Natural Eczema Treatment
With over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Makoto Trotter, ND has helped patients with chronic eczema, including complex cases like topical steroid withdrawal (TSW)
If you’re struggling with eczema that keeps coming back – even after creams, steroids, or endless skincare changes – you’re not alone.
Most treatments focus on suppressing symptoms. But eczema is often driven by deeper issues like immune imbalance, gut health, food triggers, and chronic stress.
At our Toronto naturopathic clinic, we take a root-cause approach to eczema, helping you understand why your skin is reacting and what to do about it.
Natural eczema treatment involves understanding the underlying reasons for your eczema.
Triggers for eczema start the skin on a path to chronic inflammation. Some of these stressors may include emotional stress, your environment, dietary triggers, physical irritation of the skin and lifestyle factors. Natural approaches to eczema can be safe and effective to treat underlying inflammation.
What is eczema?
Eczema or atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition, that makes your skin thick and rough. Also, it is typically itchy, and sometimes can be extremely itchy, creating a scratch-itch cycle that perpetuates the skin lesions.
Eczema may present on the skin with several different types lesions. Nummular eczema (aka discoid eczema) occurs with coin-shaped lesions and is the most common presentation; however, there are other forms such as dyshidrotic eczema, pompholyx, infantile or adult seborrhea, asteatotic, contact dermatitis and varicose eczema.
You may be frustrated with relying solely on prescription creams that only provide you with temporary relief. Consequently, you may be ready to try a natural approach to improving your eczema that can uncover and treat underlying triggers.
What causes eczema from a root-cause perspective?
Eczema is rarely just a skin condition. In clinical practice, it is often driven by a combination of the following:
- Immune System Dysregulation
(an overactive inflammatory response) - Gut Health & Food Sensitivities
Gut Health & Food Sensitivities (leaky gut, microbiome imbalance, trigger foods) - Environmental Triggers
(fragrances, detergents, skincare, allergens, oversoaping, excess bathing) - Stress & Nervous System Imbalance
(cortisol, poor sleep, emotional stress) - Skin Barrier Dysfunction
(dryness, irritation, impaired healing, climate or seasonal changes)
Conditions Commonly Associated with Eczema
Eczema often does not occur in isolation. Addressing related conditions can be key to long-term improvement.
You may also benefit from support if you experience:
- Digestive issues such as IBS and bloating
- Hormonal imbalances and menstrual irregularities (e.g., PMS, PMDD, PCOS)
- Chronic stress and poor sleep
- Allergies or asthma
How is eczema treated conventionally?
Conventionally, a dermatologist or family doctor treats your eczema. Typically, they prescribe you a prescription anti-inflammatory topical cream. This option is usually in the form of one of several types of corticosteroid creams. Sometimes, this may provide enough relief to clear your skin and keep it clear. But quite commonly, prescription corticosteroids serve to *control* the inflammation of your eczema, but will not heal it for the long-term. This means that you may experience temporary relief or improvement, but your eczema will return or flare-up with cessation of the corticosteroids.
Also, corticosteroid creams used for a long duration can thin your skin and weaken your immune system.
This Approach May Help If You:
- Have eczema that keeps returning after using steroid creams (often more than one)
- Suspect food triggers but can’t identify them
- Have digestive issues (bloating, IBS, food sensitivities)
- Notice flare-ups with stress or poor sleep
- Want a natural, long-term solution (not just symptom relief)
Ready to Get to the Root of Your Eczema?
If you’re tired of temporary fixes and want a clear, personalized plan:
→ Book your free 15-minute consultation
→ Get clarity on your triggers and next steps
→ Start improving your skin from the inside out
Our Naturopathic Approach to Eczema
We don’t just treat your skin, we assess the systems driving it.
Your plan may include:
- Personalized diet strategies to reduce inflammation
- Food sensitivity testing
- Gut health support protocols
- Targeted supplementation for skin repair
- Stress and nervous system regulation
- Skin care routine optimization
- Optional acupuncture for immune balance
Testing for Eczema
Eczema is often driven by internal factors. Targeted testing can help identify triggers and guide a more personalized treatment plan.
