SUFFERING FROM ECZEMA?
PUT AN END TO THE MISERY NOW
Eczema is painful, irritating, and to certain extend life-altering. This condition affects about 10% to 20% of infants and about 3% of adults and children. Most children outgrow it by their tenth birthday, while some people continue to have symptoms on and off throughout life.
Ranking plots depicting annual change in eczema prevalence. A, Children 13 to 14 years old. B, Children 6 to 7 years old. Countries are ordered by ascending average prevalence.
While most doctors and health experts will give you remedies on how to relieve the itching and inflammation caused by the eczema, my approach is more wholesome. Instead of focusing on the symptoms, I approach the underlying causes and reset the body’s system to overcome the disease. It is very much possible to recover from your eczema and not see the symptoms ever again.
In order to overcome it, you need to understand the condition, eliminate its causes, and take a wholesome approach towards treating it. In this article, I will try to equip you with all you will need to provide relief to your irritated skin and cure it. Follow this wholesome approach and say good-bye to eczema forever.
WHAT IS ECZEMA?
Eczema is a term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become irritated. The most common type of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema. Atopic refers to a group of diseases with a tendency to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever. Often these conditions appear as a combo.
Eczema causes dry, itchy, red, bumpy, scaly, and cracked skin, which can sometimes ooze fluid and bleed. In fair-skinned people, these areas may initially appear reddish and then turn brown. Among darker-skinned people, eczema can affect pigmentation, making the affected area lighter or darker. It most commonly appears on the face, back of the knees, wrists, hands, or feet. It may also affect other areas as well. Regardless of where it appears, it causes itchiness.
Eczema means that the skin’s barrier is not working as well as it should and that makes it drier. This kind of skin is more susceptible to infections and allergic reactions.
WHAT CAUSES ECZEMA?
There is no clear-cut answer to this. The evidence suggests that people are genetically predisposed to have this condition. However, this doesn’t mean that they must and will develop it. There are lots of factors which trigger this genetically predisposed person to develop eczema.
Some of these causes include:
- Genes
As I mentioned earlier, a person is genetically predisposed to developing eczema. These people are also predisposed to developing conditions like asthma and hay-fever. If you or your baby has one of these conditions, it is a red-flag for early intervention or you may develop the entire combo.
Mutated genes affect the production to filaggrin, a protein that protects the corneal skin layer. However, as I mentioned earlier, just because a person is genetically predisposed doesn’t mean they WILL develop it. Neither does it mean that it can’t be cured and healed.
- Low Sebum Production
Having eczema means that the skin’s barrier doesn’t work as well as it should, which makes it drier. This kind of skin is more prone to infections and allergens can enter the skin more easily, which can make the condition worse.
The skin dries quickly due to insufficient production of natural oils. Genetic factors, poor immunity, environment, and excessive use of soaps and moisturizers can all affect the production of natural oils of the body.
- Weak Immune System
Low immune system can’t fight or ward off yeast, bacteria, toxins and other environmental and biological invaders. Our immune systems can get affected by the following:
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Unhealthy eating habits
- Medications, especially antibiotics
- Untreated infections
- Autoimmune disorders
- Weak intestinal function
- Allergies and Food Intolerance
Allergies trigger the release of antibodies and affect the immune response. Some foods, chemical exposure, harsh toxins, perfumes, cleaning agents, carpets, pets, pollen, dust, fabrics, cosmetics, soaps and shampoos can cause allergies.
It is best to use hypo-allergenic products if you have eczema or asthma as well as use all natural products.
- Toxicity
Smoking, pollution, and chemical cleaning agents leave traces of toxins in the environment which the body absorbs. Overtime this toxin overload manifests as different dis-eases including eczema. Excessive use of antibiotics can also cause toxicity in the body, as well as have devastating effect on the immune system.
- Climate
Climate is in part responsible for eczema, especially dry, cold areas.
