Common conditions: Skin

Skin conditions are an external sign that the internal environment of the body is out of balance. The skin is an organ of elimination and a small amount of waste products and toxins are normally excreted via sweat through the skin. However when problems such as acne arise, this is an indication that other elimination organs in the body are not working efficiently. Additional toxins therefore find their way out through the skin.

Allergies are also implicated in skin conditions especially acne and eczema. Other contributing factors may be a lack of essential fatty acids or other nutrient deficiencies.

Some common skin conditions include:

• Acne
• Eczema and dermatitis
• Dry Skin

General guidelines for good skin

• Choose skin care that is made from a high percentage of organic or biodynamic ingredients. Pure skin care means using herb and plant extracts, natural essential oils and naturally derived bases. It is important to be aware of what the skin is absorbing as chemicals can be toxic. Parabens used by most skincare companies have been shown to be cancer causing and mineral oils which are usually petrochemicals block pores making it difficult for skin to breath, despite leaving a silky feel.
• Eat a diet rich in essential fatty acids found in fish and raw nuts and seeds on a daily basis. Use LSA (ground linseeds, sunflower seeds and almonds) or just ground linseeds liberally by sprinkling them on cereal, salads or in smoothies.
• Try cold-pressed oils in salad dressings such as flaxseed oil, pumpkin, walnut, sunflower, sesame oils. These good fats help regulate sebum production in the skin and have an anti-inflammatory action.
• Zinc is an essential skin nutrient. Good zinc sources are pepitas, sunflower seeds, almond, brazil and pecan nuts.
• Reduce intake of coffee, sugar, chemical additives and preservatives and saturated fats. Avoid trans-fatty acids found in margarine and refined cooking oils.
• Eat organic fruit and vegetables.
• Drink 1 ½ to 2 litres of filtered or bottled water a day.
• Use skin care that contains organic ingredients and that are free of mineral oils and petrochemicals.

ACNE

Acne is typified by inflammation and infection. The basis for acne is often hormonal and can be attributed to androgens (such as testosterone) stimulating excessive amounts of sebum production which leads to clogged pores. Both males and females produce androgens which explains why acne is commonly a problem amongst adolescents. Other factors include:

• An intolerance to sugar (glucose) by skin cells. Bacteria that infects acne lesions will feed on sugar and make infection worse.
• Bowel and liver toxicity and poor elimination of wastes. An overgrowth of bad bacteria in the bowel coupled with a lack of fibre encourages bowel toxins to be produced and absorbed into the blood stream. These toxins end up at the liver for break down. The liver becomes stressed and overloaded and unable to cope. Toxins then become excreted through the skin or end up in the lymphatic system which cleans up debris.

Supplements

• Take acidophilus and bifidus to increase good bowel bacteria needed to breakdown bowel toxins.
• Take a lymphatic cleansing tea.
• Follow the liver detoxification program.

ECZEMA AND DERMATITIS

A skin condition characterised by a red, inflammed, and itchy rash, sometimes with small blisters that weep. It commonly affects the elbows and back of the knees, but also the face.

In infants and young children ‘atopic’ eczema is common which means it is due to an allergic reaction. This type of eczema is often seen where there is a history of other allergic conditions in the family such as hayfever and asthma. The most common allergy in this situation is to milk and other dairy products.

In adults food allergy is also implicated in eczema but can often be triggered by other factors such as stress. Dermatitis is a term used more often when the skin reacts from coming into contact with an irritant.

Nutritional Advice

• Check for food allergies. In infants the most likely problem is milk and other dairy products. Use a variety of other milks instead and rotate these milks. The selection may be soy milk, rice milk and oat milk. Goats and sheeps milk products may be well tolerated.
• In adults the most likely offending foods are wheat, dairy and yeast. Try omitting these from the diet completely for 4 weeks to see if symptoms clear up.
• If you have contact dermatitis identify the cause. Possible causes include: metal jewellery, cosmetics, detergents, soaps, shampoos, perfumes.
• Supplement with flaxseed oil as it is anti-inflammatory. Follow the general skin guidelines for increasing essential dietary fats.
• Follow the guidelines outlined in the allergy section to improve digestive function. Leaky gut and poor liver detoxification are underlying factors in dermatitis and eczema.
• Use skin products that have organic ingredients, shampoos that are free of sodium laureth sulphate and natural soaps which use vegetable oils and natural fragrances. A wide variety of low allergy detergents are also available.
• If stress initiates skin problems, address this through yoga, meditation, walking or gardening.

DRY SKIN

Dehydration and lack of essential fatty acids in the diet are the two most important factors that cause skin dehydration.

Follow the general skin health guidelines to improve the texture of the skin.