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Women's Health
Eczema
This is a chronic inflammatory
condition of the skin characterised by red scaly patches
which are often itchy. Eczema is associated with allergies
and goes hand in hand with other allergic conditions
such as hay fever and asthma.
New findings
Although naturopathy
has traditionally connected gut disturbance with skin
conditions medical science has been slow to link the
two. Recent scientific evidence has demonstrated that
gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting
were more common in individuals with eczema and that
their symptoms were caused by the ingestion of specific
foods.
Other studies have
shown that increased intestinal permeability, the so-called
‘leaky gut’, was more prevalent in patients with eczema.
It was thought that increased intestinal permeability
may be caused by allergies to certain foods.
Finally, modern medicine
is starting to substantiate theories that naturopathic
medicine has long embraced.
Diet
Dairy, eggs, wheat
and salicylate rich foods such as yeast extract, tomato,
pineapple and oranges are most commonly linked with
eczema.
Gluten which is most
commonly found in wheat, rye, oats and barley is often
the culprit behind leaky gut. Avoiding gluten will allow
your gut to recover and may be of therapeutic benefit.
A high fibre diet keeps
your bowel clean. Essential fatty acids promote lubrication
and reduce the inflammation of your skin. Flaxseed oil,
soybeans, walnuts and sunflower seeds are excellent
sources of essential fatty acids.
Tests
Aside from food allergies,
grass pollen and house dust mite have been shown to
cause eczema. A comprehensive allergy test would provide
specific information with regard to your sensitivities.
Testing for ‘leaky
gut’ is also of considerable importance especially
if you have any gastrointestinal disturbance.
There are laboratories
to where your health practitioner can send various tissue
samples to assess fatty acid imbalances which would
be very useful to know if your skin is dry and slow
to heal.
Nutritional supplements
and herbal remedies Eczema can occur as a result of
biotin deficiency. Biotin is found in soya beans, egg
yolk and bean sprouts. The essential fatty acids mentioned
earlier, vitamins A, B and E and the minerals selenium
and zinc repair damaged skin and encourage the growth
of healthy cells.
The herbs yellow dock,
golden seal and pau d’arco which are internal cleansers
and gastrointestinal regulators can be used to alleviate
eczema.
Main
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Acne | Eczema | Premenstrual
Syndrome
Depression
and Fatigue | Summary
Bondi
Family Health Centre
Phone 02 9365 1333
Int: 612 9365 1333
260a Bondi Road
Bondi NSW 2066
AUSTRALIA
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