Natural treatments to help with eczema

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Natural treatments to help with eczema

Healthylife Pharmacy25 August 2016|3 min read

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammation of the upper layers of the skin causing itching and irritation. It is very common  for children under the age of 12 months to be diagnosed with eczema and it can also continue through to adulthood. There is a strong connection between eczema and other allergic conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and food allergies, and a tendency for people to develop eczema who have family members with these conditions. A large cohort study identified that the prevalence of eczema in children in countries such as Australia and New Zealand is increasing by more than 14% each year. Approximately 10-20% of infants suffer from atopic dermatitis, making it one of the most common skin diseases.

What are the symptoms of eczema?

Pruritus (itching) is a common symptom of all forms of eczema usually causing further damage to the skin and promoting infection. It is also typical for the severity of the symptoms to fluctuate due to the fact that there are many contributing elements.

  • Infantile eczema involves lesions that are red, crusted and oozing that develop on the face, diaper area, face, scalp, hands, arms or legs.
  • Adults or older children with atopic dermatitis (the most common form of eczema) usually present with dry, red lesions, usually in one or a few spots on the hands, upper arms, behind the knees and near the elbows. Lichenification can occur when there are large areas of scaly skin with scratching. 
  • Contact eczema involves a localised rash appears after an offending agent has come into contact with the skin. 
  • Neurodermatitis has a major stress related component.

Aggravating factors for Eczema

Atopic eczema is associated with IgE antibody production as it is a type I allergic reaction. Foods commonly identified as allergens in people with eczema include:

  • cow’s milk
  • egg white
  • peanut
  • wheat
  • nuts
  • fish

There may also be allergies to:

  • plant pollens
  • dust mites
  • animal dander
  • other chemicals

Other contact irritants can include:

  • strong detergents
  • soaps
  • fabrics such as wool
  • fragrances

Ongoing aggravating factors

Psychological stress, skin dryness, becoming overheated, scratching, viruses and other infections, and changes in the weather (temperature and humidity) can be ongoing aggravating factors. 

Testing for allergens

Testing can be obtained via a skin prick test, specific IgE test or a patch test to determine delayed hypersensitivity reactions, but in some cases causative factors are unknown.

Diet and lifestyle recommendations

It is important to avoid factors that have been identified as main triggers such as food or environmental allergens. An elimination diet might be helpful in pinpointing food allergies or intolerances by eliminating them from the diet and then rechallenging foods to see if there is a reaction. A key component of treatment is to reduce inflammatory foods in the diet -such as saturated fats from meats, chicken and dairy, processed foods and sugar. Increase intake of fresh vegetables, wholegrains and essential fatty acids from fish, nuts and seeds.

Reduce external stressors and modify lifestyle risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.

Topical treatments for eczema

Avoiding the use of soap, detergents and perfumed products on the skin can help, and the use of moisurisers to keep the skin well hydrated. Topical anti-inflammatory herbs can help - such as:

  • Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra root) which offers an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action.
  • Aloe vera (Aloe) - hydrating and promotes healing.
  • Calendula (Calendula officinalis) - promotes healing.
  • Nettle (Urtica dioica) - reduce itching.

Manuka honey is a natural antibacterial on the skin to reduce infection.

Moisturisers containing these ingredients can be used in a cream base to promote wound healing and increase skin moisture. Cool compresses can be used to reduce inflammation and itching, especially in children. Exposing skin affected by eczema to sunlight for short periods of time may help to alleviate the area however care must be taken not to over-expose.

Supplements to help reduce eczema

Probiotics

The supplement with the most ground-breaking research involves the specific strain of probiotic - lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.


Multiple studies have proven that it is effective in reducing the severity of eczema and food allergy by alleviating intestinal inflammation and promoting endogenous barrier mechanisms. A double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial showed that taking lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the last trimester of pregnancy, reduced the risk of developing eczema to the offspring by half.

Essential fatty acids

Eczema has been linked to deficiency of essential fatty acids, and deficiency in delta-6-desaturase (the enzyme that converts linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid). 

  • Evening primrose oil contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA)  and has been found to help ameliorate the symptoms of eczema.
  • Fish oil offers benefits by reducing inflammation and improving epithelial integrity.
  • Cod liver oil may be helpful as it contains omega 3, vitamin A and D.

Zinc and vitamin C

These are important nutrients needed for skin healing and to reduce the allergic response and their antioxidant components help by reducing oxidative stress on the skin.

Anti-allergy herbs

Anti-allergy herbs such Albizia (Albizzia lebbeck) and Perilla  (Perilla frutescens) can be helpful in reducing the release of histamine which contributes to inflammation and pruritus.

Improve digestion

The gastrointestinal system is considered an important element to treat in the management of skin disorders. 

Herbs to consider to help improve digestion and liver function include: 

  • Milk thistle (silybum marianum).
  • Dandelion root (taraxicum officinale).
  • Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus).
  • Gentian (Gentiana lutea).

In conclusion

To conclude, an important primary step in management is to remove, where possible, any allergenic triggers. The treatment protocols above help to improve immune function, dysbiosis (an imbalance in the gastrointestinal bacterial population) and address potential nutritional deficiencies. Topical agents taddress skin repair, give symptomatic relief and improve skin barrier function.

References

Williams, H, et al. Is eczema really on the increase world-wide? Journal of allergy and Clinical Immunology 2008; 121:947-954 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18155278 

http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/eczema/#causes

Sarris, J. & Wardle, J. (2010). Clinical Naturopathy, Churchill Livingstone, Australia Thomsen, M. (2005).

Phytotherapy Desk Reference (3rd ed.), Michael Thomsen, Australia Beers, M. (2003).

The Merck Manual of Medical Information (2nd ed.), Pocket Books, United States of America Kalliomäki M, Salminen S, Arvilommi H, Kero P, Koskinen P, Isolauri E.

Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2001; 357(9262):1076-9 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11297958

Kalliomäki M, Salminen S, Poussa T, Isolauri E. Probiotics during the first 7 years of life: a cumulative risk reduction of eczema in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007; 119(4):1019-21 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17289135

Kitz R, et al. Impact of early dietary gamma-linolenic acid supplementation on atopic eczema in infancy. Paediatric Allergy and Immunology 2006; 17:112-117 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12663296

Koch C, et al. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in atopic eczema: a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial. British Journal of Dermatology 2008; 158:786-792 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18241260