Alternatives to apply to your skin if you are suffering with Eczema or Psoriasis

When it comes to managing eczema or psoriasis, you definitely want to be more cognisant of what is being applied to the skin. After all, the skin is the largest organ of the body and is absorbing whatever is being applied topically. If using common over the counter moisturisers, more than likely they contain toxic chemicals that are best avoided at all costs.

 The below list has been proven to be effective when searching for alternatives. These ingredients will not only aid moisture, but will also nourish and heal the skin.

Alternative moisturising agents to apply topically:

Coconut Oil

It is thought that the  lauric acid in coconut oil is the active agent which helps eczema heal. Lauric acid is a nutritious fatty acid, or lipid, also found in breast milk. It is used to develop monolaurin, which is an antimicrobial agent that can fight bacteria, fungi, yeast, viruses and other pathogens, therefore making it an antimicrobial agent that can fight yeast, fungi, viruses and bacteria.

Credit to Irene Kredenets

Coconut oil has a natural ability to penetrate the skin quickly which will boost the hydration therefore reducing the chances of an infection.

This study also proved the ant-inflammatory benefits of coconut oil which makes it a suitable oil to apply topically for those struggling with eczema.

When using coconut oil as a moisturiser, ensure that it is cold pressed and extra virgin. This will ensure there are no additional chemicals added.

 Personally, I have found coconut oil to be very key in terms of our healing experience with eczema, however it was typically used in conjunction with another oil.

 Blackseed oil

This has to  be one of my favourite oils and is a must for any natural first aid cupboard. Blackseed oil is also known as black caraway, black cumin, kalonji, and black onion seeds and comes from the Nigella Sative plant. In an oil form it can be ingested and applied topically. This article explains the phenomenal properties of blackseed and why it so beneficial to people with eczema or psoriasis. Some of the properties of blackseed oil include:

• Antimicrobial

  • Antibactrial

  • Antiviral

  • Anftifungal

  • Antiparasitic

• Wound Healing

• Anti-inflammatory

 Jojoba and Borage Oil

These oils are also seeing promising results when used as part of a moisturising regime for eczema, this is once again largely due the anti-inflammatory properties these oils possess.

 Tea tree oil

This oil is commonly used topically today to treat wounds and cuts, but is also very useful when treating eczema. One study even found it more effective than using zinc oxide or itchthammol topically. Benefits of using tea tree oil specifically for eczema include:

• Reduces Inflammation

• Heals wounds

• Fights off viruses

• Relieves itching

Credit to Cari Corbet -Owen

Aloe vera

This plant is long known for its natural moisturising properties and there is now some evidence to suggest that it could be particularly useful when dealing with eczema. The following properties of aloe vera is what makes this another great option to consider:

• Antioxidant

• Antimicrobial

• Immune boosting

• Would healing

You want to ensure you are using 100% aloe vera gel.

From personal experience, the cooling nature of this plant was also very useful to calm the itching that is typically associated with eczema or psoriasis.

 Wrapping it Up

There are a few more options, but these above are the most commonly used topical applications when it comes treating eczema or psoriasis. As you can see there are no crazy names that are impossible to pronounce and more importantly the body would actually recognise these ingredients.

Whilst dealing with eczema or psoriasis, the healing is very much an “inside” job rather than an ‘outside’ in approach. These ingredients have proven to be very effective when wanting to manage and heal eczema and psoriasis naturally.

It is important to note that what works for one, may not work for another. It is all about trial and error, even with natural approaches. At one point in our journey, I got so specific of what I knew worked for my son, that I had it custom made up, and even then, I still needed to add my own additional coconut oil.

From my experience, I’ve found a combination of coconut oil, blackseed oil and tree tree to be amazing at assisting the healing the process. It goes without saying with eczema or any skin condition, that it is all about moisture, moisture and more moisture ,so a once off application will not cut it.

If you need assistance wanting to heal eczema or psoriasis from the ‘inside out’ then email info@chantalkhoury.com.au to see which one of packages may best suit you and your family.

Chantal is a Certified and Accredited Nutrition & Wellness Coach with a special interest in helping stressed and overwhelmed mums transform the health of their family’s by using Food as Medicine and transformational wellness practices to create peace, harmony and joy.

