Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a skin condition where the skin is aggravated by inflammation and sensitivities. Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, occurs when the skin is abnormally sensitive to allergens, causing the skin to become red, flaky and itchy where the joints are mostly affected. This disease is chronic and recurrent. Atopic dermatitis often affects individuals who have other atopic diseases like hay fever, asthma, or conjunctivitis (pinkeye).
Causes of eczema are:- allergies
- emotional stress
- a history of asthma or allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- inhaled allergens (like dust mites or animal dander)
- bacterial, fungal or viral infection
- food allergies
In regards to your question concerning allergy testing, the following are some test options that are available, please speak to your GP or Healthcare practitioner regarding these:- Skin prick test – tests for a reaction on the skin upon contact between the allergen and the patient’s skin. The specific allergen is applied to an area of skin which has been gently pricked with a needle and the severity of the reaction is gauged. This test relies on a inducing a response via the immediate skin sensitivity and immune reaction.
- RAST (radioallergosorbent) test - a blood test which is performed by binding the allergen to an insoluble material and adding the patient’s serum (blood). If the serum contains antibodies (immune responses) to the allergen they will bind to the substance.
- Food elimination and challenge - this can be done by keeping a food diary and noting any changes in your symptoms when you avoid specific food groups over a period of 1-2 weeks. Start by eliminating gluten from the diet, then dairy and any other possible food groups. Also observe any other changes to health (digestion, energy, immunity)
- ALCAT (antigen leukocyte cellular antibody test) – measures the cells response to substances when presented to the whole blood by counting and measuring the size of white blood cells before and after exposure to a specific suspected allergen.
It is often recommended to start with the food elimination and challenge test as a means of determining the culprit foods contributing to allergies as this method helps to educate you around food choices and to increase awareness of the condition and symptoms. This method however does not account for determining airborne allergens, it is therefore recommended to do the RAST test if your sensitivities are environmental.
In regards to a cream for the relief of skin irritation and itch, you may use a topical cream to ease the irritation and help to promote healing. Some herbs which you may find to be beneficial are Lavender, Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Calendula or Rose hips in a base of aqueous cream. Grahams Calendulus Plus Cream or Hopes Relief Cream is helpful to reduce the skin inflammation and help the skin to heal.
Natural treatments for eczema:- Check your Zinc levels; you can do this by enquiring at a health food store that performs Zinc tasting tests. Or alternatively take a zinc supplement such as the Ethical Nutrients Zinc Fix or eat more zinc rich foods such as nuts, seeds, grains, oysters, red meats, parsley and pepitas (pumpkin seeds).
- The most common triggers to eczema are hen's egg, cow's milk, peanuts and tree nuts. Less common triggers include seafood, sesame, soy, fish and wheat. Peanuts, tree nuts, seeds and seafood are the major triggers for lifelong allergies.
- Take a cod liver oil which contains Vitamin A and D as these are beneficial for healing of the skin and wound repair. Many people with skin sensitivities are also more likely to be deficient in these vitamins. Foods which contain high levels of these are: fish, dairy products, nuts and seeds, cod liver oil.
- If you suspect that it may be caused by Candida and you are exhibiting other symptoms such as digestive bloating, constipation or you take the oral contraceptive pill, taking a supplement which contains probiotics will ensure that you have adequate amounts of healthy bacteria thriving through the digestive tract and bowels.
- In Naturopathic Medicine any condition which results in skin inflammation or irritation indicates that the liver needs to be addressed. Please also speak to our instore naturopath about a liver detoxification to learn more about cleansing the body and increasing vitality by reducing the strain placed on the liver.
- Ensure that you are properly hydrated (at least 2 litres of water per day). Water is the solution to pollution in the body as it allows more metabolic wastes to be removed from the body and filtered by the kidneys.
- Reduce acid forming foods and increase alkalising foods. An acidic environment in the body occurs due to eating too much sugar, dairy foods, wheat, alcohol, preservatives, processed and refined foods and not enough alkalising foods such as water, lemon juice, vegetable juices, miso soup, fresh fruits and vegetables and brown rice.
- Take a soothing bath. Put some chamomile and oats in a muslin cloth or stocking and tie it over the bath tap and let the warm bath water run through it. Chamomile is very calming to the skin and oats contain mucopolysaccharides which are anti-pruritic to soothe and heal the skin and reduce the itch.
- Increase oily foods in your diet to provide better moisture to the skin and a barrier to help soothe irritations – raw unheated olive oil, flaxseed oil, nuts, fish and avocados.
- Take a fish oil capsule to provide more essential fatty acids to the skin and reduce inflammation.
- Reduce inflammation within the body by alkalising the blood. Foods which are alkaline are sprouts, fish, miso soup, millet, vegetable broths and juices, water, lemon juice and green barley powder. Reduce inflammation causing/ heating foods such as wheat, sugar, dairy, alcohol, soft drinks, preservatives, processed and refined foods and red meat.
- Use fragrance free moisturisers, shampoos, creams, soaps and deodorants (especially because the rash is present under the arms). The common irritants to the skin contained in most body and face care products are sodium lauryl sulphate or any of its derivatives, benzenes, petroleum based products, aluminium, chlorhexidine, dioxins, Ethylenediamide tetraacetic acid (EDTA), parabens and hydrazines. Dr Bronner make a range of liquid oil soaps, try the Lavender soap which is gentle on the skin and provides soothing oils to the skin.
- Some herbs may help reduce inflammation and the body’s resistance to the irritants, such as Licorice, marshmallow, euphorbia, bupleurum, ginger, chickweed, pinellia, skullcap, albizzia, siberian ginseng, golden seal and chamomile. A naturopath can tailor make a herbal supplement to your needs.
- People with inflammatory skin conditions are usually deficient in antioxidants such as Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Selenium, try taking an antioxidant supplement which contains some of these nutrients and antioxidant herbs such as Microgenics Complete Antioxidant.
- Avoid exposure to any known allergens as much as possible; avoid chemicals and extreme temperatures which can worsen symptoms.
- Manage stress which can trigger or worsen flare-ups.