Imagine the constant urge to scratch that seems to never go away. The embarrassment of visible flare-ups, And the frustration of trying countless creams and treatments with little relief. If this sounds familiar, you know the struggle of living with eczema.
Despite the countless creams, lotions, and potions marketed as miracle cures for eczema, the reality is that this condition isn't just a simple skin issue. Beneath the surface, there’s a complex interplay of factors driving those frustrating symptoms. It’s not about a lack of lotion – it's a sign of deeper imbalances in the body.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the underlying root causes of eczema and uncover how a holistic approach is the secret to achieving genuine, lasting relief. Let’s dive in.
What Is Eczema Anyway?
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition characterized by inflammation, itching, redness, and swelling. It commonly appears in early childhood but can occur at any age. Eczema tends to be a long-lasting condition, with periods of flare-ups and remissions. Symptoms include:1
- Itching: The most common and troublesome symptom. It can be severe and may lead to scratching, which can worsen the condition.
- Red or Brownish-gray Patches: These can appear on various parts of the body, including the hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, and the insides of the elbows and knees. In infants, the face and scalp are often affected.
- Small, Raised Bumps: These may leak fluid and crust over when scratched.
- Thickened, Cracked, or Scaly Skin: This can develop over time due to chronic scratching and irritation.
- Raw, Sensitive, and Swollen Skin: This is often due to excessive scratching.
So how are these frustrating and uncomfortable symptoms treated?
How Is Eczema Treated?
If you walk into a typical doctor's office or dermatology practice with eczema, they will likely initiate standard treatment options which may include things like:2,3
Topical Treatments:
Topical treatments might include:
- Moisturizers: To keep skin hydrated and prevent dryness
- Topical Corticosteroids: To reduce inflammation and itching during flare-ups
- Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors: To suppress immune responses to reduce inflammation
- Topical PDE4 Inhibitors: Non-steroidal options to reduce inflammation
A combination of these topical treatments are often combined to manage eczema symptoms.
Systemic Treatments:
Systemic treatments aim to pump the brakes on your immune system to keep symptoms at bay:
- Oral Corticosteroids: For severe flare-ups; short-term use
- Immunosuppressants: These suppress the immune system in severe cases
- Biologics: These target specific immune pathways for moderate to severe eczema
While these conventional treatments may indeed work to manage and reduce symptoms, they don’t actually do anything to address the root cause of eczema. So before we get into the Functional Medicine approach to treating eczema at the source, it’s important to first understand the root causes of this complex condition.
So, What Is The Root Cause OF Eczema?
Eczema may be considered a skin condition, but a skin issue is never just a skin issue. These frustrating and miserable symptoms are the end result of a whole lot of dysfunction going on beneath the surface. Let’s zoom in on some of the imbalances that can all add up to create the perfect storm – leading to the development of eczema.4,5,6,7,8
Genetic Factors
Eczema often runs in families, indicating a strong genetic component. Specific genes involved in the formation of the skin barrier and immune system regulation can be altered in individuals with eczema.
For example, mutations in the FLG gene, which produces filaggrin (a protein essential for maintaining the skin's barrier function) can lead to increased skin permeability and sensitivity to allergens and irritants. This genetic predisposition makes the skin more vulnerable to environmental factors that trigger eczema.
Immune System Dysregulation
People with eczema typically have an overactive immune system that responds aggressively to environmental triggers. This hyperreactivity leads to chronic inflammation and an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines like IL-4, IL-13, and IL-31.
The immune system mistakenly identifies harmless substances as threats – resulting in persistent itching, redness, and swelling. This immune dysfunction not only drives the symptoms of eczema but also contributes to the skin's reduced ability to heal and fend off infections.
Skin Barrier Dysfunction
The skin barrier acts as a protective shield – preventing water loss and blocking the entry of harmful substances. In eczema, this barrier is compromised due to deficiencies in structural proteins and lipids. As a result, the skin becomes dry, cracked, and prone to irritation and infection.
This dysfunction allows allergens, irritants, and microbes to penetrate the skin more easily, exacerbating inflammation and itching.
Leaky Gut and Gut Dysbiosis
Leaky gut syndrome, or increased intestinal permeability, occurs when the gut lining becomes damaged – allowing toxins, microbes, and undigested food particles to leak into the bloodstream. This can trigger systemic inflammation and an immune response – exacerbating skin conditions like eczema.
