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Eczema

Natural remedies

Eczema is a type of inflammation of the skin, which is called dermatitis. This form of inflammation produces redness and recurring forms of skin rashes like scaling, swelling, itching and bleeding.

What are the most common forms of eczema?

  • Atopic dermatitis is often associated with allergies such as hay fever and asthma. It usually appears at an early age on the face and scalp, neck, feet inside of elbows, and behind the knees.
  • Contact dermatitis is the result of allergies with different kinds of allergens and irritating substances in creams, foods, plants, or even metals.
  • Seborrhoic dermatitis refers to cradle cap or dandruff. It causes dry or oily scaling of the scalp.

What usually triggers eczema?

 

  • Your body may have trouble converting linoleic acid (omega 6 fatty acid) to prostaglandins (anti-inflammatory hormone-like substances). The other scenario is that your body does not get enough essential fatty acids. For instance, a bottle fed baby is more likely to develop eczema because cow’s milk does not contain any essential fatty acids in opposition to mother’s milk.
  • There is a connection between emotions, your gut, and skin. If emotional stress is not managed, some nutrients like digestive enzymes are depleted, and digestive issues ensue. As an elimination organ, the skin becomes overloaded in toxins and that’s when skin conditions, such as eczema arise.
  • You may be suffering from a ‘Leaky gut syndrome’. It is when the intestines become porous and some particles of undigested food enter in the bloodstream, provoking allergic reactions.
  • Your body is allergic to a type(s) of food (like dairy or gluten) or a medication (like antibiotics, antihistamines)
  • Your body reacts to an irritating substance such as chemicals, cosmetics, ointments, plants, metals, or even sunlight or chlorine from tap water. Because chlorine destroys the friendly bacteria, the body may not be able to protect itself from harmful pathogens. Furthermore, it contains chemical compounds that can interfere with the natural controls of cell growth.
  • The overgrowth of candida and a yeast infection can be linked to skin problems.

What kind of foods can help with eczema?

A proper diet is essential to help your body function better and treat the underlying cause of eczema.

Because eczema is often due to food allergies, specific dietary change can be responsible for clearing or worsening eczema.  So it is important to mention that a proper anti-eczema diet is different for everyone. Keep in mind that the addition or elimination of one substance from the diet can be the remedy for one person and the culprit for another.

As a general rule, your diet should be rich in essential fatty acids (omega 3 and 6): fish and plant oil. Use unrefined, cold-pressed oil and be sure not to heat the oil because polyunsaturated oils are unstable and can be deteriorated easily causing damage to your health.

Eat a diet rich in zinc, vitamin B6, vitamin A, and digestive enzymes, and avoid saturated fats from animal sourcebecause it interferes with the metabolization of essential fatty acids.
Eczema can also be linked to candidiasis. In this case, avoid foods that feed the yeast and take probiotics.
See healthy skin diet.

Some researchers believe that some people with eczema may also have gluten intolerance. It is recommended to consult with a doctor and get the appropriate tests before starting a gluten free diet. Indeed, gluten and dairy are the most allergenic foods and could trigger eczema.
     

Eczema remedies: supplementation

  • Essential Fatty acids (preferably high in GLA) control the inflammation. Oils rich in EFAs rubbed on the infected area also help moisturize your skin
  • MSM or shark cartilage help reduce inflammation
  • Vitamin B complex helps control stress and promotes the reproduction of cells
  • Biotin is used especially for scalp disorders
  • Vitamin B6
  • Betaine HCI when eczema is due to low hydrochloric acid (‘leaky gut syndrome’)
  • Vitamin C is helpful if the root of eczema is an allergy
  • Zinc aids the skin to heal
  • Beta-carotene prevents dryness
  • Vitamin E relieves itching and dryness
  • Kelp is needed for healing tissues
  • Digestive enzymes improve digestion
  • Probiotics
Also see skin nutrients

Eczema remedies: herbal remedies

  • Calendula cream or aloe Vera gel can be used topically to help heal the skin
  • Saint John’s Wort gel, chamomile, and grape seed extract helps control the inflammation
  • Vitamin E and goldenseal relieve itching
  • Lemon balm, valerian, and passionflower teas help calm emotional stress
  • Stinging nettle, dandelion, burdock root are cleansing
  • Chickweed, plantain, witch hazel, horsetail, and comfrey are soothing
  • Tea tree oil can be helpful especially for scalp disorders
Also see herbal remedies for skin

Eczema remedies: essential oils

  • Bergamot (dry eczema)
  • Chamomile (dry and wet eczema)
  • Eucalyptus
  • Helichrysum
  • Hyssop (dry eczema)
  • Geranium (dry and wet eczema)
  • Juniper (wet eczema)
  • Lavender (wet eczema)
  • Melissa
  • Myrrh (wet eczema)
  • Patchouly
  • Rosewood
  • Sage

Also see essential oils for skin

Eczema remedies: homeopathic remedies

  • Rhus toxicodrendon
  • Graphites
  • Sulphur
  • Arsenicum
Also see homeopathic remedies for skin

Eczema remedies: others

Take fewer showers and baths because of water chlorine content but also because it dries out the skin.

Also see seven steps for optimum skin health

Books on eczema

Eczema remedies: external links

Eczema remedies: references

  • Andrew Gaeddert, Healing Skin Disorders, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California, 2003
  • Louise Tenney, M.H., Today’s Herbal health, 6th edition, USA, 2007
  • Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch, Prescription for nutritional healing, United States of America, 2000
  • Siegfried Gursche, Encyclopedia of natural healing, Canada, 1997
  • Thomas Bartram, Bartram’s encyclopedia of herbal medicine, The definitive guide to the herbal treatment of diseases, Grace Publishers, UK, 1995

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