It’s National Healthy Skin month, so I thought I’d write to you about natural cures for one of the most common skin-care problems I treat: eczema – the itchy, scaly, annoying rash you can get just about anywhere on your skin.
I’ve seen hundreds of patients who’ve tried every kind of cream, potion and lotion, but still can’t beat their breakouts.
That’s because it’s common to treat eczema like a problem that starts on the outside. Even health professionals do this. But in most cases, eczema is really just a symptom of an internal problem.
Let me explain …
There are four major internal causes of eczema. They include:
• Digestive problems. Your body is protected from the bacteria in your gut by a barrier only one cell layer thick. If it becomes damaged by poor diet, inflammation, overuse of medications, or environmental toxins, partially digested food particles and toxins can “leak” into your bloodstream.
This leaky-gut syndrome can trigger allergic reactions to foods you should normally be able to digest. These allergies will show up on your skin as eczema hives.
• Hormonal imbalance. This is one of the most common causes, especially for women. That’s because you need the right balance of hormones to function at your best. But when you ingest foreign hormones like the ones in pesticide-laden produce and from hormone-injected animals, it can disrupt your body’s natural balance. And it’s often the body’s largest organ – the skin – that takes the hit.
• Stress. When you are under constant stress, your adrenal glands may secrete excess cortisol – an anti-inflammatory hormone that does a lot of good stuff for you like help to regulate blood sugar.
However, too much cortisol can produce a number of problems – from weight gain and an impaired immune system to acne and eczema. It can also kill off good bacteria that can disrupt the “ecosystem” in your stomach and lead to skin problems and infections.
• Infection. Fungal, bacterial and viral infections often can trigger eczema flare-ups, too. Candidiasis (yeast infection) is one of the most common infections I’ve seen in my eczema patients. It’s caused by using antibiotics and eating processed foods, white breads and sugars.
Of course, chemicals in perfumes, lotions, and detergents also can cause eczema. But for many patients I’ve seen, treating eczema – internally – has made a permanent difference.
So if you want to get to the bottom of your eczema – once and for all – try these natural, internal remedies:
1. Take care of your digestive health. Eat plenty of fibrous foods and drink plenty of water. This will help you keep your system clear of toxins that can cause flare-ups. My patients also have seen great results by avoiding milk, eggs, nuts, table sugar, high fructose corn syrup, wheat and gluten.
Also, be sure to take probiotics daily. The live microorganisms in probiotics won’t just slow the growth of bad bacteria and maintain the right balance of good bacteria. They’ll also help to prevent eczema.1
2. Eat natural foods. This will help you avoid the chemicals and hormones in processed foods, which can trigger allergic reactions and throw your hormones off balance. Buy locally grown organic fruits and veggies, be sure to eat grass-fed beef and cage-free poultry, and just say NO to sugary starches and grains.
3. Fend off infections. I recommend garlic, vitamin C and vitamin D. Garlic is one of your body’s best detoxifiers. It fights infections, including yeast infections. And of course, vitamins C and D are among nature’s best immune boosters.
The best source of vitamin D is plain ol’ sunshine – at least 30 minutes a day with most of your body exposed. When this isn’t feasible, especially during the winter months, be sure to take at least 5,000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily with food.
The best food sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, green pepper, broccoli, kale and brussels sprouts. Or you can supplement. I recommend at least 500 mg two to three times per day.
4. Get your omega-3s. It’s common for people with skin problems like eczema to have low levels of omega-3. The best natural sources are wild-caught salmon, grass-fed beef, sacha inchi oil, leafy green veggies and avocados. Or you can supplement. I recommend 2-4 grams a day.
5. Reduce stress in your life. It’s not helping your skin one bit. Devote some time each day to meditation, yoga, journal writing, or just doing something you love. This will help you relax, and get your mind, body and spirit in balance. You’ll see the difference in your skin.
Best Wishes for Health and Beauty,
Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C
[Ed. Note: Tara Smith, ARNP NP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner for Dr. Sears’ Center for Health & Wellness in Royal Palm Beach, Fla. Her medical concentration is on aesthetics, teaching, and family practice]1Dotterud, et al, “Probiotics in pregnant women to prevent allergic disease: a randomised, double-blind trial,” British Journal of Dermatology 2010
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