A Holistic Approach to Eczema: Functional Medicine and Beyond

Eczema, a.k.a. atopic dermatitis, affects millions worldwide, presenting with characteristic symptoms like itching, redness, weeping, and flakiness. It can also lead to thickened, leathery skin chronically. Some kids describe it as "a monster hiding under my skin," while for adults, it is "the itch you can't stop scratching." Often worse at night, eczema significantly disrupts sleep and overall quality of life, making it closely tied to depression and various social implications. In fact, it's ranked as the number one skin disorder with the most detrimental impact.

Eczema is often linked with asthma or allergies, classified as type 2 inflammation, involving a unique set of immune cells and key cytokines that are challenging to treat. While conventional medicine mainly focuses on symptomatic relief, Functional Medicine goes further by tackling the root causes. In this blog, we delve into eczema from a Functional Medicine standpoint, explore its causes and holistic treatment options.

Understanding the Underlying Causes:

Eczema is a complex condition with multiple underlying causes. Here are some significant ones:

1. Dysfunctional Immune System: Eczema often arises from an overly active immune response which triggers systemic inflammation, epidermal remodeling, and barrier disruptions. 

2. Leaky Gut Syndrome: A compromised gut lining is one of the most common reasons leading to a hyperactive immune reaction and increased inflammation, which can trigger or exacerbate eczema. 

3. Genetic Predisposition: Genetics plays a role in eczema, but they are not the sole determinants. Epigenetics research have shown that lifestyle modifications, proper nutrition, and supplements can modify or suppress harmful gene expressions.

4. Food Allergies and Sensitivities: Even if you do not experience hives or lip swelling, certain food can trigger a different type of immune reaction which is often described as food sensitivity or intolerance. Identifying and eliminating trigger foods, such as dairy or gluten, is one of the cornerstones of treating eczema.

5. Nutrient Deficiencies: Vitamins, Copper, selenium, zinc, and proper balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 are all essential for skin health. Deficiencies in those essential nutrients, partially due to unhealthy diet or poor farming practice, can contribute to eczema.

Holistic Treatment Approaches

Functional Medicine aims to treat eczema by addressing its root causes. Here are some general strategies for managing eczema from a Functional Medicine perspective:

1. Dietary Modifications: Eliminating trigger foods and adopting an anti-inflammatory diet can significantly reduce eczema symptoms. Focus on whole, unprocessed foods, and consider a personalized diet suitable for you to identify potential triggers.

2. Gut Health: Healing the gut involves removing pathogens, restoring normal digestive function, and reviving the healthy microbiome to reduce inflammation and enhance skin health

3. Stress Management: Stress can exacerbate eczema symptoms. Identifying the cause of stress and learning effective management techniques can improve both eczema symptoms and overall wellbeing.

4. Detoxification: Reducing exposure to environmental toxins and supporting the body's detoxification processes can help restore skin barriers and alleviate eczema.

5. Allergy and Sensitivity Testing: Identifying and managing food allergies and sensitivities is crucial. It is quite common that once the trigger food is identified and properly avoided, eczema symptoms will resolve.  

6. Compounding Topical Solutions: Natural, non-irritating compounding topical treatments can yield excellent results with minimal side effects when combining with the above integrative approach.

Eczema is a complex condition that necessitates a multifaceted approach to treatment. At Medical Acucare, we offer an integrative approach, looking beyond symptom management to address the root causes of eczema. In addition to the strategies mentioned above, we also provide acupuncture to accelerate the recovery process. By combining conventional medicine, Functional Medicine, and acupuncture, we empower our patients with personalized approaches to their healing journey, offering effective and sustainable relief for those suffering from eczema.

If you or a loved one is dealing with eczema, consider scheduling a complimentary consultation with Dr. Geng to explore our integrative treatment options and embark on the path to clear skin and better health.