Testing may include:
- Food Sensitivity Testing – to identify delayed reactions to common trigger foods
- GI-MAP (Gut Testing) – to assess microbiome balance, inflammation, and gut health
- DUTCH Test (Hormones) – to evaluate stress and hormone-related flare triggers
- Blood Work – to check for nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, and metabolic factors
How would visits work to help my eczema?
- Review your skin care regimen and recommend modifications appropriate for your sensitive eczema
- Comprehensive intake to discuss your skin, digestion, hormones and many other body systems that are impacting your eczema
- Review previous diagnostic tests and reports relevant to your health
- Discuss test options that are relevant to natural eczema treatment
- Recommend a diet plan that is designed to reduce inflammation, support immunity and heal eczema
- Recommend nutrients and supplements to support your skin health
- Discuss herbal medicine options for your eczema
- Discuss the connection between emotions and your flare-ups and create strategies to improve your stress
- Potentially incorporate acupuncture to re-balance immunity to heal your eczema
Frequently Asked Questions About Naturopathic Eczema Treatment
Can naturopathic medicine actually clear eczema, or just manage it?
Results vary depending on the individual, but many patients experience significant and lasting improvement – not just temporary relief. The key difference is that naturopathic care aims to identify and address the underlying drivers (gut health, immune dysregulation, food triggers, stress) rather than suppressing symptoms. Some patients are able to reduce or eliminate their reliance on topical steroids entirely over time.
What is the connection between eczema and gut health?
The gut-skin axis is well established in clinical and research literature. An imbalanced gut microbiome or increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut) can trigger systemic immune responses that manifest as skin inflammation. Healing the gut is frequently one of the most impactful interventions for patients with chronic eczema – particularly when digestive symptoms like bloating, IBS, or food reactions are also present.
Atopic eczema shares key immune-mediated mechanisms with other autoimmune conditions – including gut permeability and immune dysregulation. Learn more about naturopathic autoimmune support.
How long does it take to see improvement with naturopathic eczema treatment?
Most patients begin to notice meaningful changes within 6-12 weeks of starting a targeted treatment plan, though this varies depending on severity and how long the condition has been present. Chronic eczema that has been present for years typically takes longer to resolve than a more recent onset. Dr. Trotter will give you a realistic timeline based on your specific presentation at your first visit.
Is eczema connected to hormones?
Yes – hormonal fluctuations can trigger or worsen eczema flares, particularly in women around their menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, or in perimenopause. When eczema symptoms follow a clear hormonal pattern, assessing hormone health alongside gut and immune function is an important part of the workup.
Is naturopathic eczema treatment safe for children?
Yes – naturopathic approaches are well-suited to children and are a common reason families seek care at our clinic. We also offer a dedicated pediatric eczema program for younger patients.
Do I need to stop using my steroid cream to work with Dr. Trotter?
No. Dr. Trotter does not advise patients to stop prescribed medications without medical supervision. Naturopathic care works alongside conventional treatment – the goal is to address root causes so that over time, reliance on topical steroids naturally decreases. If you are concerned about long-term steroid use or experiencing topical steroid withdrawal, that is also something Dr. Trotter has extensive experience supporting.
When Eczema Leads to Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW)
For some people who have used topical steroid creams for long periods, stopping them can trigger a reaction called Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), also known as red skin syndrome. This is different from a regular eczema flare and may include burning, redness, and very sensitive skin.
While TSW is not widely recognized in conventional medicine, I have supported many patients through it in my naturopathic practice. If you think you may be experiencing TSW and want compassionate, holistic guidance, you can read more here:
Eczema is often linked to digestive and immune factors. Learn more about other skin and digestive conditions treated in our practice.
Get to the Root Cause of Your Eczema
If you’re struggling with persistent itching and eczema, start with a personalized assessment to help identify what’s driving your symptoms and get your skin feeling more comfortable.
Book an appointment to finally understand what’s driving your eczema and take action steps to get better.