Eczema And Skin Care

The skin is supposed to be slightly acidic which protects us from harmful bacteria, but most people use alkaline soaps that destroy the skin’s acid mantle and remove much needed moisture. Use pH balanced non-soap cleansers. Soap residue left in clothes can also irritate (use 1/3 of recommended and a brand like All Free & Clear). Most problems come from the use of harsh or sensitizing chemicals on the skin.

Internally speaking, the skin is the largest eliminative organ. Cleaning the body on the inside by detoxifying can be very beneficial in reducing the allergic (atopic) component. Greens are one of the best ways to do that (juice, blend, drink and eat them). Drinking enough water to hydrate from within along with taking your good fats like fish, borage and flax oil, as well as glucosamine, will help the skin retain moisture. To rebuild the skin, you need protein/amino acids. Vitamins, minerals, enzymes for digestion and beneficial bacteria as well as maintaining your alkaline pH on the inside are all crucial, and there’s a whole world of information on the how’s and why’s of that.
Food allergies and certain foods such as wheat, gluten, dairy and nuts can trigger eczema outbreaks. Hydrochloric acid deficiencies may also be associated as well as overproduction of candida (yeast) and consequently leaky gut syndrome. Further, underproduction of the delta-6 desaturase enzyme and overproduction of delta-5 desaturase enzyme which are involved in inflammation may be a key factor.

Nutrition, detoxification, anti-stress coping skills and external practices are all a part of healing eczema. The body is trying to tell you something, and it’s not just a defective on/off switch in the inflammatory cycle. Inflammation is the process that fights infection; and, if there is a bacterial or fungal overcolonization, steroids (which stop the inflammation process) may actually make the problem worse by allowing infection to run wild. Changing your body’s chemistry internally and externally to provide the proper environment for skin health can bring about a permanent change in this condition.