Eczema: An Inflammatory Skin Condition

Have you ever experienced Eczema?  Our family has and this is one of the reasons why we began our holistic journey.   It started when we had our beautiful baby girl who was born very sick and seemed to be allergic and sensitive to everything that touched her little body on the inside and out!  She had eczema on her pretty little cheeks and they were very red, scaly and swollen.  We went to her Pediatrician,  received some Cortisone cream and we looked at the side effects (have you ever looked at the side effects of medications that you are given ~ there are some really scary things listed there!) and decided that we wanted a more Holistic way of treating her skin and other issues..  Long story short, we became aware that we needed to treat the core problems and not just the symptoms with cream. 

There are Several Types of Eczema: 
The most common ones include the following:

• Atopic Dermatitis: 

~ Is the most common form of Eczema
~ It usually begins in infancy and varies in severity during    childhood and adolescence.
~ It is thought to be caused by a combination of dry, irritable skin and a malfunction in the body's immune system

• Contact Dermatitis:

~ Is caused by exposure to an irritant or allergen, such as laundry soap, dyes, cosmetics and skin products, cleaning products, or plants (poison ivy)
~ Some people with dermatitis are sensitive to sunlight.  Whatever the irritant, if the skin remains in constant contact with it, the dermatitis is likely to spread and become more severe
~ Stress, especially chronic tension, can cause or exacerbate dermatitis

• Neurodermatitis:

~ Develops in areas where something, such as tight clothing, rubs or scratches your skin and causes irritation

• Seborrheic Dermatitis:

~ is a red rash with yellowish & oily scales, which is known as cradle cap when it affects infants
~ With adults ~ this can be triggered by stress or other health conditions such a Parkinson's disease

• Stasis Dermatitis:

~ this may be causes by varicose veins & chronic venous insufficiency, which can cause a buildup of fluid beneath the skin of the legs
~ this fluid buildup interferes with your blood's ability to nourish your skin and places pressure against the skin  

• Dermatitis Herpetiformis:

~ is a very itchy type of dermatitis associated with intestinal and immune disorders 
~ may be triggered by the consumption of dairy and/or gluten

Eczema Can Appear In Different Areas On The Body

Eczema locations on the body

Signs & Symptoms

Eczema can appear on various parts of the body.  Symptoms vary and include the following:

• Dryness
• Itching
• Redness
• Skin Leasions (small red bumps, crusty, scaly patches)
• Swelling

In severe cases, fluid-filled vesicles, ulcers, or cracks may occur.  The open sores or ulcers can become infected ~ it may need immediate medical attention.

Risk Factors:

• Age: it can occur at any age, it is most common in infants and young children
• Diet - deficiency of Essential Fatty Acids; exposure to food allergens
• Digestive Problems - leaky gut syndrome & celiac disease
• Exposure to skin irritants - chemicals, detergents, latex, cosmetics & pollution
• Genetics - having a parent with eczema, asthma & allergies increases risk.
• Having hay fever, allergies, asthma or a family history of these conditions
• Stress - physical or emotional
• Climate Changes - especially cold dry weather, stress & illness or infections can trigger flare-ups

Recommendations:

Foods To Include:

• nuts, seeds (flaxseed, pumpkin, & hemp), cold-water fish, & olive oil
• fruits and vegetables
• purified water 

Foods To Avoid:

• spices, dairy, caffeine, alcohol & preservatives

Food allergies are common in those with eczema.

Supplementation:  

Include Soy Smoothie in your food intake every day - guaranteed source of all the essential amino acids needed for healthy skin.

• Alfalfa - purify the blood & provide minerals for healing
• Essential Fatty Acids - essential for healing skin. Need both GLA and Omega Guard and Mighty Smarts for children
• Vitalizer (for adults) and Ocean Wonders (for children)
• Vitamin D3 - essential for healthy skin

Contact me to set up a Nutritional Consultation to put together an individual plan to help you and/or your family.

Lifestyle Suggestions:

• use only healthier options for: skin products, soaps, cleaning products & detergents and rinse well with water
• take short baths & showers with warm water
• bathing in oatmeal can help reduce itching - gently pat skin dry, don't rub
• moisturize your skin throughout the day
• wear soft, natural fabrics: such as cotton, hemp, or silk
• don't scratch or rub skin
• use a humidifier or vaporizer in your home to add moisture to the air.
• Drink lots of Pure Filtered Water

Contact me to set up a Nutritional Consultation to put together an individual plan to help you and/or your family.