Eczema is a common skin condition that usually is accompanied by rash, itching, redness and flaking of skin. Dermatitis is an acute inflammation of the skin and usually occurs when the body is in contact with an irritating substance ( poison ivy and chemicals). Eczema is a chronic form of dermatitis or chronic inflammation of the skin.
Inflammatory diseases happen when damaged cells release histamine and bradykinin into surrounding fluids. Causing the capillary pores to dilate allowing release of fluid and protein into the tissue spaces. As a result, the tissue become red, swollen, hot and painful. In both cases eczema and dermatitis, the skin becomes irritated, resulting in red and itchy skin.
With eczema, the skin is continually irritated and inflamed which causes the upper layer of 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. This scaly skin inhibits eliminimation 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 hypersensitve to certain irritants, so it is related to allergic asthma, hayfever, and food allergies. These conditions are actually caused by a healthy immune system that is overburdened with toxins. The body is being overwhelmed by more irritants than it can handle effectively.
Children seem to be extremely prone to eczema. About thiry percent of all newborn babies may develop this condition, effecting about one in eight young children. Often occuring on the scalp or the cheeks but it can spread over other parts of the body, making children itchy and miserable. Although 75% of children will outgrow this condition by their mid-teens. The question here is 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.
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. To obtain a list of foods compatible for your blood type call Health and Wellness Resources at 585-391-6702, for a small cost of $12.00. You must provide your blood type (A, B, AB or O).
Medically, eczema is often treated with corticosteroid drugs that mimic the anti-inflammatory action of the adrenal hormone cortisol. Many people with eczema 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.
Along with learning good stress management techniques, herbs that support adrenal function and have a cortisol-like action may prove to 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 benefit. Histablock can also help because it blocks the histamine reactions that cause the inflammation.
Another treatment that has been studied is the use of certain strains of probiotics. Scientific studies show that probiotics can prevent and treat eczema: One study conducted in Finland and published in the British medical jornal “The Lancet” examined 159 pregnant women whose babies were at higher risk from eczema because of family history. For 2-4 weeks before delivery, half of the women were given Lactobacillus rhamnosus and the others were given a placebo. After the babies were born, breastfeeding moms continued with the probiotic supplement (or placebo) for six months, and bottle fed babies were given one or the other in their formula. Almost half of the babies in the placebo group developed eczema. Only 23% (less than 1 out of 4) of the babies in the probiotic group showed any signs of eczema. Remember these were high-risk babies who had a family history of eczema.
The same group of Finnish researchers conducted a study with babies who already had eczema by adding Lactobacillus rhamnosus to their formula. After one month, the eczema in those babies was significantly diminished. Similar results were found by giving babies Bifidobacterium lactis. Babies in the group were followed up to age four, and those who had been treated with the probiotics had half the rate of eczema compared to untreated children.
Nature’s Sunshine Products provides a chewable children’s probiotic Sunshine Heroes Probiotic Power Chewable, and also in capsule form Acidophilus, Bifidophilus Flora Force, and Probiotic Eleven. Another chewable form is L. Reuteri (tastes good). In capsule form they can be opened and sprinkled on a infants diaper for thrush-related diaper rash. The best product for general use is Probiotic Eleven. Children benefit highly from Bifidophilus. After a round of antibiotics, L. Reuteri is the best choice as it aggressively knocks down yeast and helps other friendly bacteria gain a new foothold. These products work best when taken first thing in the morning about one hour before breakfast. Another application is to empty a 1-5 capsules (depending on if this is for a small child or adult) into room temperature water, dissolve and inject rectally using a bulb syringe. This implants the bacteria right where needed in cases of antibiotic use and yeast overgrowth.
