Eczema

Natural remedies for eczema relief

Few things can be as irritating as the persistent discomfort caused by eczema, a skin condition causing itchy, inflamed, red patches that can disrupt yours or your child's daily life.

While it may be challenging to treat, there are natural treatments and lifestyle changes that can help you manage and alleviate eczema symptoms.

What causes eczema?

Eczema can be triggered by various factors, including food proteins, dust, animal dander, pollen, and changes in weather conditions

Common among those with a family history of allergies or asthma, eczema is not just skin-deep; it often indicates underlying issues such as an overactive immune system, impaired lymphatic function, and dysbiosis (gut bacteria imbalances)

External factors like toxic cleaning products, cosmetics, perfumes, mould, and electromagnetic fields can also impact your skin and exacerbate eczema symptoms

What’s your gut got to do with it?

In eczema, your immune system reacts strongly to even minor triggers, causing inflammation and itching. Continuous scratching can damage the skin barrier, allowing bacteria and allergens to enter, perpetuating the itch-scratch cycle

The connection between your gut and immune system plays a crucial role in eczema. Your gut bacteria communicate with your immune cells, influencing their response to eczema triggers

Disruptions in gut health, such as dysbiosis or a leaky gut, can exacerbate immune hyperactivity and inflammation, contributing to eczema. Improving gut health can help alleviate eczema symptoms by reducing this heightened immune response.

Understanding Delayed IgG Food Reactions and Eczema Management

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can be triggered or worsened by various environmental and dietary factors. While immediate allergic reactions (IgE-mediated) are well-known, delayed IgG-mediated food reactions are increasingly recognised for their role in persistent eczema symptoms. In this article I explore the science behind delayed IgG reactions, their impact on eczema, and effective management strategies.

IgG vs. IgE Reactions: What’s the Difference?

• IgE-mediated reactions are immediate and can cause symptoms like hives, swelling, or even anaphylaxis within minutes of exposure to an allergen.

• Delayed IgG-mediated reactions involve the immune system’s production of IgG antibodies in response to certain foods. Symptoms may appear several hours to days after ingestion and are often more subtle, including digestive issues, joint pain, fatigue, headaches, and skin problems like eczema. Making it super hard to pinpoint a specific food as the trigger!

How Delayed IgG Food Reactions Affect Eczema

1. Chronic Inflammation

   • When certain foods trigger the production of IgG antibodies, immune complexes form and can lead to ongoing inflammation. This persistent immune activation can worsen eczema and other inflammatory symptoms.

2. Wider Range of Symptoms

   • In addition to skin flare-ups, delayed IgG reactions may cause bloating, gas, diarrhea, joint pain, and general fatigue, making it harder to identify the exact trigger without careful observation or testing.

3. Environmental and Dietary Triggers

   • While environmental factors (like pollen, dust, or chemicals) can cause immediate eczema flares, delayed reactions to foods can contribute to chronic or recurring symptoms.

The Importance of Complete Food Elimination

Benefit	Explanation
Symptom Management	Many people experience significant relief from eczema and related symptoms when trigger foods are fully eliminated.
Reducing Inflammation	Removing these foods helps calm the immune system, reducing chronic inflammation that can drive eczema.
Individualized Approach	Identifying and avoiding specific triggers is most effective when guided by a healthcare professional, ensuring nutritional needs are met.
Improved Quality of Life	Symptom relief often leads to better sleep, mood, and daily functioning, greatly enhancing quality of life.

Practical Guidance for Caregivers and Individuals

• Work with a Professional: Elimination diets should be supervised by a healthcare provider such as myself to ensure nutritional adequacy and proper identification of triggers. Remembering removal isn't forever it is just a step to the gut healing process.

• Monitor Symptoms: Track changes in eczema and other symptoms during the elimination phase to help identify which foods are problematic. We also recommend doing this alongside allergy testing to pinpoint exactly the cause.

