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Eczema all over the body
As a child, I had eczema all over my body. I still have it, but mostly only on my hands, feet, and face. I eat quite a lot of dairy which I know does not help but overall, my diet is healthy and I steer clear of junk foods. My eczema is always worse in hot weather. What can you suggest to finally clear it?
As you know, there is no quick fix magic cure for eczema although if you are motivated enough, you can use diet and natural remedies to completely clear the condition. The reason it is so troublesome is that there is no single cause for this inflammatory skin condition which can be triggered by a range of underlying factors, including a food allergy, a yeast infection, an overburdened liver, a fault in the enzyme which converts essential fatty acids in the diet into anti-inflammatory compounds that would otherwise counter the allergic reaction or stress.
In adopting a several-pronged approach to managing the symptoms, you need to start not with the skin but with the liver and the digestive tract. Everything you eat and drink must pass through the liver so your first step should be to detoxify this organ. To do this, use milk thistle which contains an active agent called silymarin, which can help regenerate this organ. Milk thistle becomes even more effective when bound to phosphatidylcholine - a key component of cell membranes which appears to help the body better absorb the silymarin.
To rebuild the good gut bacteria that can help alleviate the symptoms of eczema, take a good quality probiotic.
Studies show how eczema sufferers report improved symptoms when adding the antioxidant selenium to the diet, so take a multisupplement that will provide 200 mcg (micrograms) a day, plus 10mg of vitamin E. Zinc is also an important mineral. Take 30mg a day.
Finally, essential fatty acids play a key role in managing eczema and the most important of these nutrients is Gamma Linoleic Acid or GLA. The best source of this agent is borage oil, which is widely on sale both in oil and cream form in healthstores. Use these preparations to treat the outside of the skin when you have an outbreak.
You may, however, want to contact your UK-based relatives to get you a box or two of the Green People Company’s new Organic Omega 3 & 6 which provides both these essential fatty acids in sprinkle powder form to boost your dietary intake of fatty acids.
Each 45g sachet of this new supplement provides not only a therapeutic dose of essential fats (i.e. enough to really make a difference) but combines omega-3 and omega-6 in an almost perfect ratio. To mail order, call 01444-401444. If you prefer liquid oil mixes, again buy a good quality one and keep it in the fridge. Remember it will not have been heated to high temperatures to make it last, so try and finish it within eight weeks.
*Maximum Milk Thistle - which combines silymarin, the active agent in milk thistle, and phosphotidycholine - is only available from the NutriCentre (0800-587 2290). 90 capsules cost £39.95.