Eczema is an inflammatory skin manifestation. It can look very different and spread to different degrees. Often eczema appears because there is an intestinal fungus – without the patient knowing about this fungus. However, if the fungus is combated, eczema also disappears.
Eczema affects children and adults
Eczema is a – mostly itchy – skin irritations. There are many different types and classes of eczema, with the most common eczema usually being classified as “atopic eczema” (formerly: neurodermatitis). However, the following article is not only about neurodermatitis but about all types of eczema.
The itching is often so severe that those affected scratch the skin, which can result in larger injuries, which in turn can result in ugly scars.
In 85 percent of cases, the disease first appears in childhood. However, eczema that does not appear until later in adulthood is also possible. In half of all affected children, eczema goes away on its own, while in the others the problem can persist for life.
Causes of Eczema
In each patient, different causes and triggers may be responsible for eczema ( 1 ) ( 2 ). This can be certain soaps, detergents, heavy sweating, stress, certain items of clothing, food intolerance (e.g. a histamine intolerance ) or a particular piece of jewellery. If these factors are responsible for eczema, then there is a fairly simple way to do something about it – which is to treat the causes or avoid the triggers.
Conventional treatment for eczema
Conventional medicine treats eczema in various ways. A possible intestinal fungus is rarely taken into account.
Cortisone ointment for eczema
The conventional traditional medical treatment approaches include the use of “topical steroids”, i.e. cortisone-containing ointments. However, they can contribute to thinning of the skin and of course do not correct the root cause of the problem.
Immunosuppressants for eczema
So-called immunosuppressants are sometimes used to treat eczema. They are said to slow down the immune system since eczema is often referred to as a hereditary autoimmune problem. However, they only work as long as you take them. In addition, immunosuppressants can have far-reaching side effects, such as gastrointestinal diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, cancer, etc. For this reason, these drugs may only be used for 6 to a maximum of 12 months.
If there is an intestinal fungus in eczema
However, therapists working in naturopathic medicine are finding again and again that people who suffer from inflammatory eczema are infected with an intestinal fungus (Candida albicans). Although this intestinal fungus lives in the intestines of most people in very small numbers. Candida becomes problematic when the living conditions in the digestive system for this intestinal fungus improve so that it can multiply rapidly. And exactly the latter seems to be the case with eczema patients.
Causes of an intestinal fungus
Some new studies have shown a close connection between an intestinal fungus and the occurrence of eczema:
- The causes for a disturbed intestinal flora and thus for excessive growth of Candida can be hidden in the diet if mainly industrially processed foods with a lot of sugar and white flour are consumed and at the same time, few vegetables and few fibre-rich foods are on the menu.
- Intestinal fungus is particularly common after taking antibiotics. Because antibiotics decimate numerous intestinal bacteria, they do not act against fungi at the same time, so the few intestinal fungi living in the healthy intestine can suddenly multiply explosively.
- Stress and other factors that lower the immune system also promote fungal growth and ensure a misguided intestinal flora and the excessive proliferation of intestinal fungi.
How an intestinal fungus can lead to eczema
Intestinal fungi give off metabolic toxins which (if the fungi multiply excessively) attack the intestinal mucosa. The intestinal mucosa can become more permeable (the so-called leaky gut syndrome).
This syndrome results in fungal toxins or incompletely digested proteins leaking into the bloodstream, which in turn can lead to autoimmune reactions and allergies of all kinds, most notably eczema and skin rashes.
It should be noted that there are often no candida fungi on the skin. Eczema only occurs due to a sensitive reaction of the organism to the fungal toxins.
Treating intestinal fungus in eczema
In the case of eczema, the first step could therefore be treating the intestines, i.e. fighting the intestinal fungus. For this purpose, not only means are taken that eliminate the intestinal fungus, but also means (probiotics) that build up a healthy intestinal flora again.
In summary, possible measures against intestinal fungi are as follows:
- Changing your diet to a healthy alkaline-excessive diet without isolated carbohydrates (without table sugar, without white flour and without pasta or baked goods made of white flour, without white rice). Stevia, xylitol and erythritol could be used as sweeteners. Use whole grain products instead of white flour products.
- Incorporate antifungal foods into your diet (garlic, oregano, coconut oil, pomegranates, etc.)
- Choose an antifungal natural supplement, such as Grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf extract, oregano oil etc.
- Build up your intestinal flora and regulate your intestinal environment with an effective intestinal cleansing program. Here you will find more ideas for building up the intestinal flora.
Mineral earth absorbs the toxins of the intestinal fungi
Keep in mind that fungal treatment can initially cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, tiredness, etc. This is due to the fact that when the intestinal fungi are killed, large quantities of fungal toxins are released and put a strain on the body. However, within a week these symptoms should subside and your condition will gradually improve. Taking mineral earth helps against these side effects since mineral earth such as bentonite or zeolite absorbs toxins in the intestine and eliminates them through the stool.
Eczema can usually be reduced by these measures and the itching is reduced. In some people, eczema goes away completely. If, however, mental factors, in particular, have led to the skin problem, psychotherapeutic care is also recommended.