Leaky gut syndrome can also wreak havoc on the microbes that reside in your gut – also known as your microbiome. When the delicate balance of these little microbes becomes disrupted, it creates a condition known as gut dysbiosis. And because the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in regulating immune function and systemic inflammation, gut dysbiosis can have a dramatic impact on your skin health – making your gut health a major player when it comes to the development and progression of eczema.
Skin Microbiome Imbalance
Just like your gut, your skin also has it’s own ecosystem of microbes that make up your skin microbiome. A healthy skin microbiome consists of a diverse community of microorganisms that protect against pathogens and support skin health. In eczema, this balance is disrupted – leading to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. This imbalance weakens the skin's defense mechanisms and promotes inflammation.
Environmental Triggers
Environmental factors play a significant role in triggering and exacerbating eczema. Common triggers include allergens (such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites), irritants (like soaps, detergents, and fragrances), and weather conditions (such as dry air and extreme temperatures). Emotional stress and sweating can also provoke flare-ups.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Certain nutritional deficiencies can contribute to the development and severity of eczema. For instance, deficiencies in essential fatty acids, vitamins (like vitamins D and E), and minerals (such as zinc) can impair skin barrier function and immune response.
Stress and Psychological Factors
Stress and emotional well-being have a profound impact on eczema. Stress can trigger and worsen flare-ups by influencing the immune system and inflammatory pathways. The chronic itching and discomfort of eczema can also lead to significant psychological distress, creating a vicious cycle where stress and eczema exacerbate each other.
Can Eczema Be Cured Naturally? A Functional Medicine Approach To Healing Eczema
Functional medicine focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of health issues – including eczema. By understanding and treating these underlying factors, it is possible to manage and potentially reduce eczema symptoms naturally.
If you’re grappling with eczema, it can be immensely helpful to work with an experienced Integrative and Functional Medicine Practitioner to help you address the root causes contributing to your symptoms. They will come up with a comprehensive and unique plan of action that will likely include many of the following healing strategies:4,5,6,7,8
Optimize Your Nutrition
Proper nutrition is crucial for managing eczema. Your diet is foundational when it comes to correcting nutrient deficiencies, reducing inflammation, healing your gut, and more. Without first addressing your diet, any other strategies you incorporate will likely fall short.
Here are some shifts that can help when addressing eczema:
- Focus On Nutrient-Dense, Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Emphasize a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds to reduce overall inflammation and support the skin. Check out my recipe library if you need some help incorporating more of these healing foods into your diet.
- Correct Nutrient Deficiencies: While the food you eat is foundational, it can be helpful to incorporate some supplements to help correct nutrient deficiencies. Three supplements that are particularly helpful when it comes to eczema include Vitamin D, Zinc, and Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Eliminate Trigger Foods: Identify and eliminate foods that can trigger eczema flare-ups, such as dairy, gluten, soy, and processed sugars. Keeping a food diary and working with a healthcare provider can help pinpoint specific food sensitivities. You likely won’t have to cut these foods out forever, but eliminating them temporarily is often necessary to jumpstart the healing process.
Once you’ve dialed in your diet, it’s time to focus on the next piece of the puzzle – your gut health.
Heal Your Gut And Support A Happy, Healthy Gut
Healing and rebalancing your gut is foundational when it comes to addressing eczema. Without a happy, healthy gut, it’s nearly impossible to truly begin healing eczema – it’s that important! Healing your gut and supporting long-term gut health requires a two-pronged approach:
- Healing Leaky Gut: Follow a gut-healing diet by eliminating food sensitivities and incorporating gut-healing foods like bone broth and fermented vegetables. It can also be helpful to use supplements such as Gut Shield, Gut Calm, and Collagen Boost, to aid in repairing your gut lining.
- Restoring Microbiome Balance: Reinoculating your gut with gut-supporting microbes and ensuring they have the nutrients they need to thrive is key. I recommend combining Probiotic Daily Essentials with Spore-Based Probiotics and incorporating a daily dose of prebiotic fiber to ensure these beneficial bacteria have plenty of fuel.
Optimizing your nutrition and jumpstarting your gut's healing process are the first, and arguably most important, steps in addressing the root cause of eczema.
Pump The Brakes On Inflammation
The symptoms of eczema are the end result of an immune system thrown off-kilter. So restoring balance to the immune system and pumping the brakes on inflammation are critical steps when it comes to healing eczema at the source.
- Focus On Inflammation-Fighting Foods: Incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like fish and flaxseeds), antioxidants (found in colorful fruits and vegetables), and phytonutrients.
- Avoid Inflammation-Stoking Foods: Like refined sugar and oils, fast food, and pre-packaged foods.
