Natural Eczema Treatment
A naturopathic approach to managing eczema
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?
The genetic component to eczema manifests when you have a family history of eczema, allergies or asthma. In this situation, you increase your likelihood of having the same health condition as family members. This is the “atopy” (familial) component of eczema.
In eczema, your immune system “overreacts” and hastens the production of new skin, thereby creating the patchy, thickened appearance, characteristic of eczema.
Certain food or environmental allergens may trigger a hyper-reactive response from the immune system, which then presents on the skin. Hence, it is important to determine if and to what degree these triggers are contributing to your eczema.
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.
How does a naturopathic doctor treat eczema?
A naturopath will assess several variables of your health related to your eczema. Firstly, your diet may play a role in instigating or continuing the inflammatory cycle of your skin. For this reason, we offer food sensitivity testing to measure antibody levels in your blood to certain plausible trigger foods in your diet. If you consume these trigger foods, you can develop inflammatory symptoms in the body, such as eczema.
Your naturopath will assess and address your stress levels. As a result, they may ask you about your emotional or environmental stressors, that could be impacting your skin. They will also discuss other contributing factors, such as your ability to handle stress, lack of sleep or level of physical activity. From here, your naturopath will develop strategies for you to manage your stresses and improve your stress tolerance.
Natural eczema treatment uses an approach that works to optimize your digestive health and immune system in order for your eczema to heal. This uses holistic non-pharmaceutical means to improve your skin.
Your naturopath will discuss your skin care routine, an important component of your skin health. For that reason, our Naturopathic Doctors will ask you about your past and current skin care regime and assess whether it is appropriate for your skin and your eczema.
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
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:
Our Naturopathic Doctors are knowledgeable and experienced with treating patients with various presentations of eczema and will assess your health from a holistic perspective and offer natural options to treat your skin. Book an appointment or contact Zentai Wellness Centre for further inquiries.