Eczema myths and facts
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is very common, with 20% of children and 10% of adults being affected in the UK.
The usual areas to suffer are in the skin flexures such as the inner elbow or back of the knee. However, sometimes other areas are also involved or the eczema can spread to these areas.
Other areas affected by eczema
These areas can be harder to manage, and can cause a delay in diagnosis.
- Around eyes including upper and lower eyelids
- Around the mouth, lips and on the face
- Hands, particularly on the back of hands and between the fingers
- Scalp and neck
- Legs and feet
- Armpit and nipple
- Newborn skin
What causes eczema? Is it caused by stress?
Eczema is an expression of a dominant gene, which also controls hayfever and asthma. Stress doesn’t cause it, but rather can make areas worse by causing flare ups. The body is ‘weaker’ or more vulnerable in these areas so are more prone to stress making things worse. In Chinese medicine, the skin-lungs-bowels are all different sides of the same triangle. They are all intimately linked and the associated emotion is grief.
Often when I treat eczema, the toxins are trying to come out through the skin instead of the 3 main lines of elimination: bowels, urine and sweat. Eczema can also be triggered by grief, such as the death of a loved one, missing out on a relationship or job etc.
Is eczema contagious?
No, eczema is NOT contagious, but can run in families, due to the dominant gene. This means if 1 parent has the gene, it will be passed on to any children they have. However, I like to think of this as the ‘hand of cards’ you’ve been dealt. You can change how the gene is expressed by using 121 homeopathic treatment. Evidence of this is in my own family. My husband suffers terribly from hayfever and dry eczema type skin (he refuses for me to help him with his hayfever symptoms!). I’ve never suffered with any of these conditions. I knew our children would inherit the gene and potentially suffer. Both my girls have suffered with eczema, which has been treated homeopathically. Neither of my girls suffer with hayfever!
Is eczema an autoimmune condition?
No, eczema is NOT an autoimmune condition, as it is not the body attacking itself. It can flare up and down, like an autoimmune condition. Eczema is classified as an inflammatory skin disease.
Why is eczema ruining my life?
In my opinion, eczema is not ‘just’ a skin condition. Eczema is often on ‘display’ as it presents on areas of the skin that others can easily see. Even if it doesn’t it, affects the way someone feels about themselves. The expression feeling ‘comfortable in your own skin’ is really relevant here. People suffering with eczema are NOT comfortable in their own skin! It affects how they wash, sleep, dress and what exercise they may choose to do. If your child loves to swim but the pool water makes their eczema worse, what do you do?
The confidence to wear what you want, when you want is a feeling most of us take for granted especially in the warmer weather. People suffering with eczema may not want to expose their skin to the looks or questions from curious strangers.
Is eczema a fungal infection? Is eczema a bacterial infection?
No, eczema is not an infection of any kind but can become infected. This can complicate this chronic disease. Bacterial infections are common with eczema as once the skin is broken, it is easy for infections to occur. The skin can be broken due to scratching either consciously or unconsciously, e.g. at night. Fungal infections are rarer but can happen.
Any skin condition like eczema means the skin is not being an effective barrier. Eczema can ooze and weep clear fluid, as the body tries to heal the wound and form a scab. This is hard on skin flexure areas as the person needs to move their arms and legs to perform daily tasks.
Is eczema curable? Will it ever go away?
According to conventional medicine, eczema can never be ‘cured’. It can be put into remission by using steroid creams and/or emollients, but not totally gone.
I’d like to oppose this with at least 6 case studies I have on my website (with pictures) to show that eczema can indeed be ‘fixed’ and never come back. My eldest daughter suffered when she was 14months old. My homeopath fixed it and more than 16yrs later it has never come back!
If you’d like my help in ‘fixing’ your eczema, please do book in a discovery call!
