Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition triggered by inflammation that people all over the world can relate to, especially those diagnosed with other atopic (allergy-related) disorders, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, or food allergies. The presence of inflammatory lesions on the skin is the most obvious clue that there is something wrong within your body, greatly emphasizing the importance of holistic health. In managing eczema, it is vital to not only consider how to relieve acute lesions on the skin, but, most importantly, to focus on the cause of your skin’s barrier dysfunction and avoid triggers that may cause flare-ups.
Understanding Eczema
A wide variety of microorganisms normally live on the surface of your skin. These co-exist to provide protection and nutrition, ultimately maintaining epidermal homeostasis (healthy, balanced skin). When such balance is disrupted, the microorganisms that protect you from your environment can potentially harm your body! When exposed to personal triggers, your body’s impaired immune response may reduce the healthy diversity of your skin’s microbiome, allowing Staphylococcus and other potentially dangerous microorganisms to predominate and cause lesions on your skin. A weak skin barrier in individuals with eczema makes their body more vulnerable to triggers that could potentiate an immune response, since this allows easier entry of allergens, irritants, and pathogens into the skin. Another concerning problem with eczema is its chronic and superficial presentation, causing profound effects on your emotional well-being and affecting your quality of life.
Signs and Symptoms
Eczema is characterized by lesions that make you want to intensely scratch or rub them, producing rash and further skin breakdown in the long run. Its hallmark is dry and itchy skin that is prone to having infections.1 The rash may present with red papules (bulging spots on the skin) and excoriations (lesions from repeated scratching of the skin). Affected areas may include your wrists, ankles, toes, crook of the elbows, and the back of the knees. The urge to persistently scratch affected areas may additionally cause you to stay awake at night, while the lesions themselves may affect your self-confidence, relationship with friends and families, and productivity at work or school.
Allopathic Management
Eczema can be allopathically managed with topical medications, such as steroids, applied on the skin. These additionally include products that promote hydration and reduce inflammation during flare-ups.1 Although effective at suppressing symptoms, the effects of steroids are temporary and can cause your body to experience withdrawal symptoms in the long term. More importantly, the daily use of topical steroids is not recommended, as this may lead to the thinning of your skin and increased risk of serious infection, visible stretch marks, superficial dilated blood vessels on your skin surface, development of acne, and risk of rebound rosacea or dermatitis.1 Itching, on the other hand, is typically managed with antihistamines, which minimizes your body’s reaction to the triggers. However, this medication may lead to drowsiness and unproductivity when taken during the daytime, and certain antihistamines are under investigation for their role in the development of dementia.
The Naturopathic Approach to Reduce Flare-Ups
Effectively reducing flare-ups employs a wide array of strategies that focus on targeting the root cause of your health problem and improving your holistic health. Rather than using medications that only work temporarily for your symptoms, the naturopathic approach to reducing flare-ups considers your nutrition and lifestyle practices while incorporating the most gentle treatments and solutions according to your unique case and preference.
Avoiding Triggers
The first consideration to effectively manage eczema is understanding that its development can occur with exposure to triggers. Hence, avoiding your personal triggers is important. Avoiding products that can disrupt your skin barrier, such as chemical irritants from detergents, products containing fragrance, preservatives, and alcohol is important to protect your skin. These chemicals may also affect your body’s hormonal control and immunity against the atopic process, hence avoiding exposure can promote optimal well-being. Changing your skin care products into gentle and eczema-safe formulas should also be considered. Even the conscious act of choosing fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and petrochemical-free detergents can cause significant improvements to your skin.
Maintaining Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Health
Eczema has a strong connection to your gastrointestinal and lung health. Gut dysbiosis can contribute to the permeability of your skin and the strength of your skin barrier as it produces systemic effects, triggering your immune response and releasing inflammatory enzymes with effects eventually manifesting on your skin. Hence, identifying foods that may cause gut dysbiosis is important. These may include nuts, wheat, and gluten-containing ingredients. Eating meals that are rich in protein and zinc may be beneficial in helping your body correct the disturbances happening within. Supplementing your meals with fish oil may also have added benefits in reducing your sensitivity to food allergens, reducing your inflammatory response against triggers, and providing the healthy fats needed to support skin cell health.
