What is the relationship between eczema and candida overgrowth. How does gut health impact skin conditions like eczema. What are effective treatments for addressing the root cause of eczema. How can diet and lifestyle changes help manage eczema symptoms.

The True Nature of Eczema: More Than Skin Deep

Eczema, a condition characterized by red, flaky, and irritated skin, has long been misunderstood as solely a skin problem. However, recent research has shed light on its true nature, revealing a surprising connection to gut health. This article explores the intricate relationship between eczema and candida overgrowth, offering insights into more effective treatment approaches.

Debunking the Skin Condition Myth

Is eczema really just a skin condition? Contrary to popular belief, eczema is not primarily a problem with skin function. Instead, it’s a manifestation of internal imbalances, specifically inflammation in the digestive tract. The skin, in this case, acts as a detox organ, pushing out toxins from candida overgrowth in the gut. This new understanding challenges conventional treatment approaches and opens up new avenues for managing eczema effectively.

Candida Overgrowth: The Hidden Culprit Behind Eczema

At the heart of many eczema cases lies an often-overlooked factor: candida overgrowth. Candida, a type of yeast naturally present in our gut, can become problematic when it grows out of control. This condition, known as candidiasis, affects over 90,000 people annually in the United States alone.

Causes of Candida Overgrowth

What leads to candida overgrowth? Several factors contribute to this imbalance:

• A diet high in sugar
• Excessive exposure to hormones and antibiotics through meat and dairy products
• Frequent use of prescribed antibiotics
• Hormonal imbalances

These factors create an environment in the gut that allows candida to thrive beyond normal levels, leading to various health issues, including eczema.

Beyond Eczema: Other Skin Conditions Linked to Candida

Candida’s impact on skin health extends beyond eczema. With over 58 strains identified, candida can be responsible for a variety of skin conditions. Which other skin problems can be traced back to candida overgrowth?

• Acne
• Dandruff
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Psoriasis

Each strain of candida may target specific regions of the skin, explaining why different individuals experience varying skin issues. The strain Candida krusei, for instance, is specifically associated with eczema.

Eczema in Infants: A Inherited Struggle

Infant eczema presents a unique challenge, as it often appears before significant exposure to common triggers like sugars, antibiotics, and hormones. How do babies develop eczema so early in life? The answer lies in prenatal transmission. Mothers can pass on candida overgrowth to their babies in utero, setting the stage for early-onset eczema.

This revelation highlights the importance of maternal gut health during pregnancy and opens up new avenues for preventing infant eczema through prenatal care and nutrition.

Rethinking Eczema Treatment: Beyond Topical Solutions

Given the internal origin of eczema, it’s clear that topical treatments alone are insufficient for long-term management. While products like Osmosis Rescue can provide temporary relief, they don’t address the root cause of the problem. How can we tackle eczema more effectively?

Holistic Approaches to Managing Eczema

A comprehensive strategy for managing eczema should include:

1. Addressing candida overgrowth in the gut
2. Dietary modifications to reduce sugar and inflammatory foods
3. Probiotics to support gut health
4. Natural antifungal supplements like caprylic acid
5. Frequency-enhanced water treatments (as used by Osmosis)

It’s important to note that traditional antifungal medications can come with significant side effects, particularly affecting liver health. Therefore, natural and holistic approaches are often preferable for long-term management.

The Role of Diet in Managing Eczema and Candida

Diet plays a crucial role in both the development and management of eczema related to candida overgrowth. What dietary changes can help control candida and alleviate eczema symptoms?

Foods to Avoid

• Refined sugars and high-glycemic foods
• Processed and packaged foods
• Alcohol
• Dairy products (especially those containing added hormones)
• Foods high in yeast or mold

Foods to Incorporate

• Probiotic-rich foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut)
• Prebiotic foods (garlic, onions, leeks)
• Non-starchy vegetables
• Lean proteins
• Healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, coconut oil)

By focusing on a diet that supports gut health and reduces candida overgrowth, many individuals find significant improvement in their eczema symptoms.

Natural Remedies and Supplements for Eczema Management

While addressing the root cause of eczema is crucial, natural remedies can provide relief and support overall skin health. Which natural approaches show promise in managing eczema symptoms?

