Atopic Conditions

ASTHMA

Bronchial asthma is a chronic reactive airways disease, characterised by inflammation of the bronchial tubes. The result of the inflammation is tubes that constrict in response to certain stimuli and an increased production of sticky mucous. Common asthma symptoms are:

Coughing (particularly at night and in the early morning)
Chest tightness, pressure or pain
Wheezing
Shortness of breath

Management of asthma involves avoidance of the trigger causes (e.g. house dust mite or cats), preventative medications and medicines that open up the airways during an asthma attack.

What about asthma that is triggered by cold?

Cold-induced asthma occurs when a reflexive mechanism is triggered in the airways following exposure to the cold. It is not a contra-indication for WBCT, although initial treatments will be conducted under medical supervision. Some initial research is showing that whilst cold air in the airways can trigger bronchoconstriction, skin exposure can in fact lead to an improvement in the bronchoconstriction due to the body’s compensatory mechanisms following a treatment. Care is taken to minimise inhalation of the cold gas and observations about an individual’s response will dictate whether further treatments are indicated or not.

WBCT in the management of bronchial asthma

Improvement in FEV1 is seen following a treatment
Short-term dilatation of the bronchi and bronchiole
Relaxation of respiratory musculature
Inhibition of chronic inflammatory processes

ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by dry and itchy skin. Treatments mostly target suppression of the immune system and symptom control.

Benefits of Cryotherapy in atopic dermatitis

increased antioxidative capacity
reduced conduction velocity of peripheral nerves
reduced acetylcholine, one of the neurotransmitters in atopic pruritus, reducing the itching (Klimenko, 2008)
increased anti-inflammatory cytokines