Jennifer Roberge: the eczema company
My daughter says she is allergic to itchiness…I think I am too.
Eczema, which causes the skin to become red, itchy and inflamed, is a condition that affects 30 million Americans – 25% of children worldwide suffer from eczema. There are many different types of eczema; some cause the skin to blister, ooze and weep, others are just extremely dry and itchy. All of them leave parents desperate for help. I recently had the opportunity to speak to Jennifer Roberge, owner and founder of The Eczema Company, to get some tips on how to naturally heal and relieve that annoying, itchy, skin rash.
Before we meet Jennifer, let’s delve deeper into eczema:
Eczema is characterized by an itchy, painful, red rash; skin that is very dry and scaly; or skin with open, crusty or weepy sores. There are many different types of eczema and unfortunately, it is possible to have more than one type at the same time. It is an extremely distressing condition that makes people uncomfortable in their own skin. It leads to restless nights, and stressful days. The dermatologist is usually the first stop for someone suffering from eczema, where patients are typically offered topical medications: steroids, immune system inhibitors, or inflammation inhibitors. All these medications do clear the skin initially, however, they come with some serious side effects, they do not get to the root of the problem, and they are not designed to be a long-term solution. Therefore, they may initially clear the skin, however, the eczema will return until you figure out the cause.
Luckily, the scientific community is constantly discovering new information! The newest research seems to be about bacteria and how it effects the skin.
BACTERIA AND ECZEMA:
SKIN MICROBIOME AND ECZEMA: Our skin is an ecosystem where bacteria, fungi, viruses, and even mites, live harmoniously. Bacteria plays a huge role in the health of our skin. However, there needs to be a balance of bacteria – good and bad – to keep it healthy. Recent research showed that during a flair up of eczema, the skin barrier is impaired and the skin microbiome changes – it becomes dominated by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (source). This frequently turns into a bacterial infection aka “staph infection”. Staph infections are often very itchy, so this infection greatly contributes to the “itch-scratch cycle”. (The skin is itchy, you scratch it, it becomes itchier.) Now, the skin is torn apart from all that itching, bacteria is greatly out of balance, and a bacterial infection is imminent. Historically, doctors have recommended bleach baths to eczema sufferers, with the hope that the bleach will kill the bad bacteria. However, many eczema sufferers are looking for ways to detox rather than add more chemicals into their body and soaking in bleach is not very “natural”. Luckily, there has been a change in how we think about bacteria.
Bacteria can be good!
People with eczema have an imbalance of bacteria on their skin. The medical community has finally realized that bacteria is not all bad and that good and bad bacteria need to live harmoniously on the skin in order to stay healthy. A breakthrough study found that adding certain bacteria to the skin to both adults and children suffering from eczema, relieves symptoms, and greatly reduces the need for steroids (source). A 2018 study found that too much Staphylococcus aureus bacteria may actually be the cause of eczema in some people. Researchers hope to find a way to promote beneficial bacteria and at the same time target and eliminate the staph bacteria.
LEAKY GUT AND ECZEMA: Speaking of the microbiome, eczema is also associated with the gastrointestinal tract and leaky gut syndrome. Our intestinal tract has a surface area of over 4,000 square feet and is sealed by a lining that controls what gets absorbed into our bloodstream. Unhealthy, processed food choices, alcohol, and stress, all contribute to cracks in the lining. Intestinal impermeability is when there are holes and cracks in the lining, allowing bacteria, undigested food, and toxins to sneak through the intestinal lining and elicit an immune response, leading to autoimmune disorders (source). Eczema is an autoimmune response – the body is reacting to something (source). The balance of bacteria in the gut is very important as it plays an important role in the “regulation of environmental factors that enter the body” (source). This imbalance contributes to leaky gut and in turn contributes to autoimmune diseases.
The type of bacteria present in your intestines is also important. A 2013 study found that the bacteria in the intestines of children with eczema were similar of what is typically found in adults. Meaning, their gut microbes were different from that of non-affected children (source). Again, similar to the skin microbiome, adding bacteria in the form of probiotics have been shown to be useful in the prevention of eczema.
Probiotics during pregnancy can help prevent eczema in children. A 2010 study tested the benefits of supplementing probiotics during pregnancy until their baby was three months old. They split the women into two groups, giving half of them a probiotic drink and the other a placebo. The results showed that children born to the probiotic group were half as likely to develop eczema by the age of 2, and the children who did develop eczema from that group, had less severe symptoms than the placebo group (source).
FOOD ALLERGIES AND ECZEMA: Food allergies have also shown to inflame the gut (source). Previously, it was believed that food allergies caused eczema in only 30% of children, however, this number is most likely higher as the gut-skin connection is continually being studied. Food allergies and sensitivities have been shown to be a trigger for eczema but figuring out which foods are causing the eczema is challenging because reactions can occur anywhere from a few minutes to a few days after eating a certain food. In addition, clinical allergy testing doesn’t always work and often shows a false positive. Therefore, the only way to accurately test for food allergies is to do an elimination diet. Studies have shown when food triggers were eliminated from children’s diet, their eczema improved (source).