Topical Natural Remedies

• Coconut oil: Known for its antifungal and moisturizing properties
• Aloe vera: Soothes inflammation and promotes healing
• Colloidal oatmeal baths: Relieves itching and calms irritated skin
• Chamomile tea compresses: Reduces inflammation and promotes relaxation

Supportive Supplements

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Reduce inflammation throughout the body
• Vitamin D: Supports immune function and skin health
• Zinc: Aids in skin repair and immune function
• Probiotics: Support gut health and balance candida levels

These natural approaches can complement a holistic treatment plan, providing relief while addressing the underlying candida imbalance.

The Importance of Gut Health in Overall Skin Wellness

The connection between eczema and candida overgrowth underscores a broader principle: the crucial role of gut health in overall skin wellness. How does maintaining a healthy gut microbiome benefit skin health beyond just managing eczema?

Benefits of a Balanced Gut Microbiome

• Improved nutrient absorption, leading to better skin nourishment
• Reduced systemic inflammation, resulting in clearer, calmer skin
• Enhanced immune function, helping to prevent skin infections
• Better hormone regulation, which can improve acne and other hormonal skin issues
• Increased production of collagen and other skin-supporting compounds

By focusing on gut health, individuals can address not only eczema but also improve their overall skin appearance and resilience.

Future Directions in Eczema Research and Treatment

As our understanding of the eczema-candida connection grows, what can we expect in terms of future research and treatment options? Several promising areas are emerging:

Emerging Research Areas

• Microbiome mapping to identify specific candida strains associated with different skin conditions
• Development of targeted probiotics designed to combat specific candida overgrowth
• Investigation into the role of environmental factors in gut microbiome health
• Exploration of the gut-skin-brain axis and its impact on skin conditions

Potential Future Treatments

• Customized dietary protocols based on individual microbiome profiles
• Advanced prebiotic and probiotic therapies
• Targeted antifungal treatments with minimal side effects
• Integrative approaches combining gut health, skin care, and stress management

These advancements hold promise for more effective, personalized approaches to managing eczema and other candida-related skin conditions.

Lifestyle Factors Influencing Eczema and Candida Balance

While diet and gut health are crucial, other lifestyle factors play a significant role in managing eczema and maintaining a healthy candida balance. Which lifestyle changes can make a difference in eczema management?

Stress Management

Chronic stress can disrupt the gut microbiome and exacerbate eczema symptoms. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help maintain gut health and reduce eczema flare-ups.

Sleep Quality

Adequate, quality sleep is essential for skin repair and immune function. Establishing a consistent sleep routine and creating a sleep-friendly environment can support overall skin health and resilience against candida overgrowth.

Exercise

Regular physical activity promotes healthy circulation, reduces inflammation, and supports immune function. However, it’s important to shower promptly after sweating to prevent irritation of eczema-prone skin.

Environmental Considerations

• Use of natural, non-toxic cleaning products
• Choosing hypoallergenic fabrics and bedding
• Maintaining proper humidity levels in living spaces
• Avoiding exposure to known allergens and irritants

By addressing these lifestyle factors, individuals can create an environment that supports both gut and skin health, reducing the likelihood of eczema flare-ups and candida overgrowth.

The Role of Hydration in Eczema Management

Proper hydration is often overlooked in eczema management, yet it plays a crucial role in both skin health and gut function. How does staying well-hydrated benefit those with eczema?

Benefits of Adequate Hydration

• Supports skin barrier function, reducing moisture loss
• Aids in flushing toxins from the body, including candida byproducts
• Promotes healthy digestion and nutrient absorption
• Helps maintain the proper balance of gut bacteria

Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day, and consider incorporating herbal teas known for their skin-soothing properties, such as chamomile or green tea.

The Psychological Impact of Eczema and Strategies for Coping

Living with eczema can take a significant toll on mental health and quality of life. Addressing the psychological aspects of eczema is crucial for overall well-being. What strategies can help individuals cope with the emotional challenges of eczema?

Coping Strategies

• Seeking support from friends, family, or support groups
• Practicing mindfulness and acceptance techniques
• Engaging in activities that boost self-esteem and body positivity
• Working with a therapist experienced in chronic health conditions
• Focusing on overall health and wellness, not just skin appearance

By addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of eczema, individuals can achieve a more balanced and positive approach to managing their condition.

