General Description

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic disease of the skin that causes itchiness, redness and inflammation. It is estimated that seven percent of the population suffers from eczema. Eczema often begins in early childhood and can last a lifetime.  Given some of the causative factors, it is easy to see why. Eczema is usually a symptom of an underlying body disorder, so the secret to your success will be to discover what is triggering the skin eruptions. It often affects people who also suffer from other diseases such as asthma and hay fever, or who have family members who do.

The skin affected by eczema appears red, dry and scaly, and is extremely itchy, and may sting and burn. If scratched too much, it can crack, ooze, and crust over, and can even become infected. Eczema may also be moist and weeping, with watery blisters.

Although eczema can affect the entire body, it is usually found in specific body areas. For children, the most commonly affected areas are the scalp, cheeks, chin, back, legs, elbows and arms. Adults are often affected on the eyelids and the skin around the eyes and mouth. High perspiration areas such as the creases of the elbows, knees, hands, and feet are also commonly affected. If you have splits and cracks on your hands or blisters along the edges of your fingers, you may have hand eczema.

Eczema first appears in early childhood, often by the age of four months. The face, scalp, neck, and diaper areas are most frequently involved. These sites, especially the cheeks, become red and scaly. Itching is quite severe, and the infant may literally tear apart his or her skin, leading to bleeding sores and secondary infection. In most cases itching actually precedes the appearance of the rash; thus eczema is commonly referred to as “the itch that rashes.” As the child ages, the disorder tends to localize to the back of the neck, behind the elbows and knees, and on the wrists and ankles. The involved sites are dry and thickened, and demonstrate accentuation of the normal skin creases.

In the adult, atopic dermatitis may be manifested by scaling of the hands and feet, and by the appearance of circular, dry, scaling patches (called nummular eczema) anywhere on the body. Eczema at any age is characterized by moderate to severe itching. Most persons with atopic dermatitis experience clearing of the disorder in their late twenties, and by age thirty a large number are free of disease. About 15 percent of persons with atopic dermatitis develop chronic localization to their hands (hand dermatitis).

Causes

The cause of atopic dermatitis is not fully understood. Hay fever and asthma are associated with this condition. Heredity certainly plays an important role as nearly 70 percent of atopic dermatitis patients have at least one other family member with eczema, hay fever, or asthma. Diet (food allergy) was thought to cause and/or aggravate the disorder, but this is unlikely except perhaps in the very early, infantile stage.

Although the exact cause of eczema is unknown, traditional medicine believes it’s caused by an abnormal allergic response of the body’s immune system. This, however, is quite a limited view. One must look at eczema sufferer’s whole body, parents, diet and environment to discover the real causative factors. As the saying goes, the skin is the window of balance (or imbalance) within the body. Unfortunately most traditional treatments use steroids, prescription drugs or creams that do not address the underlying cause/s of eczema and have long-term side effects. These traditional treatments suppress the underlying causes by addressing only the symptoms. In many cases of eczema the body is trying to rid itself of toxins. By addressing these causes you should have very significant results within a few months.

Since babies often get eczema, called cradlecap, it is obvious that the problem starts early in life, even before birth, unlike many other health conditions. In 2002 the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology reported that mothers who took probiotics (the good bacteria) during pregnancy and lactation improved their anti-inflammatory transforming growth factor (TGF) in their milk. Because there has been such an increase in allergic diseases, especially among children, one of the best ways to enhance a child’s immune system is through mother’s milk. Breast-feeding leads to a greatly reduced incidence of developing eczema during the baby’s first two years of life.

While we are talking about babies it is important to point out that there is a direct relationship between excessive hygiene and the development of eczema and asthma in children between 30 and 42 months. Children who washed their hands more than five times a day or were bathed more than two times a day were more likely to develop these diseases. The theory behind this is that a lower exposure to germs affects the immune system’s development in such a way that it is more prone to allergic reactions.