Since food allergies and sensitivities are so hard to diagnose, it would therefore be a great idea to keep a food diary for a few weeks to chart the eczema flair ups. There are also some books that can help you in your elimination diet that Jennifer will talk about.
What does all this mean for you?
First, avoid antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers, as they strip your skin of good bacteria and irritate those prone to eczema. Instead, try soaps made with natural antibacterial oils such as coconut oil.
Use "cleaner" detergents and household cleaners.
Cleaning up your diet is also very important. Avoiding processed foods and sugar, and adding probiotics daily in the form of supplements and/or fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, is a good place to start.
There are probiotic sprays for skin available. These sprays are filled with good bacteria to help balance bacteria on the skin. Here are two options, that I have tried and have been very helpful:
Organic Topical Probiotic Skin Spray by MaryRuths
Mother Dirt AO+ Mist Skin Probiotic Spray
INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER ROBERGE OF THE ECZEMA COMPANY:
Jennifer Roberge of The Eczema Company, learned about eczema when her son, at the age of 3, had eczema covering 90% of his body. She discovered that pollen allergies, food allergies and food sensitivities triggered his eczema flair ups. You can read her blog, It’s an Itchy Little World.
How do you treat eczema naturally?
JENNIFER: While eczema may never be cured, it is possible to eliminate triggers and calm the skin down. In addition, some kids will grow out of their eczema, but many will not. There are many things you can do to help ease the symptoms. I recommend the following steps:
1. Identify & Eliminate Triggers
2. Determine if Food May be to blame
3. Prevent Scratching
4. Soothe with Natural Skincare
5. Wet wrapping
What are the main causes of eczema?
First thing to help ease eczema is to figure out the triggers. Food, pollen, laundry detergents, soaps, and skincare may all be culprits. Even free and clear detergent can leave a residue on clothes that will irritate the skin. I usually double rinse our clothes to make sure the detergent is washed out.
While food triggers are easy to avoid, environmental allergies are harder to avoid. Covering the skin while outside during pollen season is helpful. For instance, wearing pants during a soccer game can protect the skin from the air. Air purifiers in your home can also help ease symptoms – especially in the spring.
How have you seen the effects of diet on eczema and which diets do you recommend?
JENNIFER: Certain foods can be triggers for eczema and figuring out which foods you are sensitive to or allergic to is key. The best way to do this is to eliminate foods you think may be triggers. The most common eczema triggers are dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, and tree nuts. There are safe elimination diets out there such as The Eczema Diet or The Eczema Cure - Heal from the Inside Out with Real Food. The basic premise is to cut out certain foods from your diet and then gradually add them back separately looking for an eczema trigger.
Following the paleo diet or a vegan diet has also helped some people.
Is it important to stop the scratching?
Jennifer: Yes. Covering hands and feet during the night to prevent scratching is important, as it allows the skin to heal overnight and also help prevent infection. Mittens (kids) and gloves (adults) work best for this.
For people trying to avoid steroids, what are the best options for moisturizing?
Jennifer: We should all try to avoid steroids, and instead moisturize with natural skincare. Our most popular product is our Manuka Honey Skin Cream. Of course, everyone responds differently to skin creams – you have to figure out which one works for each person. Some people find that they need to change cream every 4 months as the cream they are using stops working for them.
Depending on the type of eczema you have, these are the products I recommend:
Can you tell us about wet wrapping?
JENNIFER: While healing from eczema takes a long time, there are ways to get relief in the interim. Wet wrapping is very useful for easing and soothing eczema symptoms and hydrating the skin. It makes the skin less itchy and helps to prevent scratching by locking in the moisture. Here are the instructions:
1. Soak in lukewarm bath water for 15-20 minutes. No soap!
2. Towel dry and seal the skin with a natural eczema cream.
3. Dampen some wet wraps and cover the skin.
4. Cover with our soft, cotton eczema sleepwear as the dry layer.
5. Leave the clothing on for a minimum of two hours up to overnight (as long as the damp layer stays damp.)
6. Remove the clothing and moisturize the skin again.
This whole process can be repeated 2-3 times per day for a few days
Dry wrapping can work too. Simply skip the water. I don’t recommend using steroids during wet wrapping because this process will intensify the steroids. Talk to your doctor about this.
What about using Chinese Herbs or Homeopathy for Eczema?
JENNIFER: Each person responds differently to alternative medicine. Chinese herbs are hit or miss. Homeopathy can also help to reduce symptoms, however, I do not believe it heals or cures. I also recommend using the liquid forms of homeopathy, not the granules. I sell recommended brands on my website.
Thank you, Jennifer for your helpful ideas and products! If you want to follow her, check out her blog: https://itchylittleworld.com, or her website: https://www.eczemacompany.com