Eczema - Beneath the Skin
Why a Holistic Approach is Essential in Healing Eczema:
Eczema is everywhere! It is estimated that up to 35% of children and 20% of adults are suffering this debilitating skin condition - thats millions of people! Many people are finding that they are not getting the help they need in ‘conventional’ settings. I say ‘conventional’ because the medical paradigm as we know it has only been around a relatively short amount of time in comparison to holistic healing modalities, like what we know today as Naturopathy.
Eczema is more than just a skin condition; it's a complex interplay of factors that extend far beyond the surface. As a naturopath, I've observed a significant increase in people seeking support for eczema, frustrated by the lack of comprehensive answers and effective solutions in medical-based healthcare settings.
Here’s some of the concerns I have heard time and time again:
I’m concerned about the use of steroid creams: the side effects, skin thinning, the impact of corticosteroids entering the blood stream constantly, withdrawl rebounds
The idea of putting my child in a bleach bath freaks me out!
The steroid creams work for a while but it just keeps coming back.
My child is uncomfortable, their moods have changed, their eating habits have changed with flares of eczema
Contant illnesses - colds, tonsilitis, sinus infections, gastro bugs, it’s never ending!
I have NO IDEA what keeps triggering the eczema, but it is relentless. I just keep getting told apply more cream
I have good news: It doesn’t have to be like this!
At Every Season Naturopathy we see you! We’ve heard your struggles and we want you to know, there is SO much more that can be done to support your eczema journey to healing, from the inside out! This growing demand has led to the creation of Eczema Ease - Naturally, a program designed to address the root causes of eczema through a holistic approach. The multifaceted nature of eczema is such that it is not simply a skin problem; it's a manifestation of deeper imbalances within the body. Research has shown that eczema is closely linked to immune function, gut health, and environmental factors.
Immune Function: Eczema is characterized by an overactive immune response, leading to inflammation and skin barrier dysfunction. This hypersensitivity can be triggered by various factors, including allergens and irritants, but is largely driven by imbalances in the microbiome. There are different types of immune responses from immediate (anaphalactic IgE) to those that take from hours to days such as IgA and IgG responses.
Microbiome Composition: Recent studies have highlighted the crucial role of the gut microbiome in eczema development. An imbalance in gut flora, known as dysbiosis, can contribute to immune dysfunction, increased inflammation and intestinal hyper-permeability that can trigger and exacerbate eczema symptoms. There are around 30,000 known species to inhabit the micorbiome - some of them are beneficial, and others can cause significant disruption - getting the ‘guts’ of it all is a crucial piece of the eczema puzzle. Fun fact: The microbiome starts forming from conception, with cells traveling through the penile and vaginal microbiome and of course, landing in the uterus - that has its own microbiome too! Science is amazing!
Dietary Intake: When it comes to dietary intake, it is intrinsically linked to what is happening in the microbiome and this is very unique from person to person. For some people seemingly innocuous foods can cause big reactions, and then there are some common triggers, and high histamine containing foods - it’s a lot to digest!
Environmental Factors: This encompasses all of the things we come into contact with. It’s a total jungle out there when it comes to things such as ingredients in our sunscreen, personal care products (soaps, shampoo, cosmetics, perfumes etc), our cleaning chemicals such as laundry detergent, home fragrance etc. There are SO many irritants and triggers in common household items.
The Limitations of Conventional Treatments:
While topical steroids and other conventional treatments can provide temporary relief, they fail to address the underlying causes and driving factors of eczema. This band-aid approach leaves many patients frustrated, cycling through various creams and medications without finding lasting solutions. The need for a holistic approach to eczema management that considers all aspects of an individual's health and environment is crucial to find lasting results.
Enter: Eczema Ease - Naturally: A comprehensive solution for holistic, patient-centred naturopathic care. We’ve created this hybrid approach in response to the need for accessible, individualosed care that gets results. Combining comprehensive online health assessment with 1:1 telehealth consultations, personalised treatment plans and our easy-to-digest e-book to empower you in your eczema healing journey. Easy to manage with kids, all from the comfort of your home, with expert, evidence based, naturopathic care!
In-depth understanding of each patient's unique health picture
Convenient access to expert care, especially beneficial for parents managing children with eczema
Comprehensive education on eczema's root causes
Peronalised natural treatment options - that support your whole body to heal
Ongoing support and progress tracking to ensure optimal results
By addressing eczema from multiple angles, we can work towards not just symptom management, but true healing and long-term skin health.