The Multifaceted Nature of Eczema: Unravelling the Underlying Causes
posted 12th March 2024
Drawing from my personal battle with severe allergies, asthma, and eczema, I'm passionate about uncovering root causes and offering comprehensive support using cutting-edge nutritional science, functional medicine, and health coaching.
From childhood struggles with allergies to surviving anaphylactic shocks, I understand the physical and emotional toll of chronic health issues.
Eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by red, itchy, and inflamed patches, affects millions of people worldwide.
While its symptoms are evident on the skin's surface, the underlying causes can be diverse and complex.
In recent years, researchers and healthcare practitioners have increasingly recognized that eczema may be a manifestation of various systemic imbalances rather than merely a skin-deep issue.
This article delves into the interconnected factors contributing to eczema, including liver overload, congested lymphatic system, unhealthy gut, hormone imbalances, trapped emotions, dysregulated nervous system, kidney overload, overreactive immune system, blood sugar dysregulation, environmental triggers like mould, histamine overload, helicobacter pylori infection, and digestive and absorption issues.
1. Liver Overload
The liver plays a crucial role in detoxification and metabolic processes. When the liver becomes overloaded with toxins from dietary sources, medications, or environmental pollutants, its ability to function optimally may be compromised.
This can lead to a build-up of toxins in the body, potentially contributing to inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema.
Studies have suggested a link between impaired liver function and the development of eczema, highlighting the importance of supporting liver health through dietary modifications, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes.
2. Congested Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is responsible for removing waste products and toxins from the body, maintaining fluid balance, and supporting immune function.
When the lymphatic system becomes congested or sluggish, toxins may accumulate, leading to inflammation and skin disorders like eczema.
Poor lymphatic drainage can be caused by sedentary lifestyle habits, dehydration, or underlying health conditions.
Incorporating practices such as dry brushing, lymphatic massage, and regular exercise can help promote lymphatic flow and alleviate eczema symptoms.
3. Unhealthy Gut
The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in immune function, inflammation regulation, and skin health.
Imbalances in gut bacteria, known as dysbiosis, have been associated with various skin conditions, including eczema.
Research suggests that restoring gut health through probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary changes specially tailored for you by a registered Nutritional Therapist can help improve eczema symptoms.
Additionally, addressing underlying digestive issues such as leaky gut syndrome or food sensitivities may also be beneficial in managing eczema.
4. Hormone Imbalances
Hormonal fluctuations, such as those occurring during puberty, pregnancy, or peri/menopause, can influence the development and severity of eczema.
Oestrogen and progesterone levels may impact skin barrier function, immune responses, and inflammatory pathways, potentially exacerbating eczema symptoms.
Moreover, stress hormones like cortisol can contribute to inflammation and worsen eczema flare-ups.
Balancing hormone levels through lifestyle modifications, stress management techniques, and hormonal therapy may help alleviate eczema symptoms in individuals with hormonal imbalances.
5. Trapped Emotions
Emotional stress and psychological factors have been linked to the onset and exacerbation of eczema symptoms.
Negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, or unresolved trauma can trigger inflammatory responses in the body, affecting skin health and exacerbating eczema flare-ups.
Mind-body therapies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness meditation, and emotional release techniques or working with an integrative psychotherapist can help individuals manage stress, process emotions, and improve eczema outcomes.
6. Dysregulated Nervous System
The nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses, inflammation, and skin barrier function.
Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, characterized by sympathetic dominance or chronic stress, can impair immune function and exacerbate inflammatory skin conditions like eczema.
Techniques such as biofeedback, relaxation exercises, and acupuncture can help rebalance the autonomic nervous system, alleviate stress, and improve eczema symptoms.
7. Kidney Overload
The kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste products and maintaining electrolyte balance in the body.
When the kidneys become overloaded or compromised, toxins may accumulate, leading to systemic inflammation and skin disorders like eczema.
Supporting kidney health through hydration, dietary adjustments, and herbal remedies may help reduce toxin build-up and improve eczema symptoms.
8. Overreactive Immune System
Eczema is considered a manifestation of immune dysregulation, with an overactive immune response contributing to inflammation and skin barrier dysfunction.
Genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and dysbiosis may all contribute to immune dysfunction in eczema.
Balancing the immune system and reducing systemic inflammation is key in reversing eczema.
Immune-modulating therapies such as topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and immunomodulators are only short-term solutions and are not going to solve the root causes of eczema!
9. Blood Sugar Dysregulation
Fluctuations in blood sugar levels, such as those seen in diabetes or insulin resistance, can impact inflammatory pathways and exacerbate skin conditions like eczema.
High glycaemic index foods and refined sugars may promote inflammation and worsen eczema symptoms in susceptible individuals.
Adopting a low-glycaemic diet, monitoring blood sugar levels, and incorporating blood sugar-balancing foods can help stabilize blood sugar levels and improve eczema outcomes.
10. Environmental Triggers
Exposure to environmental allergens and irritants such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mould, and pollution can trigger immune responses and exacerbate eczema symptoms.
Identifying and minimizing exposure to environmental triggers through air purification, allergen-proof bedding, and avoidance strategies can help reduce eczema flare-ups and improve skin health.
11. Histamine Overload
Histamine is a chemical involved in immune responses and allergic reactions.
Excessive histamine levels or impaired histamine metabolism have been associated with inflammatory skin conditions like eczema.
Histamine-rich foods, alcohol, stress, and certain medications can increase histamine levels and exacerbate eczema symptoms in susceptible individuals.
Following a low-histamine diet, taking histamine-reducing supplements (like Quercetin), and avoiding histamine triggers may help alleviate eczema symptoms related to histamine overload.
12. Helicobacter pylori Infection
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that can infect the stomach lining and contribute to gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis and peptic ulcers.
Emerging research suggests a potential link between H. pylori infection and inflammatory skin conditions like eczema.
Treating H. pylori infection with antibiotics or natural antimicrobial agents may help improve eczema outcomes in individuals with concurrent gastrointestinal issues.
13. Digestive and Absorption Issues
Impaired digestive function, such as malabsorption, dyspepsia, or inflammatory bowel disease, can disrupt nutrient absorption and contribute to nutrient deficiencies associated with eczema.
Deficiencies in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals may compromise skin barrier function and exacerbate eczema symptoms.
Addressing underlying digestive issues through dietary modifications, digestive enzyme supplementation, and gut healing protocols may help improve nutrient absorption and alleviate eczema symptoms.
Conclusion:
Eczema is a complex and multifactorial condition influenced by various systemic imbalances, including liver overload, congested lymphatic system, unhealthy gut, hormone imbalances, trapped emotions, dysregulated nervous system, kidney overload, overreactive immune system, blood sugar dysregulation, environmental triggers, histamine overload, Helicobacter pylori infection, and digestive and absorption issues.
Understanding the interconnected nature of these factors is crucial for developing comprehensive treatment approaches that address the root causes of eczema and promote long-term skin health and well-being.
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