When those painful, itchy patches of eczema and psoriasis erupt, doctors of natural medicine ask, ‘what is causing this condition to present at this time?’ The Greek translation of eczema means “to boil out,” so the question makes sense: holistic physicians look for the underlying root causes that bring about these skin eruptions. Although they create similar discomforts for the people afflicted, psoriasis and eczema are different in important ways.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that results in an overproduction of skin cells. As the dead skin cells build-up, they form thick, scaly white patches that are visible on the skin’s surface. The skin itches terribly and is inflamed.
Eczema (aka atopic dermatitis) also can be chronic, but it tends to come and go in response to certain triggers (e.g., weather changes, irritating cosmetics, or an allergic reaction). Eczema is common in infants and children, and may even go dormant for a time. Some people, however, suffer terribly throughout their lifetime. When eczema is active, skin is inflamed, dry, peeling and may blister.
From the natural medicine perspective, root causes of eczema and psoriasis include:
Food sensitivity/ allergy
Deficiency in one or more minerals
Low-quality diet (high in saturated fats, processed foods, sugar, etc.)
Poor gut health/ Leaky Gut Syndrome
Emotional/ Mental Stress
Exposure to toxins and/or inadequate ability to detoxify
Conventional treatment plans typically use steroids to simply manage symptoms (i.e., itching); however, there are harmful side effects, such as suppressing overall immunity, that must be considered. Natural therapies, on the other hand, work to correct the underlying imbalance that caused the body to react in the first place, offering relief without the unwanted side effects of steroid treatments. One or more of the following natural therapies may be part of an individualised holistic treatment plan:
Dietary changes to include more nutrient dense, clean foods
Remove foods from the diet that cause inflammation
Nutritional supplements to restore balance or deficiency (e.g., zinc, vitamin D/ E/ A)
Balance gut flora using probiotics and other approaches
Increase intake of Essential Fatty Acids, which are important to skin health
Provide support for mental/emotional stress
Identify and minimize toxin exposure
Support liver function, the body’s detox organ
Additionally, to temporarily soothe symptoms, naturopathic physicians may recommend nourishing the skin with herbal salves and essential oil baths specific to individual needs. Some common botanical ingredients are calendula, lavender, chamomile, rose, Manuka honey, tea tree, among many others.
Psoriasis and Eczema can quickly become chronic and severe and the wrong treatments can make things far worse. Consult with a naturopathic doctor to identify the appropriate therapies for you or your loved one.
Resources
Mayo Clinic. “Atopic dermatitis.” Accessed 5 June 2018: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/symptoms-causes/syc-20353273
Mayo Clinic. “Psoriasis.” Accessed 5 June 2018: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355840
Healthline.com “Psoriasis vs. Eczema: What’s the Difference?” Accessed 5 June 2018: https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis-vs-eczema-pictures
Naturopathic Doctor News and Review. Series of Articles accessed 5 June 2018:
Traub, M. “Atopic Dermatitis: Treating the Causes Yields Success.” http://ndnr.com/dermatology/atopic-dermatitis-treating-the-causes-yields-success/
Meletis, Chris D. “Stopping The Straw That Broke The Camel’s Back.” http://ndnr.com/dermatology/resolving-atopic-eczema/
Moyer, K. “Naturopathic Treatment of Eczema.” http://ndnr.com/dermatology/naturopathic-treatment-of-eczema/
