If you suffer from eczema, you’ve probably had countless visits to the doctor’s office and tried an assortment of different creams and ointments – including topical steroids. Maybe some products provided temporary relief; maybe some made your skin even drier and more irritated than before.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at healing eczema from within and finding long-lasting relief. Read on to learn more about holistic healing for eczema.
What is an Eczema Holistic Approach?
A holistic approach to treating eczema aims to find the root cause of the problem and heal the body from the inside out. While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, we do know that it’s linked to an overactive immune system that responds with inflammation when triggered by a substance it deems as threatening.
The goal of treating eczema holistically is to identify and eliminate the factors that are triggering inflammation and causing flare ups.
5 Ways to Heal Eczema from Within
Change your Diet
You are what you eat. Maintaining a healthy diet is important for anyone’s well-being, but if you suffer from eczema, it can also be the difference between clear skin and a bad flare-up. As eczema is an inflammatory skin condition, it’s best to reduce the consumption of inflammatory foods. An eczema-friendly diet is high in quercetin and probiotics. Aim to eat more apples, blueberries, kale, broccoli and spinach, as well as foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon and herring.
On the other hand, you should aim to reduce your intake of processed foods, red meat, and anything high in refined sugar. It’s also a good idea to avoid common food culprits such as dairy, gluten, shellfish and citrus fruits. To identify your food triggers, try an elimination diet for eczema.
De-Stress your Mind
Stress-induced eczema is indeed a thing. When the body is under pressure, it goes into fight-or-flight mode which leads to an overproduction of stress hormones and an inflammatory response in the skin.
We know life can get pretty busy but your health is a top priority. Take some time out of your hectic schedule to relax your mind. Even just 15 minutes of meditation every day can do wonders for your skin.
Other great ways to display self-love include going on a nature walk, listening to your favourite song, journaling, and doing something for yourself like painting or reading.
Avoid Triggers
While everyone is different and may have unique eczema triggers, there are some common culprits that tend to worsen symptoms. Many of these are things we come across and use on a daily basis. Top airborne allergens include house dust mites, pet fur, pollen, and moulds while common fabric irritants include wool, polyester, nylon, and latex.
Even the weather can lead to flare ups so be sure to protect your skin from extreme temperatures in summer and winter.
Finally, avoid harsh chemicals or toxins found in beauty products and laundry detergents by choosing natural products as much as possible.
Sleep Well
Itchy skin can make it difficult to get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night. As eczema symptoms tend to feel itchier at night, you’ll likely spend more time tossing and turning and trying not to scratch than getting some much-needed shut eye. To help improve the quality of your sleep, we recommend you invest in some eczema-friendly pajamas.
Our favorite clothing for itchy skin at night include:
Remedywear™ (TENCEL + Zinc) Long Sleeve Shirt - ADULT
Remedywear™ (TENCEL + Zinc) Long Sleeve Shirt for KIDS
Remedywear™ (TENCEL + Zinc) Pants - ADULT
Remedywear™ (TENCEL + Zinc) Long Pants for KIDS
Remedywear™ Baby Pants with Feet
Heal your Gut
An unhealthy gut can negatively affect your heart, mood, weight, and skin. If you’re experiencing an upset stomach, food intolerances, and unintentional weight changes, it might be time to start healing your gut. Thankfully, you can do this by supplementing your diet with a prebiotic, drinking plenty of water, improving your diet, and drinking more tea.
Here at YoRo Naturals, we believe in healing from within along with natural treatments. We've seen firsthand the impacts of identifying food and allergen intolerances, as well as eczema diets.
For more information on healing from within, start here:
Eczema and Diet: You Are What You Eat
How to Begin an Elimination Diet for Eczema
6 Ways to Naturally Heal Your Gut
References:
https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/complementary-and-alternative/
https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-remedies-to-reduce-eczema-symptoms
https://www.parsleyhealth.com/blog/ways-treat-eczema-naturally/