Another beneficial strategy to improve both your intestinal and skin health is prebiotic supplementation. Prebiotics are ingredients which promote the growth of healthy bacteria, maintaining balance in your gut.2 A healthy gut promotes healthy skin! Kefir, a fermented yogurt drink,is another ingredient which exerts beneficial effects on your intestinal microbiota owing to its ability to produce a variety of bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.3 Nurturing your gut health begins with intuitively choosing what you eat and introduce to your body. If you want to learn more about how to heal your intestinal lining, we’ve written the perfect blog post for you! Aside from the gut, your lungs are another set of organs that are constantly being exposed to your outside environment, as almost everything you inhale will eventually reach the lungs if your body’s defense mechanisms do not perceive them as harmful or huge in size. Performing breathing exercises promotes gas exchange and improves blood flow to the lungs, strengthening your body’s ability to fight off irritants or pathogens. 
Use of Slow and Gentle TreatmentsTopical Botanical Medicine
Herbal treatments, when applied topically, can be safe and effective alternatives to manage inflammation and promote hydration. When mixed with vitamins and other skin-nourishing ingredients into a natural cream or emollient, these create a lipid barrier that locks in moisture, preventing dryness and scaling of the skin. All of us may have heard of the wonders of shea butter at least once in our lives. Even with the increasing variety of ingredients that are thought to be beneficial to the skin and hair, shea butter remains a staple ingredient of haircare and skincare products found in the market. Known for its excellent emollient properties, shea butter is an effective ingredient that can help synergize the effects of your topical herbal treatments. The use of topical treatments, however, should be upon the advice of your health care provider. Exploring natural herbal options with the guidance of your naturopathic physician helps taper down your options and ensures that the products you use are best for your health problem and preference.
Naturopathic Constitutional Hydrotherapy
Constitutional hydrotherapy is a naturopathic treatment option that is wonderful for a wide array of disease conditions as it helps increase blood flow to the organs that facilitate digestion, promote balance between the systems in your body that respond to stress or relaxation, strengthen your immune system by boosting the production of your white blood cells, and electrically stimulate the nerves of your GI tract to better process and eliminate food! This is a traditional naturopathic practice performed by using alternating hot and warm compresses to specific areas of your body! You may already be familiar with this method of alternating hot and cold, as it is commonly performed at home to promote blood flow when you have injuries. However, constitutional hydrotherapy is unique in the timing and location of the compresses while keeping in mind the patient’s level of constitution and vitality. When properly performed, this promotes blood flow to your vital organs. The beneficial effects of the treatment are increased by incorporating safe-level, low-voltage currents to stimulate target nerves and promote the movement of blood and lymph, leaving your body feeling relaxed and calm. Since it promotes relaxation, constitutional hydrotherapy can be administered late in the day for when you have trouble falling asleep!
Contrast Showers
A simple and easy routine that can be done at home is a contrast shower, which includes a full-body hot rinse followed by a cold rinse. When performing this shower, it is important to remember that the hot application should be 3-4 times as long as the cold. To effectively perform this procedure, you should:
Improving Your Skin Health
Since eczema is a chronic and relapsing disease, managing acute flares with short-term treatment regimens only minimize symptoms and do not target the root cause of your problem. Understanding the underlying cause of your impaired skin barrier, avoiding personal triggers, applying gentle products to your skin, managing the root cause of your inflammation, and nurturing your overall health remain the most important tools. Discover the beneficial effects of naturopathy for your skin health today!
AuthorKate Nemenzo studied in nursing school as an academic scholar. Her passion for holistic health has led her to become a registered nurse who promotes optimal care throughout her patient’s therapeutic journey. When not writing, she spends her time crocheting, watching Korean dramas, and playing the guitar!
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THE BLOG AT NATURAL PATH TO WELLNESSAuthorSNatural Path to Wellness values community education and welcomes contributions from writers with a background in Naturopathic Medicine, natural health and wellness, herbalism, homeopathy, Nature Cure, and more. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
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