• Temporary Elimination: The goal is to calm the immune system by removing triggers for a set period, not to restrict the diet permanently. Foods are reintroduced gradually under supervision to assess tolerance.

• Balanced Nutrition: If you’re unsure what to eat or feed someone with eczema during this process, seek professional advice to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.

Why a Rotation Diet Isn’t Suitable in This Phase

A rotation diet, where foods are cycled in and out, is not recommended during the initial elimination phase for delayed IgG reactions. The immune system needs time to reset, and repeated exposure—even in rotation—can perpetuate inflammation. Reintroduction of foods should only occur after a period of complete elimination and under professional guidance.

Summary

Delayed IgG reactions to specific foods can play a significant role in chronic or recurrent eczema. While these reactions may not cause immediate, severe symptoms, eliminating trigger foods can greatly improve symptom management and overall well-being. A carefully supervised elimination diet, followed by planned reintroduction, offers a safe and effective approach for those struggling with persistent eczema linked to food sensitivities.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes, especially when managing chronic conditions like eczema.

Top 8 nutrients for eczema

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is essential for skin health, aiding in cell growth and regeneration, which is crucial in eczema when the skin barrier is often compromised. It also supports healthy immune system function and possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which can alleviate symptoms such as redness and itching

It also plays a role in maintaining a healthy gut lining, reducing overall inflammation in the body

Sources include - Cod liver oil, leafy green vegetables, fish and fish oils, mango, dairy and eggs.

The problem here is often cows milk allergy or lactose intolerance can cause eczema flaring. SO when we remove high vit A foods we need to replace them! Cod liver oil is a sure fire way to get adequate vit A and D into your skin for healing and repair, especially for little ones!

Vitamin C

Vitamin C possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help reduce skin inflammation associated with eczema. It helps regulate immune responses and supports the maintenance of a healthy skin barrier, preventing excessive reactions to allergens and irritants

It may help regulate histamine levels, potentially alleviating itching and discomfort associated with eczema

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining skin barrier function and regulating the immune system. This helps prevent excessive reactions that trigger eczema flare-ups, primarily by blocking the entry of allergens and irritant.

Its anti-inflammatory properties may aid in reducing the inflammation associated with eczema

It may also enhance skin hydration, reducing dryness and itching

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant with moisturising properties that can alleviate dryness and itching. Whether taken orally or applied topically, it plays a key role in maintaining a strong skin barrier, reducing the risk of eczema flare-ups.

It also aids in the repair and regeneration of skin cells, which may help speed up the healing process, reducing the severity of eczema-related skin damage

Zinc

Zinc plays a crucial role in skin healing and repair by strengthening the skin barrier, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and regulating the body's inflammatory response

It assists in preventing excessive reactions to allergens and irritants, thereby contributing to the relief of symptoms like redness, itching, and swelling

It also has mild antibacterial properties that can help prevent or address secondary skin infections often linked to eczema-related scratching

Quercetin

Quercetin has antihistamine properties that can help regulate histamine levels, reducing itching, redness, and discomfort. It promotes skin barrier function integrity, which is crucial for preventing the entry of irritants and allergens

It may help regulate immune reactions and reduce inflammation, reducing the risk of flare-ups

Essential fatty acids

Essential fatty acids, including omega-3 are renowned for regulating inflammatory responses, which may help alleviate itchiness and discomfort associated with eczema

Fish oils contribute to maintaining a strong and intact skin barrier, reducing the risk of eczema flare-ups. It helps lock in moisture, preventing skin dryness and providing relief from itchiness

Probiotics

Probiotics can help regulate and balance the immune system, reducing the severity of eczema symptoms when prescribed adequately for the individual needs.

The gut microbiome plays a significant role in overall immune function, and imbalances in gut bacteria have been linked to eczema. Restoring a healthier balance of gut bacteria may reduce inflammation and improve immune system regulation, reducing the risk of eczema flare-ups (

The most beneficial probiotic strains for eczema are

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

• Lactobacillus salivarius LS-01

• Lactobacillus paracasei LP-33

• Lactobacillus helveticus R0052

• Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12

Top 5 herbs for eczema

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) has been used for centuries to promote wound healing It contains anti-inflammatory compounds such as acemannan and aloe-emodin.

