Hey DaVe,
I wanted to reach out because I know you’ve been dealing with some eczema (atopic dermatitis) lately. It’s gotta be frustrating!
You mentioned you’ve tried a few things, and I was wondering if you’ve ever considered the possibility of dietary triggers? There’s some interesting research out there on how dairy and eggs can sometimes contribute to eczema flare-ups. I found this video about research on that.
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/exclusion-diets-for-eczema/
The following abstract from the National Library of Medicine suggests these foods can contain natural hormones intended for off-spring that may have negative effects on human health.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4524299/
Some different approaches to skin health resonate with your “back to the roots” lifestyle. I admire your self-sufficiency and connection to the land.
In some holistic practices like Ayurveda and Macrobiotics, the skin is considered the largest organ of elimination. There might be a connection between certain food choices and how our skin reacts. Denny Waxman is a macrobiotic counselor and one of the original founders of American Macrobiotics. A statement on his website
reads,
“What can not be eliminated by the kidneys, intestines and lungs, moves to the skin.”
The connection between gut health and skin conditions like eczema are included in the following research abstract.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7992658/
It cites studies that indicate increasing numbers of E. coli and presence of C. difficile and abundace of Staphylococcus in the gut are associated with atopic dermatitis (eczema) and asthma.
The good news is the gut biome can become balanced on a whole foods plant based diet with an emphasis on fresh whole plant foods! The link below is to a video by Dr. Gregor. He explains it much better than I could.
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/microbiome-we-are-what-they-eat/
I know you’re a big believer in whole, natural foods, which totally aligns with these ideas!
Might you consider a two-week cleanse focusing on a whole foods plant-based diet? It could give the digestive system a break, help balance the gut biome and clear out toxins from the body that might be contributing to the skin issues. It could be a way to reset your system and see if there’s any change in your eczema.
There are some fantastic whole food, plant-based recipes out there that are still super hearty and satisfying. You could still get a well balanced diet from veggies, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
While this solution may not be the answer for everyone, it might help you!
Even if you’re not interested in the cleanse idea, I’d love to hear more about your current routine for managing your eczema. Maybe there’s something I can learn from your experience! I’d be honored to be your plant-powered cheerleader!
Please scroll way down to the bottom of the page, past the Reddit links, to let me know what you think. I’d love to chat if you want to bounce some ideas around!
Best,
Jean
p.s. I’ve added some more possibly helpful links below.
p.s.s. I used to have acne all over my upper back until I switched to a plant-based diet.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/eczema-diet
https://nutritionstudies.org/t/eczema/
https://www.healthline.com/health/eczema/plant-based-diet-for-eczema
https://www.wedermhealth.com/blog/plant-based-diet-for-eczema
