The skin is the largest organ in the body. In addition to providing the sense of touch, it also protects the body from pathogens, harmful ultraviolet ray damage, and environmental hazards. It also promotes important functions that keep the body alive, such as regulating temperature.1
The variety of functions the skin performs makes it susceptible to a variety of diseases, the most common examples being eczema and psoriasis. Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) affects 31 million Americans, according to the University of California, San Francisco.2 Meanwhile, psoriasis affects more than 8 million Americans.3
Telling the Difference Between Eczema and Psoriasis
One of the main symptoms of psoriasis is a rash, but its appearance varies greatly from person to person. People with darker skin tone typically have a rash that is a purple shade with gray scales, while people with lighter skin tone typically have a pink or red rash with silver scales. Itching, burning, soreness, and bleeding are also common symptoms.4
In the case of eczema, the rash is similar. According to a report in The New York Times, the defining characteristics are:5
“Atopic dermatitis can appear differently in each person. People with darker skin may have a brown, purple, or gray rash, while those with lighter skin may have a pink or red rash. Nevertheless, this dry, itchy rash may be more common. Characteristics of the disease, other experts say, include oozing, thickening and scaly skin.
Eczema and psoriasis have similar symptoms, but the similarities end there. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to produce skin cells uncontrollably.6 Meanwhile, eczema rashes are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, resulting in a decrease in skin barrier function.7 To help you distinguish between the two, the Cleveland Clinic offers the following additional guidance:8
“Psoriasis plaques cause thick areas of skin covered in scales. Eczema causes dry, bumpy skin rashes. Eczema also causes itching, which is usually more severe than psoriasis.”
If you suspect you have psoriasis or eczema, visit your health care provider right away. A variety of tests can help rule out the cause. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, an appropriate management strategy can be selected rather than relying on trial and error.
How to effectively manage eczema
There is no cure for eczema, but there are a number of ways to help manage your symptoms. According to The New York Times, here are some tips to try:9
• Moisturize your skin — Keeping your skin moisturized helps protect your skin barrier while minimizing breakouts. Use hypoallergenic products and check the label to make sure they are right for your skin.
Avoid using fancy, scented moisturizers as they contain extracts and ingredients that can trigger eczema. “Blends are best if you have eczema,” says Brittany Craiglow, MD, adjunct professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.
• Take a short shower — According to Craiglow, long, hot showers and baths tend to dry out your skin. Instead, take a bath in lukewarm water and limit your bathing time to less than 10 minutes. Then, apply a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer while your skin is still wet to keep it hydrated.
• Try a natural anti-itch cream — The New York Times suggests 1% hydrocortisone cream, but the problem here is that this is an over-the-counter topical steroid. Instead, we recommend colloidal oatmeal cream, a safer alternative.
2020 study10 “Colloidal oatmeal, a natural product with proven barrier protecting, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, may have an effect in improving severe symptoms of eczema in patients with chronic irritant hand eczema (HE).”
In addition to these tips, there are other strategies that can help you manage your eczema effectively without relying on medications or pharmaceutical creams. For example, the National Eczema Society recommends keeping your home at a consistent temperature and wearing light clothing that can be layered or removed as needed to reduce the risk of rashes.
During the winter, consider using a humidifier to increase humidity in your home. Also, when going out, please be careful about parts of your body that are sensitive to cold, such as your hands and face. To prevent irritation from scratchy hats, scarves and gloves, use soft, seamless clothing.
Another way to deal with eczema is to manage your stress levels. Studies have shown a link between stress and skin conditions. To combat stress, I recommend exercising regularly, something researchers have also confirmed.11
“Mental stress is an important factor to consider in the management of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). In particular, chronic stress tends to worsen Alzheimer’s disease. Depending on the type of stress, the quality of pruritus experienced by the patient may also vary. Unexpected events and decision-making were frequently cited as important factors, and physical exercise was also reported to provide beneficial effects.”
Formaldehyde exposure worsens eczema symptoms
Studies have shown that smoking cigarettes is a risk factor for eczema due to its formaldehyde content. For those unfamiliar, formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling chemical used in a variety of applications, including construction and disinfection. Additionally, smoking cigarettes has been found to be a carcinogen.12
A study published in 2021 found that13 Researchers noted that formaldehyde exposure increases the risk of eczema. They selected 55 children with moderate to severe eczema and measured indoor formaldehyde levels in their homes from February 2019 to February 2020.
Tests have shown that homes with mold or moisture inside have higher levels of formaldehyde than clean homes. Moreover, parents who smoke indoors have much higher levels of formaldehyde, which can make eczema symptoms more severe in children.14
On a related note, eczema can be triggered by objects you own, such as backpacks. In a case study published in Cureus,15 Researchers noted that the man’s eczema symptoms were due to contact with his backpack while traveling abroad. Because his skin was in frequent contact with the bag, he eventually developed a pruritic erythematous rash that subsided when he stopped using the bag.
