This month’s ‘Reader’s Q&A’ question is about how to begin healing your eczema from the inside out. There’s so many options of how to start doing it – especially in terms of diet and gut. What should the reader do? (submit your own question here).
Reader’s Question:
“Hi! I was reading your blog and I am so happy that you are not another one of those people selling miracle cures and cream.
I have an eczema patch on my face and on my right hand. My doctor isn’t helpful and is just giving me cortisone creams without even explaining anything. I do believe the cause has something to do with my nutrition but I don’t know where to even begin!
I have no allergies, asthma, hay fever and no one else in my family has ever had anything related to eczema so I don’t understand where it’s coming from. I’ve been reading about a relationship between gluten, yeast and leaky gut syndrome being possibly related to eczema? I’m so confused I don’t know where to begin…should I opt for gluten-free? Yeast-free? Sugar-free? Where do I even start? I hope you can help me, I’m afraid it’ll spread. Thanks.”– Kim
Answer:
Dysbiosis, also known as imbalanced gut flora, can also lead to eczema. Dysbiosis and leaky gut are closely linked. Usually, someone with eczema most likely has a leaky gut – since your gut contains 80% of your immune system.
A leaky gut occurs when the intestine or gut wall becomes permeable and damaged (sometimes due to things that aggravate it – like sugar, wheat, stress, alcohol, medication).
This makes a person more prone to allergies and sensitivities, since the gut wall is no longer strong enough to keep allergens out (see my blog post here for my detailed write up about it).
Eliminate one or two groups of foods at a time (rather than eliminating all of it and going cold turkey!), so that your body is not in shock.
For example, try going gluten free for 2-4 weeks (you can adjust the timing based on your case) and then seeing if you notice a difference (for some, it may take over a month or more to notice a change!). Then after that, add sugar (or a food group of your choice) to the list of foods you are eliminating, and see if you feel better. For some, you may need to eliminate many more food groups (e.g. corn, citrus, eggs) in order to notice a difference!
The less foods you eat that are irritating your body, the faster you will allow your body to heal from the inside.
And like I always say, make sure you work with a certified practitioner for your case to make sure you’re doing it safely.
Hope that helps!
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Biography
Abby is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist who helps clients achieve optimal health. She is passionate about seeing people use health and nutrition to transform lives. She hopes that her experiences and knowledge can help educate others on natural remedies that will help eczema. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or YouTube for more updates!
Disclaimer: All the information found on this website should be used for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace proper medical advice. Always consult a qualified health care provider before embarking on a health or supplement plan.
Read my eczema guide for other articles and resources that I’ve written on this topic.
I want to take the time to say thank you for not only replying to commenters but informing them of the “what and why,” unlike most doctors who just diagnose you and prescribe medicine without explaining, in depth, why something is happening or why or how this medicine will work.
I feel like the elimination diet is just like how infants start solid foods, where you try a certain food to see if you’re allergic, and then wait 3 days to see a result, then add new foods from there.
You’re very welcome, Darlene! It’s my goal to give my readers as much information as possible. I don’t think the majority of medical doctors fully understand the whole picture with eczema, yet.
Hi Abby,
You have an amazing blog here! I have not read through it all yet but LOVE your approach! I too follow a very clean diet and I believe it has helped me get off the steroid creams easier than others. My daughter had hand eczema which thankfully we never used creams on and it heals with the all clean diet rich in probiotic foods! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Email me when you get a chance!
Tracy
Thanks so much for your kind words, Tracy! I’m glad to see that you and your daughter healed from your eczema – and I’m glad that we could connect!