A visual guide to Eczema: causes, solutions and more.

Hey there! I’m Floris. After battling severe eczema and finding the solution, I dedicated myself to helping others do the same. Now, I’m here to help you become eczema-free in just 20 weeks. Let’s get straight to what you need to know about eczema.

 

What is Eczema?

Eczema turns your skin into a dry, itchy, and red mess. It’s not one single problem but a group of skin issues that make life uncomfortable.

There are several types of eczema:

• Atopic Dermatitis: The most common type, often runs in families.
• Contact Dermatitis: Caused by skin touching irritants or allergens.
• Dyshidrotic Eczema: Small blisters on your hands and feet.
• Nummular Eczema: Coin-shaped spots of irritated skin.
• Seborrheic Dermatitis: Causes flaky scales, mainly on your scalp.
• Stasis Dermatitis: Happens when fluid leaks into your skin from weak veins.

 

Who Gets Eczema?

Eczema can affect anyone, from babies to adults. If your family has a history of eczema or allergies, you might be more likely to get it.

• Babies often have it on their cheeks, chest, or scalp.
• Children and Adults tend to see it on their neck, elbows, or behind their knees.

 

Symptoms and Diagnosis

*pictures of exampels of thes symptoms

Eczema symptoms include:

• Dry skin
• Itchy skin
• Inflamed (red, warm) skin
• Sometimes red or dark patches on your skin
• Severe cases might have blisters and oozing.

I’ve been helping people get rid of their Eczema for a few years now, and i’ve noticed that many people also suffer from the following:

• Low energy
• Poor sleep
• High stress

This does not surprise me, as these are all related to the causes of Eczema.

Doctors diagnose eczema by looking at your skin, sometimes taking a small sample by scraping off some skin, and asking about your family’s health history. They might also do tests to check for other skin conditions.

Knowing you have eczema is the first step to managing it. If you are not sure, definitely go see a dermatologist.

 

Causes and Triggers of Eczema

Eczema can be like an unwanted guest that doesn’t know when to leave. It’s not just about bad luck; how we live and what’s around us plays a big part. Let’s break down what can cause or trigger eczema in a simple way.

 

Why Eczema Happens

• It’s in the Genes and Environment: Sometimes, it’s about the genes we inherit from our parents. Other times, it’s about where we are or what we’re doing. Often, it’s both. Imagine your skin as a fortress. If the walls are strong (good genes) and the land is peaceful (healthy environment), chances of invasion (eczema irritation) are low. But weak walls and a troubled land increase the risk. But how do the walls get weak to begin with?

 

What Causes Eczema

• Gut Health: Think of your gut as a garden. When the garden is well-kept, with lots of good plants (healthy bacteria), your skin is happy. But if weeds take over (bad bacteria), it can lead to skin troubles like eczema. There is a very strong link between gut dysbiosis, leaky gut syndrome and eczema.
• Energy Factories in Cells: Our cells have little energy factories called mitochondria. If they’re not working well, it can lead to tired, stressed skin cells, making eczema more likely.
• Body Clock Off Balance: Our bodies follow a natural clock. When our sleep, eating, or work schedule is out of sync, it can confuse our body and skin.
• Hormone Imbalance: Hormones are like messengers in our body. If they start delivering the wrong messages, our skin can get mixed signals, leading to eczema.
• Missing Nutrients: Just like plants need the right nutrients to grow, our skin needs the right stuff to stay healthy. Missing out on key nutrients can make eczema pop up.
• Irritants: Certain things like harsh soaps or itchy clothes can directly irritate the skin and kick off eczema.
• Toxins Around Us: Sometimes, the air we breathe, the places we live or the food we eat have harmful stuff that can affect our skin.
• Skin’s Defense Down: Our skin has a natural shield. If it’s not strong, things can get in and irritate eczema.

It’s very difficult to know which of these things might be causing your Eczema specifically. That’s why we do blood tests at The Chronic Solution to find out exactly what you have, and create a customised plan to battle that specific cause – reverse your Eczema.

 

What Triggers Eczema

• Feelings: Stress or being upset can trigger eczema. It’s like when we’re stressed, our skin throws a tantrum too.
• Foods: Some foods can start an eczema flare-up. It’s different for everyone. Over the years we’ve compiled a huge list of common trigger foods which is too long to share on this blog post. If you want to know what you’re triggers are, we can do a blood test.
• Allergies: Things like dust, pet hair, or pollen can irritate eczema for some people.
• Weather: For some, the change in seasons can make eczema worse or better. It’s important to understand that the sun plays a very important role in eczema.

Understanding these causes and triggers is the first step. In the next part, we’ll explore how to manage and live well with eczema. Remember, you’re not alone in this.

