By Naturopath and Herbalist, Jess Valencia
SCRATCHY SKIN & ITCHES!
Eczema & Atopic Dermatitis
What Is It?
First let’s look at some of the terms used:
ATOPIC Dermatitis: This is the most common form and is a chronic inflammation of skin.
DERMATITIS: General skin inflammation
ATOPIC: refers to allergy related symptoms that include a range of conditions including, hay fever, asthma and eczema.
FLARE-UP: when symptoms get worse.
TSW: Topical Steroid Withdrawal is a rebound reaction that happens sometimes when reducing long term use of steroids. Skin can become worse with redness, burning, flaking and thinned ‘elephant’ skin, nerve pain, fatigue and insomnia. Slowly titrate off steroid creams if you think this is now an issue for you.
What are the symptoms?
Sever Itching, Dryness, Redness, Scaly, thickened skin, weeping and skin infections can occur. The affected areas can vary however, the folds of skin can be affected -the inside of the elbows and back of knees, face-eyes and eyebrows and around the mouth are typical areas impacted.
Associated conditions: allergies, asthma, allergic rhinitis-runny nose
How did I get this?
A combination of genetics and compromised digestion can set you up for skin issues.
The internal digestive environment can be connected to the health of the skin. Triggers such as food sensitivities or other digestive issues -insufficiencies can cause inflammation in the skin for susceptible people.
What Can I do about it?
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Topical Relief: using soap free washes and nourishing moisturisers that form a barrier layer can help keep the skin hydrated. Use lukewarm water for bathing.
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Address Gut Health and the Internal Digestive environment: Probiotics can modulate the microbiome that will have a beneficial impact to the skin healing by reducing inflammation. Herbal medicines can influence the entire digestive system and the skin to promote healing and recovery from the inside -out.
Who Can Help me?
Your Naturopath can help provide a strategy to heal the skin from a topical relief perspective and to address any food sensitivities or gut health issues. TESTING may be needed-food allergy tests or Stool Analysis. There are three key tools that we can utilise to optimise skin health: Food as medicine, Nutritional medicine to provide the building blocks to make good cells, Herbal medicine to heal and nourish from the inside -out for healthy skin.
If you’re navigating eczema, itchy skin, or ongoing flare-ups, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Our naturopath, Jess, supports clients with skin concerns by exploring both topical care and deeper internal triggers - like gut health, stress, and food sensitivities.
🌿 You can book an appointment with Jess here and begin creating a personalised, holistic plan for healthier skin from the inside out.