Doctors practicing natural medicine believe there are several main causes of eczema:

• Food allergies, especially dairy products, eggs, grains, soy and nuts
• A deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFAs)
• Toxic, congested, or malfunctioning liver, kidneys or lungs
• A B-vitamin deficiency
• A vitamin D deficiency (lack of sunshine)
• A deficiency in chloride of potassium (kali mur.) – for scaly type
• Consumption of too much common table salt – dry kind of eczema. Use balanced sea salt (about 80% sodium chloride) instead, as it has all 12 of the tissue salts in proper balance. Sea salt does not throw the chemical balance of the body out of whack the way common salt (about 98% sodium chloride) does. We recommend Celtic Sea Salt that can be purchased at a health food or gourmet store or from the Grain & Salt Society (800) 867-7258. Their website is http://www.celtic-seasalt.com.
• A long delayed after-effect of a vaccination (possible theory)
• Poor digestion in general; see next item and detailed explanation below
• Excess sugar, alcohol, chemicals and other things that disturb the microflora of the gut. Poor digestion and toxins are one of the main causes of eczema.
• Constipation
• Allergies to a variety of things

Chronic skin disorders directly reflect the health of the digestive and eliminatory systems. Gently treating the liver, kidneys and bowel over time with mild herbal remedies can positively affect the skin and should be the foundation of your back-to-health protocol. The skin is the largest organ of elimination and is a means of exit of sweat, toxic wastes, gases and oils from the body. These toxins, perhaps coupled with nutritional deficiencies mentioned below, may be the primary underlying cause of eczema. A clogged liver or kidneys, lung malfunction, as well as constipation, may lead to excess toxins circulating in the blood and exiting through the skin. If one or more of these conditions exists, it will be necessary to correct it in order to minimize the skin problem. We suggest working with your health practitioner in developing a complete body detoxification program so that all organs of elimination are functioning well. If your kidneys are overloaded, your skin will take over elimination of toxins and metabolic wastes from the body. Depending on the severity of your body’s toxicity, you will need to do anywhere from a several day cleanse to one that may take as long as two to three weeks. In addition to causing eczema, a clogged or sluggish liver may lead to itching due to a malfunction in its ability to digest fats. If you are chronically constipated, see our constipation section for more ideas. The goal will be to have 2-3 bowel movements daily in order to flush out the toxic wastes.

Bad digestion can lead to another skin problem – one that you might not see the connection – itching. Inadequate stomach acid leads to poor metabolism of calcium, and its symptom – itching. Chronic indigestion will need to be corrected if you want to see your skin problems subside. Good metabolism of calcium is vital for skin health. The Omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed oil aid calcium metabolism and should relieve the itching.

Another cause of itching is a clogged liver and gallbladder. When this is the case fats of any kind cannot be properly digested, and the result is itching. A complete liver/gallbladder flush will probably be in order to get these organs functioning normally. The itching should go away.

The first thing you need to do is to try to identify what is causing the eczema and avoid that substance. Here are some things to look out for:

• Soaps - use a pure glycerin soap with no fragrance; some have vitamin E, which is beneficial. A boric acid solution may also be used. You may also use pure castile soap; dry carefully, then apply a mixture of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly and borax.
• Detergents - use an unscented laundry detergent.
• Dry cleaning clothes. Dry cleaning fluids are very toxic and may affect your skin.
• Various foods – keep a Foods Journal so you can identify what might be triggering the eczema
• Dairy products
• Eggs
• Chocolate
• Peanuts
• Soy
• Potatoes
• Gluten found in wheat, oats, rye and barley
• Nail polish

Traditional Treatments

Traditional allopathic treatment has been to prescribe hydrocortisone (steroid) creams and ointments and Benadryl to stop the itching. While the creams are often effective, they have side effects which make them less than ideal for long term use. In children these effects are growth retardation, obesity, and muscle weakness. Scratching opens the skin and makes it vulnerable to staph infections. We believe that natural remedies, coupled with dietary changes and avoidance of certain chemicals will be more effective without the side effects.

Medical Treatments

Atopic dermatitis is as yet without cure; the condition simply must burn itself out. However, the annoying manifestations can be controlled. Treatment of atopic dermatitis centers on control of the rash and, just as important, control of the itching. The more one scratches, the worse the disorder becomes and the longer it takes to heal.

People with atopic dermatitis should avoid any factors that aggravate sensitive skin. Fingernails, especially those of infants, must be trimmed as short as possible to avoid digging and tearing. Clothing should be soft, loose-fitting, and preferably made of cotton; wools and irritating synthetics are best not worn. Excess humidity and lack of it both promote itching and should be avoided. Over bathing and the use of harsh soaps contribute to skin dryness. One should use a mild, moisturizing soap and lubricating bath oil. Moisturizers should be applied to the skin on a regular and frequent basis.

