SKIN DEEP – Are you suffering from eczema?

By Kohei Iguchi (BNatMed, BSc)

Qualified Naturopath, Medical Herbalist, Advanced Hemaview Practitioner

Did you know that there are many different types of eczema, ranging from contact dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis to discoid eczema. More than often, various presentations of eczema have unique physiological processes, and may require specific treatments to bring the eczema under control.

For example, chronic and systemic eczema may be caused by suboptimal gut and liver functions, that fail to eliminate toxins from the body through the appropriate channels, and thus exits form the skin.

On the other hand, if you have other family members with eczema (or even asthma or other forms of allergy), you may have an immunological predisposition that favours certain immune responses that promote the release of histamine, the major culprit in causing skin inflammation and itchiness!

Some may even be caused by bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections, in which case a specific antimicrobial treatment would be necessary.

Regardless of the cause, a holistic and comprehensive approach to heal your skin must be treated both from the inside and outside. Natural topical creams can do wonders to reduce inflammation, dryness and itch, promote soothing and wound-healing effects, as well as providing antimicrobial properties to help reduce the risk of infection, without any nasty chemicals. Your gut, liver and kidneys needs nourishment to ensure that your blood carries the toxins out of your body effectively, instead of your skin. Specific nutrients and herbs are also be necessary to address any underlying immunological challenges and support the growth of healthy skin cells!

So you see, treatment for eczema is not a one-size-fits-all approach. There are numerous forms of eczema that must be taken into consideration, and ways of getting your eczema under control requires individualised and unique treatments.

I have a personal experience of suffering from chronic eczema. In my early 20s I was head-to-toe covered in eczema. It was so severe that I had to quit work, and was bed ridden for 5 months while I continually dosed up on steroid creams and pills. I was at the end of my tether before I was introduced to a naturopath, who explained exactly what was happening to my body and how I could fix it. Today, I am 99.9% eczema free, and the days of frustration and agony are completely behind me.

This is why I take a special interest in treating skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, acne and more. I believe that you can restore healthy and vibrant skin through natural medicine and reclaim the quality of life that you deserve.