UNDERSTANDING ECZEMA AND PSORIASIS: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.
In Canada, approximately 17% of children and 10% of adults have eczema, while 1 to 3% of the population has psoriasis. These two chronic skin conditions can significantly impact quality of life. Understanding the differences between these conditions, their causes, symptoms and available treatments is crucial to better manage them.
File produced by Odénium Natural and Organic Care specializing in skin care with dermatological concerns and Karine Seigneurie naturopath.
1. WHAT ARE ECZEMA AND PSORIASIS? THEIR DIFFERENCES?
Psoriasis and atopic eczema are chronic, non-contagious skin diseases resulting from an overactive immune system and causing an inflammatory reaction in different areas of the body.
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammation of the skin characterized by redness, intense itching and dry skin. It often appears in infants and young children, but can persist into adulthood.
PsoriasisPsoriasis is an autoimmune disease where cell renewal is accelerated. More precisely, these are certain cells, keratinocytes, which are renewed in just 7 days (instead of 21). These cells do not complete their maturation correctly, resulting in thick patches of red skin covered with white scales. This condition can occur at any age, but is often diagnosed in young adults.
Key Differences
The two diseases are very different but have commonalities that sometimes make it difficult to differentiate them.
Visually, however, we note a clear difference for psoriasis
- the patches are a brighter red than those of eczema
- they are sharper with a well-defined outline
- the skin is more covered in thick white scales
Age is also an indicator
- psoriasis generally appears between the ages of 20 and 40 (less than ⅓ of cases appear before the age of 20)... There is often a family history.
- eczema appears much earlier (from the age of 3 months) and often disappears during childhood (10 to 15% persist into adulthood)
The location of the plaques can also help differentiate psoriasis, it is rather located
- at the front of the knees (and not in the folds as in eczema)
- on the elbows (and not in the bend of the elbow like eczema)
- at the level of the back and buttocks
- to the scalp in the form of “dry dandruff”
Despite these different elements which can help you better identify if you are prone to eczema or psoriasis, we advise you to consult a health professional who will provide a definitive diagnosis.
2. CAUSES AND TRIGGERS OF FLEAR-OUTS
EczemaThe exact causes of eczema are not fully understood, but genetic, environmental and immunological factors play a crucial role.
Common triggers include :
- Allergens (pollen, dust mites, animals)
- Irritants (soaps, detergents)
- Stress
- Extreme climates
Psoriasis is mainly due to dysfunction of the immune system, often influenced by:
- Genetic factors
- Infections (streptococcus)
- Stress
- Medications (beta-blockers, lithium)
- Skin traumas
3. THE SYMPTOMS
Eczema
- Dry and scaly skin
- Redness and inflammations
- Intense itching
- Oozing and crusting (if scratched)
Psoriasis
- Thick red patches with silvery-white scales
- Itching or pain
- Dry and cracked skin
- Onycholysis (detachment of the nails)
4. THE COMPLICATIONS
Eczema
- Bacterial skin infections
- Herpetic eczema (viral infection)
- Sleep problems
- Psychological distress
Psoriasis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Cardiovascular illnesses
- Type 2 diabetes
- Mental health issues
5. OTHER ASSOCIATED ALLERGIC MANIFESTATIONS
People with eczema are often more likely to develop other atopic conditions such as:- Allergic rhinitis
- Asthma
- Food allergies
Psoriasis, although mainly cutaneous, can also be accompanied by inflammatory disorders.
6. WHICH CARE TO USE AND WHICH TO AVOID
Atopic skin, such as those affected by eczema and psoriasis, has specific needs: it requires intense hydration, protection against irritants and repair of the skin barrier. Most often, dry skin is due to the weakening of the skin's protective barrier.Natural ingredients can provide a suitable response thanks to their hydrating, soothing and regenerating properties. Choose them preferably organic for the health of your skin.
Recommended Care
- Shea Butter: Rich moisturizer that soothes and repairs the skin thanks to its vitamins and essential fatty acids.