Individuals with moderate to severe eczema warrant medical care by a dermatologist. Control of itching usually entails the use of steroid ointments and creams. Topical steroids are safe for long-term administration but should be used at a lowered potency if needed on a chronic basis. Oral antihistamines are commonly used, but of questionable value. Flare-ups may require oral or intramuscular steroids, and chronic, refractory cases in adults may need methotrexate or cyclosporine for adequate control.

Topical immunomodulators are the most recent advance in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Elidel cream (pimecrolimus) and Protopic ointment (tacrolimus) are nonsteroid compounds useful in chronic management of mild to moderate eczema. These may be used about the eyes and in the groin, problematic areas for steroids. To date, adverse effects from extended use of these agents have not been reported.

Tips 

• Bathe in warm water, never hot. Hot water may trigger your skin problems.
• Use a bath oil to soften the skin.
• After taking a bath, apply a body oil that contains lavender, bergamot, neroli or Roman chamomile in a carrier oil such as almond oil.
• Bathe using one teaspoon of baking soda to a cup of water. Rinse thoroughly with water.
• After bathing use a moisturizer. This will help keep the water in. Dry skin is a function of water loss. However, some moisturizers promote fluid loss.
• Check to see if you are allergic to something you eat or wear. An allergic reaction could trigger eczema outbreaks. Keep a daily diary listing the foods you ate and the clothes you wore. Were the clothes laundered or dry cleaned?
• Launder your clothes by adding ½ cup of baking soda and 3-10 drops of essential lemon oil to the wash water. A baking soda paste may be used to pre-treat stains.
• Baking soda can be used to make household cleansers and dishwashing liquid.

1. To clean the home, use one teaspoon of baking soda and a few drops of lemon, lavender or orange essential oil to a pail of water.
2. Make a dishwasher detergent by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with two tablespoons of borax.
3. Wash your dishes by making a solution of baking soda and water; rinse with water.

• Use unscented body care, hair, bath products and moisturizing creams.
• Stop all dairy products for a few weeks, then slowly reintroduce them. Did you have any reaction? Many people are allergic to dairy products.
• Do the same for wheat products. Many people with eczema are allergic to wheat.
• To check for food allergies, remove groups of foods from your diet for a few weeks, then slowly reintroduce them. Did your eczema get better after you stopped eating certain things and get worse after you began eating them again?
• Is your house too dry? If the humidity in your house is below 40% the dry air may be drying out your skin.
• People with underlying diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis and inflammation of the gall bladder have low levels of the enzyme amylase. When this level was raised, the general condition of the person improved. See Enzymes below.
• Keep all dry skin moist and well lubricated.
• Skin emollients that contain urea may be helpful in relieving the itch.
• If you have a bad eczema attack, try using an antihistimine such as Benadryl to stop the itching. This can make you drowsy, so don’t drive or use machinery.
• When laundering, rinse twice to make sure all the detergent is out.
• Since your eczema may be triggered by allergens, go on an allergen-free diet for four to six weeks to give your system enough time to clean out the allergens.
• For babies cow’s milk is the most common allergen, so breast-feeding is preferable.
• If the baby is breast-fed the mother should avoid any foods she is allergic to.
• If the parents have a food allergy, the baby may well have it, too, so the offending foods should be avoided.
• Aerobic exercise is beneficial for eczema as it gets the blood flowing, but if you sweat, shower afterward.

Alternative Treatments

An Unusual Treatment

Dr. Michael Woodruff, in his autobiography Nothing Venture Nothing Win, describes the use of hypnosis to alleviate the underlying emotional state that may cause eczema. Since stress and emotions may play a significant role in some eczema cases, the use of hypnosis may be quite effective.

Diet & Nutrition

Diet is the foundation of health, and skin problems are no exception. The foods you eat and the beverages you drink must be eliminated from the body. Your metabolic process breaks them down, but all organs of elimination must be functioning well in order to avoid problems. Eating or drinking the wrong things for your body type can cause problems to occur. Switching to a simple, natural diet of whole grains, beans, and cooked vegetables, and avoiding meats, milk products, refined sugar and grains, may provide beneficial results.

