Naturally Heal Skin Irritations Like Eczema, Psoriasis, and Hives

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), rashes are classified as pathogenic wind. Wind often combines with heat (redness, inflammation), dampness (fluid retention or puffiness under the skin) or dryness.    

Our skin reflects what’s happening on the inside. 

A diet that doesn’t agree with your constitution may result in a skin outbreak.  The best nutrition for healthy skin is a little bit different for every-body, but there are some things that stay fairly consistent across the board:

Food-based Vitamin E 

The best food sources for vitamin E are pure oils like those found in wheat germ, sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, or peanuts. Even broccoli, spinach, mango and tomato have some vitamin E. 

Of course, if you have an allergy to these foods, eating them will probably not help your skin! 

Avoiding More Inflammation

Foods like sugars, processed grains, food chemicals (non-foods made in a laboratory), food dyes, processed dairy, food hormones (found in non-organic meats and dairy products), and hydrogenated oils (vegetable oils heated at high degrees like in fried foods) build up heat and toxicity in your body. Your skin will reflect that.  

I didn't know for months why I was having skin breakouts until I traced them to a certain variety (which will remain nameless) of protein bars. Also, movie theater popcorn. Simple enough to cut those out of my diet. 

Skin Loves Water

Drinking plenty of pure water throughout the day allows your body to detox naturally.  Things that dehydrate your body – and skin – include caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate), medications and other drugs, and alcohol. 

If you're drinking a lot of caffeine or alcohol, if you sweat a lot, or if it's really hot outside, your water needs may be higher than usual. 

The Role of Calcium

Skin breakouts need calcium to fully heal, especially in a *herpes or shingles breakout. 

I recommend taking Calcium Lactate with an Omega-3 Fish Oil (for better absorption) every 4 hours as needed until the breakout clears.  

Food Allergies 

The likelihood in cases of allergic dermatitis, eczema, or hives being caused by food allergies is quite high.  The most common offenders are wheat, eggs, milk, nuts, and soy.  If those seem to be aggravating the condition, it’s recommended to avoid them for the time being.  Some allergies can be addressed with NAET, but sometime food allergies require a lifetime of avoidance, unfortunately.  

If you're not sure you have a food sensitivity or allergy, I recommend doing a 21-day food avoidance test to find out. After avoiding for 21 days, it should be out of your body completely. Then, try to add the suspect food back in. Wait 2-3 more days to see if anything flares up after adding it back into your diet. If anything seems worse - skin, energy, digestion, etc - take it back out. 

Liver and Colon Health 

Many skin conditions, including Eczema and Psoriasis, reflect what's going on in your Intestines, Liver, and Gall Bladder. 

For complex, auto-immune skin conditions, herbal medicine is recommended for fully healing. There is no single best herb for these problems. The herbs that work depend on your constitution and what we find when examining your skin. 

We use Nutrition Response Testing to identify specific triggers and the best healing foods and herbs for you. 

Skin Infections

Often with eczema we find underlying infections leading to the flare-up. This is another thing we determine with Nutrition Response Testing and use herbal medicines to treat. 

For herpes or shingles, we use herbal antiviral medicines, along with the high dose of calcium and omega 3 oil. 

The Best Diet for Skin

A diet rich in antioxidants (read:  fresh fruits and vegetables) is necessary for clear skin.  Herbal antioxidants also include hawthorn, schisandra, ginkgo, cat’s claw, turmeric, thyme, rosemary, olive leaf, bilberry and mik thistle. In low doses, these herbs are safe for mostly everybody.

➡️ If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescription medications, always check with a licensed herbalist before self-prescribing herbs. 

The Fungus Among Us

Some rashes are due to fungus, including tinea versicolor, a common, non-contagous ailment in damp environments.  Anti-fungal herbs are very potent and should be prescribed by a natural healthcare practitioner so they’re taken in the correct way and don’t make things worse. 

Some herbs you can use topically in a fairly safe manner for fungal infections, like tea tree oil.  Oregano oil is good, but it causes a burning sensation, so dilute it in coconut oil before using. Never use Oregano oil around mucous membranes or on small children or pets. 

Internally, zinc, garlic, and probiotics will help your immune system ramp up its defenses against fungus.  Peppermint and green tea are good to take on a regular basis to help eliminate fungal waste products from your body.    

**Rosacea

The redness and blisters associated with rosacea indicates a need for the part of the natural Vitamin C complex (NOT ascorbic acid) called Vitamin P. 

Vitamin P strengthens the capillaries and oxygenates the skin.  Some good sources of Vitamin P and C are buckwheat and carrots.  These are found in Standard Process’ Cataplex A-C-P and Cyruta Plus.  

Topical Solutions

Topical solutions for skin irritation are soothing for the immediate symptoms.  One of my favorites is Emily's Skin Soothers, made by an acupuncturist.  

Many people swear by Coconut Oil too, which is inexpensive and all-natural.  Coconut Oil may make acne, dermatitis, and rosacea worse because it does block up the pores. In that case, I use this soap and body butter designed for sensitive skin. 

Manuka honey is a specific type of honey that can be used internally and externally for healing.  It's anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. 

Aloe vera of course, is very soothing for any skin irritation as well.  

Scars

Healing scars (especially, but not limited to OLD scars) is very important in TCM. If you have a scar (doesn't matter how old), if it's still tender to the touch, it's not fully resolved and could use some care.

Old scars pull on your nerves and connective tissues and can lead to issues in other parts of your body. To fully heal an old scar (and new ones too), we use topical Sesame Seed or Wheat Germ Oil.