The Mayo News

Eczema – scratching the surface


Skin Specialist
Bernie Fahy

Eczema can be tough for an adult or child to cope with. It is estimated that about one in ten people are affected by eczema at some point in their lives, so it’s worth investigating what treatments are out there.

What is eczema?
An allergic state is the fundamental profile of eczema. Of patients who suffer from asthma, hay fever and food allergies, approximately 70 per cent will report eczema too.
Immunoglobulin E antibodies are present in elevated levels in 80 per cent of eczema sufferers. These antibodies stimulate mast cells to release histamine, dissolving healthy skin cells and causing skin to appear infected or injured.

Age profile
Different parts of the body are affected at different ages. Adults present with localised inflammation such as hands, ankles and backs of feet. Children and adolescents tend to suffer in the folds of the skin where the limbs bend.
Infants show weeping, inflamed patches with crusted plaques on face, neck and groin. These lesions are at risk of infection with staphylococcus aureus. Physicians tend to treat this condition with antihistamines or steroids in severe cases, but prescription drugs risk side effects.
Interestingly, breast feeding can play a role. Since the 1930s, scientists found that infant eczema sufferers have a deficiency of essential fatty acids, which in turn leads to an imbalance in the immune system destroying healthy skin cells and stimulating their rapid replacement. Another reason why breast feeding can be better for babies.

Natural treatments
Eczema can be treated successfully by natural means. Dietary advice would include consuming a serving of cold-water fish each week. Dietary supplementation with fish oils causes good fatty acids to arrive into the linings of skin cells, protecting them from the tissue-destructive cells of the immune system.
Supplements include evening primrose oil. This oil can naturally correct fatty acid profiles in adults, children and infants. Probiotics and prebiotics when taken daily can also have positive effects on eczema sufferers.
One tablespoon of flaxseed oil daily can be beneficial too, while vitamins A and E are recommended in a monitored programme. A clarifying supplement containing vitamins A, C and E is available. It helps reduce inflammation internally and is clinically proven to help the inner defences.
Quercetin, once known as vitamin P, inhibits release of histamine by mast cells. This little-known vitamin can be effective for eczema. Taken before meals, this vitamin addresses many symptoms of eczema.
Zinc deficiency in children often goes hand in hand with eczema onset. Zinc picolinate taken 50 milligrams per day until symptoms subside, then 30 milligrams daily have proven effective. However, professional advice should be sought befoer taking supplements.
Herbal remedies also provide a natural option to help calm an eczema flare-up. Burdock and liquorice have proven effective and also have the benefit of being relatively inexpensive with no chemicals that would risk side effects. Burdock is a source of inulin, which provides an immune defence against bacterial infection. Dandelion is also a source of inulin.
Chamomile is widely used to treat eczema. In hot water, it releases chamazulene, which absorbs the infamous free radicals and inhibits inflammation. In essential oil form it stops the release of histamine by the mast cells.
Witch hazel cream, although not as powerful as hydrocortisone, provides a natural anti-inflammatory effect with no side effects.

Lifestyle
For symptom relief, eczema sufferers should avoid excessive washing and resist the urge to scratch. Avoid irritating clothing, such as wool or polyester.
Take quick showers rather than a long bath, use hypoallergenic laundry detergents and always wear gloves in washing up water. Shampoo your hair less often, and use creams for washing rather than soap.
Ease your dry skin by applying a damp cloth – this will encourage moisture build up within the skin.

By following expert guidelines, we really can manage this condition and alleviate the discomfort for sufferers of all ages. So, don’t suffer in silence: Show eczema the exit!

THE SKIN SPECIALIST Bernie Fahy has over 17 years’ experience as a skin specialist. She works in Ballinrobe, Westport and Galway. She can be contacted at 086 2220125 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
For more information, visit www.bernietheskinspecialist.com .

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