Need Eczema Relief? You Need More Than Just Topical Treatments

Imagine experiencing the discomfort of itchy and dry skin. Sometimes, it gets so bad, that you end up scratching until it bleeds. If you’ve experienced this physical and mental agony, the first thing you should know is that you are not alone.

Approximately 10% of all adults in India, suffer from eczema. And in our attempt to get rid of the condition, we try various creams and ointments available in the market. Some of them provide temporary eczema relief, but none can permanently cure it.

So, is there a cure for eczema? Yes, there is. But it isn’t these creams and ointments which treat eczema only superficially, while the root cause of eczema – like most skin conditions – lies elsewhere; for instance  in the gut.

When we get skin cases at Wellfinity, the first thing we take into account is the gut and diet of the patient, along with the medicines and creams he has been previously prescribed.

For instance, 42-year-old Shraddha approached us with eczema. In the course of examining her condition, we learnt that her diet was inflammatory; super high in refined carbs, sugar and yeast. She was allergic to gluten and dairy, nutrient deficient, and was on a copious dose of antibiotics. We changed her diet for eczema to an anti-inflammatory one, thus eliminating all the bad food that was feeding the infection.

Gradually, her gut issues subsided, she experienced reduction in the inflammation, and her immune system became regulated. We also prescribed natural supplements along with the dietary and lifestyle changes. Within 3 months, she was not only rid of eczema, but also looked and felt better. As a ‘side benefit’ of the process, she lost 9 kgs!!

The result we got in Shraddha’s case was impressive, but not a miracle that happened overnight. It was the result of meticulously planned and executed personalized protocol, using a holistic approach to treating eczema.

In this blog, we will tell you about eczema, any why a holistic integrative, functional medicine approach is better than topical treatment. Especially, if you want to manage or be permanently free of the skin condition.

Understanding Eczema

Eczema is also known as Atopic Dermatitis (AD). It is generally a group of conditions that cause the skin to become itchy, inflamed, have a rash-like appearance, or look cracked. It can appear anywhere on the body, but occurs mostly on the neck, elbows, knees, feet and back of the legs. People of any age can be affected by it.

The first symptoms of eczema are dry skin and intense itching. This in turn triggers an immune response that further damages the skin. Thereafter, rashes and bumps of different sizes appear on the skin surface.

The rashes may itch and burn, and the skin feels warm to touch. Chronic scratching and rubbing can cause the skin to thicken in patches. Blisters filled with fluid that oozes out and causes the skin to become wet, may also form.

At Wellfinity, we have seen many people who have eczema along with asthma and seasonal allergies or all three. Eczema is part of a triad, or three overlapping conditions, where the other two are allergy and asthma. These are collectively called the ‘atopic march’. All three conditions are symptomatic of immune system deregulation. This deregulation can be caused by the body’s overreaction to factors such as infections, wrong food categories, compromised digestive health etc.

Limitations of Topical Treatment for Eczema

Like all other skin conditions, conventional medicine treats eczema superficially, usually prescribing the application of an ointment. However, chemicals, creams, antibiotics, steroids etc. only supress the symptoms of eczema and serve as short-term eczema relief. They fail to address the root cause(s) that lies elsewhere in the body.

Moreover, the continual use of steroids can have side-effects such as internal absorption, thinning skin, secondary infections and calcium deficiency that impairs bone density. It can also weaken the gut microbiota, cause sleeplessness, and thus damage your overall health.

What you need to understand very clearly is that eczema is a manifestation of an internal imbalance. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the underlying cause of the inflammation, infections or dysfunction in order to address it and cure the disease permanently.

When eczema is regarded as a rash it is treated with pharmaceutical drugs instead of a protocol of detoxification and proper nutrition to address gut imbalance. The outcome is not successful and the eczema relief isn’t long-lasting. Instead, such a treatment can potentially, further aggravate problems.

The Holistic Approach to Eczema Management & Reversal

When we treat eczema at Wellfinity, we consider a diverse range of potential triggers and identify underlying causes beyond the skin. Broadly speaking, some of the key reasons for eczema are as follows:

Leaky gut

Leaky gut is the condition when food particles pass through the gut wall. Our immune system perceives these particles as foreign objects and triggers an immune response. This causes inflammation. The common culprits of this syndrome are gluten, dairy, and frequent use of certain medications such as antibiotics, non-steroidal inflammatory drugs, PPIs, etc.

Gut dysbiosis

The gut houses good and bad bacteria. When the bad bacteria outnumber the good bacteria it results in an imbalance in the gut flora, which causes inflammation. This imbalance is known as gut dysbiosis and is usually triggered by infections. Gut dysbiosis can significantly impact eczema as eczema is caused by fungal, candida and yeast overgrowth which result from a high sugar-low fiber-carb diet. The use of antibiotics, steroids, hormones, and even the birth control pill can also trigger yeast overgrowth.

Increased exposure to environmental toxins

Toxins are present all around us, be it in the air, water, soil, foods, body products, cosmetics, home furnishings, or clothing. Exposure to these environmental toxin can directly hinder the function of our immune system, thus affecting the development and performance of immune cells. The skin plays a vital role in eliminating toxins, and hence eczema or atopic dermatitis is linked to exposure to heavy metals and toxins.

