Is gut health the root cause of eczema?
If you have eczema, odds are that you also have gut issues
When looking at skin holistically, it means seeing skin health as a reflection of inner health. And, eczema is no different!
As an expert in holistic and integrative skin treatment, many of my patients come to me saying that they’re concerned that their eczema is caused by their gut. There is science telling us that several facets of gut health could be contributing to eczema.
And when people see me for holistic eczema treatment, gut health is one of the many pillars I address. And, it has been amazing to help eczema patients achieve healthier and clearer skin by addressing gut health and more!
So, let’s talk about these different elements that affect the gut-eczema connection! We will dive into diet, the gut microbiome, and intestinal cell health, and how all of these are linked to eczema.
Disclaimer: This post does not constitute as medical advice; is not meant to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any medical conditions or disease; and is meant for educational purposes only. The information in this post does not replace the advice of your medical provider. Speak to your doctor before starting anything new OR schedule your appointment with me.
How is gut health linked to eczema?
I have been to help many patients achieve healthier & clearer skin by addressing their gut health. And, there is some interesting science that speaks about gut health and eczema.
Gut bacteria & eczema:
When compared to people without eczema, science shows that people with eczema have depletions or absence of gut bacteria responsible for the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA).
So, in so many words, people with eczema experience gut bacteria imbalance!
What are scfa?
SCFAs are basically gut bacteria byproducts that are made when bacteria digest fiber from our diet, and they are necessary to help drive down inflammation in the gut.
More recently, a study published in 2022 revealed that lower levels of butyric acid, a type of SCFA, has been linked to eczema & food sensitivity.
Interestingly enough, eczema is becoming known as a condition where people have higher immune-mediated allergy responses that affect skin health.
Scfa’s effect on allergies & food INTOLERANCE:
Another study recently published last year in 2022 concluded that gut-derived SCFAs “improve epidermal barrier integrity, ultimately limiting early allergen sensitization and disease development".
And to speak more about allergy responses in people with eczema, there’s interesting science indicating that food allergies may play a role in eczema.
When looking deeper into the science, literature suggests that gut bacteria changes may increase someone’s risk for experiencing food sensitivities.
So, gut health, gut bacteria, eczema, and allergies are all connected!
Given what science has found, it could be suggested that a balanced gut bacteria is necessary for healthy production of SCFAs, which have been implicated in both eczema, skin health, and food sensitivities.
So, are there gut tests that can be done for people with eczema?
Yup! Keep on reading to learn more!
Can people with eczema get their gut tested?
As mentioned earlier, gut bacteria imbalance is linked to eczema. To identify what is going on with gut bacteria in my patients, I recommend that they complete a stool analysis.
The stool analysis that we do in the office is Diagnostic Solutions’ GI-Map, which uses PCR technology to amplify and concretely identify gut bacteria imbalances in the gut.
If gut bacteria imbalance is confirmed, there are several natural options that I may recommend to my patients to help bring their gut bacteria populations back into balance.
Keep on reading to learn how I address gut healing in people with eczema.
Are there gut healing options for people with eczema?
Depending on what their GI-Map results show, natural options that I may address to my patients can involve:
Therapeutic nutrition
Lifestyle medicine
Herbal medicine
Targeted vitamin, mineral, and/or amino acid supplementation
And much more!
Since everybody’s underlying causes and triggers are unique to them, all treatment plans are personalized to that specific patient to help them achieve optimal gut health AND also achieve healthier and clearer skin.
And, I’ve seen that patients achieve healthier and clearer skin much more-quickly when we address their gut health & by seeing their skin holistically, which means also addressing some of the other underlying root issues known to cause eczema.
What if you want to address your eczema naturally?
The answer is simple: Work with a licensed naturopathic provider. As mentioned earlier, licensed naturopathic providers are experts in holistic and integrative medicine.
As integrative medicine experts, we are trained in both natural and conventional options. So, you will be able to capture a vast array of treatment options to help you achieve your skin goals when you work with a licensed naturopathic doctor.
If you want to see me, I see patients in-person and virtually. The only caveat is that since I am only licensed in the state of California, I can only see patients who are physically in the state of California (especially for telehealth patients).
If you are outside the state a California, a great resource to find a licensed naturopathic doctor in your state is the Institute for Natural Medicine’s directory: https://naturemed.org/find-an-nd/.
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