The causes of eczema and its natural solutions

What is eczema?

First of all theeczema is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is not contagious. Eczema is the second most common skin disease worldwide, after acne. It affects nearly 5% of the French population, regardless of age. It is not contagious. Eczema is the second most common skin disease worldwide, after acne.

It affects nearly 5% of the French population, regardless of age. According to recent studies, this trend increases on average by 1% every 10 years among younger people. There are nearly 6% of children and adolescents suffering from a form of eczema and 1,7% suffering from severe symptoms [1]. These figures are enough to sound the alarm about the contribution of environmental factors in the growth of this disease which affects the quality of life and self-esteem of those who are affected.

2 types of eczema?

Atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis

These two equivalent terms cover a skin problem linked to its sensitivity. Instead of being a barrier to external aggressions, the skin behaves like a sponge. It absorbs external aggressions. As a result, atopic skin reacts with inflammation.
The symptoms of atopic eczema are threefold:
– Significant skin dryness
– Red lesions. On the surface, small blisters called vesicles may appear.
- Itches

Atopic eczema therefore very logically often affects young children. In this case, it tends to disappear after the age of 4. It can obviously also affect adults. One of the most common causes of atopic dermatitis is sensitivity to the sun, for example. Thus, many people, upon first exposure to UV rays, develop atopic eczema.

Good to know about eczema

Note that the symptoms of eczema can sometimes be confused with other illnesses at the time of diagnosis.

Contact eczema

While atopic eczema is a reaction to all types of allergen, contact eczema is an allergic reaction to a product, a specific material. Atopic eczema often occurs in people who already have skin atopy.

So we could qualify it as level 2 eczema. Level 1 is atopic eczema with skin that is sensitive to everything; Level 2 corresponds to a reaction to a particular allergen. However, note that this type of eczema can also appear spontaneously and completely independently.

Logically, contact eczema occurs most often later in life, even in adulthood. In the professional environment, it can be linked to contact with certain substances such as nickel or chemicals.

Genetics, a well-known cause of atopic eczema 

Heredity, a sensitivity factor

Heredity, as a major cause of eczema, is clearly identified. Scientific studies have proven that there is a genetic predisposition: A child will have a 20% chance of developing atopic eczema if one of his parents also has atopy. He will have a 1 in 2 chance if both of his parents have it.

The role of filagrin

Often, the altered epidermal barrier is explained by the mutation of a gene (filagrin, for example). To image the subject, we could evoke the protective function of the skin like a brick wall. In fact, the brick wall would be built without mortar. So it would be fragile and permeable to microbes, bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.

Is the dysregulation of sexual hormones a cause of eczema?

This is something new, revealed by a recent study*. It weighs the importance of the genetic factor for people with eczema. Thus, sexual hormones, in the event of disruption, would be the cause of the occurrence of eczema.

However, this disruption could be explained by the overproduction of sex hormones. It would lead to the underproduction of sebum. However, this phenomenon would be linked to a gene, located in an enzyme essential for the production of sex hormones.

Thus, research today focuses on how to reduce the activity of this gene. Logically, solving this equation would result in a better ability to produce sebum. As a result, the skin's protective barrier would be improved or even restored. The occurrence of atopic eczema would then be ruled out.

Causes of contact eczema

Why is contact eczema very localized?

Since it is linked to contact, this type of eczema is often very localized. For example, in the case of a nickel allergy. The temples of glasses often have them. So the eczema will most often be located at the level of the ears since they support the branches.

The causes of contact eczema linked to the professional environment

Furthermore, in the world of hairdressing, for example, contact with different dye or shampoo products can cause an allergy. This is why you will find that many hairdressers wear gloves when handling such products. In conclusion, contact eczema is often localized on the hands. However, it can also affect other areas, depending on the type of allergy. For example, the legs in case of allergy to boots or the torso in case of allergy to a necklace. See also our article dedicated to contact eczema.

Causes of contact eczema: cosmetics and prescription products

Shampoo allergies

Eczema can appear on several parts of the body but frequently, contact eczema is located on the scalp. This is called seborrheic dermatitis. Most often, the cause of eczema is linked to shampoo or dye. However, the repercussions of this allergy can cause marks on the back, where the shampoo has run.

Allergies to cosmetic treatments

Lipstick can cause a localized allergic reaction around the mouth. Likewise, allergy to a deodorant can cause eczema in the armpits. In addition, contact eczema can affect the nails in the event of an allergy to varnish.

Contact allergy or irritative dermatitis?

Firstly, it is important to distinguish contact allergy from irritative dermatitis. In fact, the latter is not linked to an immune factor. It is rather due to excess friction or prolonged humidity of the skin. However, irritative dermatitis can precede the appearance of contact eczema.

What foods to eat in case of digestive weakness?

Digestive weakness can be a cause of skin disorders. We then speak of the skin microbiota: it refers to all the elements of the digestive system which have repercussions on the health of the skin. This is why we offer Detox and Zen capsules to both help detoxify the digestive system and combat stress.

The skin microbiota, a cause of eczema. What foods to avoid if you have eczema?

Among the enemies of the skin microbiota is sugar. Lactose sugar, contained in cow's milk, can cause digestive problems. Moreover, lactose intolerance often manifests itself as gas, abdominal pain or bloating. Furthermore, lactose and all fast sugars are responsible, through excess acidity, for sweat. The latter weakens the already weak skin barrier. Consequently, in cases of eczema, we will reduce the consumption of sugars in its various forms (food, sodas, etc.).

See our article on virtues of daisy for eczema.

How to avoid functional colopathy?

Colopathy is an alternation of diarrhea and constipation. To avoid this, it is advisable not to combine fruits or vegetables with starchy foods in the same meal. Additionally, gluten sensitivity can worsen functional colopathy by causing inflammation of the small intestine. In this case, it is better to avoid it. This advice is supported by the Eczema Foundation.

Psychological causes of eczema: does it come from stress?

In fact, it is appropriate to qualify our remarks. Stress is a factor in aggravating eczema, but it is not a primary cause. However, of course, in cases of stress and eczema, it is better to soothe the nervous system to better fight against eczema and its flare-ups.

Common ideas about the causes of eczema

Diet, a cause of contact eczema?

Animal hair and eczema?

Natural treatment for eczema

Just like allopathic treatments, natural topical treatments for eczema aim to act on the symptoms of the disease. Thus, there are a variety of natural solutions to relieve eczema, including the essential oils mentioned above. It is also possible to call on theacupuncture which can, according to some, help with eczema. Let us also cite the litho-therapy, treatment with stones, which offers an original approach.

Finally, for atopic eczema in general, the solution to relieve it is above all to treat its symptoms to help eliminate its traces. THE Pso Natura care are particularly well suited to treating eczema naturally, without side effects.

Conclusion on the causes of eczema

The main causes of eczema are genetic in origin. This therefore explains why it is not possible to CURE ECZEMA. Eczema treatment can be preventative when it comes to contact eczema. It will be necessary to identify and then eliminate the allergenic source. Furthermore, for the natural treatment of atopic eczema, natural solutions exist and can be the subject of parallel therapies. Our recommendation is of course Pso Natura topical care.