Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that can be an uncomfortable and emotional skin journey to experience. With symptoms like rashes, redness, flaking, dryness, cracking and itching, eczema is more than just skin deep. It can be down right debilitating and damaging to one’s self-esteem. Keep reading to learn what eczema and skin sensitivities are, my favorite skin care, common triggers, and my favorite inner skin food and teas to support calm healthy skin.

WHAT IS ECZEMA ?

Eczema can be mild, moderate to severe and there are many varieties of eczema that can surface on different areas of the body. Typically eczema is characterized by dry, red, itchy scaling patches on the skin.

Eczema can be irritating and tough to care for, but I’ve witnessed amazing skin transformations and take comfort in knowing that the skin has an amazing ability to heal. Our skin is a messenger and mirror the body uses to tell us when something is out of balance.

Eczema is a condition where dermatoxins are pushed through the skin. Dryness and sensitivities (if not caused by known condition) can be caused by internal dermatoxins or trans-epidermal water loss in the skin creating dehydration that can cause redness, dryness, and sensitive skin.

ROOT CAUSE

Eczema occurs due to a pathogen—usually EBV—in the liver that’s feeding off of high levels of the toxic heavy metals copper and mercury that are there. There’s usually also old DDT and other pesticides in the liver also, which are high in copper. When the virus feeds off these poisons it releases a potent dermatoxin, which floats up to the skin, causing rashes, flaking, cracking, irritation, and itching. – Anthony William, Medical Medium

DRY SKIN:
When the liver can’t function properly anymore as a result of EBV infection, it often gets to the point where it can’t handle fats —it can’t process them or protect the bloodstream from too much of them. Higher elevations of fat in the bloodstream reduce oxygen levels delivered to the dermis. Less oxygen means that the toxins can’t be flushed out of the skin properly causing the skin to become dry, cracked, and inflamed. – Anthony William, Medical Medium

Ideally, the liver would filter out these dermatoxins like other debris, and the intestinal tract and kidneys would send them out of the body. However, when pathogens and toxins are overloading the liver and the rest of the body, normal detox processes get interrupted, which is why these toxins end up trying to leave through the skin (another one of your body’s elimination organs).

TRIGGERS:
Flare-ups can be a nightmare and seemingly come at the most unpredictable times. Exposure to allergens, stress, pesticides, medications, and troublemakers like processed foods, dairy, gluten, eggs, canola oil, high salt, high fat, fish, alcohol, caffeine, sodas and irritants like fragrances and harsh soaps may be possible triggers.

SKIN CARE TO HELP ECZEMA AND DRY SKIN

SOOTHE AND PREVENT ITCH:
Eczema can create very irritated, sensitive skin that can be accompanied by a maddening itch. Calming and soothing the itch to prevent scratching and creating further damage to the skin can be very helpful. Some of my personal favorite ways to calm down an itch are:

• Aloe applied and kept in the fridge

• Cool coconut water towel compresses 

• Hypochlorous acid (in made for skin formulas like Miracle Mist)

• Calamine lotion

• Zinc based creams

• Alcohol free witch hazel

• Bandages

• Ice packs (wrapped in a towel not applied directly to skin) 

• Avoiding steam/saunas/sweat 

CALM AND REPAIR THE SKIN:
When the skin barrier is compromised, applying any products can tingle or create a burning sensation. It is important to avoid exfoliating ingredients, fragrance, and potentially irritating ingredients. Some people find that keeping the affected area dry for a period of time, or parts of the day to be more beneficial because overly moistened skin might feel hot and itchy. Using products that are fast absorbing and calming might be helpful. When the skin progress evolves and gets to a point where it can tolerate more repairing nourishment, other types of products may be added in later on. Explore my shop my shelf page below for some of my personal favorite picks for eczema. 

RESTORE THE MOISTURE BARRIER:
Once the inflammation and irritation of eczema have subsided, the skin can remain dry, flaky and dehydrated. This is when it could be time to restore the skin’s moisture barrier. 

My favorite way to focus on barrier care is to mimic the skin’s hydrolipid barrier with the “oil and water” method. This simple pairing harmonizes with your skin’s own innate rhythm, supporting its natural defenses and enhances the skin’s ability to detoxify, heal, and hydrate. When layered together oils hold water to the skin, while waters anchor the moisture from the oils more deeply. Damp skin is more absorbent than dry skin, and getting into the habit of applying skincare after using a facial mist, or mixed with one can help boost the skin’s hydration.

“When your skin is chronically inflamed it's going to use up a lot of nutrients, so you end up having a shortage of lipids to complete a moisture barrier”. – Dr. Ben Johnson, founder of Osmosis Skincare

Reasons to love the RESCUE EPIDERMAL REPAIR SERUM
Neutralizes toxins, calm inflammation, activate epidermal wound and DNA repair to dramatically improve skin texture, pores and age spots

• Repairs oxidative damage
• Calms redness, clears blemishes
• Decreases the inflammation present in the skin helping the healing process to resume improving inflamed acne, rosacea, melasma, and many other inflammatory skin conditions. 

SENSITIVE SKIN SUPER HERO: EGYPTIAN MAGIC

On the market since 1991, Egyptian Magic is crafted from a unique combination of six of nature’s most moisturizing and healing ingredients: olive oil, beeswax, honey, bee pollen, rolly jelly, and propolis  to create a “healing balm” unlike any other.

FAVORITE SKIN FOODS FOR ECZEMA

• Celery juice

• Cucumber and cucumber juice

• Melons and melon juices

• Lemon water

• Coconut water

• Berries

• Mango

• Sweet Potato

• Carrots

• Squash

• Potatoes

• Garlic

• Onions

• Leafy greens 

• Green beans

• Avocado

• Honey

• Figs

• Turmeric

• Ginger

• Aloe

• Apples

• Spirulina

• Barley grass juice powder

• Wheatgrass 
  

TOP 10 FAVORITE TEAS

• Lemon balm

• Reishi

• Chaga

• Peppermint

• Nettle

• Dandelion root

• Red clover

• Burdock 

• Chamomile 

• Hibiscus

EXTRA TIPS

Dead sea salt and oat powder baths may help soften the skin and reduce eczema symptoms while calming with itching and inflammation.

LED light therapy may be a helpful boost to an eczema routine as blue light therapy has been shown to reduce the severity of eczema and red light therapy is well known for calming inflammation and accelerating healing within the skin. 

Water Filters may be beneficial both for drinking and bathing water to remove potential toxins and skin irritants. Chlorinated water is known to be particularly dehydrating for the skin. My favorite drinking water filter that I personally use is the Filtered Water Pitcher from Clearly Filtered. 

THE TAKEAWAY

Eczema is far more complex than just sensitive skin. Remember to be patient and gentle with yourself and that it is best to keep a skincare routine gentle, minimal and free of potential irritants while addressing other potential root causes and triggers such as diet, stress, lifestyle, environment and so on. Never lose hope, and try to form a support system to lean on through your skin journey.

The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only, to include blog postings and any linked material. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional health or medical advice or treatment, nor should it be relied upon for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any health consideration. Consult with a licensed health care practitioner before altering or discontinuing any medications, treatment or care, or starting any diet, skincare, exercise or supplementation program. The content of this blog and any linked material does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Mindful Beauty facesbykatey and is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.