- Unhealthy Diet
Unhealthy diet consisting of fast food or processed food can also cause eczema. This is a major concern especially in the developed world where the focus is on calories as opposed to nutrients. People eat calorie-rich diets which fill them up but in reality their bodies are starving due to lack of nutrients. In the long run, this causes serious health risks for the body. Lack of greens, fresh vegetables and fruits which contain vitamins, minerals and enzymes which are essential for proper functioning of the body and its well-being.
- Hygiene
Poor hygiene is a major cause behind most skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Not showering after your body sweats is one of the main reasons behind developing eczema. Along with that not changing or washing your clothes often, prolonged use of towels and bedding without washing them, use of unhealthy cosmetics are some other reasons.
- Excessive Use of Soap and Lotions
If you use harsh soaps on your body and face, it dries the outer layer of the skin giving you a feeling of discomfort and irritation. That’s when people start using moisturizers. Most lotions, potions and creams in the market are loaded with toxic chemicals which give you the feeling of supple moisturized skin, while in reality drying your skin further. Now you understand why you feel the need to put lotion on every 30 minutes? You end up spending loads of money and being frustrated, meanwhile chronically drying your skin and making it vulnerable to early aging, wrinkles, infections etc.
- Cold Compression
For immediate relief from itching, inflamed and irritated skin, take a soft wash cloth and dip it into ice-cold water. Squeeze out all the excess water and place the cloth on the eczema rashes. This will sooth the skin and provide immediate relief.
- Green Tea Bags
If you use green tea bags, after making the tea, store the bags in a clean bag in the refrigerator. You can apply these used tea bags as cold compresses. The anti-inflammatory properties of green provide additional relief to the affected area.
- Herbal Treatments
- Sandalwood & Camphor
Take one teaspoon each of sandalwood paste and camphor powder and mix it well.Then apply it on the scaly patches in thick layers.Leave on for 30 minutes before gently washing it with warm water. - Margosa Leaves (Neem) & Turmeric
Neem or Margosa leaves are amazing in fighting skin ailments including eczema and psoriasis.Crush a handful of fresh (or dried) neem leaves and add 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder. Mix them well and apply on the affected area for 30 minutes.Wash gently with warm water. - Aloe Vera Gel
Take fresh aloe Vera gel and gently apply on the affected area. Leave it for 30 minutes and then wash gently with warm water.
- Sandalwood & Camphor
- Baking Soda Baths
Soak a quarter cup of baking soda to luke warm water in tub, and soak in it for 5 to 10 minutes. This will help reduce flare ups. Make sure to moisturize your skin well as soon as you come out of the bath since baking soda tends to dry the skin.
- Castor Oil & Flaxseed Oil
Apply castor oil or flaxseed oil to the blisters, lesions and inflamed skin. These oils are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and help soothe the irritated skin.
- Do Not Add, Subtract
It is very much ingrained in Western Medical psyche to prescribe a medicine for any condition. Western doctors always add a medicine here and an ointment there, when often the right thing to do is to subtract. Eczema is triggered by allergens and inflammatory agents both in the diet and environment. If you remove those agents, you remove the trigger, and thus the cause of the eczema!
You must find those triggers!
These are some of the common dietary and environmental triggers. You need to eliminate these foods for at least a month in order to notice a substantial difference.
- Grains—wheat, corn, rice, quinoa are all grains. These can inflame our gut and upset the immune system. Removing them from people’s diet has shown marked improvement in the condition of their eczema.
- Dairy—all dairy except ghee and butter should be avoided. They can cause inflammation in the body. If you are concerned about calcium and magnesium deficiency in your or your child’s diet, you can increase non-dairy calcium-rich foods and also try nut milks.
- Eggs—even though it is not so common but eggs have also aggravated eczema, especially egg whites. You may want to eliminate egg whites or whole eggs from your diet to see if this helps.
- Nightshade plants can also trigger eczema, or inflammation in general, in the body. These include tomatoes, white potatoes, peppers, tomatillos, and eggplant. Even though they are nutritious, they tend to cause inflammation in the body and should be avoided by eczema sufferers.
