Your Cart is Empty
If you or someone in your family has allergic tendencies, you may be familiar with eczema. It is a chronic and irritating skin condition that is as stubborn as it is annoying. Research indicates that globally, approximately2.6% of the population (204 million people) live with eczema. That is about 101 million adults and 103 million children.
So, quite a few people are walking around with red, itchy skin that they are seeking relief from. Let's see what we can learn about the condition and what poor gut health might have to do with it.
Eczema is a type of dermatitis — a term used for conditions that cause inflammation of the skin. So, eczema is one such condition. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of dermatitis.Despite being a skin disorder, eczema is not infectious; you can’t contract it from another person.
What is itLikeHaving Eczema?
The most common symptom one experiences with eczema is itching. The itch can be extreme and therefore, distracting. The temptation to scratch is ever-present.
Additionally, the skin becomes sensitive and red. It is also common for the skin to be dry and cracked, which can result in flaking and an unsightly appearance, adding to the burden of living with the condition.
Skin can also appear bumpy, cracked or scaly, discolored, bleeding, hardened, and swollen. Some people have blisters, hives, open sores, and skin infections.
Other symptoms include:
The appearance of the disease differs from person to person according to the most prominent symptoms. Skin tone also plays a role. On a person with a light skin tone, the skin will look red or pink; on a darker skin tone, the skin may appear dark brown or even purple.
Eczema can appear anywhere on the body, but it mostly appears on the face, ears, and neck. It also commonly occurs on elbows, knees, and feet.
Researchers have not pinpointed the exact cause of eczema, but think it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Recent studies have also found a link to gut health.
People with eczema tend to have an overactive immune system that reacts excessively to environmental irritants. The immune system responds by producing inflammation, which shows up as red, itchy skin or other eczema symptoms.
Both the gut and the skin host diverse species of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. An imbalance in these microorganisms, known as dysbiosis, is linked to atopic dermatitis. Studies suggest that people with atopic dermatitis may have acompromised gut microbiome, where an overpopulation of harmful microbes leads to inflammation.
A 2021 review notes that many skin diseases go hand in hand with analtered gut microbiome.
Also Read: Gut Health 101: Everything You Need to Know!
In people with eczema, the skin barrier doesn't function optimally. This lets allergens, bacteria, and other germs penetrate the skin where they can trigger the immune system, causing inflammation with the resulting eczema symptoms of red, itchy, and bumpy skin.
The skin barrier is the outer layer of the skin that acts as protection against unwanted organisms. Some people have a genetic mutation that causes their skin barrier to not offer sufficient protection.
People with a family history of eczema are more likely to develop eczema themselves. Research has shown children who have one or both parents with atopic eczema, are more likely to develop it themselves. If one sibling has eczema, other siblings may also get it.
A history of allergies like asthma, hay fever, pollen, and pet hair in the family, also puts individuals at a higher risk.
See Also: What is Food Allergy? Everything You Need to Know!
Another genetic component is agene mutation in people with eczema. The filaggrin gene is responsible for creating the tough outermost protective layer of skin. A person with this gene mutation has permeable skin, or a weak skin barrier. Such a skin does not prevent water loss effectively and is less protective against harmful substances.
Many environmental factors, including air pollutants, skin care products, and certain fabrics, can irritate the skin and exacerbate eczema symptoms. Both low and high humidity levels can aggravate the skin, contributing to flare-ups.
Stressful situations can increase high cortisol levels. When cortisol levels become too high, the immune system can be compromised leading to an inflammatory response in the skin. This is not an uncommon response in people living with dermatitis.
Additionally, stress-induced eczema flare-ups can create a vicious cycle where stress aggravates the skin, and the skin condition, in turn, worsens stress.
Stressful emotions or events may trigger the fight-or-flight response. Thereby, elevating stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
No, eczema is a chronic condition. There isn’t a cure for eczema. However, the treatments available are effective for treating eczema symptoms like dry and itchy skin.Eczema symptoms tend to flare up intermittently.
No, eczema is not a form of stress, but it can be triggered or worsened by stress. Stress induces physiological changes, including inflammation, which may lead to eczema flare-ups. In a 2020 survey by the National Eczema Society, stress was identified as the biggest trigger of eczema flare-ups.
The first step to managing eczema is to know your triggers, and once you have pinpointed them, to avoid them.
The most common trigger is dry skin. Dry skin doesn't cause eczema; it's a symptom of eczema. If you have eczema, it's essential to not allow your skin to get too dry. Very dry skin gets cracked and brittle. This allows irritants to penetrate it easily causing a flare-up.
Apply moisturizing ointment a few times a day to prevent your skin from drying.
Other common triggers include:
There are many OTC products for relief of eczema symptoms. These include:
In today's world, it's not feasible to avoid stress altogether, so we all must find ways to manage it. For those with eczema, it's critical since stress can aggravate skin conditions.
At the very least, make sure you get enough rest. If possible, take me time to reflect. Use the time to consider what is behind your stress and what you can do about it. If you are stumped, talk to someone for a new perspective.
People with eczema must adopt special habits to ensure their cleaning routine is soothing to the skin and not irritating it further. When taking a bath it's essential to:
Colloidal oatmeal has been approved for the treatment of itchy skin since 2003. You can buy colloidal oatmeal at stores that sell health and beauty products.
The following characteristics of oatmeal make it an effective eczema treatment:
The soothing and healing effect of oatmeal on skin conditions has also been the subject ofscientific research.
Aloe vera is known for its antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties.
It also has wound-healing properties. People with eczema often have dry skin prone to crack open, causing sores that might get infected. The various healing properties of aloe vera may help to treat or even prevent skin infections.
A 2021 review indicates that a diet lacking in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, but rich in omega-6 fatty acids, may contribute to atopic dermatitis. A diet abundant in plant-based foods may support gut health and, in turn, skin health, though it is not a cure for eczema.
Certain types of fiber act as prebiotics, meaning they feed beneficial gut bacteria, contributing to a healthy gut microbiome. Recently a research team from Monash University in Australia discovered thatdietary fiber fermented in the gut of mice can help protect skin from eczema.
Also Read: The Crucial Need for Fiber in Our Diets and How Fiber Powders Can Help
The senior researcher - Professor Ben Marsland toldMedical News Today that his team wanted to see the impact of gut microbiome on skin. They found that keratinocytes produced by the gut microbiome directly affected skin cells and strengthened the skin barrier.
The next step is to do clinical studies to see if the approach will improve the skin barrier in people.
People have tried many diets to try and get relief from symptoms, including the Mediterranean diet, a vegan diet, and cutting out gluten, eggs, and shellfish. Others have tried to cut out processed foods, sugar, coffee, and alcohol and have found relief. Eczema and allergic reactions to dairy, gluten, nuts, and fish often go together.
However, there isno scientific proof that not eating certain foods can relieve eczema symptoms in children or adults. Eliminating certain foods may bring relief only if a person has a confirmed food allergy. In addition, scientists say food containing sugar and gluten are not a factor in the development of eczema.
However, the scientists who suggested following a plant-based diet also identified the following items to avoid:
Regardless, you can refer to our certified meal plans according to your dietary restrictions and preferences to obtain maximum nutrition.
Maintaining a healthy gut biome through a balanced diet may support skin health and help manage eczema symptoms. While research is ongoing, staying informed of the latest scientific findings can be beneficial for those dealing with eczema.
Suggested Reads