Up to 30% in US afflicted, National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Disease WebMD

The Cure for Eczema: Body Ecology, Christina Nevada

All you want is the simple pleasure of having skin you can enjoy that feels soft and moves with you like silky clothing.  To swim in the ocean, to play outside, to touch and hold your loved ones, to feel relaxed in it like others do ... the way it should be. Unfortunately, it isn't this way for millions of people. If drugs didn't cure you, doctors couldn't help you and hundreds of products out there failed, too, don't give up.  You're not alone. 

The following article is just a taste of my book. 

What Eczema Is ...

Eczema is a general term used to describe a variety of rashes where the skin may be itchy, red & inflamed, weepy or blistering, dry, scaly and thickened.  Although eczema can develop any place on the body, it typically appears on the hands, wrists, arms, neck, upper chest, face and backs of knees.  It is not contagious. 

It is characterized as an immune system disorder (atopy).  However, recent scientific research indicates that two-thirds of people with eczema may be suffering from merely contact dermatitis (a form of eczema) adding that most people get eczema from having thin skin.  Think about this:  they now say you have eczema because you have thin skin, yet for last 55 years (since 1951) they have been giving you something to treat it that thins the skin (cortisone).  That's not funny, but thank goodness that sunlight, Gotu Kola and hormones thicken the skin among many other things.

For the other one-third, there's something going on inside the body, so there can only be a 15% improvement with topical products and the remainder 85% improvement has to come from internal changes.  Reality is that most doctors and dermatologists don't know how to teach you how to change your body's biochemistry--they get less than 1 semester of nutrition in med school.  It's like psychiatrists who are trained to give drugs, but psychologists are trained to teach you how to change your thinking so you can get well.  You thought since you didn't get well that they were right:  no cure, after all, it's on television commercials.  Think again.  

Why Eczema?

Externally Speaking:

The number #1 drug prescribed is hydrocortisone ointment, but even eczema can be aggravated by the use of hydrocortisone, petrolatum,  neomycin & diphenhydramine.  Most problems come from the use of harsh or sensitizing chemicals on the skin, including soap.  The skin's barrier function can get damaged from the use of soap, because skin is supposed to be slightly acidic and soap is alkaline.  It's the skin's natural acid mantle and good bacteria that live on the skin that protect us from harmful bacteria; so, remember, don't try and kill all your bacteria, and there's nothing better than the real thing in terms of your own oils.  Wash with water or something pH balanced.  Cetaphil is gentle cleanser, but if you use it, use it only under the arm pits, soles of the feet and groin area and generally just use water for the rest of your body.  Here's a great article on the pH of different soaps and their effects on the skin. I like to use yogurt, honey or even oil to cleanse skin.  Laundry soap residue left in clothes can also irritate (use 1/3 of recommended and a brand like All Free & Clear) and you can always double rinse. 

Were you aware that drying agents for acne actually stimulate the sebaceous glands to make more oil, because they're telling your oil glands that your face is dry so they need to make more oil.  In the same way, did you ever wonder what putting all that oil on your skin is telling your oils glands?  I'm working with laboratories not to put oil on your skin but to stimulate your oils glands to produce more oil, and androgens (male hormones) are what stimulate your oil glands to make more oil.

See, also, calcium's very important role in the barrier function.

Internally Speaking:

Hormones

Have you ever asked a dermatologist if hormones have anything to do with eczema, and the answer you got was, "No."  Tell me then, why is the number one treatment for eczema corticosteroids (hormones)?  Come join me on an adventure into the wide world of hormones as they pertain to eczema and the skin and you'll be in for an amazing trip and discovery.

Many people with atopic eczema have adequate or elevated levels of linoleic acid ("omega-6 or LA") but deficiencies in Gamma linolenic acid ("GLA") and DGLA.  There's a problem in the metabolism of essential fatty acids--a reduced rate of activity of the enzyme delta 6-desaturase that converts linoleic acid to GLA and alpha-linolenic acid to stearidonic acid. Such reduced activity is due to a mutation of, altered expression of, change in cofactors required for the presence of, or inhibitors of:  enzymes. 

Reduced conversion of LA to its metabolites and reduced rate of incorporation of essential fatty acids ("EFAs") into phospholipids leads to a reduced formation of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) which in turn leads to lower concentrations of cyclic AMP and to a selective hyperactivity of parts of the immune system.  Therapeutically, GLA increases the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, which decreases itching.  Studies report that patients treated with GLA exhibit less inflammation, dryness, scaling. In one study, low dose GLA therapy reduced the severity of skin lesions by 30%, whereas higher doses resulted in a 43% improvement. 

The digestion and absorption of fats, including GLA, takes place in the small intestine in the gastrointestinal tract with the action of lipase enzymes and bile salts.  Bile contains lecithin, which emulsifies fats into small droplets. This increases the surface area so that enzymes secreted from the pancreas can digest fats in the duodenum. EFA deficiency can be reversed with lipase.  Individuals who ingest supplemental GLA are advised to take additional antioxidants, especially vitamin E, to protect against free radical oxidation in the body.

Note also that zinc is necessary for at least two stages in EFA metabolism, the conversion of linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid, and the mobilisation of dihomogammalinolenic acid (DGLA) for the synthesis of 1 series PGs.  

Fatty Acid Transport in the Lymphatic System

Lymph vessels are present in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.  While most other nutrients absorbed by the small intestine are passed onto the portal venous system to drain via the portal vein into the liver for processing, fats are passed onto the lymphatic system to be transported to the blood circulation via the thoracic duct.  The nutrients that are released to the circulatory system are processed by the liver, having passed through the systemic circulation. The lymph system is a one-way system, transporting interstitial fluid back to blood.  Basically, the lymphatic is the body’s filter system which supports immune function. 

