eczema

Skin issues - food, and stress management

The most important thing is to understand that eczema is not only a disease of the skin but much more than that. It is a reflexion of what is happening in the body - very often an issue with imbalanced gut microbiome.

 The most common causes behind eczema are:

  •         Stress

  •         Food sensitivities

  • Unhealthy diet

  •         The following foods in the diet: gluten, processed dairy, refined oils such as sunflower oil, and/or sugar. Eggs can cause issues for some people. Also lack of natural fats/fatty acids can cause problems (lack of omega 3 (fish, sea food), butter etc)

When healing your skin, remember the following:

  •          Probiotics can help

  •          Stress management is important. When healing the skin of a small child, stress management methods of the parent are extremely effective

  •          Steroid induced dermatitis/eczema is a common problem, often caused by prolonger steroid use, ‘steroid cream addiction’, the treatment should be to AVOID steroid creams, NOT stronger steroid cream. Again it is important to treat any rashes with natural methods and only try steroid creams in severe cases

  •         Chemicals in cleaning products/toiletries/shampoos and soaps etc. can cause sensitivities - try natural alternatives

  •         Urticaria can be linked to infections, such as viral infections, throat infections and even dental infections

  •          Supplements can help heal skin health > omega 3, omega 7, zinc, vitamins D +K2 and B vitamins

  •         Trust yourself, try to find out what is not suitable for you (foods, soaps etc) by keeping a diary to identify possible triggers. This way you learn to take responsibility in finding the obvious triggers.

  • When you contact your GP for help, all they can do, is offer you more topical creams. Unless you work towards healing the root cause yourself with the above advice, your symptoms are unlikely to heal completely.

 ECZEMA

 

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a condition where patches of the skin become itchy, dry, red, and cracked. There are different types of eczema, but most people use the word when they are referring to atopic eczema.

The word “atopic” describes a sensitivity to allergens. Atopic eczema is therefore eczema that is brought on or made worse by certain triggers or allergens.

Atopic eczema is a chronic condition, which means it must be managed and treated on a regular basis. Most people who suffer from it will go through periods where their symptoms are noticeable. When symptoms become more severe this is referred to as a flare-up.

Atopic eczema is most common in young children – in the UK it affects 1 in 5 children. Many people will find that their condition improves significantly as they get older. However, it is possible to start experiencing eczema symptoms later in life, even if you didn’t have it as a child.

Atopic eczema typically affects small areas of the skin on the hands and fingers, insides of the elbows, backs of the knees, face, and scalp – although it can affect any part of the body.

Patches of skin affected by eczema are:

  • Itchy

  • Dry

  • Cracked

  • Sore

The affected skin may also be red in colour.

Because skin affected by eczema is itchy, it can be difficult to resist the temptation to scratch it. Unfortunately, persistent scratching can lead to bleeding and increase the risk of infection. It’s also likely to make the itching worse.

If an area of skin affected by eczema becomes infected, you might notice the following symptoms:

  • Fluid coming from the skin

  • Yellow crust on the skin

  • Small yellow spots on the skin

  • Swelling and soreness

  • Having a fever and generally feeling unwell

If you notice these symptoms, you may need a prescription for antibiotics to tackle the infection.

It isn’t fully understood what causes atopic eczema, although it is thought to be related to your immune system and how your body reacts to certain allergens, as explained above. You are more likely to develop atopic eczema if you have a family history of it.

Essentially, people with atopic eczema have skin that is very dry, unable to retain moisture, and particularly sensitive to certain substances or environmental conditions. Eczema is not infectious, which means you do not risk “catching” it by having close contact with someone who has the condition.

People who live with eczema usually find that their symptoms are set off by certain triggers. These triggers include:

  • Soaps and detergents

  • Cold, dry weather

  • Damp and mould

  • Dust mites, pet fur and pollen

  • Eating foods you're allergic to

  • Certain clothing materials such as wool

  • Having your period or becoming pregnant

  • Skin infections

  • Being unwell

  • Stress

 

Over time you should be able to get an idea of your eczema triggers. Being able to avoid these triggers, or plan for them so you can use appropriate treatment, will help you prevent and manage serious flare-ups of symptoms.

Treatment for eczema differs depending upon the severity of the condition. Most people generally use a combination of emollients (moisturisers and soap-free cleansers) and topical corticosteroids, a medicated ointment or cream applied directly to affected areas.

Topical corticosteroids, or any other topical treatments prescribed by your doctor, should be applied to affected areas only. You should apply any medicated treatments exactly as directed. Steroid creams should be used only when needed, sparingly and short term as overuse can cause thinning of the skin or worsening rashes. Mild steroid cream called Hydrocortisone is available over the counter as should always be tried first, before any stronger steroid creams.

Other common treatments for atopic eczema include:

  • Antihistamines to prevent itching

  • Medicated bandages to prevent scratching and encourage healing

  • Corticosteroid tablets