Eczema

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This blog post is made using my textbook library, notes from school and from experience working with nutrition in the wellness industry. If you would like to have more information, please email me at samantha.natureishealth@gmail.com . If I cannot assist you, I will direct you to someone who can.

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Eczema

• Type of dermatitis- itchy, inflamed skin. 

• Eczema patients have positive allergy tests and often dry, thickened skin with decreased water-holding capability and therefore an increased tendency for the skin to be overgrown with bacteria. 

• Caused by both internal and external irritants and underlying abnormalities in the immune system.

  • Mast cells release higher levels of histamine. 

  • Imbalance in the skin microbiome and the ability to kill bacteria. 

  • Absence of filaggrin, a protein that facilitates moisture content in the skin barrier. 

• Adjusting diet with common allergens for long enough to mend the digestive system, often foods can be reintroduced once inflammation is down. 

Ideas to Consider: 

• Elimination diet- to see which foods may be irritating the digestive system, as internal inflammation is often displayed in skin symptoms like eczema, acne, psoriasis, etc. Remove heavily fibrous and gas-producing foods/allergens and lifestyle practices that cause indigestion. Gas will irritate the digestive lining- i.e minimize raw gaseous vegetables, boil starches and consume slow cook meats, versus processed or fried. Add additional fatty sources to provide a soft digestive process. 

• Vitamin A is important for skin health- if dairy and eggs are not being consumed, try dehydrated liver capsules, these are easy enough to make at home as well. Cod liver oil is another option. As well, orange and red colored fruit and vegetables are concentrated with beta carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A. 

• Microbiome balance- on both the surface of the skin and internally in the digestive system. Overgrowth of various strains of bacteria (including candida) is related to eczema outbreaks. If skin is dry and damaged enough, staph infections can become a concern. Witch hazel can be applied in a compress to prevent infection. 

• Essential fatty acids - locally sourced dairy, eggs, meat, and produce, will naturally contain omega 3. Reduction in industrial seed oils can prevent the over-consumption of omega 6 and trans fats. 

  
  

• Keep the area clean and moisturized, but allow it to dry and breathe after bathing or sweating to prevent bacteria overgrowth. 

  • Zinc, shea butter, tallow, beeswax, honey, protective ingredients. Natural products to allow the area to heal.

  • Remove synthetic fragrances in laundry and in the home.

  • Sleep and wear natural fibres such as wool, cotton, hemp, etc. to allow for skin to breathe and to manage moisture and adjust temperature.

Things to try at home: 

• Oat baths- made with a couple handfuls of rolled oats in hot water then cooled to lukewarm. Every 3 days, only bathe when dirty to not disturb developing skin microbiome. A damp cloth can wipe clean in-between bath days, witch hazel can be added to the cloth and applied to tender spots. If showering, avoid overly hot water, and try a cool rinse at the end.

• Aloe jelly- scraped right from the plant. Buy the giant slices from the grocery store, or grow at home! Can be stored in a jar in the fridge with a splash of apple cider vinegar or witch hazel to preserve, try adding  tea tree and/or lavender essential oils. Apply directly on the skin as a cleansing moisturizer, especially in the summer.

• Homemade bone and veg scrap broth. Freeze in ice cube trays so it can be easily added to everyday meals. A natural way to get collagen without spending money on supplements. Save your veggie scraps and bones from dinner and simmer in a large stock pot for 2-4 hours at least. Homemade stock is an excellent way to heal the insides.  

Supplements to think about: 

• Living alchemy probiotic- Contains, marshmallow root, aloe vera and slippery elm. Canadian brand that uses probiotic strains from kombucha and kefir. 

• Spirulina or chlorella tablets - as a wholefood source multivitamin, to boost minerals, especially iodine. The high chlorophyll content is detoxifying for the liver. I like New Roots (Alberta Brand and Schinoussa which is a Vaughan Ontario brand, both available locally.

Foods to think about: 

• Homemade yogurt - if possible, a great way to retrain the body to produce lactase enzymes. If homemade yogurt is not realistic, try a simple brand like this or this, or locally made. 

  • Yogurt with local unpasteurized honey- an efficient combo to boost internal microbiome. The simple sugars in honey boost digestion and feed the bacteria on the way down to ensure they get to where they need to be!

• Homemade sauerkraut- contains detoxifying sulfur-based nutrients, enzymes and probiotics. Inexpensive to make at home compared to buying in the store. 

• Simple anti-inflammatory diet. Eg. white basmati rice, soft starches and well cooked stew or boiled veg, soups, home broths. Lots of soothing oils- butter (or ghee if avoiding dairy),  tallow, lard, olive oil. Slow cooked fatty, bone-in meat. 

• Unpasteurized local honey- internally in tea, on yogurt, and drizzled on food. An excellent choice to satisfy our sweet taste and instead reduce the consumption of processed sugars, which have a higher chance of rapidly digesting and fermenting into gas.

  • Externally, try a honey mask- massage gently on an inflamed area, then apply a warm or cooling compress (whichever skin responds best to), gently rinse with water after 20 minutes. Also look for honey in natural skincare products.

Herbs to try:

• Stinging nettles- for mineral content and natural antihistamines. Make tea and if not enjoyed with honey, then freeze into ice cubes and blend into smoothie with banana, or add to homemade broth with sea salt. 

• Calendula- both internally and topically as an anti-inflammatory. Contains beta-carotene and is naturally antimicrobial. 

• Burdock root- can be taken internally in tea or tincture to purify the blood, and used topically to nourish with minerals from the Earth.

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-Samantha