A Frightening Case of PRP

One Child Who Left Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris Behind

“Have you ever heard of PRP? Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris?” the woman asked on the phone. “It’s a rare skin condition. My daughter is covered with it from head-to-toe!”

Six-year-old Ally was generally healthy until a couple of days after an audition for modeling, which had occurred a few days after her birthday. According to her mother, Ally’s symptoms started with a reddened face that appeared dry; she also appeared to be dehydrated. The mother had applied baby oil at the time which did not help. Within a couple of days the rash began to turn white with flaking; it also moved into the scalp. She was taken to see the pediatrician who diagnosed her with eczema and gave her a topical steroid cream (Fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%) and a medicated shampoo (Capex®).

When the cream was applied, an intensely burning pain developed at the area of application. Ally was taken to the emergency room for treatment and evaluation; the cream was discontinued and no other treatment was given. The medicated shampoo had yielded only a brief reprieve from the scalp itching and flaking. Within 2 weeks, the white, flaking rash spread to the rest of her body. Some areas, but not all, had red, raised patches. The itch continued to be intense and the flaking was extreme as well.

Ally was then taken to see a Dermatologist. After a biopsy, she was diagnosed with Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris (PRP). The treatments advised by the Dermatologist were researched by the mother. As she didn’t like the side effects and lack of effectiveness of the drugs, she made an appointment for me to work with Ally.

Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris

Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris, also called PRP, is a group of skin complaints characterized by severe scaling patches of skin and may include orange or red patches and keratotic follicular papules as well as thickening of the skin on the hands and feet. PRP typically first occurs in childhood and the cause is unknown. The common beliefs are that a Streptococcal bacterial infection can trigger an auto-immune response, while other experts believe the cause is more of genetic origin. Recently, an HIV-associated type has been added to the list of possible causes.

As there is no medical cure for this condition, symptoms are managed with medication; the goals are to keep the flare-ups to a minimum and to keep the person in remission for as long as possible. The common drugs used are Accutane® (Isotretinoin) or Trexall® (Methotrexate). Due to the severe side effects of methotrexate, this drug is usually reserved for those who do not respond to Accutane®, however neither drug is recommended for children as young as Ally.

Homeopathy Lends a Hand

I had researched the medical diagnosis prior to the appointment, as it was unknown to me. When selecting a homeopathic medicine , the symptoms that are common to the disease are less important than those uncommon ones. Therefore, I needed to know what usually occurs with those having the diagnosis of PRP.

Even though I had seen many photos of the condition, I was surprised when I saw the child for the first time. She was, literally, covered with white flakes. Any activity caused flakes to drop—on the floor, on the chair, everywhere.

It has now been over 2 years since the first day I saw Ally. Her rash has not returned after that one dose of Aconite. With classical homeopathy, the person is the focus, not the disease. Had I only looked at her physical symptoms, even those that occur with most people who are diagnosed with PRP, Aconite would not have been the recommended remedy. I know that Aconite worked –I do not believe another remedy, even one that addressed all of the physical symptoms, would have caused the same result.

Looking at Symptoms Unique to the Person

Homeopathy is individualized medicine, meaning each remedy selection is based on the person’s unique characteristics, not the common symptoms associated with a disease condition. With the focus and intent of homeopathy being to remove the disease process, if a remedy was selected based just on the current physical symptoms, most likely the selected remedy would not be effective.

For example, the homeopathic medicine Sulphur is a very good remedy for many itching skin ailments. However, a person’s age, gender, occupation, emotional status and thought processes have to be considered, along with the person’s tendency towards diseases. It is very likely that ten people with the same type of rash, say “eczema” would each require a different homeopathic remedy; only one person of the group may need Sulphur.

It is also important when working with a new, acute condition to consider what has changed in the person’s life and health. Did the rash start after being humiliated while giving a presentation? Did the rash occur after eating broccoli? Are the parents fighting a lot at home? How does the person like his/her job or school? Is there a new child in the family or a recent death, etc.

A Homeopathic Remedy selected based solely on the common symptoms of a disease probably will not heal the disease, but may provide palliative care (to relieve symptoms only). For true healing to occur, look at all areas of a person’s life and select the best Remedy that matches those symptoms and characteristics.

© 2011 Ronda F. Behnke. No part of this article can be copied or reprinted without the expressed written authorization by Ronda F. Behnke.