Eczema is a skin condition characterized by inflammation, redness, itchiness, cracks, and dry, scaly patches. Many develop eczema as babies and outgrow it, but half of those will continue to have symptoms through adulthood. Several factors are thought to play a role in the development of eczema, including hereditary, skin irritants (soaps, detergents, shampoos, etc.), allergens, stress, hormonal changes, and temperature changes. Food can also play a paramount role in the development and management of eczema.
When the body doesn’t tolerate and has created antibodies against a certain food, each time that food is eaten creates low level inflammation. This repeated insult to the gastrointestinal tract causes irritation in the gut and eventually causes the tiny walls of the intestines to create tiny, little holes. Instead of being nice and tightly woven and impermeably together, the walls of the intestines are now like cheese-cloth or a mesh screen, allowing toxins and other particles to freely move in and out of the intestinal lining into the bloodstream. The skin is the largest detoxification organ, so eruptions on the skin are indicative of underlying issues within the GI tract.
Nutritional Therapy Discussions Include:
- The importance of the gastrointestinal tract on the management of autoimmunity
- Ways to optimize your bacterial ratios in the GI tract
- Foods to help “heal and seal” the gut
- The role of stress on the body
- Therapeutic foods to incorporate
- Foods to avoid for symptoms relief
- Targeted nutritional supplementation
What are the Suggested Lab Tests?