It is important to note that this is by no means an exhaustive list containing ALL the triggers. These are the most common ones. You may want to do a proper elimination diet under the guidance of a Naturopath or a Dietician, or get an allergy test done to get a more detailed list of all possible triggers. Especially if eliminating these triggers didn’t help the condition.
- Replace Chemicals with Naturals
The most harmful things to the body are those you cannot see. Our environment is over-saturated with chemicals and toxins. This includes smoke, pollution, fabrics, furnishings, cleaning agents, detergent, and even soaps and shampoos. While most of us can handle these toxins in our surrounding, people with eczema cannot. They need special consideration. And hey, why not remove these toxins from the environment for the benefit of the entire family!
It’s really not that difficult. You just need to be aware until it becomes a part of your lifestyle DNA. When you buy clothes, choose all natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and silk as opposed to synthetic fibers. Use hypoallergenic, chemical free cleaners (or make your own as I do); use gentle detergents to wash clothes; choose to have a wood or marble floor as opposed to linoleum; choose a hypoallergenic natural fiber carpet or rug; make sure your sofas and curtains are also made of safe material. Avoid cosmetics as much as possible and use only good quality make-up with natural products. These small adjustments, though difficult in the beginning, become second nature after just a few months.
- Cleanliness
I can’t stress this point enough. You must shower daily and change the outfits as many times as needed, especially if you lead an active lifestyle. This will prevent the sweat from staying on the skin and causing irritation. Use gentle soap, preferably natural soaps such as goat milk or glycerin soaps to avoid over drying the skin. Most commercial soaps are very harsh on the skin and are not at all recommended for people with eczema.
Along with your body, you need to be very vigilant about keeping your surroundings clean. This includes bedsheets, pillow cases, towels, curtains, rugs, vents and filters.
- Moisturize
Human body needs to be well moisturized, not with water, but with healthy oils. Some of the best oils to use for eczema are cold-pressed coconut oil, and castor oil. You can moisturize the entire body with coconut oil and apply castor oil only on lesions and affected areas.
Another great oil to use is flaxseed oil. It is rich in omega 3 fatty acids which help health the skin and remove inflammation and redness.
- Supplementation
What seems to help many people suffering from eczema is Vitamin D3 supplementation. Depending on the need, a dosage between 2,000 and 10,000 IU daily makes a significant difference. Vitamin D3 is available over the counter, however, it should be taken under consultation of a health care practitioner.
A good multivitamin multimineral supplement is essential in the proper functioning of the body. I highly recommend it for everyone whether you are suffering from a disease or not. If you have eczema, make sure to get a rich multivitamin supplement containing Vtimain A, C, E, D, K, B3, B5 and choline.
Fish oil is also extremely beneficial for people suffering from eczema. It is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which heals and strengthens the skin from inside out.
- Water
Increase water intake to at least 4 liters daily. A well-hydrated body results in well-hydrated skin, which is what eczema sufferers need.
- Strengthen the Immune System
A weak immune system is the main culprit behind most conditions and diseases. A person can either be born with an immune disorder, or lacks a wholesome diet. You have to get to the root of the problem and try to reverse it.
You can do that by adding foods to your diet which increase and boost the immune system such as fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, protein, supplements etc.
Meanwhile, you have to be watchful of every new food you introduce to your body. Introduce only one new food item each week and watch for any reaction. If it triggers inflammation or flare up, immediately stop consuming that food item. Some of the most common triggers are chocolate, strawberry, mango, peanut butter, dairy, some nuts, and most processed foods.
- Strengthening the Intestinal Flora
An unhealthy gut is the breeding ground for most diseases. There is a strong correlation between unhealthy intestines and eczema. I believe that resetting the intestinal flora of a body is the first step towards its well-being. I have seen it work over and over again.