The Psoriasis Diet

If you have psoriasis, you might be wondering, “should I follow a psoriasis diet?”

Psoriasis is another highly inflammatory skin condition, therefore it becomes incredibly important to not only manage the symptoms of the condition, but also reduce the triggers which may include weather, excess stress and certain foods.

This article is going to describe a basic psoriasis diet that you could follow to help alleviate your symptoms, concentrating on foods to avoid and how to treat psoriasis with diet.

Step 1 – Psoriasis Diet: Foods to avoid

All foods that trigger inflammation needs to be removed from the diet to provide the body a window of healing time.

Over a period of 1 – 2 weeks, start reducing inflammatory foods such as those listed below.

• Dairy including eggs and red meat.

These foods contain a polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonic acid. Research as shown that by-products of arachidonic acid may play a role in creating psoriasis flair ups.

• Gluten

Another highly inflammatory food that is best removed as well as ALL gluten containing foods . It has been found that people with psoriasis have a greater probability of a gluten intolerance or sensitivity.

Gluten-Rich Foods to avoid

• wheat and wheat derivatives

• rye, barley, and malt

• pasta, noodles, and baked goods containing wheat, rye, barley, and malt

• certain processed foods

• certain sauces and condiments

• beer and malt beverages

Sugar

Sugar increases inflammation especially refined white sugar and are best avoided when treating psoarisis with diet.

• Nightshades

You may be wondering what this is and how can it affect my psoriasis flare ups? Nightshades are a family of vegetables (the Solanaceae family) that contain a naturally occurring chemical called solanine which may cause inflammation.

Foods to avoid include:

• tomatoes

• potatoes

• eggplants

• peppers

If removal of all of the above foods do not provide relief from the symptoms of psoriasis, then you may also want to consider removing:

• Nuts

• Seeds

• Citrus fruits such as grapefruits, oranges, lemons and limes

• Corn

• Shellfish

• Fish

 I can already hear your mind screaming, ‘so what can I eat' ?

Let’s focus on what foods are best included when treating psoriasis with diet.

If the above list focused on removing ALL inflammation causing foods, we then want to focus on inflammation fighting foods.

Step 2 - Treating psoriasis with diet:

For everything you take out of your diet, you need to add back sufficient calories, and at least equivalent macronutrients and micronutrients.

That’s because vitamins, minerals and plant factors are essential for managing inflammatory conditions.

As you reduce inflammatory foods listed above, you need to introduce more of the anti-inflammatory foods listed below.

• Fresh Fruit and vegetables (excluding any listed above) – these are said to be very high in antioxidants which aids in fighting inflammation.

Specific foods to include:

• broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts

• leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, and arugula

• berries, including blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries

• cherries, grapes, and other dark fruits

• Fatty fish

These types of fish are high in omega 3 fatty acids which decreases inflammation.

Fish to include:

• Salmon

• Herring

• Cod

• Sardines

• Cod

• Healthy Oils

Like fatty fish, certain oils are said also contain the anti-inflammatory fatty acids.

Oils to include:

• Olive oil

• Coconut oil

• Flaxseed oil

Wrapping it up:

Whilst there is a very long list of foods to avoid and include your diet, this is not where treating psoriasis ends. There is more important work to do.

Any food elimination protocol is short term, to provide the body a window of healing whilst treating the ROOT CAUSES which include:

• Nutritional deficiencies and healing the gut

• Removing internal & external toxins

• Managing stress, mindset & emotional wellbeing

Obviously making these changes can be complicated, and that’s why working specialist support is essential.

If you are going to go to the trouble of making dietary and other changes to reduce psoriasis flare ups, then you might as well do it properly! Not only that, you speed up the process and get results faster! Who doesn’t want that!!

If you are interested in knowing how I can support you making the necessary changes to treat the root causes, then email me at info@chantalkhoury.com.au or message me through my contact page.

Chantal is a Certified & Accredited Nutrition & Wellness Coach who has a very special interest in helping mum’s transform the health of their family through nutrition and transformational wellness practices.