- Incorporate Immune-Boosting Supplements: Use vitamins and minerals like those found in my Immune Boost Bundle to support your immune system and help it settle back into equilibrium.
Another way to help soothe inflammation is to minimize your toxic burden. Because being mindful of the toxins flowing into your body can have a major influence on eczema, let’s zoom in on this strategy a little more.
Minimize Your Toxic Burden and Reduce Environmental Triggers
If you have eczema, your immune system is sort of like a security guard with a finger always on the trigger – ready to sound the alarm at the slightest hint of trouble. This hypersensitivity means your immune system can react strongly to minor triggers that may not bother those without eczema. This hypersensitive immune response is why it’s crucial to be mindful of your toxic burden and exposure to potential environmental triggers.
Everyday items such as certain soaps, detergents, and fragrances can expose you to a plethora of toxic ingredients that can overwhelm your detox pathways – subsequently setting off your immune system, ramping up inflammation, and contributing to your eczema.
Doing things like filtering your indoor air, purifying your drinking water, and opting for low-tox home and personal care products can drastically reduce your toxic burden – alleviating pressure on your immune system and helping it move back to equilibrium.
Rebalance and Strengthen Your Skin
Restoring and protecting your skin barrier and microbiome is vital. Some ways you can rebalance and strengthen your skin include:
- Topical Treatments: Use natural emollients such as coconut oil, shea butter, and colloidal oatmeal to hydrate and protect the skin. Avoid harsh soaps and antibacterial products that can disrupt the skin microbiome.
- Microbiome Restoration: Apply topical probiotics and natural antimicrobials like tea tree oil and manuka honey to promote a healthy skin microbiome and combat harmful bacteria.
- Bathing Practices: Take gentle, lukewarm baths followed by the immediate application of moisturizers to seal in moisture.
- Use Low-Tox Skincare: I have a whole lineup of effective, low-tox skincare products you can check out right here.
It’s important to note that there is a time and place for all treatments – meaning sometimes it may be helpful or even necessary to utilize conventional topical treatments (like topical steroids) to provide relief and comfort while healing the root causes of your eczema.
Manage Stress and Emotional Well-Being
Your stress levels and your emotional well-being play a surprisingly important role in eczema. That’s because your emotions are intricately intertwined with your gut health, your immune system, and more. Managing stress while prioritizing your mental health and happiness can go a long way in managing and healing eczema.
Some ways to support emotional well-being include:
- Mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises
- Engaging in regular, moderate exercise can be a great outlet for stress while getting those feel-good endorphins flowing
- Practicing good sleep hygiene and ensuring that you get adequate, restful sleep is key (click here to check out some of my favorite all-natural sleep hacks)
What supports your emotional well-being will look a little different for everyone – so experiment with different routines and practices to find out what works best for you!
Are You Grappling With Eczema?
Eczema can be frustrating, life-hindering, and downright miserable. But the good news is, there are effective strategies and resources that can help you find relief and regain control over your skin and your life. Addressing eczema requires looking a little deeper and healing the imbalances that aren’t as readily visible.
Ready to take the next step in your healing journey? I cannot overemphasize the importance of partnering with a clinician well-versed in the Functional Medicine Approach. Having someone to guide you can majorly shortcut your path to healing. And if you’re looking for another shortcut to healing that will help you simplify the process of creating a healthy overall lifestyle that doesn't feel like a chore, I’ve got you covered.
My free Resource Roadmap will connect you with the resources, tools, products, and more to help simplify the process of creating a lifestyle that supports your health from the inside out. It’ll help you zero in on what’s most useful for you right now and arm you with the knowledge you need to confidently move forward. Just click here to access your Resource Roadmap now!
Resources:
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis): Causes, symptoms, and treatment (nationaleczema.org)
- Atopic eczema – Treatment – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Eczema: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes, Types & Treatment (clevelandclinic.org)
- Eczema: A Holistic Approach – Holistic Primary Care
- Anti-inflammatory diet can help find eczema triggers | UCLA Health
- Microbiome of the Skin and Gut in Atopic Dermatitis (AD): Understanding the Pathophysiology and Finding Novel Management Strategies – PMC (nih.gov)
- The Gut Microbiome: Human Health and Inflammatory Skin Diseases – PMC (nih.gov)
- Eczema and Gut Health: The Microbiome, Probiotics, and Diet (zoe.com)
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations or relationship with your physician. Please review references sited at end of article for scientific support of any claims made.
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