Eczema

9/3/20213 min read

Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition caused by a combination of genetic, immune, and environmental factors. It’s not just a skin issue — it’s a reflection of how your body, immune system, and environment interact.

Here’s a breakdown of what causes it:

🌿 1.

Genetic Predisposition

Some people are born with a weakened skin barrier due to mutations in genes like filaggrin, which helps keep the skin’s outer layer strong and moisturized.

  • When this barrier is weak, moisture escapes easily, and irritants and allergens penetrate more easily.

  • This makes the skin dry, sensitive, and prone to inflammation.

⚔️ 2.

Immune System Overreaction

People with eczema have an overactive immune response to normally harmless triggers (like dust, pollen, or certain foods).

  • The immune system releases inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) that make the skin red, itchy, and swollen.

  • Chronic inflammation keeps the skin barrier from healing properly.

🧴 3.

Environmental Triggers

Certain environmental factors can trigger or worsen flare-ups:

  • Dry air or cold weather

  • Harsh soaps, detergents, or fragrances

  • Hot showers or frequent washing

  • Sweating or overheating

  • Dust mites, mold, or pet dander

  • Pollution or cigarette smoke

🍞 4.

Food Sensitivities or Allergies

Especially in children, eczema can flare from food sensitivities — common triggers include:

  • Dairy

  • Eggs

  • Wheat or gluten

  • Soy

  • Nuts
    However, food is not the root cause for everyone — it’s usually one of several contributing factors.

💭 5.

Stress and Emotional Factors

Stress doesn’t cause eczema, but it can worsen flare-ups by increasing cortisol and inflammation.

This is why relaxation, mindfulness, and emotional balance are key to long-term management.

🦠 6.

Microbiome Imbalance

Healthy skin has a balanced ecosystem of bacteria. In eczema, Staphylococcus aureus often overgrows, disturbing this balance and worsening inflammation.

🌸 In Holistic or Traditional Medicine View:

  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees eczema as an imbalance of Wind, Dampness, and Heat in the body, often linked to the Lungs, Spleen, or Liver.

  • Ayurveda may describe it as a disturbance of Pitta (fire) and Kapha (water) doshas, often caused by diet, stress, or toxin

🌸 BEST TREATMENTS FOR ECZEMA

1.

Heal and Protect the Skin Barrier

This is the foundation.

  • Use a thick, natural moisturizer at least twice daily (even when skin looks fine).
    Choose:

    • Shea butter, cocoa butter, or mango butter

    • Cold-pressed coconut, jojoba, or calendula oil

    • Ointments with beeswax or zinc

  • Avoid harsh soaps. Use gentle cleansers (no sulfates or fragrance).

  • Take lukewarm showers, not hot. Pat skin dry, never rub, and apply oil immediately.

2.

Soothe Itching and Inflammation

  • Oatmeal baths (colloidal oatmeal or ground oats in warm water) calm itching.

  • Aloe vera gel or chamomile compresses can cool inflammation.

  • For flare-ups, diluted apple cider vinegar rinses (1 part vinegar to 10 parts water) can help balance skin pH and fight bacteria.

  • Probiotic creams or honey-based masks (like Manuka honey) can restore microbiome balance.

3.

Calm the Immune System & Stress Response

Since eczema is deeply connected to immune imbalance:

  • Daily breathwork, meditation, or yoga reduces cortisol (which worsens inflammation).

  • Adequate sleep is crucial for skin repair.

  • Herbal adaptogens like ashwagandha or holy basil may help regulate stress hormones.

4.

Support the Gut–Skin Axis

Eczema often starts with gut inflammation.

  • Take a probiotic supplement or include probiotic foods: plain yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso (in moderation).

  • Use prebiotics (fiber-rich foods like oats, flaxseeds, bananas) to nourish good gut bacteria.

🥗 BEST DIET FOR ECZEMA (Western + Holistic Blend)

🌿 Emphasize:

  1. Anti-inflammatory foods

    • Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel)

    • Flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts

    • Green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale)

    • Turmeric and ginger (reduce internal “heat” and inflammation)

    • Sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin (rich in beta-carotene and support the Liver)

  2. Hydrating, yin-nourishing foods (in TCM)

    • Cucumber, pear, apple, watermelon (fresh, not cold from fridge)

    • Mung beans (good for clearing Heat)

    • Lotus root soup, tofu (if tolerated), barley tea

  3. Warm, easy-to-digest meals

    • Soups, stews, and steamed vegetables

    • Brown rice, quinoa, or millet (avoid greasy or fried food)

🚫 Avoid or Minimize:

  • Dairy, gluten, soy, and eggs (test eliminating one at a time for 3–4 weeks)

  • Refined sugar and processed food (they feed inflammation)

  • Alcohol and coffee, which dry and heat the body in TCM view

  • Spicy and fried foods (worsen “Heat and Dampness”)

🌼 TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) VIEW

Eczema usually relates to:

  • Damp Heat (oozing, red, itchy lesions)

  • Blood Dryness (chronic dry, flaky patches)

  • Wind (itching that moves around)

So treatment focuses on:

  • Clearing Heat (with foods like mung beans, chrysanthemum tea)

  • Removing Dampness (avoid dairy, cold raw foods, and sugar)

  • Nourishing Blood and Yin (soups with goji berries, black sesame, or bone broth)

🌙 HOLISTIC SELF-CARE RITUALS

  • Daily body oiling (Abhyanga) with warm sesame or neem oil before showering

  • Bath rituals with oat milk, chamomile, or calendula infusion

  • Affirmation practice: “My skin is safe to breathe. I am calm, and my body knows how to heal.”