Causes of Scaly Skin and its Top 7 Homeopathic Remedies

Scaly/scaling skin, also known as flaky skin, refers to the shedding of the outer layer of skin in the form of scales or flakes. It is also called desquamation. This may happen from certain medical conditions, allergies or an infection.  Scaling on the skin can be accompanied by other signs and symptoms. These include dry, cracked skin, itching, burning, bleeding, pain, redness, inflammation, eruptions, and skin thickening in the affected area.

Homeopathy offers a natural and very effective solution for various skin issues including scaly skin. Homeopathic medicines are prepared from natural substances, so they do not have any side effects. They help in reducing scaling on the skin by treating the root cause. Besides, they heal associated eruptions and discharges, if present. They also help reduce the accompanying dryness, roughness and cracks on the skin, itching, burning sensation, and pain if present.

Homeopathy targets underlying cause

Homeopathic medicines do not act at a superficial level. On the contrary, it helps in complete healing of the skin. This means it treats core issues. It focuses on healing the problem from within by treating the root cause. Homeopathy proves effective in treating various causes behind scaly skin like psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, ringworm, eczema and lichen planus. It is recommended for both acute as well as chronic cases of scaly skin resulting due to these causes.

Homeopathic medicines are non-suppressive

It is a well-known fact that homeopathic medicines never cause suppression of skin complaints with the use of creams or ointments. The homoeopathic medicines are helpful in the long run as they prevent varying degree of skin issues — moderate to severe recurrence — in future. Homeopathic medicines treat scaly skin with the use of oral medications that heal the body from within. This helps cure the body rather than bringing about temporary and short-term results.

Individualised medication

Homeopathic medicines for treating scaling skin are administered based on the individual symptoms in each and every case. This is most important feature of homeopathy as individualised medication treats scaly skin by keeping in mind individual requirement on a case to case basis. This yields best results. One should always consult a homeopath prior to taking any homeopathic medicine for treating scaling skin.

Safe, Natural medicines

Homeopathic medicines for treating scaly skin are very safe to use as these are prepared from naturally occurring substances. These carry no risk of side effects at all. Homeopathy is a great alternative system of medicine to provide excellent results with utmost safety in cases of scaly skin.

Top 7 Homeopathic Medicines For Scaly Skin

The top recommended homeopathic medicines for treatment of scaly skin are Arsenic Album, Arsenic Iodatum, Kali Sulph, Graphites, Sepia, Petroleum and Psorinum.

1. Arsenic Album – Topmost Medicine

Among different homeopathic medicines for scaling skin, Arsenic Album is the most recommended medicine. It can be used when there is dryness on the skin along with scaling. The skin may start peeling off. It is accompanied by itching and burning. It gets worse from scratching. Bleeding may follow the scratching. This medicine is also indicated for scaly eruptions with discharge of pus. Arsenic Album can be used in many skin conditions with scales like psoriasis, eczema and ringworm. This medicine can also be considered when scaly eruptions occur on the scalp accompanied by hair fall.

When to use Arsenic Album?

Arsenic Album is an excellent medicine to manage skin dryness with scales formation along with itching and burning.

How to use Arsenic Album?

It is advised to take this medicine in 30C potency once a day.

2. Arsenic Iodatum – For shedding of large Scales Mainly In Psoriasis

Arsenic Iodatum works magnificently in cases of scaling from psoriasis. It is best suited if the scales of dead skin that fall off are quite large and raw surface is left behind after the scales are shed. The skin is dry where this medicine is required. There is itching in the affected skin area. This medicine is prominently indicated for skin conditions including psoriasis and ichthyosis.

When to use Arsenic Iodatum?

Arsenic Iodatum is well suited medicine for managing cases where large scales are shed off especially in skin psoriasis cases.

How to use Arsenic Iodatum?

This medicine can be taken once a day in 30C power.

3. Kali Sulph – For Yellow Scales Especially In Seborrheic Dermatitis

It is a leading medicine to treat cases where the scales are yellow. Skin is dry along with itching. Itching gets worse from heat. It is the most helpful for treating cases of Seborrheic Dermatitis. Here yellow flakes are seen on the scalp. The scales are greasy and sticky. One may feel itching on the scalp. Hair fall may occur. Kali Sulph may also be considered in cases of multiple red eruptions on the skin that ooze excessive fluid followed by peeling of fine scales from them. It may cause itching and stinging sensation.

When to use Kali Sulph?

