Doctor’s Advice: How Mamas (and Kids) Can Beat Eczema, Naturally

Family doctor Cheryl Kam shares the natural remedies and solutions that can help you get at the root causes of eczema, so you and your bub will be more comfortable

Struggling with eczema? Have you tried just about everything to clear your skin, but had no results? Before popping pills or trying a new cream, seek healthier and more long term alternatives.

Sometimes it is necessary to use steroids, antihistamines and other pharmaceuticals until an acute reaction subsides, but treating the underlying causes in a holistic manner can compliment medical treatment very well, and often lead to less use of pharmaceuticals.

Most times, eczema is caused by underlying conditions. Thus, you need to identify and treat its root cause, not just its symptoms.

In children, up to 20% suffer from eczema, and this number is increasing.

Remember that health starts from the inside out. Nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle habits have the biggest impact on your skin.

Follow these simple steps to heal eczema naturally. 

Balance the Gut

Eczema is one of the primary signs of candida overgrowth. When your gut flora is out of whack, pathogens kill healthy bacteria and spread throughout the body. This causes inflammation, recurring infections, and skin disorders. You may also feel hungrier than usual and crave sugar.

The first step to healing eczema is to address its root cause, such as candida infection. Consider an elimination diet to remove food triggers until the gut is healed.

At this point you might test for allergies to common allergens such as dust mites, animal dander, and run food intolerance tests in order to have a clearer idea what to avoid for the time being until the condition and the body’s hypersensitivity has improved. 

Drink bone broth to heal intestinal permeability and balance gut flora

These typically are removed for a period of time until the skin and gut lining completely heals and the body is no longer hypersensitive to the triggers. L-glutamine, marshmallow root, and amino acid formulas can also help.

Add More Nutrients to Your Diet

Certain nutrients support gut health, which reflects positively on your skin. Zinc piccolinate, for instance, helps maintain the mucous lining of the stomach, throat, and mouth. This keeps pathogens at bay and improves nutrient absorption. Take a multivitamin or 15-40 milligrams of zinc piccolinate to heal your gut and skin, or incorporate enough meat or liver into your diet on a weekly basis.

Load Up on Healthy Fats

Your skin needs vitamins A, D, E, and K to maintain its elasticity and stay young. However, your body cannot absorb these nutrients without dietary fat. Omega-3s are particularly beneficial. These essential fatty acids improve vitamin absorption and fight inflammation, which helps heal eczema.

To get more fats in your diet, consume avocado, eggs, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and fatty fish. Your skin will look younger, your energy will go up, and your cholesterol levels will drop.

Take Probiotics

Stress, poor nutrition, candida, and other factors affect gut health. When your microbiome is unbalanced, pathogens take over your gut and destroy good bacteria. This is where probiotics come in handy.

These supplements contain live microorganisms that colonize your gut, killing fungi, microbes, and harmful bacteria. As a result, your skin becomes clearer and your immunity increases. Ideally, choose a probiotic with at least 10 billion active cells, such as L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium lactis. If you’re struggling with eczema, take higher doses.

Kefir and fermented foods, if well tolerated, are fantastic natural sources of pre- and probiotics.

Read more: All About Kefir, and Where to Get it in Singapore

Limit Stress

Chronic stress affects the amount of diversity of healthy gut bacteria. It’s also a major contributing factor to inflammation, which in turn, triggers eczema. If you’re constantly stressed, squeeze more “me” time into your schedule. Practice deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques. Get more rest and make health a priority.

Get outdoors, and let your children play in the yard! Get barefoot onto the soil, sweat it out, immerse in nature for 1-3 hours at a time and forget about the world for a while.

If you suspect you have eczema and are interested in the holistic approach to get under it, do get in touch for a consult!