There are two forms of Eczema– extrinsic (90% of cases) and intrinsic (10%) and has been linked with asthma and leaky gut in children. Extrinsic eczema starts an immune response within the body to either an external, for example a washing detergent, or an internal trigger such as a food protein. Intrinsic eczema is where no known reason can be found, with a small amount of research linking it to emotional stress.
What has been accepted through research is that the skin layer becomes dry and changes the permeability of the skin which allows substances or antigens from the environment to penetrate into the skin layers easier. This then causes an immune reaction and increases inflammation which in turn increases the itchiness, then the two exacerbate each other.
So in a bit more detail, the outside layer of every skin cell is made of fats and is called a phospholipid bilayer. There is a substance called ceramide among the bilayer which is a waxy, fatty acid. The purpose of it is to hold water in the skin and to stop it drying out. So if there is less ceramide present it may mean less water in the skin and therefore dryer skin.
Also without the waxy barrier, water soluble antigens or irritants can penetrate into the skin. Dry skin leads to scratching on top of the immune reaction to the antigens causing more itchiness.
This is only one explanation for eczema and much more research is yet to take place.
Another possible cause of eczema is from issues with food allergies. So there is still an antigen involved for example protein from eggs. The immune response is to the protein (a sequence of amino acids) in the gut when proteins are allowed through that shouldn’t be due to a leaky gut.
Common triggers include foods like milk, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, fish, citrus and chocolate and airborne allergens such as dust mites, moulds, dander.
Topical products
There is research to show that usually omega 3 status is low in individuals with eczema. So aim to reduce some of the intake of omega 6 (nuts and seeds, vegetable oils) and balance it with increasing omega 3 – salmon, mackerel, herring and halibut, sardines, olive oil, chia seed, flax seed (be careful with already ground flax seed as it can go rancid quickly) grass fed meat and butter or supplement with a good quality fish oil.
Also increase foods with zinc – Nappa cabbage, mushrooms, green peas, avocado, beef, lamb and include in moderation cashews and pumpkin seeds.
There is a candida link also which suggests that there is a link between increased levels of candida in the gut and eczema.
If you wanted to include probiotics then Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Bifidum strains are recommended
Histamine is increased in eczema sufferers, increasing the immune response and so these considerations may help in reducing histamine:
Liquorice
Quercetin – apples, red onions, black and green tea, red grapes, raspberries, cranberries and green leafy vegetables.
Rutin – fruits and fruit rinds (especially citrus fruits), berries such as mulberry and cranberries, buckwheat, asparagus
Naringen – grapefruit
Grape seed
Green tea
Bathing in Dead Sea salt solutions – Magnesium is likely to be responsible for improved barrier function, cell differentiation and hydration. Also camomile and witch hazel both have anti-inflammatory action and may be beneficial to add small amounts to a bath.
A brand called Hopes Relief cream and soap has reports of being very beneficial to sufferers, using it twice a day for six months for eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