This medicine works best in cases of scaly skin when the scales are yellow. It is one of the best medicines for yellow greasy scales on the scalp in cases of seborrheic dermatitis.

How to use Kali Sulph?

This medicine is mostly used in 6X potency two to three times a day.

4. Graphites – For Scaling On Scalp

This medicine is effective when flaking is present on the scalp. The scales are most prominent on the top of the head. The scales may also form behind the ears and on the margin of the eyelids. Washing clears the scales but these tend to form again. Hair fall may occur. It is also used when there are crusty eruptions along with oozing of sticky fluid.

When to use Graphites?

Graphites should be considered for managing scaling on scalp sometimes with eruptions that ooze out a sticky fluid.

How to use Graphites?

Graphites gives good results in 3X potency. Graphites 3X can be taken once or twice a day.

5. Sepia – When Red Spots Are Covered With Shiny White Scales

Sepia is very beneficial for cases where red spots appear on the skin covered with shiny white scales. The spots are quite large and mostly oval-shaped. The spots may appear on the face, chest, back, arms and legs. Besides, it is indicated for scaling on eyelid margins in blepharitis (swollen eyelids).

When to use Sepia?

This medicine is highly recommended to treat scaly skin when reddish spots develop on skin topped with shiny white scales.

How to use Sepia?

This medicine can be utilized in 30C power once or twice a week.

6. Petroleum – For Thick Scales With Cuts On Palms Of Hands

Petroleum is a very important medicine to manage thick scales along with cuts on palms of hands. Bleeding may occur from cuts. The skin on palms is very rough and dry. Itching and burning are felt on the palms. It is highly suitable for psoriasis of hands.

When to use Petroleum?

Petroleum is a suitable medicine for cases of scaly skin with formation of thick scales with cracks on palms of hands.

How to use Petroleum?

It can be used in different potencies from low to high but initially it is advised to use it in 30C potency once a day.

7. Psorinum – For Scaling With Small Vesicles (Fluid-Filled Eruptions)

Psorinum is well-indicated when there is scaling on skin with small fluid-filled eruptions (vesicles). They appear mainly in cold weather and get better during summer. This medicine is of help when there is scaling on the skin in the entire body. Skin looks dirty. There is excessive itching along with scaling with an urge to scratch frequently. Pain may attend scaly eruptions.

When to use Psorinum?

This medicine is prominently indicated for cases of scaly skin attended with small fluid filled bumps on skin.

How to use Psorinum?

In the beginning of the treatment, one may take this medicine once a week in 200C potency.

Causes of Scaly Skin

1. Psoriasis: One of the most important and common causes of scaly skin is psoriasis. It refers to an autoimmune skin disease characterized by the presence of red, inflamed spots on the skin covered with silvery-white scales/ flakes. Besides, cracks may appear on the skin. Itching and burning may be felt in the skin lesions. Bleeding can also occur sometimes.

2. Seborrheic Dermatitis: It is a skin condition with red, inflamed skin covered with flakes that can be dry or greasy, forming prominently on the scalp. It can also affect other areas like the face, eyelashes, eyebrows, behind the ears, mustache area and the chest. The flakes may be white, yellow or grey colored. Crust formation is seen in some cases. The affected area is red and can be attended with itching and burning. Lastly, hair loss from the scalp may occur.

3. Ichthyosis (fish skin disease): It is an inherited skin disorder characterized by dry, scaly thick skin and the affected area looks like the skin of fish. The scales are brown, white or grey. Deep cracks are formed that may be painful.

4. Ringworm: It is a fungal infection that leads to the formation of ring-shaped lesions on the skin that may be covered with scales. Itching and burning are felt in the affected area. Fluid–filled (vesicles) or pus-filled bumps (pustules) may form on the skin.

5. Eczema: It refers to inflamed skin with red, rough itchy rash. The rash may be dry or may ooze fluid. Eruptions may form on the affected area of the skin that may be filled with watery fluid or pus. The eruptions may get covered with scales. Skin thickening may be visible in some cases.

6. Xerosis (Dry skin syndrome): It is a condition resulting when skin fails to retain moisture causing rough flaky skin.

7. Lichen Planus: It is an autoimmune skin condition affecting skin, mouth, nails and genitals. In case of skin lesions, itchy purple topped flat bumps tend to develop. They may be covered with scales.

8. Other causes include allergic skin reaction to soaps, detergents, etc. and application of certain medicines like retinoids for acne treatment.