Eczema
By Steven Horne, RH (AHG) & Kimberly Balas, ND

Eczema is a very common skin condition that usually involves a rash, itching, redness and flaking of the skin. Acute inflammation of the skin is known as dermatitis, and usually occurs when the body comes in contact with an irritating substance (such as poison ivy). Eczema is a chronic form of dermatitis, or in other words, a chronic inflammation of the skin.

All inflammatory diseases happen when damaged cells release histamine and bradykinin into surrounding fluids. This causes capillary pores to dilate allowing fluid and protein to enter the tissue spaces. Tissues become red, swollen, hot and painful. In both eczema and dermatitis, the skin becomes irritated, resulting in red and itchy skin.

In eczema, the skin is repeatedly irritated and inflamed which causes the upper layer of the skin (epidermis) to thicken as skin cells multiply rapidly. This creates a scaly effect on the surface of the skin. Oil glands become obstructed and the skin becomes dry.The scaly skin inhibits elimination through the skin, causing toxins to become trapped under the skin. This causes itching, which leads the person to scratch. Scratching breaks the upper dermis layer so the skin develops a broken and cracked appearance.

Eczema is caused by the body being hypersensitive to certain irritants, so it is closely related to allergic asthma, hayfever and food allergies. These conditions are actually caused by a healthy immune system that is overburdened with toxins. Simply put, the body is being overwhelmed by more irritants than it can effectively handle.

This may explain why children are extremely prone to eczema. Almost thirty percent of all newborn babies may develop this condition, which affects about one in eight young children. It often occurs on the scalp or the cheeks, but can spread over other parts of the body, making children itchy and miserable. Although 75% will "outgrow" this condition by their mid-teens, we wonder if this isn't occurring just because their immune system's become too depressed to manifest it. Adults who had eczema as children will remain prone to dry skin in later years and to occasional flare-ups of skin inflammation.

Diet can be very important. A good place to start is to avoid foods that are incompatible with your blood type.
Some of the common allergenic foods that may contribute to skin irritation include wheat, dairy, corn, orange juice, coffee, black tea, soda pop and sugar.

Eczema is often treated medically with corticosteroid drugs that mimic the anti-inflammatory action of the adrenal hormone cortisol. People with eczema often suffer from adrenal exhaustion (with a corresponding deficiency in the production of cortisol). This helps explain why the excessive inflammation is present and why eczema can flare up under stress. Stress depletes the adrenals.

So, along with learning good stress management techniques, herbs that support adrenal function and have cortisol-like action may be helpful. Both licorice root and yucca have this effect. Licorice, however, should be avoided with weeping eczema. Other adrenal enhancing remedies such as Adrenal Support and Energ-V may also be of benefit. HistaBlock can also help because it blocks the reactions that cause the inflammation.

Homeopathic Support
Suggestions from Four Winds Nutrition
Eczema HP