- Tamanu Oil: Anti-inflammatory and natural healing, ideal for reducing redness and promoting healing.
- Evening Primrose and Borage Oil: Rich in omega-6 fatty acids, they help restore the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
- Sea Buckthorn Oil: Regenerating and rich in antioxidants, it contributes to tissue repair and the reduction of inflammation.
- Hemp Oil: Moisturizing and anti-inflammatory, it deeply nourishes the skin and helps maintain its elasticity.
- Black seed oil: antibacterial and antifungal, it is beneficial for atopic skin often subject to secondary infections. Known for its immunomodulatory properties, it can help reduce overactivity of the immune system, which is often a factor in psoriasis flare-ups.
- Vegetable Glycerin: the undisputed star in cosmetics for hydrating the skin. It prevents the skin from drying out and thus reduces flaking and irritation. By keeping the skin well hydrated, it minimizes the discomfort associated with these skin conditions. However, be careful with its dosage so as not to have the opposite effect (do not use it alone on your face/body).
Care to Avoid
- Products containing synthetic fragrances and chemical dyes
- Conventional soaps (prefer their cold saponified and superfatted soaps)
- Alcohol-based products
- Abrasive and too regular facial scrubs
- Bubble baths
- Detergents (laundry detergents, softeners, household products)
7. CARE ROUTINE AND GENTLE HYGIENE TO PREFER
- Keep your skincare routine simple to meet your skin's needs (few products but well chosen).
- Be consistent and regular in applying your care whether you are in crisis or not.
- Fight against the urge to change treatments often to test the latest product everyone is talking about.
The skin takes on average 28 days to renew itself. Although for eczema and psoriasis this happens more quickly, the skin needs time to adapt to its care and routine. Give it time to regulate itself and benefit from the care you apply. If the moisturizing molecules for example will act quickly (within a month) to give you a feeling of comfort. Certain molecules take much longer to do the work. They must reach the dermis and trigger the regeneration and desensitization mechanisms, to bring about a good “reorientation” of the cellular mechanisms.
The expected benefits of your skincare routine
- Make the skin barrier stronger.
- Reduce redness, itching and scratching.
- Prevent the infection.
- Increase the duration of periods when skin is normal and reduce the frequency and severity of future eczema flare-ups.
Your daily skincare routine
- Gentle cleaning : Choose superfatted cold saponified soaps or pH neutral soaps, shower oils or soap-free cleansers, hypoallergenic and pH neutral to avoid irritation and drying of the skin.
- Hydration : Generously apply a natural moisturizing cream or balm after each bath or shower. Look for products containing glycerin (a humectant that attracts water to the skin helping to maintain optimal hydration in skin cells) and incorporate shea-based treatments to maintain hydration in the skin.
- Specific treatments based on vegetable oils and butters : incorporate butters and vegetable oils like those mentioned in the previous chapter to strengthen the skin barrier, soothe inflammation and limit infections. Thanks to their composition rich in essential fatty acids, they have a great affinity with the skin's sebum.
It will help you strengthen the hydrolipidic film that protects your skin from external aggressions, hydrate your skin and maintain water in the cells, reduce redness, itching and scratching while preventing infections.
Noble Chamomile Soothing Mist enriched with Vegetable Glycerin as a moisturizer, it attracts and maintains water in the skin cells. In addition, chamomile has soothing properties for the skin and helps regulate emotions to promote relaxation in cases of stress and anxiety.
EP serum as an emollient, it provides the nutrients necessary for the good health of your skin. It is anti-inflammatory (tamanu oil), soothing (hemp oil), anti-infectious (nigella oil) and regenerating (borage oil).
HYDRALIA balm as an emollient with slightly more occlusive properties, it seals the skin's moisture while providing extra nutrients. It helps strengthen the skin barrier and preserve its integrity.