Based on this information, it may be a good idea to stock up on clothing and other items that come in contact with your skin, such as bags. If a rash appears, it most likely contains formaldehyde. Not only do companies add these toxins to their products during the dyeing process, but they also reduce wrinkling in fabrics.16
Try Natural Remedies to Manage Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease and, like eczema, there is no known cure. However, there are ways to manage symptoms when they become severe. According to a study published in Inflammopharmacology, here are some effective natural strategies for psoriasis:17
• Vitamin D — The “sunshine vitamin” has been shown to help manage autoimmunity, particularly T cell activity, “by lowering T helper (Th) cell proliferation and supporting the transition from a pro-inflammatory state to a tolerogenic state.” It has also been shown to inhibit inflammatory cytokines.
Vitamin D levels of 60 to 80 ng/mL are ideal for optimizing overall health. Get regular blood tests to see if you fall into this range. However, there are a few precautions I would like to emphasize before exposing your skin to the sun.
If you have a heavy diet in LA, your risk of sunburn increases. The first step to help reduce this risk is to reduce LA intake to 5 grams or less per day. Additionally, avoid high-intensity sunlight for at least 6 months after reducing LA intake.
Instead of being outside during peak sunlight hours, choose exposure in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun’s rays are less intense. This approach gives your body time to adapt and helps protect your skin from damage. To further protect your skin, take 12 mg of astaxanthin daily, apply niacinamide cream, and/or take low-dose aspirin.
• Aloe Vera — The gel found in the leaves of this plant contains a combination of bioactive compounds, such as aloe-emodin and acemannan, that help relieve psoriasis symptoms such as reduced redness and flaking. It also increases collagen activity, promoting hydration and wound healing. Additionally, aloe vera has keratolytic activity thanks to salicylic acid, which helps remove psoriatic plaques.
• coffee – Studies have shown that caffeine inhibits Th1/Th2 cell proliferation while promoting the release of anti-inflammatory biomarkers such as adiponectin. It has also been shown to inhibit the immune modulator cyclin adenosine monophosphate (cAMP).
But don’t just buy coffee beans. Choose organic coffee beans to protect your health. Ideally, it would be paired with raw, grass-fed milk and raw honey to create a truly healthy drink. However, too much caffeine can cause heart palpitations and insomnia, so drink it only in moderation.
• Curcumin — Curcumin, a bioactive compound found in turmeric, contains anti-tumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help manage psoriasis. Similar to caffeine, curcumin works by inhibiting pro-inflammatory compounds and targeting signaling pathways associated with inflammation.
• garlic – This common cooking ingredient contains bioactive compounds and sulfates that help manage psoriasis. In particular, researchers focused on the efficacy of aged garlic extract (AGE).
“One complex combination is AGE: alline, cyclophilin, S-methyl-l-cysteine, S-allyl-l-cysteine, S-acetylcysteine, S-allylmercapto-l-cysteine, S-1 propionyl -l-Cysteine, fructose-arginine and beta-chlorogenic are also among its ingredients. l-cysteine.
Psoriasis has now been linked to the activity of the nuclear transcription factor kappaB. Extensive research revealed this route. Garlic (S-allyl mercaptocysteine, diallyl sulfide, ajoene) can inhibit this transcription factor.”
Overall Strategy for Skin Health
Although psoriasis and eczema each have their own treatments, there are other ways to help optimize overall skin health. Adding polyphenol-rich foods to your diet has numerous benefits, including protecting your skin, for example.18,19
Don’t forget to optimize your sleep quality. I’ve written about the dangers of sleep deprivation, which you can read about in my article “5 Habits That Are Ruining Your Sleep.” Notable examples include slower reaction times, impaired memory retention, and increased risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
In addition to this, studies have shown that lack of sleep affects skin quality. Essentially, not getting enough sleep accelerates intrinsic aging and impairs the skin’s ability to recover from external stressors, such as prolonged exposure to UV rays.20
Increasing your intake of healthy fats, including omega-3s, is also important for healthy skin. If you notice that your skin is becoming drier, rougher, and more wrinkled, it may help to increase your intake a little. It is involved in processes such as hydration, reducing inflammation, and minimizing the effects of sun damage and aging.21
However, omega-3 is still a type of PUFA, so do not consume it in excess. Excessive consumption of omega-3 may cause metabolic damage similar to that of omega-6 LA. This is because omega-3s are also broken down into dangerous metabolites known as advanced fatty oxidation end products (ALEs).
Remember, most of your calories should still come from carbohydrates, which are your body’s ideal source of energy. Also, reduce your intake of LA as it is a major cause of DNA damage and inflammation.
Astaxanthin is another superstar for your skin. It is a carotenoid derived from Haematococcus microalgae and produced as a protective mechanism to protect against harsh ultraviolet rays and other stressors. In a 2021 meta-analysis22 A study published in Nutrients found that astaxanthin helped protect participants from wrinkles and skin moisture loss and even improved skin elasticity.
