Eczema - like many skin disorders - is not skin deep. Eczema is a recurring skin disorder. Flare-ups look like dry, red patches of skin that crust, flake, and can develop into oozing blisters.
Many of those affected by eczema begin to show signs during childhood, usually before the age of five. This is when the digestive system is particularly vulnerable. This is also when the microbial ecosystems and immune system of the body are in development.
Usually eczema and asthma are in our genetics and are then triggered by some occurrence in our lives and thereafter come and go or just stay. Certain can imbalance production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, therefore both oral and topical use of fish oil is very helpful. Low hydrochloric acid in the digestive system maybe another aspect of eczema. Much of the communication between your body and the immune system happens at the level of the digestive tract. These signals produced by the immune system move throughout the body.
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute found that the immune system helps select which microbes make their home on the surface of the skin. (1)
McDowells recommendations:
- Taking care of gut health. Eat beneneficial foods to feed the microbiome. Beneficial microbes may help soothe away inflammation, seal a leaky gut, and balance the immune system. The good news is that beneficial microbes are found in fermented foods and probiotic beverages. These superfoods can restore the microbial ecosystems of the body. Read more about gut health and fermented foods HERE
- Remove Trigger Foods. Foods such as the nightshades such as potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, chili pepper, and bell pepper might all be responsible for a flare-up of eczema. Avoid egg, dairy, wheat, soy and peanut products as these may also be triggers. This is a big change but it is critical.
- Cut out all sugars - sucrose, lactose and maltose.
- Take Zinc supplement 45-60 mg daily , reduce 30mg after 6 months.
- Drink chamomile tea daily and also bath in chamomile tea (very easy to make!) Ensure the water is not hot!
- Use Natural Skin Products. Avoid harsh ingredients like SLS that could damage the good bacteria on the skin.
- Internal herbal mix to address symptoms may include some of the following herbs:- Nettle, Albizia, Heartsease. Coleus, Vervain, Liquorice, Dandelion along with the appropriate Bach Flowers.
- External herbal cream when needed:- Chickweed, Calendula, Liquorice, Chamomile with the Bach Flower Larch.
References
Oh, J., Freeman, A. F., Park, M., Sokolic, R., Candotti, F., Holland, S. M., & Kong, H. H. (2013).
The altered landscape of the human skin microbiome in patients with primary immunodeficiencies. Genome research.