Integrating Conventional and Holistic Approaches to Eczema Treatment

While this article has focused on the candida-eczema connection and natural approaches, it’s important to recognize the value of integrating conventional medical treatments when necessary. How can individuals effectively combine traditional and holistic approaches to manage eczema?

Integrated Treatment Strategies

• Working with both a dermatologist and a naturopathic or functional medicine practitioner
• Using topical treatments for acute flare-ups while addressing underlying gut health
• Incorporating diet and lifestyle changes alongside prescribed medications when needed
• Regular monitoring of both skin symptoms and gut health markers
• Open communication between healthcare providers to ensure a coordinated approach

By taking an integrated approach, individuals can benefit from the best of both conventional and holistic medicine, leading to more comprehensive and effective eczema management.

Understanding the connection between eczema and candida overgrowth opens up new possibilities for managing this challenging skin condition. By addressing gut health, making dietary and lifestyle changes, and taking a holistic approach to treatment, many individuals find significant relief from eczema symptoms. As research in this area continues to evolve, we can look forward to even more targeted and effective strategies for maintaining healthy skin from the inside out.

Eczema and Candida Connection

Unfortunately for many, eczema is a constant battle. The search for the most sensitive skin care products—even fabrics—that help relieve irritation can often be ongoing and frustrating, not to mention the discomfort and the diligence it takes to monitor triggers. Osmosis focuses on the cause of eczema, which is actually inflammation in the digestive tract, one of the many things you may not have known. As you seek relief, let the real facts about eczema guide you.

1. Eczema is not a skin condition.

Yes, it’s true that eczema shows up as red, flaky, irritated skin in people of all ages. However, the cause of eczema is from candida overgrowth in the gut, so it is not really a problem with the function of the skin. In fact, the skin is actually acting as a detox organ, and the redness and flaking skin result from the skin pushing candida toxins out.

2. Your diet and excess exposure to antibiotics are likely to blame for eczema.

Candida is a type of yeast that is found naturally in the gut. More than 90,000 people a year in the U.S. are affected by overgrowth of candida, which is called candidiasis (d’Enfert, Hube 2007). The main reasons for this epidemic include a diet heavy in sugar and excess exposure to hormones and antibiotics through meat and dairy products primarily, but also through frequent use of prescribed antibiotics and hormones.

3. Candida may also cause other skin issues like acne and dandruff.

Candida is not commonly considered in many medical conditions, but with over 58 strains, it actually can be the cause of many conditions. The strain specific to eczema is Candida krusei (Sakharuk 2013). Other strains may cause acne, IBS, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and much more. The toxins are absorbed in the gut and carried to specific regions of the skin for removal based on their specific location in the gut.

4. Even infants are subject to the same strains.

Infant eczema occurs before exposure to many of the sugars, antibiotics and hormones because it is passed on from the mother in utero. Child and adult eczema are usually related to the common causes mentioned.

5. To treat eczema, topical products won’t be not enough.

Most people focus their attention topically. While we like the use of Osmosis Rescue to provide relief to the skin, it does not treat the source of the problem from the inside. Unfortunately, candida overgrowth is not easy to control. Osmosis uses a special frequency-enhanced water to be effective against candida without side effects or age restrictions. Other options like probiotics, caprylic acid and dietary changes are never a bad addition to the Osmosis strategy. Antifungals come with their own set of side effects that can be quite toxic to the liver (amongst other organs) and are therefore not recommended.

References:

1) dEnfert C; Hube B (editors) (2007).

 Candida: Comparative and Functional Genomics. Caister Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-904455-13-4.

2) Sakharuk, N A NA (2013). “[The role of various Candida species in oral candidiasis etiology in psoriasis and eczema patients].” Stomatologija (Moskva) (0039-1735), 92 (4), p. 31.

 *Content on this blog post is not considered a medical advice. Please see a physician before making any medical or lifestyle changes.*

The Candida Eczema Connection | Theraderm® Clinical Skin Care

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Eczema is a skin condition that causes the skin to become inflamed or irritated. It usually afflicts those who suffer from allergies and asthma, thus indicating a root cause — usually an environmental allergen such as dust or mold, or more commonly a food or detergent. Although it is more common in children, eczema can affect adults too.