Some practical tips to apply every day
- Hydration: Drink enough water to maintain good skin hydration. If there is one piece of advice to remember among these, it’s him! Above all, we hydrate our skin from the inside. Knowing that skin prone to eczema is more permeable due to the alteration of the skin barrier, we do not forget to drink to compensate.
- Lukewarm baths: Limit baths to 5-10 minutes and prefer lukewarm showers so as not to dry out the skin.
- Clothing: Choose cotton or satin clothing, avoid irritating fabrics such as wool and nylon which promote itching.
- Stress Management: Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation, play sports, to reduce flare-ups due to stress and anxiety. Foods rich in and containing magnesium are also particularly recommended. They help overcome fatigue and combat stress.
This last point allows us to make the link with the recommendations both on diet and in terms of healthy lifestyle, which Karine Seigneurie shares with us.
8. ADOPT A BEAUTIFUL LIFESTYLE
- Balanced diet: Eat a diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins, which can help reduce inflammation and support skin health. Limit the consumption of processed foods, foods high in sugar and saturated fat.
- As a Naturopath, I first suggest reviewing the diet by essentially adopting a diet with a low glycemic index.
- An anti-inflammatory diet is also essential.
- It is then essential to optimize the work of the digestive system by strengthening theintestinal microbiota.
- liver health must also be taken into consideration (any skin concern is very often linked to a liver problem); in fact, a congested and overloaded liver has difficulty carrying out its emunctory work (elimination of toxins), it has to call on the skin to take over.
- Skin hydration: Keeping skin well hydrated is essential to reduce itching and protect the skin barrier.
- Avoid triggers: Identify and avoid allergens and irritants that exacerbate your symptoms. Avoid wool or synthetic clothing, opt for gentle, fragrance-free detergents and care products.
- Stress management: Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing to reduce stress and anxiety, which can worsen eczema symptoms.
9. LOW GI FOOD
- replace the baguette, white bread, sandwich bread, etc. with cereal bread, wholemeal bread, wholemeal bread, etc.
- replace wheat flour, corn flour, etc. with buckwheat, spelled, quinoa, coconut, almond flour, etc.)
- adopt legumes (lentils, chickpeas, etc.)
- prefer sweet potato and butternut squash rather than potatoes
- eat a lot of vegetables (artichoke, broccoli, cucumber, spinach, fennel, zucchini, salad, etc.)
- prefer a kiwi, an apple, a pear, red fruits... rather than grapes, a date, cherries.
- no more than 2 servings of fruit/day. And above all, don't forget: fruit can be eaten, not drunk! So be careful with fruit juices which have a glycemic index comparable to soda!
10. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET
Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet is essential in cases of eczema or psoriasis. To do this, you must:
- favor a raw and least processed diet possible, consume lots of vegetables and fruits (vary the vegetables on your plate, add color!)
- consume good fats: canola, olive, camelina, walnut oils, etc., fatty fish (sardines, mackerel, anchovies), oilseeds (walnuts), seeds (chia, hemp).
- focus on omega 3 (very anti-inflammatory):
- animal origin: fatty fish (salmon, tuna: in small quantities because of heavy metals - therefore favor small fatty fish: mackerel, sardines, anchovies)
- original plant-based: chia, hemp, flax seeds (grind them), linseed oil, camelina oil, walnuts, etc. Warning: if you do not consume (or very little) omega 3 of animal origin , it is interesting to take a food supplement.
- favor gentle steam cooking to preserve nutrients and avoid cooking which will cause the Maillard reaction (pro-inflammatory).
- limit dairy products and red meat to reduce the amount of fatty (pro-inflammatory) fats.
- Adopting a diet without dairy products often gives good results: it may be interesting to eliminate dairy products from your diet for a few weeks and see the results.
- avoid refined, processed, industrial foods: prepared meals, cakes, sodas, pizzas, cold meats, etc.
- avoid alcohol, spices, hot dishes and drinks
11. STRENGTHEN THE INTESTINAL MICROBIOME
An imbalance in the gut microbiota, called dysbiosis, can cause a reaction that fuels inflammation throughout the body. Rebalancing the intestinal flora will therefore limit inflammatory reactions.