Since we have seen in the Causes section above that a deficiency in essential fatty acids is one of the primary causes for eczema, you need to understand that eating the wrong kind of fats may be causing the problem, too. The Standard American Diet is very heavy in hydrogenated oils and trans-fats, and short on the essential fatty acids. In most cases skin problems are caused by a fat deficiency or an imbalance between the “good” and “bad” fats. To overcome this problem you will need to cut out or greatly reduce the latter and increase the former. Follow this program for 90 days, and you should have a good probability of success:

1. Cut out all fried foods
2. Eliminate all cooking oils that say “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated.” Read all the labels!
3. Eliminate all processed foods; they are high in trans-fats
4. Use only olive oil for cooking and salads
5. Take a tablespoon of flaxseed oil daily for the first 30 days. If your skin is not getting better, switch to 6-9 perles of sesame seed oil daily for the next 30 days. Again, if there is no improvement, switch to six perles of black current seed oil for the next 30 days. Again, if there is not sufficient improvement, switch to 6-9 capsules of fish oil daily.
6. Eat fatty fish such a salmon, mackerel or herring twice a week.

The idea behind this program is to rebalance the “good” and “bad” oils in your body. Most skin problems are caused by eating the wrong kind of fats, so making the switch is critical to eliminating eczema. Depending on the severity of the problem it may take awhile for this process to show noticeable results. While you are doing this rebalancing you will want to take other supplements to nourish your body from within.

Avoid

• Cut down on your intake of sugar and regular cooking fats.  Many baked goods are very high in procesed oils which produce trans-fats, thw rorst kind of fat.  Avoid products with hydrogenated oils, as these oils have been changed chemically.
• Fast foods are laden with saturated fats, partially hydrogenated oils and other types of higly processed oils used to flavor and texturize prepared and fast foods.  Saturated fats are high in arachidonic acid which causes inflammation.
• Commercial soaps. Many soaps have fragrances or other harsh chemicals that irritate the skin and strip out the natural oils that the skin needs.
• Chlorine can be quite irritating to the skin and is found in most municipal water supplies. Drink filtered water and get a shower-head attachment that filters out chlorine and other contaminants. When you shower your body absorbs a lot of chlorine, and, as you breathe the water vapor, you inhale even more. Although taking a bath is not quite as bad, there is still chlorine in the water. We suggest purchasing a Crystal Ball Bath De-Chlorinator (about $35) that you place in the bath to remove the chlorine.
• Moisturizers often aggravate eczema by promoting moisture loss in skin affected with eczema. Use “high-lipid” creams instead.
• Antacids reduce the amount of stomach acid you are producing, thereby hindering proper digestion. Contrary to the ads on TV, people need more stomach acid, not less, to digest food properly. Bad digestion and related problems can lead to skin problems.
• Household cleansers are laden with harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin.
• Steroid creams make the skin thin, leading to bleeding.
• Wool or synthetic fabrics. They promote itching. Use cotton or other natural fiber clothing instead.
• Nail polishes and fake nails. The chemicals may cause skin irritation.
• Rapid temperature changes, especially if you will be sweaty. They may trigger itching.
• Baby lotion or other lotions with fragrances.
• FD&C Yellow Dye No. 5, found in many foods, may be a trigger.
• Stress aggravates eczema, so learn stress management techniques.
• Don’t use creams or lotions that keep your skin from breathing. They will trap toxins and make the eczema worse.
• Shampoos containing, methylparaben or proplyparaben, SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and cocamide DEA. Use an apple cider vinegar rinse between shampoo and conditioner.

Nutritional deficiencies certainly play a part in skin problems. Skin is your largest organ and needs to get “fed” just like the rest of your body. With today’s overload of toxins in the air, our food, and personal care products, the skin needs all the help it can get. In recent years people have tried to cut out fat in their diet for over-all heath concerns. However, many people cut out all fat and don’t realize that fat is an essential part of the body’s nutritional needs. Essential fats are necessary for nearly all of the body’s functions! Your body desperately requires fats for ultimate skin health. If your eczema is caused by a nutritional deficiency, your skin should quickly return to normal once the deficiency is corrected.

B-vitamins are crucial, as these vitamins aid digestion, boost the immune system and are vital for healthy skin. Deficiencies of B6 and biotin are sometimes linked to dermatitis. However, taking a complete B-complex will be most beneficial because the B-vitamins work in concert, and taking individual ones will not produce the necessary relief. We recommend a high-potency B-complex multi-vitamin, such as Solgar’s VM-75.

Black current seed oil will supply the essential fatty acids needed to alleviate eczema. Take three to six perles daily. See information on essential fatty acids (EFAs) below.

Borage oil is the richest source of one of the essential fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is required for the formation and maintenance of healthy skin cell membranes. Many people are deficient in this essential fatty acid and consequently experience chronic skin problems. For more information, see EFAs below.

