Eczema If you have eczema you’ll be all too familiar with those cracked, dry and scaly patches of skin that show up a bright red on paler skin tones or an ashy, almost grey on darker skin. Left untreated, eczema becomes scalier, itchier, thicker and more hyperpigmented. The GP: “There are two primary causes of eczema: a leaky gut—increased intestinal permeability—which creates a low-grade inflammation in reaction to food particles leaking through your gut wall, and/or abnormal gut flora, or dysbiosis, which is when the trillions of bugs in your gut become out of balance, driving inflammation.
This is caused by a high-sugar , refined-carb, low-fibre, processed diet,” says general physician Sabine Donnai, whose hi-tech diagnostic clinic in London, Viavi, prides itself on a holistic approach. “But there are other culprits, such as chemicals and other substances in creams, lotions and detergents, as well as household cleaning products.” Her advice is to look at the whole, rather than treat the surface.
“The creams, antibiotics and other topical solutions are really just short-term solutions. You wouldn’t address every yellowing leaf of the plant if the problem is that the roots need more water!” The dermatologist: “There are three pillars for eczema we try to tackle,” says consultant dermatologist Emma Wedgeworth. “Firstly, strengthen the skin barrier using moisturisers that can replenish.
Secondly, we look at the abnormality in the skin’s immune syste.