Eczema is a skin condition that causes the skin to become inflamed or irritated. It usually afflicts those who suffer from allergies and asthma, thus indicating a root cause — usually an environmental allergen such as dust or mold, or more commonly a food or detergent. Although it is more common in children, eczema can affect adults too.

Treating eczema is tricky. There are steroid creams for extreme cases, but usually it’s a matter of keeping the skin moist, bathing in a soothing oatmeal or vinegar bath, and of course trying to avoid the trigger, if that can be determined.

Of course every case is different, which is what makes eczema such a tricky condition to treat.

Recent evidence suggests that eczema sufferers can drastically improve or even resolve the condition by addressing overgrowth of Candida in their digestive system.

This is great news for those who have been relying on steroids or topical immunosuppressants to control their eczema because those products have dangerous side effects. We are learning that perhaps there is a way to cure eczema from the inside out.

What is Candida?

Candida is an overgrowth of yeast in the digestive system, which can cause a host of digestive and other issues (such as eczema).

How do you treat Candida?

Treating Candida basically means starving the yeast in the digestive system by eliminating sugar, yeast and cheese from the diet. No fun, right?? But many who suffer from eczema have found relief from basically starving the Candida out of their systems.

Don’t be alarmed if symptoms will worsen at first, or if you experience headaches or nausea. This is mostly likely due to the dying off and release of toxic chemicals from the Candida and shouldn’t last more than a week.

Maintenance

Once the Candida is gone and the eczema begins to improve, it’s important to keep the immune system strong to keep both conditions at bay. Eating yogurt and taking probiotic supplements to create healthy gut flora will also help the Candida from reoccurring. Raw garlic also has anti-fungal properties that help the battle against Candida and eczema.

A healthy diet of whole foods, primarily good quality meats and vegetables, will keep your body healthy and strong.

Naturally it’s important to find skincare products that do not irritate the skin. Theraderm has several skincare lines made from the highest quality ingredients. For those with eczema, I recommend trying the Cleansing Wash followed by the Gentle Facial Moisturizer. The gentle, non-irritating formula of the Cleansing Wash purifies and refreshes even the most sensitive skin, and the Gentle Facial Moisturizer is water-based so as not to clog your pores or irritate sensitive skin.

July 25, 2013

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Laboratory Department of the Sklifosovsky Research Institute | Diagnosis of pathologies

Laboratory department of the Sklifosovsky Research Institute | Diagnosis of pathologies | High-precision research methods

Research Institute of Emergency Medicine. N.V. Sklifosovsky

Candidiasis Diagnosis

Candida is a yeast-like fungus that is naturally present in the normal, healthy gut microflora and is found in the mouth and vagina. The Candida antibody test is used to detect systemic candidiasis by looking for 3 antibodies that form immunity to Candida – IgG, IgA and IgM. The test detects when the levels of these antibodies are especially high, which signals an overgrowth of Candida.

Candida can cause disease when your body’s ability to contain it is weak and therefore allows the fungus to spread causing overgrowth. This can happen, for example, on the skin, in and around the oral and vaginal cavities. Many practitioners agree that internal Candida infection is very common, often goes undiagnosed, and may be the cause of many external Candida infectious conditions.

The following factors may increase the chance of Candida overgrowth:

• taking antibiotics from meat and animal products,
• excessive consumption of sugar and sugar-containing products,
• pregnancy,
• diabetes,
• immunosuppression,
• chlorine in drinking water and bathing/swimming water.

Some of the possible symptoms of candidiasis:

• fatigue,
• difficulty trying to concentrate,
• white coating on tongue or mouth,
• bad breath, bad taste in the mouth,
• abdominal pain,
• bloating and indigestion,
• increased food allergies (problems with gluten or celiac disease can be a direct result of Candida overgrowth)
• constant cravings for sweets,
• joint pain with symptoms of arthritis,
• weight gain or loss and inability to change it,
• fungus on toenails,
• itching, red eyes,
• skin rashes on the body (eczema, atopic dermatitis),
• candidiasis rash in the groin area,
• anal itching, itching of the penis or vagina,
• hair loss,
• vision problems.

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