A healthy lymphatic system filters out bacteria and other foreign particles.  Lymphatics clear the spaces between our cells and carry away toxins and foreign particles such as bacteria, large proteins, cholesterol and viruses. We were taught that the liver and kidneys clear away toxins, but it is actually the lymphatics that clear away the fluid that bathes each cell of our body.  The white cells, called lymphocytes, circulate in and out of the lymphatics and help destroy foreign particles like bacteria, viruses and parasites.

The trouble begins when the lymphatic system becomes blocked or the flow of lymph slows down appreciably. It's like the kitchen sink:  if the drain is clogged but you leave the water running, the water will eventually run all over the floor.  Not only can the lymphatic fluid be blocked, but so can all the toxins, bacteria and viruses that the lymphatic fluid normally drains from the body. It is no surprise that lymphedema patients suffer from other health ailments. The stagnant lymph fluid is a breeding ground for bacteria, parasites and viruses and a cesspool of toxic waste.   The lymphatics are an integral part of our immune system.

The good news is that regular exercise and jumping or using a mini-trampoline are one of the best treatments your lymphatic system can receive and are great and fun ways to detoxify the body.  So ... JUMP!!  Jump for health, and jump for joy!

It's a wonderful nutritional orchestra.  You see:  75% of your immune system is found in your gastrointestinal tract where 3 1/2 pounds of bacteria naturally and normally reside.

Bacteria and Enzymes

Good bacteria "probiotics", among other things, assist in digestion, enzyme production (including lipase enzymes) and B vitamin production that aid in the metabolism of fats.  When the balance of bacteria is off, so is digestion, including the metabolism of fats.  To understand this fully, you'll need to see the Bacteria and Eczema web page. 

Remember we mentioned that lecithin emulsifies fats?  Well, Inositol and choline combine to produce lecithin, a type of lipid that is needed to form healthy membranes for every living cell in the body. So, how does the body produce inositol?  Bacteria.  Bacteria in the intestines convert the phytic acid into inositol, so the body is able to manufacture its own supply.  Note:  Bacteria produce hundreds of different enzymes, including amylase whose deficiency has also been implicated in eczema.  

Since people with eczema have trouble breaking down fats, start out with probiotic powders or liquids as opposed to probiotics that are encapsulated in oil (unless you are taking a lipase enzyme to break down the oil so that you can get the benefit of the probiotic that is encapsulated within the oil.

Immune System Memory and Glyconutrients

Since the immune system has memory, such immunologic abnormalities and their effects on the skin can help be reversed by glyconutrients as immune system modulators that address hypersensitivity and immune system memory.  Glyconutritionals modulate or "regulate" the immune system. This means that they correct an overactive immune system and boost an underactive immune system.  See:  How Do Glyconutrients Work?  Immune System, Psychology Today and Natural Sources of Glyconutrients.

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I use to itch unbearably.  It affected my entire life and I always felt self conscious.
Now, the itching is gone thanks to the wonderful info you provide. Jake

Thank you again (like all those who have written in your testimonials)
for all the information that you have provided.  As a severe sufferer like yourself
for over 30 years, I have tried some of the things that you mentioned
but have learned a lot more here. Kath

Diet, Detoxification and Internal pH

Regarding our diet and infant formulas, internally the human body needs to be alkaline.  Did you know that metabolic acidosis is common in babies fed cows' milk-based formula and that eczema can be an emergency expulsion of acid toxins through the skin?  If we are acidic inside, we get sick and this is one reason why 10% of all infants have eczema.  Infants need an alkaline formula, and we all need to be alkaline internally.  If mom is acidic, so will baby's breast milk be.  You can read about that in the alkalizing web page and more about infant formula in the Child and Infantile Eczema web page.

Drinking enough unchlorinated water to hydrate from within along with taking your good fats like fish, borage and flax oil, as well as glucosamine, will help the skin retain moisture.  To rebuild the skin, you need protein/amino acids and vitamins and minerals.  Remember that good bacteria breaks down foods for absorption in the body.

Recall how we talked about the lymphatic system to detoxify and clean the body?  Well, the skin is the largest eliminative organ.  Cleaning the body on the inside is very helpful in reducing the allergic (atopic) component, and greens like kale--see that link on how kale helps atopic dermatitis and this kale link, too--and parsley are a great way to do that:  juice, blend, drink and eat them.  Food allergies and certain foods such as dairy, wheat, gluten (glue up your insides) and nuts can trigger eczema outbreaks in some people, but probiotics significantly help with food allergies, too, and thank goodness for that.

Hydrochloric acid deficiencies as well as overproduction of candida (yeast) may also be associated; but, cheer up, because you guessed it, good bacteria address these as well, because probiotics help produce B vitamins that help produce hydrochloric acid, and probiotics also plug up the holes of leaky gut and fight candida ... and all that is why I'm a huge advocate of good bacteria.  These are your best friends.  

In Sum

Nutrition, detoxification, anti-stress coping skills and external practices are all a part of healing eczema.  The body is trying to tell you something, and it isn't just a defective on/off switch in the inflammatory cycle and may not be just a damaged barrier function.  Inflammation is the process that fights infection; and, if there is a bacterial or fungal over-colonization like staphylococcus aureus, steroids (which stop the inflammation process) will make the problem worse by allowing infection to run wild and further thin the skin damaging even more the barrier function.  Changing your body’s chemistry internally and externally to provide the proper environment for skin health will bring about a permanent change in this condition ... and that's the cure for eczema.  It is ecology. 

The nice thing about it is that since there are so many things you can do to improve your condition, you don't have to be perfect about anything, and that, my dears, is science.