At this time of year (it's August as I'm writing this), with the weather cooling down and the dry winds picking up, eczema and other skin irritations can really start to flare up. Unfortunately, children are often the ones who suffer the most with this condition, and it’s certainly not nice to see little ones in discomfort or pain. I remember when my twins were small they both experienced regular outbreaks of eczema. Their little legs and arms were often red and inflamed, and would sting if they went in the ocean or were wearing long pants that rubbed against the sore spots. As this was in my pre-naturopathic days, I really wish I knew then what I know now about eczema - and how to best help soothe and minimise outbreaks.
Treating From The Outside In – Or Should It Be The Inside Out?
Over the years, I’ve seen so many different topical products around, in chemists, health food stores and online, all claiming to be the best cream or lotion for treating eczema. And of course many of these can be helpful. Still, it's not uncommon for eczema sufferers that I work with to tell me have tried every single one!
Whilst both natural and pharmaceutical products such as steroid cream can provide temporary relief, there is one crucial part of the eczema puzzle that topical products are not addressing – and that is what is driving the flare in the first place. What happens on the outside is in many ways a reflection of what is happening on the inside of the body.
What Could Be Contributing
- Food reactions. This is the first area I look at when I am working with a patient who experiences frequent or severe eczema episodes. It can sometimes be useful to consider which foods may be triggering flare-ups, and look at whether these can be avoided, at least temporarily, to allow the skin time to heal. Common foods that can contribute to the development of eczema include wheat and other gluten-containing grains (barley, rye etc), eggs, dairy products, peanuts, shellfish, citrus fruits and foods containing artificial colours or preservatives. The best way to determine which of these foods may be contributing to eczema is to do an elimination or rotation diet, supervised by a qualified practitioner for best results (and to avoid nutrient deficiencies). Food intolerances are often linked to the health of the gut (which I will discuss below) so it is necessary to address both aspects if you suspect food is playing a role, and this is also where a practitioner can help. Simply cutting the food out does not address the whole picture.
- Potential nutrient deficiencies. There are several nutrients that are necessary for healthy, supple skin, and increasing their intake may be useful in the natural treatment of eczema. Vitamin C helps to reduce inflammation and redness, and support the normal growth of skin tissues. Vitamins D & E are both natural anti-inflammatory nutrients. The mineral zinc helps to balance the immune system (remember that this is an allergic condition, so the immune system has gone into overdrive) and create a healthy skin barrier, so that the skin’s natural moisture is retained. Lastly, eating enough healthy fats is crucial to skin health. Omega 3 fatty acids (found in fish oil) are one of the best source of anti-inflammatory healthy fats.
- Gut health. This is probably the area that is most important, yet is frequently overlooked. After all, how could the skin have anything to do with the gut? Well, as we are learning, the gut plays a role in almost every aspect of health, skin included. When the gut is not functioning optimally, the gut bacteria may become unbalanced, which can encourage the growth of undesirable ‘bad’ bacteria or fungi such as candida in the gut. This is known as dysbiosis. Dysbiosis in turn increases inflammation in the body, and can cause the gut lining to become porous or ‘leaky’. Once leaky gut is established, food particles in the digestive system that normally don’t make their way into the bloodstream are allowed to leak into the blood where they are attacked by the immune system. Leaky gut and dysbiosis can result from antibiotic use, certain medications, a bout of gastroenteritis or ‘tummy bug’, a diet high in junk foods and low in fresh fruit and vegetables, stress and alcohol intake.
DIY Home Remedies:
Of course, there are some other things that you can do at home while working on improving gut health, avoiding foods that trigger flare-ups and restoring optimal nutrient intake. Here are a few:
- Try to avoid taking excessively hot or long showers or baths, as these can be very drying to the skin.
- If practical, it can be a good idea to avoid using soap for a little while, or use it sparingly, as it can dry the skin further.
- Take a good look at the detergent and other laundry products you are using – are they naturally based? If not, harsh chemical components may be playing a role in continually irritating the skin.
- Try filling an old stocking with oats, and pop in the bath to soak before you hop in. Oats can be very soothing to the skin.
- Certain herbal remedies can be useful to apply topically. You can make a herbal cream, based on a hypo-allergenic natural cream base with unique herbal remedies added. My favourites for eczema include Chickweed, Chamomile, Gotu Kola, and Tea Tree. This can be a great adjunct to help soothe the skin while we allow time for the internal healing to take place.