Eczema

Q. Over the winter months, my skin always gets more dry and I often have little patches of eczema that are manageable. This year, my skin is just itchy, red and irritated everywhere, especially my scalp and eyebrows. I don't know if it's just a really bad eczema outbreak or something more. Any advice on how to calm it down. It's driving me crazy.

A.Cold winters can wreak havoc on our skin, and often cause flare-ups of mild pre-existing skin conditions. Eczema and dermatitis are two catch-all terms describing inflammation of the skin. Atopic dermatitis is thought to be due to an allergic process or a malfunction of the body's immune system. It is common during infancy and childhood, often described as diaper rash. It is possible that in children it is associated with the introduction of certain foods too early, before the immune system is mature enough to handle them. In adults, it is normally brought on by food or environmental allergies, changes in temperature, stress or infection.

Contact dermatitis is caused by exposure of the skin to an irritant or allergen. Laundry detergents, skin care products or cosmetics, fabrics such as wool, cleaning products and even dyes can cause the skin to become inflamed and irritated, and usually itchy.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis effects the scalp. This type of eczema commonly develops after puberty when the oil producing glands become active. Depending on the severity, this can lead to dandruff. This form of eczema has been associated with high levels of a naturally occurring fungus on the scalp.

It is very possible that an individual has more than one form of dermatitis happening at the same time, as they all produce very similar reactions and often if you are susceptible to one, you are more likely to be susceptible to all forms.

All that being said, there is hope. There are a variety of foods that can be either avoided or increased, as well as supplements and other lifestyle tips that may do wonders to clear up the inflammation and soothe that dry, itchy skin.

Let's start with some simple lifestyle suggestions:
As always, try to include as many fruits and vegetables into your diet as possible. These foods are high in antioxidants and vitamin C, which both play a role in skin integrity. Drinking a lot of purified water, as well as increasing fibre in the diet also helps to remove toxins, which may be building up and will often manifest as dermatological problems first.

Food allergies often play a part in the development of various forms of dermatitis. Eggs, dairy, peanuts, soy and wheat sensitivities are among the foods most closely associated with skin symptoms. Often spices, caffeine, alcohol and food additives, such as preservatives or dyes, need to be kept to a minimum if you are susceptible to or experiencing an outbreak of eczema. Consider doing an elimination diet in which you cut these common allergens out for 3 weeks and then reintroduce one at a time. It may help to narrow down which foods are exacerbating your symptoms.

A deficiency of essential fatty acids may also be at fault. I will talk about these in terms of supplementation in a moment, but consider increasing your dose through diet,as well. Nuts, coldwater fish, and olive oil (not exposed to high heat) can all help to reduce inflammation. Foods high in zinc, such as oysters, wheat germ, sesame seeds (tahini) and pumpkin seeds can also help to alleviate inflammation and irritation of the skin.
Make sure to take short and WARM showers or baths. Extreme temperatures, especially hot water, can be drying to the skin and serve to worsen inflammation in the long run. Try to moisturize the skin as soon as you are out of the bath/shower to lock in as much moisture as possible. All-natural creams containing chamomile, calendula, or licorice are most soothing to the skin. Make sure to use hypoallergenic products on the skin, free from perfumes or drying alcohol. Try to use natural laundry detergent, as well.

Drinking and bathing/showering in chlorinated water can exacerbate dermatitis. Consider putting an activated charcoal or reverse osmosis filter system in your home, if your water has a high chlorine content.
As far as supplements go, I can't stress enough the importance of healthy fats. Fish oils are high in EPA, an Omega 3 fatty acid that has been used to reduce inflammation. GLA, another fatty acid (omega 6, this time) is found in both borage and evening primrose oils. Studies have shown that GLA is commonly deficient in individuals with eczema and supplementing can significantly reduce itching. Probiotics are another beneficial supplement in terms of treating dermatitis of any origin. They help to reduce allergic reactions by regulating our immune response. They also help to improve digestion which is particularly helpful if nutritional deficiencies are a factor. Digestive enzymes, including betaine HCL may also be beneficial for the same reason. Again, individuals with dermatitis are often shown to be deficient in betaine HCL.

If you think that stress may be a factor, consider an adaptogen or nervine such as avena sativa or schizandra.

If you are someone who tends to get outbreaks during the summer months, as well. Make sure to expose the area to a few minutes of sun everyday, as many find that sun exposure calms flare-ups, as well. (Or even better, take yourself to the sun on a well-deserved winter vacation! If it must be done... for the health of your skin.., right?)

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