Natural Response: how to relieve eczema?

Response from Irene McCabe, naturopathic nutritionist:

IN holistic medicine it is commonly understood that skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis begin when the gut is out of balance due to the consumption of foods that do not agree with an individual. Hippocrates, father of modern medicine, famously said “all disease begins in the gut”. Apart from genetic related diseases this wise man made a very valid observation.

Three common types of food are regularly linked to skin conditions such as eczema. Dairy foods, and modern day wheat are the first two agitators. The third are fruits and vegetables that form part of the night shade family such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, chillies, some gooseberries, some cherries and goji berries.

In my allergy clinic I see countless people observe a profound difference in their skin conditions when they decide to eliminate some, or all, of the above items from their diet. Using topical skin creams can help periodically but will only act as a sticking plaster and your condition may keep reoccurring if the underlying condition such as diet is not properly addressed

Supplementing with zinc, omega 3 flax oil, and a good strong, multi strain pro biotic which will help to repopulate the gut with beneficial bacteria should also help

New mothers who suffer from eczema should monitor their baby’s reaction to dairy. Changing formula milk to a none dairy version or monitoring your own diet if breast feeding and supplement with a baby version of probiotics can all help but please speak to your GP if you have any serious concerns.

Response From Nikki Biddiss, medical herbalist:

Eczema is a common skin condition which varies in severity and leads to patches of hot, itchy, scaly skin which may produce weeping blisters. The itchiness can lead to scratching which can cause the skin to become raw and bleed, leaving the skin open to secondary infection. Like many skin conditions it can be stressful and affect self-confidence.

People often visit herbalists to try to manage eczema and there are a number of external and internal remedies that can be tried. If you are looking for a steroid-free cream, I would recommend Napier’s Starflower Sensitive Dry Skin Cream which contains herbs to cool and calm hot irritated skin, including borage oil which is high in omega-6 fatty acids needed to moisturise and repair skin cells. Adding an infusion of oats to your bath may also help soothe skin, but avoid very hot baths or a hot bedroom as the heat can irritate the skin.

Eczema can be linked to asthma and hayfever and can run in families (allergic or atopic eczema), varicose veins (stasis eczema) or be due to a sensitivity to chemicals or detergents (contact dermatitis). Avoiding known allergens is essential. The herbs prescribed vary according to the cause of the skin irritation, but a mix of anti-inflammatory, anti-itch and skin-repairing herbs will normally be used.

Consult your health practitioner before following any advice if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have underlying health issues.