Once we are affected by eczema, first and foremost it is important to test and identify the individual triggers so that the underlying imbalances can be addressed, rather than just managing the symptoms of eczema superficially. Our natural treatment for eczema includes diet correction and avoiding problematic environmental factors with the objective of reducing the inflammation and promoting skin repair. Thus, the holistic approach to eczema treatment is an inside-out approach.

Role of Holistic lifestyle in Eczema Management

Dietary and lifestyle changes for eczema are the key to holistic treatment of the condition. The following are the changes that need to be incorporated as remedies for eczema:

Following an elimination diet for eczema

For eczema patients, it is important to know what to eat and what not to eat for holistic recovery. For instance, the common culprits for food sensitivities such as gluten, dairy, white rice, sugars, corn and soy, need to eliminated and the body needs to be detoxified to reduce inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory diet for eczema should include nutrients and foods such as proteins, good fats, nuts, and plant foods including spices like saunf, neem and turmeric can be beneficial. Fatty acids found in Omega-3 rich foods can also decrease overall inflammation.

However, several nutritious foods can trigger the release of histamine in the body, intolerance to which is one of the common causes of eczema. These foods such as avocados, eggplant, spinach, tomatoes, bacon, dried fruits, and citrus, etc. should be avoided.

Optimize your gut health & normalize gut flora

While treating eczema, we focus on addressing four kinds of infections that colonize your gut, disrupt the microbiome and make it leaky, thus making way to enter the bloodstream. Once in, the infections can affect your mood, hair, nails and skin.

Restoring gut flora can reduce immune activation and alleviate inflammatory conditions like asthma, eczema, rhinitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Incorporating prebiotics, probiotics and digestive enzymes in your diet can promote a healthy gut where the good bacteria overpower the bad bacteria.

Use appropriate supplements

Omega oil, vitamins D and Bs, Magnesium and infection controlling herbs (for a short period) help to restore balance. However, it is advisable to consult a functional medicine practitioner for best results before using these supplements.

Sun exposure

People with eczema and other skin infections find it difficult to stay in the sun for too long. This is because the infection can’t stand the sun and makes the skin feel itchy. However, 30 to 60 minutes of daily sun exposure provides good nourishment for the body and helps to kill the internal pathogenic environment and fight the infection.

Toxin cleanse

A clean and non-toxic environment free of allergic and immune triggers, gives you a better chance of fighting eczema. It is therefore important to remove chemicals and toxins air you breathe, the water you drink and anything that touches your skin, such as soaps, lotions, fabric, furniture etc.

Blue light and radiation exposure

Excessive exposure to artificial white lights, screens, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and non-native EMF, is known to affect sleep and functioning of a healthy gut. Hence, these must be curbed so as not to cause more stress and inflammation which affects the skin.

Sleep and Eczema

Sometimes, the increased itchiness at night doesn’t let you sleep. However, 8 hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep is a necessity as lack of sleep can worsen the inflammation and exacerbates eczema and other conditions.

You can adopt certain practices that can help you sleep better. For instance, eat your last meal at least 2-3 hours before bedtime, don’t exercise or indulge in vigorous movement for 1-2 hours before bedtime, and shut down light sources 30 minutes before your intended sleep hour.

Limit tea, caffeine, and other such stimulants to the afternoons. Wear light, cotton breathable fabrics and if needed, cotton gloves to avoid your nails from unconsciously scratching the itchy patches. Keep yourself hydrated internally and externally.

Exercise and Eczema

A common question we get is – does exercise reduce eczema? In a way, it does. Consistent exercise reduces inflammation, boosts energy levels and strengthens the immune system, by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (proteins that help regulate your inflammatory response). It lowers stress, depression and anxiety and helps you sleep better, all of which otherwise can flare up your eczema.

Follow an exercise plan, play a sport, run or jog in the open. Go for low-impact workouts during eczema flare-ups or avoid if you don’t feel well enough to workout. Always listen to your body when it is telling you to rest.

Stress Management and Eczema

We are often asked – can stress cause eczema? Well, when you face a tough situation, your body reacts in what is called a ‘fight or flight’ response. It is a natural survival instinct, but it can also kick in during everyday stress like work or family issues. This response leads to the release of stress hormones such as cortisol.

When you experience prolonged and constant stress, a large amount of cortisol is released. This weakens your immune system and causes more inflammation in your body. This increased inflammation can make eczema symptoms worse, especially on your skin.

Therefore, it is important to identify your stressors and prioritize stress reduction activities such as meditation, deep breathing and yoga for eczema, or other relaxation techniques to reduce the chances of eczema caused by stress.

Another reason for unnecessary stress among patients who already have the condition is the feeling of shame due to it. They tend to make efforts to hide their patches, when they should ideally accept it as a momentary health condition like any of other disease.

The Importance of a Supportive Community

Patients with skin conditions like eczema need not only healthcare, but also emotional support. At Wellfinity, we adopt a very patient-centric treatment program which includes counselling sessions to help our members cope mentally with their condition. Moreover, we are also in constant touch with our members through our support networks (both online and offline) to share their worries and concerns.

In conclusion, while topical treatment only looks to supress the symptoms of eczema and does not seek a cure for eczema, a holistic approach looks to identify and correct the root cause(s) of the disease for a permanent and sustainable reversal. This usually begins with treatment of the underlying condition(s) in the gut and includes lifestyle and dietary changes to reduce inflammation and dysfunction.

Coping with eczema is not only physically challenging, but can also be mentally distressing. We at Wellfinity, understand this well and therefore we take special care to not only treat the condition but also help our members cope mentally with it.