Chlorophyll-rich foods, such as spirulina, blue-green algae, chlorella and wheat grass, purify the blood and support healthy skin.

Cod liver oil is one of the age-old standbys for eczema.

Enzymes may be at low levels in people with eczema. One study showed that lipase and trypsin levels in pancreatic juice were low, as well as blood levels of amylase. Supplementing with these enzymes will help eliminate the imbalance.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are beneficial fats needed for many functions of the body, and are needed to repair damaged skin cells and keep the skin lubricated. They occur in high concentrations in flaxseed, evening primrose and fish oils, and in smaller concentrations in other oils. These fatty acids help regulate prostaglandins, which govern many processes, including inflammation. Prostaglandins strongly influence skin health. They are not stored in the body but must be synthesized from essential fatty acids that come from one’s diet. A deficiency in EFAs can be devastating to the skin. A deficiency in one of the EFAs, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) can lead to an imbalance of prostaglandins, which in turn can lead to skin dryness, itching and eczema. GLA is found in evening primrose oil (9%), black currant oil (17%), and borage oil (24%). People with eczema have trouble with their digestion of essential fatty acids, so taking these EFAs will be very important in overcoming your eczema.

Evening primrose oil (EPO) provides a beneficial balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and can relieve the symptoms of eczema and help normalize the digestion of essential fatty acids. EPO also is a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that is critical to skin health, and helps to moderate inflammation. GLA has been approved in England for treating eczema. Aging, diet and stress reduce enzymes that can convert other essential fatty acids to GLA, so using supplements will supply the body’s needs. It has been reported that over half of eczema sufferers improve after taking EPO supplementation and topically.  1,000 mg 3 times a day for two weeks, then reduce the dose to 500 mg 3 times a day. In addition, apply topically twice a day. See our product.

Fish provide many essential fatty acids. Many people with eczema may not be able to metabolize other forms of essential fatty acids properly, so taking fish oil supplements (1.8 gr EPA daily) or eating cold-water fish may be the best way to obtain these nutrients. MaxEPA is a good product.

Flaxseed oil provides the body with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids which will help nourish the skin from within. We recommend Barlean’s or Omega Flo brands. You may also buy whole flaxseeds and grind them up and sprinkle them on cereal or salads. Do not use capsules for two reasons: they may have sat on a shelf, unrefrigerated, and you will have to take a lot of them to equal the same amount of flaxseed oil from a can, thereby pushing the cost way up. Begin by taking one tablespoon daily for two weeks and see if there is any change. If no change has taken place, increase dosage by one tablespoon for the next two to three weeks, and keep increasing the dose one tablespoon at a time until the desired result occurs. Using flaxseed oil in conjunction with EPO, the body is far more likely to convert GLA to beneficial prostaglandins, thereby reducing inflammation. The Omega-3 fatty acids also inhibit the body’s production of inflammation-causing arachidonic acid found in saturated fat. The Essential Woman brand from Barlean’s combines both evening primrose and flaxseed oils. You can also take flaxseed oil in conjunction with black current seed oil or sesame oil.

Herbs can be helpful in restoring and maintaining skin health, but you must remember that the healing process is slow and may take many months. Be patient. Use some of the recommended herbs listed below.

Oiling of the skin has proven to be very helpful in maintaining healthy skin. Ayurvedic medicine recommends a whole body oiling with sesame, sunflower or coconut oil once a week. Don’t do this if you are pregnant or have broken skin.

Sesame seed oil will provide the essential fatty acids to alleviate eczema. Take three to six perles daily, or one teaspoon of raw oil.

Vitamin C and bioflavonoids are extremely helpful in controlling eczema. At least 1,000 mg of each daily. 

Vitamins A, D and E are also essential for healthy, well-nourished skin that heals rapidly. Vitamins A and E are fat-soluble antioxidants which are essential for clear skin. Take 10,000 IU of vitamin A daily.

Water Many people are dehydrated and don’t even know it. You need to drink eight 8- ounce glasses of water for proper hydration. The skin needs water to maintain proper elasticity, and, since it is exposed to the elements, is the first organ to be affected by a lack of water. In addition, water will help flush out allergens that may be causing the skin irritation.

Zinc Many people with eczema have been shown to be deficient in this mineral. Take 50 mg daily. Zinc is also important in fatty acid metabolism, so a lack of zinc may be why many eczema sufferers have trouble digesting the fatty acids.

Remedies