Eczema

Shreya Gupta

Eczema, also known as Atopic Dermatitis (AD), is a skin condition characterized by dry, red and flaky skin which is often itchy. Eczema is usually caused by allergens or excess toxin buildup, and although uncomfortable it can be managed in a number of ways. However, no drug or therapy has yet been discovered to fully eradicate the disease, although extensive research is being carried out.

Introduction 

Eczema is a skin condition brought on by IgE (immunoglobulin E), a protein that is produced when you have an allergic reaction. Your immune system responds by producing IgE, which travels to cells and releases chemicals that cause an allergic reaction, seen on the nose, lungs, throat or the skin. The allergic reaction is usually red, bumpy, itchy, skin (if external). If it is an internal reaction, your airways can get obstructed, so breathing is difficult. Obstructive breathing is due to the IgE’s effect on the lungs. This is why eczema and asthma are often linked. In asthmatic cases, the patient is prescribed an inhaler. For allergies, antihistamines are the first port of call.

One of the main causes of eczema is allergens, ranging from a number of things including wheat, cow’s milk, white sugar, eggs, nuts, potatoes, or even chicken. Another important contributor is toxins. An example of toxin buildup is when you have poor bowel movements. Faeces is made of dead skin cells and toxic waste products. If they are unable to be excreted, they build up in the gut, causing toxins to build up. When these toxins are released, they irritate the delicate lining of the gut, causing poor digestive function. This could lead to bouts of pain around the bowel area (constipation) or the lower abdomen (gastric pain). So have your fibre, fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water to avoid toxin buildup and body pains. 

Similarly, if you are unable to sweat properly and the toxins get stored in your body, you can break out on the skin with red spots (like rosacea), as your skin is the largest eliminator of liquid. The liver, bladder, kidney and lungs all regulate toxins. Since most people, worldwide, have one of the eliminatory organs blocked, they are prone to acne, boils, psoriasis or even eczema. In the most serious cases, toxic waste imbalance can cause a chemical imbalance in cells- leading to DNA mutation, or even cancer. Try to figure out what the underlying cause of your eczema is, and then treat it accordingly. There is no one size fits all!

Latest Research

As of June 2020, researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute have identified an enzyme that contributes to eczema. The enzyme is called Granzyme B. Granzyme B is linked directly with the symptom of itchiness, which in turn increases the severity of eczema so may indeed be the underlying cause. So far, the root cause of eczema could not be uncovered, but now we are in a step in the right direction. Granzyme B weakens the skin barrier by breaking the proteins holding skin cells together so allergens can spread across it. Understanding Granzyme B better may lead to more effective treatment in the long term, but unmasking the link between Granzyme B and eczema is still new information. 

Physiology and Therapies

Red dots seen with eczema are vesicles/pustules. These are nothing but a ball of heat and toxins. If the vesicles pop and a colourless liquid is released, the surface of the eczema becomes moist, which actually causes a bacterial infection/growth. This can be treated by topical antibiotics applied to the skin. Scratching with eczema tends to persist, so finding an anti-itch cream that works for you is recommended. E45 itch relief is an example of one of many on the market. Apply it generously and then wrap it in a cotton bandage for relief, or wear long-sleeved shirts or jogging bottoms to cover up the area. Make sure what you wear is breathable. If creams are not enough for you, please speak to your GP. It is advised to use cotton bandages over crepe bandages as the latter is rough for eczema. Another tip would be to use a humidifier, as this adds moisture to the air, and prevents the skin from drying out. This is ideal in very dry and warm climates, like the Middle East, or in harsh cold weather (like UK winters). 

Finally, be mindful of your diet. Try and incorporate as many fruits and vegetables as possible, as this helps to reduce toxins in your body. Having fresh carrots, or juicing them is so good for your body! Other suggestions are musk melon, or any berries- strawberries, raspberries, blueberries. Spinach is also very good for healing eczema, as are sprouts. Get creative with adding vitamins and minerals to your diet. A clean diet will drastically improve your body from inside and out!

References

https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-dictionary/immunoglobulin-e-(ige)#:~:text=Immunoglobulin%20E%20(IgE)%20are%20antibodies,chemicals%2C%20causing%20an%20allergic%20reaction

https://lukecoutinho.com/blog/disease-management-en/understanding-eczema-and-how-to-handle-it-naturally/?fbclid=IwAR1OcIjR409_Mu1dzRzEq4MDNKP-2bxzvNQcSokm_CcAmpswxM3xx-bMZAk

https://www.nature.com/subjects/atopic-dermatitis

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200610160437.htm