Eczema — The distressing disorder - We all aspire to have beautiful, youthful skin, but unfortunately it is not granted to all. In fact very few individuals have impeccable complexions and good skin. Why? Because, our skin gets affected by internal, external, and genetic factors.
It is in fact the mirror that reflects the state of our health and well-being. Factors that impact our skin range from dry, cold, or hot weathers, air pollution, allergens, irritants in medicated creams, detergents, soaps, beauty products, latex, fragrances, shampoos, and metals, to food allergies (dairy, gluten, eggs), ingested chemicals, colorings and additives, sensitivity to the sun, exposure to stress, nutrition, insufficient nutrients and probiotics, low level of stomach acid, “leaky gut syndrome” (tiny food particles passing to the bloodstream), hormonal imbalances, yeast infections, and inherited genes. Today’s column is dedicated to a distressing skin disorder that affects infants, children, teenagers, and adults alike. It is dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema.
Eczema touches many people sometime in their lives. It is neither life-threatening nor communicable, but can be irritating, distressing, and chronic. The condition is characterized by mild to severe itching, inflamed rashes, and sometimes lacerated skin. Sufferers especially children can become anguished with its symptoms, which can continue to adulthood. It is a genetic tendency that is provoked by irritants like harsh soaps, chemicals, detergents, beauty products, perfumes, jewelry (metals, nickel), and deficiencies in one or more nutrients (vitamins A, Bs, D, and E, biotin, zinc). In certain cases, it is accompanied by other allergies such as hay fever and asthma.
Perhaps the most notable deficiency causing eczema is zinc, a mineral that protects the surface of the skin. With low zinc level, the top layer of the skin changes in appearance, looking dry and cracked like arid land. The condition leads to inflammation, itching, and yeast and bacterial infections. Certain enzymes and proteins depend on zinc to regenerate skin cells and protect skin surface.
Animal sources of zinc like oysters, lamb, haddock, beef, shrimp, and egg yolk are the most bioavailable. Zinc in Brazil nuts, pecan, peanuts, and almonds is also well absorbed. However, zinc from plants like spinach, turnips, green peas, split peas, ginger, and some whole grains is poorly absorbed, perhaps due to the phytates in grains and legumes and oxalates in leafy greens, which frustrate its uptake. To eliminate such interference, it is best to soak and cook beans and grains well and lightly steam leafy greens. These types of foods should also be taken within a main meal that contains vitamins A, B6, and E, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, and fat to enhance zinc absorption.
Other factors that slow down the mineral’s uptake or exhaust it are high calcium and low protein intake, copper, excess sugar and alcohol intake, and stress. Stomach acid is important for the mineral’s assimilation. Chemotherapy, irritable bowel syndrome and pregnancies can cause a drop in zinc levels.
Signs of zinc deficiency show as white spots on fingernails, low sense of taste and smell, repeated infections, stretch marks, acne or greasy skin, pale complexion, poor appetite, low fertility, and signs of depression. When these symptoms appear, zinc supplement (chelate, citrate, or picolinate above 15 mg) is required until they disappear. On the other hand, excess zinc can exasperate the absorption of copper and may give abdominal pains and diarrhea.
Vitamin C is a skin healer and protector from sun and free radical damage. It helps build collagen; works against the harms of stress; and prevents repeated infections and skin eruptions. It is found in peppers, watercress, the cabbage family, strawberries, kiwi, citrus fruits, and tomatoes. A supplement of ascorbic acid around 500 mg or more is necessary.
Vitamin D is an important nutrient to the skin. Many dermatological conditions arise from D deficiency. Our main source of the nutrient is the sun. The skin synthesizes sunlight into vitamin D. The nutrient can easily be depleted as it is found in a few dietary supplements (salmon, eggs). Natural vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, 400IU or more) is the most bioavailable form. It is most effective when the body is regularly exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Darker skins require more sun time to make D, but the body’s ability to synthesize sunlight diminishes with age.
According to dermatologist Dr. Abdullah Al-Essa of Derma Clinic in Riyadh, it is quite sufficient for the body to make the vitamin, when 25 percent of the skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) sunlight after 10 am for just 10 to 15 minutes.
According to scientists at St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin, “exposure to UV-B light therapy can clear psoriasis.” Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease and a severe form of dermatitis.
D deficiency lowers immunity, leading to frequent colds and infections during winter. Unfortunately, the exaggerated use of sunscreens can starve our bodies of vitamin D coming from the sun’s precious UV rays.
A recent study in Tokyo indicated that vitamin D can be effective in reducing cold infections, acting like the flu vaccine. Deficiency in the nutrient has been linked to osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, Parkinson’s disease, and breast and colon cancers.
To help eczema furthermore, vitamin E (400 mg d-alpha tocopherol) is recommended. Apparently, vitamin E therapy can significantly reduce symptoms of psoriasis. The nutrient is available in unrefined corn oil, sunflower, sesame, and other seeds, peanuts, peas, beans, wheat germ, tuna, sardines, salmon, and sweet potatoes. It works best with vitamin C and selenium.
Biotin is another skin friendly nutrient that helps relieve eczema. It is found in animal source foods as well as nuts, grains, beans, mushrooms and cocoa. It should be taken with the B vitamins. It is also synthesized in the digestive tract through intestinal microflora, the “good bacteria.” While such bacteria can be strengthened by consuming ‘live culture” yogurt or probiotics, antibiotics and drugs deplete them. To prevent passing the genetic factor to their babies, mothers-to-be should take probiotic supplements during the third trimester of their gestation period.
Omega-3 essential oils in cold water fish (salmon, sardines), flaxseeds, and walnuts have anti-inflammatory effects on dermatitis. The supplements are helpful, too.
Apart from vitamins and minerals, there are other natural therapies that can help relieve eczema. Herbal therapy is one to be considered. Infusions of burdock, chamomile, marigold, and red clover have anti-inflammatory properties. Chickweed cream, calendula oil, and aloe Vera gel soothe inflamed, dry, and sunburned skin. Inflamed areas should be bathed in chamomile infusion. Fresh gel from the aloe leaf has an immediate effect on burning and itching rashes. Burdock is also good as a supplement. When the entire body is affected, soak in an oatmeal bath to relieve redness or in a baking powder bath to reduce hives and irritated skin. Chinese herbalists recommend the herbs, peony root, gentian, and wormwood for relief.
Inflammation, itching, and redness of the skin are challenging disorders to treat or to get rid of. It is a matter of trial and error until you find what suits or relieves you best. In order not to increase skin inflammation, avoid off-the-shelf beauty care products and irritating chemicals and fragrances. Mixing products can cause sensitive skin to flare up.
Foods, which create allergic responses, should be reduced to a minimum or eliminated. Be aware of such causes. Foods to reduce include dairy products, eggs, wheat and gluten, shellfish, soy-based foods, chocolates, and peanuts.
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