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Virtual Medical World of Postgraduate Homoeopaths

Irritant Contact Dermatitis & Homeopathy
Dr. Achamma Lenu Thomas.BHMS,MD(Hom)
Medical Officer,Dept. of Homoeopathy, Govt. of Kerala

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Materials and Methods
Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically. It indicates the general pattern of organizing the procedure for gathering reliable and valid data for the researchers .
Research approach - Experimental

Materials
Setting of the study
Study was conducted in the OPD of Govt. Homoeopathic Medical College, Calicut from April 2003 to April 2004. This hospital was selected as it is a well-equipped teaching institution and it was convenient for the investigator to collect the data.

Population
The term population refers to the aggregate or totality of all objects, subjects or members that confirm a set of specifications. The population of the present study consists of women with ICD due to soap and detergents aged 15-50.

Setting Population Sample Technique Assessment
Fig 1:4 Schematic Design of the study

Sample Selection
Sample consists of women with ICD who satisfies both the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Inclusion criteria
1) Patients aged 15-50 years
2) Only women are selected
3) Subjects satisfying the diagnostic criteria
4) Subjects who have consented to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria
1) Non-co-operative subjects
2) Subjects with diabetes and pregnancy
3) Subjects with other systemic disease or congenital abnormalities.

Methods
All patients with a clinical diagnosis of irritant dermatitis due to soap were taken up for detailed with special reference to the history of present illness and nature and distribution of skin lesions. Systemic physical examination was done in all patients to exclude the possibility of other diseases.

Essential routine investigation of blood and urine were done in all patients.
In each case selection of medicine was based on the data such as aetiological factors (predisposing, precipitating, aggravation and amelioration factors), mental generals, physical generals, concomitance, characteristic particulars, common symptoms if highly prominent, repertorial approach and clinical indications.

In all cases potencies were selected on the basis of similarity of the drug, susceptibility of the patients, intensity of the disease, pathological advancement and age of the patient.
Medicine were repeated only when a quantitative increase in the symptoms and other clinical features of the disease were noticed. In between the period of medication all patients were kept under blank tablets continuously.

Tools and technique
Assessment tool was developed after literature review and in consultation with experts . A dermatologist and a research methodologist were consulted. Five major areas were identified as important parameters and each item were rated on a scale 0- 3.
0 = Absence of symptoms
1 = Mild symptoms
2 = Moderate symptoms
3 = Severe symptoms.
Changes in the score were noted.

Follow up
All patients were reviewed on one week ,two week or four week interval, accordingly to the convenience of the patient and the stage of the disease. Each case followed for a minimum of 4 months from the commencement of the treatment.

Diet and Regimen
All patients were directed to continue with the same diet as earlier. All of them were directed to stop the use of all the medicines prior to the start of this treatment.

Effectiveness
Effectiveness of the treatment was assessed on the basis of relief of symptoms and clinical improvement. Changes in the score before treatment and after treatment were used for assessing the effectiveness of the treatment .

Analysis
The cases observed from the time of occurrence of the disease up to the date of study were taken as the control and a comparative study is done with the present situation of the patient .Various facts obtained during this study were treated according to the statistical principles for final conclusion.

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