It has a cooling sensation when applied to the skin, which can provide immediate relief from itching and discomfort caused by eczema. It also can soothe cracked and damaged skin and can prevent secondary infections. There is also specific evidence on the healing of the gut lining when taking Aloe vera internally (under supervised clinician care)

Chamomile

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) contains compounds, including chamazulene and alpha-bisabolol, which have potent anti-inflammatory effects

Chamomile has a calming effect on the skin. It can help relieve the intense itching and discomfort associated with eczema, making it easier to resist scratching

Chamomile tea in the bath can be a great affordable anti-itch remedy to avoid all the rubbish prescrbed for ezcema that are over the counter and can ruin skin integrity and barrier over time.

Oat Baths for Eczema

Oatmeal baths are a well-established supportive therapy for eczema. Scientific studies demonstrate that oatmeal—finely ground oats suspended in water—offers several key benefits for eczema-prone skin: (or placing oats in stocking or sock in bath)

• Skin Barrier Protection: oatmeal helps repair and maintain the skin barrier, which is often compromised in eczema. It supports skin surface pH and provides fatty acids that contribute to barrier integrity

• Anti-Inflammatory and Soothing Effects: Oatmeal contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can reduce skin inflammation, itching, and irritation associated with eczema

• Hydration and Moisturization: Oat baths help retain moisture in the skin, combatting the dryness and scaling common in eczema. Clinical studies show that oatmeal creams and baths significantly improve skin hydration and reduce eczema severity scores

• Symptom Relief: Regular use of oatmeal baths has been shown to reduce itching and burning, with some studies reporting up to a 50% reduction in itch after a week of daily use

To maximize benefits, it is recommended to soak in lukewarm (not hot) water with thoroughly mixed oatmeal for 10–15 minutes, then gently pat the skin dry

Calendula for Eczema

Calendula (Calendula officinalis), also known as pot marigold, is a medicinal plant traditionally used for various skin conditions, including eczema. Its potential benefits are attributed to:

• Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Calendula contains flavonoids, triterpenoids, and other bioactive compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, which may help reduce skin inflammation

• Wound Healing and Antioxidant Effects: Laboratory and animal studies show calendula can promote wound healing and protect skin cells from oxidative stress, suggesting a supportive role in skin repair

  
  

Gotu Kola

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) can reduce inflammation, enhance immune function, and promote wound healing

Gotu kola contains triterpenoid compounds that may help reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin. It promotes faster healing of wounds and reduces the risk of infection

Echinacea

Echinacea contains compounds like alkylamides and polysaccharides, which may regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, leading to reduced redness, itching, and discomfort. It improves the skin’s barrier function and skin immunity

Diet and lifestyle recommendations

• Address Environmental Triggers: identify and address environmental triggers, including toxins in cleaning products and personal care items. Minimise exposure to allergens and irritants.

• Stress Management: hypersensitivity reactions may be associated with stress and anxiety. Mind-body techniques like meditation, tai chi, yoga, and deep breathing can help reduce reactivity

• Dietary Changes: identify any specific foods that may trigger or worsen you or your child's eczema symptoms, such as dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, wheat, and seafood. Reduce inflammatory foods like saturated fats, refined foods, and sugar. Focus on fresh vegetables, whole grains, and essential fatty acids from sources like cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds.(Seek adequate testing from a Naturopath if you are having trouble)

• Key take-away

Eczema can be managed effectively through a holistic approach that includes dietary changes, natural remedies, stress management, and mindful skincare. By addressing the underlying causes and triggers, you can take steps towards achieving healthier, more comfortable skin.

Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen, especially if you have severe eczema or underlying medical conditions.