When our skin suffers from eczema or psoriasis, we feel like our existence is reduced to trying to relieve the discomfort. What a nightmare! My story is not particularly unique, it is similar to the experience of thousands of Quebec women every day.
Overnight, my hands started to crack and bleed at the slightest movement. Pustular bumps (ouch!) accompanied by itching also appeared between my fingers. My hands, which were once soft and radiant, now gave me the impression of resembling crocodile skin. Instead of packing my bags for the Amazon forest, I consulted several doctors, dermatologists, and specialists. I was finally diagnosed with a severe form of eczema.
After more than a year of searching and false hopes, I finally managed to get rid of my eczema once and for all. Here is some interesting information that helped me relieve this widespread health problem.
What causes eczema?
After a quick search on the internet, it becomes clear that eczema has many possible causes. In reality, the workings of eczema or psoriasis are not yet fully understood. However, research provides some good leads. Firstly, there definitely seems to be a link between these diseases, the immune system, and the skin cells. Generally, the body reacts to a stressful element, whether it is external or internal.
For example, external chemicals can cause stress on the skin cells. In some people, the body reacts abnormally to these products. In Quebec, the climate can also cause additional stress to our skin, especially during summer dry spells or the harsh cold of January. We console ourselves by saying that at least we don't have tarantulas or hurricanes!
We can observe a similar phenomenon internally. When certain molecules are absorbed, this process stimulates the immune system. The immune system then overreacts and creates skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis.
With this information in hand, I tackled two priorities: reducing the reaction of my immune system and eliminating the chemical agents that unnecessarily stress my body. A daunting project, you might say!
How to improve your immune system?
The immune system is very complex, but there is an increasingly clear link between its health and the state of our digestive system. With all the chemicals we eat and the daily stress we experience, our digestive system is becoming less and less effective. It can then allow molecules that should be eliminated to pass through. These molecules can trigger reactions in our immune system, and all sorts of unpleasant reactions can follow.
It is therefore imperative to regenerate our digestive system to improve our immune system. It is thus possible to naturally reduce the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis.
There are several foods that help to stimulate the immune system. My favorite Nordic ingredient for this is chaga. This mushroom is a superfood straight from our boreal forest. It can be consumed either in extract form or in a concoction. I highly recommend buying it in powder form and boiling it for 15 minutes. Ideally, you should drink 3 cups a day with a little honey to give it an irresistible flavor. For children with a sweet tooth, you can even add a few marshmallows!
In addition, it is possible to add two other simple little rituals to your daily routine. Indeed, cold showers and meditation will give a valuable boost to your immune system. It is recommended to take a cold shower or an ice bath for at least 2 minutes every day. Well, let's be honest, I sometimes limited myself to just one minute and the beneficial effects were still there. It just takes a little courage, and the experience becomes (almost!) comfortable.
As for meditation, here too the ideal is to dedicate at least 10 minutes once or twice a day. For my part, I have always preferred to indulge in this practice in a sunny place, especially during the long winter months. With a little practice, you can even achieve it in a public place like your favorite café. It's up to you to decide what suits you best!
How to improve our digestive system?
One of the best natural ingredients to improve our gut health is collagen. It can be found in chicken broth as well as in the skin and cartilage of animals. There are also collagen supplements available in the form of powder or pills. Ideally, you should consume 10 to 20 grams of collagen per day, either in the form of broth or a supplement. In addition to helping repair the digestive system, it will make your skin smoother and more supple. It's like killing two birds with one stone when you want to relieve eczema and psoriasis!
Vegan collagen supplements available on the market are made with plant-based ingredients that help stimulate collagen production. They are commonly called collagen boosters. These products help your body naturally produce more collagen and provide the antioxidants your skin needs to thrive. Otherwise, you can also go old school by making yourself a good salad. Green vegetables (kale, broccoli, arugula), garlic, cashews, and pumpkin seeds are particularly beneficial.
In my humble experience, adding probiotics and prebiotics to your diet can also be beneficial. Sauerkraut and kombucha are excellent options for this purpose. If possible, minimize your intake of sugar and alcohol. All of these elements will promote gut health and give your skin a healthier appearance.
Of course, it is not necessary to make all of these changes at once. See what works for you, and take it one step at a time so as not to upset your body with too many sudden changes!
Relieve eczema symptoms naturally and effectively
We have seen that it is important to take care of our immune system, digestive system, and mental well-being. Now, all that's left is to eliminate aggressive agents and to get natural products that support and respect the ecosystem of your skin. Believe me, although it requires a period of adaptation, the positive impacts are quickly felt!
Triggers of eczema and psoriasis
Several everyday products contribute to triggering eczema or psoriasis. The culprits must be identified and replaced with natural alternative solutions. Here is a list of products that are now on my blacklist:
- Artificial soaps, creams, shampoos, conditioners
- Wool fabrics and synthetic fabric
- Household products: dryer sheets, laundry soap, dishwashing liquid
- Dyes and fragrances
- Some disinfectants
- Dust mites, pollen, mold, and pets
My beloved product to soothe eczema
Ladies, let's start with the bad news; there is no product that definitively treats eczema. However, CHANV Eczema Cream performs admirably due to its natural nordic ingredients that help soothe and relieve eczema symptoms. As soon as I started using it daily, I noticed that the periods when my skin looks normal became more and more frequent.
It can be used up to 5 times a day, providing deep hydration and, to our delight, reducing the frequency and severity of future eczema flare-ups. It adheres well to the skin to reduce flaking and restore skin flexibility.
The active ingredient in this cream is concentrated colloidal oatmeal at 2%. This is a particularly high concentration compared to other creams on the market that have a rate of only 1%. Even better, it is a proudly Quebec-made product designed with love by local people!
Colloidal Oatmeal: What is it?
Colloidal oatmeal comes from oats that are ground into a fine powder. This natural powder helps soothe and relieve skin irritation and itching caused by dryness.
Oats are able to intensely moisturize while also restoring the protective barrier of the skin. This restoration and protection of the skin allow better retention of moisture in the deeper layers of the skin. It is therefore an essential ingredient for an effective cream that can effectively relieve eczema.
In conclusion, after making these changes to my daily routine for 30 to 60 days, I was able to completely relieve the symptoms of my eczema. If these tips also improve your daily life, I encourage you to share your experience!
Julie, proud member of the Chanv community.