 

Managing Eczema

Living with eczema can be challenging, but adopting proactive strategies can help manage symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

 

Prevention Strategies

Preventing eczema flare-ups starts with understanding what triggers your symptoms. Here’s how you can stay one step ahead:

1. Identify and Avoid Triggers: Common triggers include certain fabrics, soaps, and environmental factors like pollen. Food plays a major role too, dairy, gluten and seed oils are common culprits. Keep a diary to track flare-ups and potential causes.
2. Moisturize Regularly: Keeping your skin hydrated can prevent dryness and irritation, common culprits behind flare-ups. I recommend a natural oil based product with little ingredients.
3. Manage Stress: High stress levels can worsen symptoms. Incorporate relaxation techniques into your daily routine, such as deep breathing or yoga.
4. Maintain a Healthy Skin Barrier: Protect your skin from harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures that can damage the skin barrier.

 

Skin Care and Remedies

A gentle and consistent skin care routine can soothe your skin and prevent flare-ups:

1. Gentle Cleansing: Use fragrance-free, mild cleansers and avoid scrubbing your skin harshly. I really recommend to not use any make-up to start with. Your skin is like a sponge. It absorbs everything you put on it. Read the back of the label of any product you apply to your skin. Do you really want this in your system?
2. Moisturizing: Apply a thick, fragrance-free, oil based moisturizer immediately after bathing to lock in moisture. Consider products with ceramides that help restore the skin barrier.
3. Cool Compresses: Applying a cool, damp cloth to itchy areas can provide immediate relief.
4. Oatmeal Baths: A lukewarm bath with colloidal oatmeal can soothe and reduce inflammation.

 

Diet and Nutrition

What you eat definitly impacts your eczema. While there’s no one-size-fits-all eczema diet, some strategies can help:

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Foods rich in omega-3s, like salmon and flaxseeds, can reduce inflammation and improve skin health.
2. Probiotics: Yogurt, kefir, and fermented foods can promote a healthy gut, which may influence skin health and reduce flare-ups.
3. Avoid Known Triggers: Some individuals find that certain foods worsen their symptoms. Common triggers include dairy, eggs, some nuts, and gluten. Eliminating these foods temporarily can help you identify if they affect your eczema.
4. Hydration: Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.

Whilst eating healthy foods is important, it’s even more important to avoid eating unhealthy foods. Highly processed foods are terrible for your overall health, but eczema in specific.

 

Medical and Alternative Treatments for Eczema

Managing eczema involves both medical interventions and exploring alternative treatments. These strategies aim to soothe your skin, reduce inflammation, and alleviate the discomfort eczema brings. Let’s dive into the options available, keeping our approach straightforward and supportive.

 

Medications for Eczema

1. Corticosteroids: Creams and ointments that reduce inflammation and can help manage flare-ups.
2. Antihistamines: May be used to relieve itching, especially if your eczema interferes with sleep.
3. Antibiotics: If an infection is present due to broken skin, antibiotics can help clear it up.
4. Immune Suppressants: For severe cases, medications that modify the immune system’s response can be considered.

What is really important to understand is that medicine to heal eczema does not exist. DO NOT believe medical or skincare companies. They are out there to make money. Not to heal you. The only thing that medicine can do, is surpress or alleviate symptoms. Because if you stop using them, it will come back. The only way to heal Eczema is by addressing the underlying causes. The causes have to do with lifestyle. This is exactly what we treat at The Chronic Solution.

 

Alternative/Natural Treatments

• Personalised health protocol creation: An extensive intake consultation and blood test uncover the culprits of your eczema. Based on the results a personal lifestyle protocol is made. It involves diet, behavior, supplementation and other factors all aimed at restoring your skin by improving your health. Personalised products are sent to you to assist in the process. This is the most effective method available, addresing the root cause of Eczema. Our program shows 82% improvement within 20 weeks and up to 100% within a year.
• UV Therapy: A method where the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, reducing inflammation and helping to control symptoms. It’s believed that UV light can help to slow the overactive skin cell growth seen in eczema. However, this can lead to scarring, and does not address the root cause of eczema, meaning it will return after time.
• Stress Management (CBT): Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be effective in managing the psychological triggers of eczema. Learning how to cope with stress may reduce flare-ups since stress is a known trigger. This is an effective method addressing one of the causes of eczema.
• Wet Wrap Therapy: This involves applying moisturizer to the affected area, then wrapping it with wet bandages to keep the area hydrated. It can significantly soothe and improve the skin’s condition. This does not treat the cause, but can alleviate symptoms.
• Bath Rituals: Incorporating soothing practices into your bathing routine, like oatmeal baths or adding baking soda to bath water, can provide relief from itching and help maintain the skin’s moisture. Again, it does not heal Eczema, but can improve the way you live with it.

 

Case Studies

Here are some testimonials of people that suffered from Eczema, and conquered it through The Chronic Solution’s program. There is no reason to suffer more than you already have. Join the success and book a free call.

 

Conclusion and Further Resources

While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for eczema, the combination of understanding your condition, crafting a tailored management plan, and making daily lifestyle adjustments can lead to significant improvements, or even completely heal your Eczema.