils, have been reactive or hyper-reactive since that time as well.  One needs to calm this reaction by removing present day antigenic foods/substances, treating the tonsils, and support G.I. healing and restoration.

Tonsil Treatment
I recommend that healthcare practitioners that are licensed to do so, to inject the tonsils with several of the Pleo SANUM remedies and either procaine or lidocaine, depending upon your preference. The remedies indicated in the ampule form are:

• Pleo Not- 1 ml
• Pleo San Strep or Pleo San Staph- 1 ml- depending upon the nature and history of throat ailments.
• Procaine- 1 ml
• Inject with a 27g X 1 1/4in needle ¼ of the volume in each of the four locations: R/L Sup/Inf.

I generally, recommend that patients return 1X/week X 3 weeks for this treatment. If you are not able to inject, then have the patient chew the Pleo Not Suppository daily, the base consisting of palm kernel/coconut oil and use the Pleo San Staph or San Strep in the dropper bottle form at 10 drops 2-3X/day X10 days for both.

This treatment is usually a very effective for existing and past throat issues, as well as to potentially unblock the hypersensitivity response in this area.
The following are several other skin conditions and suggested treatments, which have responded well to the Pleo SANUM remedies. Remember to include the typical natural healthy components as much as possible:

For all conditions…

• Rebalance the skin areas, i.e. eliminate chemical use; use natural soaps and shampoos, clothing detergents, etc.
• Support digestion and detoxification with HCl, enzymes and probiotics Treat usually for some weeks to many months depending upon the duration of imbalances. Likely a basic regimen for many months to years of a few of these suggestions. Typical healthy diet/lifestyle/stress management suggestions.
• Treat usually for some weeks to many months depending upon the duration of imbalances.  Likely a basic regimen for many months to years of a few of these suggestions.
• Typical healthy diet/lifestyle/stress management suggestions.

Acne
Common in adolescents. Skin diseases caused by changes to the pilosebaceous units = skin structure of hair follicle and sebaceous gland. Inflammation often associated with skin bacteria: Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus.

Challenges:

• Hormonal changes
• Stress- difficult to manage however may be able to offer some basic meditative calming techniques.
• Diet- try to adjust to the best of what s/he will do.
• Hygiene practices- excessive or deficient cleansing of the effected areas and often with detergent soaps, chemicals.
• Cologne and perfume use
• Shaving habits and substances used for facial lubrication

Treatment

• Pleo San Acne drops- 10 drops applied to the effected areas 2X/day
• Pleo San Staph- 10 drops applied to the effected areas 2X/day
• Pleo Not drops- 10 drops applied to the effected areas 2X/day
• Pleo Fort drops- 10 drops orally 2X/day
• Pleo Chryso- 1 ampule either injected I.M. in the gluteus or sipped orally 1X/week.

Eczema
I think eczema is a true digestive issue. Many infants and children with food allergies develop eczema. Frequently seen in infants and children and some adults

Challenges:

• Lack of breast feeding
• Early introduction of adult foods and often grains, eggs in grains, i.e. baked goods, before fruits and veggies.
• Stress- may be emotional stress in the household or with parents. Babies add challenges to life despite the overwhelming love we have for them.
• Diet- try to encourage breastfeeding/breast pumping up to a year or more. Introduce neutral veggies and fruits, then grains and meats.
• Hygiene practices- excessive or deficient cleansing of the effected areas and often with detergent soaps, chemicals.
• Cologne and perfume use

Treatment

• Step I

• Pleo Not drops- 10 drops in 2 ounces of distilled water, succussed 100X. Apply a few drops, rubbed into the effected areas 2-3X/day.
• Pleo Fort drops- 10 drops orally 2X/day
• Pleo San Staph and/or Pleo San Acne- 10 2X/day. If you use both remedies then use 10 drops of each 1X/day
• Pleo Alkala powder- ¼ - ½ scoop 2X/day between meals in warm water
• Pleo Citro drops- ½ teaspoon 2X/day orally

• Step II

• Do the above until the Sx’s begin to obviously shift. Then use a more concentrated Pleo Not drop solution or switch to the Pleo Not ointment for topical use for another 10 days or so. (More clearing of Sx’s).

• Step III

• When the Sx’s show more obvious clearing, stop the Pleo Not and Pleo Fort. Continue with the Pleo Alkala and Pleo Citro.
• Then, add the Pleo Sancom drops- 5 drops 3X/day Monday through Friday.
• Use the Pleo Not and Pleo Fort undiluted on Saturday and Sunday 10 drops 2X/day

Seborrheic dermatitis
A skin condition that usually affects the scalp, face, and trunk causing scaly, flaky, itchy, red skin.  It particularly affects the sebum-gland rich areas of skin. Known as cradle cap in children.

Challenges

• Common in infants- difficult to know cause; may be allergen in breast milk. Best for mom to evaluate diet and/or environmental toxins.
• Can be food/environmental allergen in older children, teens, adults.
• Live detoxification challenges
• On scalp- can cause temporary hair loss
• Add A and B vitamins

Treatment

• Step I

• Pleo Citro drops- ½ teaspoon 2X/day orally
• Pleo Not drops 10 drops 2X/topically daily and Pleo Not ointment topically nightly- until skin begins to shift, i.e., no flakiness, decreased erythema.
• Pleo San Staph 10 drops divided- 5 drops topically and 5 drops orally

• Step II

When the Sx’s improve, Switch to:

• Pleo Muc 10 drops 2X daily and Pleo Muc ointment topically applied to the affected areas nightly.
• Continue with the San Staph

• Step III
• With further improvement and for maintenance treatment:

• Pleo Sancom 10 drops orally and topically in the a.m. and Pleo Muc 10 drops topically in the p.m.
• Continue with the San Staph

Other considerations- Depending upon patient’s current lifestyle, nutritional intake, etc.

• Add B-complex supplement
• Add Professional multi-vitamin/mineral
• Obtain Food allergy/environmental toxin profile

Athlete’s foot/groin rash
Topical infections- rashes are generally caused by a weakened immune response combined with the right local milieu, i.e. moist, dark and warm and opportunistic yeast or fungi. A couple examples include: feet in wet sneakers or boots- Tinea pedis-athlete’s foot; or wearing a wet/sweaty swimsuit, climbing tights or cycling shorts for long periods of time- Tinea corpus or cruris. The result can be topical rashes, itching, burning and scaly skin, or with females, internal genital infections.

Challenges

• May need some perseverance to boost the immune system and the Tinea are hardy, opportunistic pathogens
• Diet/lifestyle may be effecting ease of treatment and or adding stress

Treatment:

• Keep the area dry as best as possible.
• Remove the wet clothing.
• Topically apply the ointment from one of the Candida remedies- Pleo Alb, Pleo Pef or the softened, Pleo Ex suppositories two or more times per day to the effected area(s).
• I typically use the Pleo Ex because it contains Pleo Alb, Pleo Pef and Pleo Fort and therefore, is more comprehensive.
• Also, Pleo Not drops, ointment or softened suppositories may be used or added for the imbalance in the bacterial population.

Anecdotal treatment for nail fungus, from a colleague in Canada, includes soaking the effected part in white, distilled vinegar X 30 days.  You may need to start with a diluted solution in the beginning, as the acidic vinegar can be irritating on excoriated skin. I would add Pleo San Trich and Pleo Alb topically and orally at 10 drops 2X/day of each.

Dr. Kirk Slagel is a licensed naturopathic physician, former wilderness guide, wilderness emergency medicine instructor, writer and lecturer. He has traveled extensively throughout North America instructing SANUM Therapy, wilderness medicine and other wellness classes.

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