Probiotics are a type of beneficial bacteria that can really help ease and cure eczema. Even though they are naturally present in the human body, sometimes our poor lifestyle choices reduce their numbers and in this case supplementation helps. They are found in foods like yogurt, kefir, and certain fermented foods, and are also available in dietary supplement form. Daily intake of probiotics can be very beneficial.
- They rushed for results and gave up too fast, or
- They did not have a comprehensive approach. They took some from this website and some from that doctor, tried this product and then that.
So these are some, not all, of the main reasons which cause eczema. If you want to overturn the condition, think about what causes it. If you can pinpoint what triggers the eczema flare ups, you have won half the battle. The other half will be about eliminating the cause from your life.
HOW TO TREAT YOUR ECZEMA
Just like any other condition, I recommend a wholesome approach. The problem lies deep in the core and the treatment should also start from the core. Otherwise, it will never work. If you cure the symptoms without curing the cause, you will suppress the symptoms for a while and they will return again. You need to respect your body as a sacred trust with its individual unique traits, needs, deficits, and abilities, and treat it in a wholesome manner. If you don’t do that, you are in fact destroying your skin by yourself and making it chronically unhealthy.
Most doctors recommend topical steroids to relieve the symptoms. Sometimes, when you have the flare-up, this is the only thing that might provide immediate relief. Use it if you have to until the irritation calms down. But you must know that this is in no way a cure. This is a temporary solution.
When it comes to a disease, you always want to think about a permanent solution. Good news is there are some wonderful natural methods available which can heal as well as reverse eczema. And this is my ultimate goal with all my clients. How to reset the body so it never has to deal with the condition again.
Below I will provide some simple methods. Do not worry! If you follow them consistently, you absolutely will notice a significant difference. You must give it at least a month before you start seeing a significant change because before the body can heal itself, it has to remove the harmful toxins that have burdened it.
These are some of the things you can do to provide immediate relief to the inflamed skin:
Below are things you can do to help heal and reverse your eczema, and prevent it from recurring:
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT POINT
Most often, people incorporate one or two elements and miss the rest, whereas the trick to success lies in a wholesome approach. That is why it is always best to work with a professional such as a Naturopath to make sure you remain well-grounded and don’t overlook anything unless you have it all under control.
By the grace of God, each region is rich in its blessings. There are different kinds of foods, fruits, vegetables and herbs in every region that can heal diseases. If I provide a method or ingredients that are not available in your region, know that there are alternatives and substitutes available which will give you the same result. All you have to do is do some basic research to find out, and consult a professional Natural Health Care Provider.
Now you have all you need to cure your eczema. There is absolutely no need to panic! It is a 100% guaranteed, fool-proof approach. And it is 100% natural. If you look carefully, these steps might seem a lot, but they are easy to follow.
Don’t care about the symptom, look for the cause. All the products in the markets will tell you it is temporary relief. They will never dare to mention that they cure or prevent recurrence. Their secret success lies in not curing you so you keep buying their products.
The key is to study your eczema triggers, eliminate what triggers the flare-up, incorporate all the above knowledge to strengthen your body from within in order to eliminate the symptoms outside, and then remain consistent on what works. You keep following the advice for the rest of your life, you will never see the condition again. This is my approach and this is what works!
Remember, you have the keys of your health in your own hands!
A PIECE OF ADVISE …
You may have met people who tried natural cures and it didn’t work for them until they gave up. I guarantee you it’s because one of the following…
It is no wonder they didn’t see any substantial results and gave up, went back to prescription medicines and surrendered to temporary relief.
You deserve better. You owe it to yourself to have a successful treatment and reversal of your condition. My advice is to do any treatment under the supervision and guidance of a professional at least until you develop the knowledge; understanding of your body, what works for it and what doesn’t; your environment and how to control it from affecting your health; local herbs and healthy foods available in your region and how to use them for maximum benefit; correct dosage of supplementation etc. Consultation while seeking knowledge will lead you to a systematic approach until you are 100% in control.