Abstract
M.Tech. (Homoeopathy)
Dry skin of the feet is a common condition. Symptoms tend to be exaggerated in people that exert excessive pressure on their feet. The condition tends to be associated with cracks, redness, flaking and peeling, as well as itching of plantar skin. Xerosis is the medical term for dry skin, and most people will suffer from episodes of xerotic feet at some stage in their life. Creams, ointments or any other topical applications as well as corticosteroid therapy are used by many patients. Homoeopathic therapies are routinely used for the management of skin diseases.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a topical application of a homoeopathic hydrogel complex consisting of Graphites naturalis D10, Petroleum D10, Silicea terra D10, Sarsaparilla officinalis D10 and Sulphur D10 in the appearance of dry and cracked plantar skin. This complex was prepared and prescribed according to homoeopathic principles and there has been no known research conducted with regards to this combination of homoeopathic treatment.
This was a double blind, control study involving 40 participants that took place over four weeks. At the first consultation prospective participants completed a screening questionnaire to determine if they could participate in the study or not. If they fitted the criteria, a physical examination and an examination of the feet followed. The feet were further assessed by means of a symptom rated six-point Likert scale, visual analogue scale for pain as well as physical measurements made with a Digimizer software programme on photos taken from the feet to determine the size of the lesions. Follow up consultations took place in the second and fourth week after the initial consultation with the same assessments conducted as in the first consultation. The data collected was statistically analysed and interpreted by the researcher assisted by the University of Johannesburg Statistical consultation services (STATKON) and included descriptive statistics, frequencies and cross tabulation.
The Digimizer measurements revealed that both groups displayed an improvement for area in the right and left foot. Group B (unmedicated hydrogel) however improved significantly more compared to Group A (medicated hydrogel). The measurements for perimeter, length and width revealed that the mean of the lesions measured for Group A increased in the right and left foot and decreased in Group B. Group A showed a statistically insignificant difference between the consultations, where Group B showed a statistically significant difference. The Likert scale score cross tabulation demonstrated that participants experienced an improvement in their symptoms for dryness, cracking, redness, itching and tingling as well as the total Likert scale scores...