This is done through a supply of probiotics, which are live microorganisms beneficial for the balance of the intestinal flora.
We must also think about prebiotics which promote the development and proper functioning of intestinal bacteria.
- Prebiotics are found in a diet rich in fiber (i.e. vegetables, legumes, whole grains, etc., particularly leeks, shallots, dandelion, artichokes, asparagus, bananas, etc.)
- Probiotics are found in fermented vegetables, kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, miso, kefir, kombucha, pickles.
In addition to a diet rich in pre- and probiotics, a course of probiotics can also be considered as winter approaches to strengthen the intestinal microbiota.
12. A GOOD LIVER HEALTH
It filters the blood and sorts/processes waste and toxins and redirects them to our other emunctories (kidneys, intestines, skin and lungs) so that they can be evacuated.
A congested, overloaded liver does not perform its “work” as a filter well and transfers the workload to the other emunctories which are in turn overloaded!
It is therefore essential to have a liver that functions properly to avoid skin pathologies.
To help/reduce liver work, we adopt an anti-inflammatory diet, we significantly reduce foods rich in:
- added sugars
- processed foods
- dairy products
- red meat
- poor quality fats
- alcohol
- refined cereals...
- artichoke
- radish
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- leek…
The ideal is to put a hot water bottle on the liver (right under the chest) for 15-20 minutes in the evening before going to bed.
Plants: some plants have a supporting action and others have a detox/draining action.
The plants are found in different dosage forms (herbal tea, mother tincture, dry extract or gemmotherapy).
Among the important plants in liver function we find milk thistle, artichoke, rosemary, black radish, etc.
We make sure to solicit the detox work of the liver only when the level of vitality is good, we do not do it in winter either (we have seen that the liver needs heat). In case of fatigue and when the liver is overloaded, we prefer protective plants. The ideal is to be accompanied by a Naturopath who adapts to your condition, your vitality, your background…
13. STRESS/EMOTION MANAGEMENT
It is also important to find one or more techniques to better manage emotions: cardiac coherence is a simple practice to adopt and requires little time.
In terms of diet, magnesium is the most important mineral. It is essential to limit stress. If your eczema/psoriasis is very affected by stress, think about magnesium! It is found in whole grains, oilseeds, seeds, etc.
However, magnesium supplementation can be useful in cases of high stress levels. It is important to speak with a naturopath in order to know the form of magnesium to take.
14. FOOD SUPPLEMENTS, PHYTOTHERAPY, AROMATHERAPY
- evening primrose oil in capsules: source of omega 6 beneficial for the skin.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating the immune system and in skin health. Insufficient levels of vitamin D may be associated with an increased risk of eczema. If you don't get adequate sun exposure, consider taking a vitamin D supplement, especially during the winter months.
- Zinc: Zinc is an essential mineral for skin health and the healing process. Studies have shown that people with eczema or psoriasis may have lower than average zinc levels. Zinc supplementation can help strengthen the skin's barrier function and reduce inflammation.
- Quercetin: Quercetin is a flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Quercetin may help reduce symptoms of eczema and psoriasis.
- Nigella oil: anti-inflammatory, healing, anti-infectious and regenerating.
- Sea buckthorn oil: very rich in omega 7, a supplement will be interesting in case of very dry and dehydrated skin.
- Omega-3: Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish such as sardines, anchovies, flaxseeds and walnuts, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the inflammation associated with eczema. or psoriasis. It is important to consider taking omega 3 in supplement form.
IN CONCLUSION,
Taking care of skin prone to eczema or psoriasis requires a holistic approach, combining cosmetic care and lifestyle.
On the one hand, cosmetic treatments adapted to your skin condition play a crucial role in this process.
On the other hand, a healthy lifestyle, under the informed advice of a naturopath, can bring significant benefits.
Links: https://karineseigneurie.com/ & https://www.odenium.com/
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