Eczema & leaky gut

  • posted by Leonie1
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    Hi all. I’m on week 3 of the diet from the book. I have no gut symptoms but terrible eczema which has flared everywhere over the last 2 months or so! My question is how long should I be on the remove and repair phase? I’ve seen improvement but It’s certainly not healed and I doubt it will be after 4 weeks. Does that mean it’s not gut related for me at all then? Any tips help experiences would be so useful!! Thanks in advance x

  • posted by Firefox7275
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    Have you been formally diagnosed with leaky gut or are you self diagnosing? What do you mean by “on week three”, does that include the detailed food and symptoms diary?

    Atopic eczema is often multi factorial: genetics, diet (sensitivities/ deficiencies/ gut conditions), overall lifestyle (is it inflammatory), other allergies (dust/ hayfever), how you care for your skin (products/ water exposure). These interact to weaken or strengthen the skin barrier, and to increase or decrease systemic inflammation.

    The remove and repair phase of the CG Diet is restrictive to identify food intolerances/ sensitivities, the reintroduction and maintenance phases emphasise balance and a really wide variety of foods. If, say, you had not been eating enough oily fish, it may take some time to restore your levels of vitamin D and long chain omega-3s.

    Be aware that overwetting or soaking the skin weakens the barrier and flushes out natural moisturising factors. Also that even residues briefly contacting the skin can worsen or trigger eczema. For me shampoo bubbles running down my arm caused my large elbow patch.

    variety.

  • posted by Leonie1
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    Thanks so much for taking the time to reply!
    In answer to your questions,
    I’ve not been formally diagnosed, just thought I would give it a go as lots of articles I’ve read on eczema are linked to leaky gut.
    I’m on week 3 of the diet, by that I’ve followed the remove phase for 3 weeeks, so basically following phase 1 recipes for 3 weeks.
    I’ve had eczema on & off for years but I really want to get to the bottom of it. I notice certain foods or a build up of them make it worse i.e.-wheat.
    I know dust is definitely a trigger and that was diagnosed a few years ago.
    Too I’ve noticed the link between stress. You mentioned an inflammatory Lifestyle, what do you mean by that?
    Seems like you have got your eczema under control that’s great!
    Maybe I should stay on phase 1 a little longer before I go to phase 2 as I still have very inflamed skin.

  • posted by Firefox7275
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    Sorry I am trying not to bombard information! An inflammatory lifestyle is some of: stress, poor sleep quality, overweight/ obesity, sedentary or over exercising, standard US/ UK diet, smoking or too much alcohol. Most westerners live with a chronic level of inflammation that contributes to all the common diseases.

    Did you do the detailed food and symptoms diary (page 187)?

  • posted by Firefox7275
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    Whilst many westerners overeat wheat instead of a wide variety of fibre/ mineral/ carbohydrate rich foods, consider that wheat is invariably eaten in highly processed form and eaten with other foods or other ingredients. Whereas rice is often eaten as much less processed visibly intact grains, only or mainly with specific foods (eg. South Asian curries).

    So the issue might be superfine white flour spiking blood glucose (= inflammatory), or yeast or mayonnaise or cheese or processed pork (all common in sandwiches/ pizza), or added sugar (in baked goods) spiking blood glucose, or gluten (= wheat protein) aggravating leaky gut … this is where a detailed food diary is invalusble.

  • posted by Leonie1
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    I didn’t do a detailed food diary although I have done one in the past.
    I think I will start to do that Definitely.
    I def don’t have an inflammatory lifestyle not overweight, don’t smoke, drink on occasions but my schedule is extemely busy, having no evenings or weekends off so I’ve realised that needs to be changed and am in the process of doing so.
    As regards a food diary sometimes symptoms are not immediate, so how can I see if food is a trigger if it is showing up in my skin a couple of days after etc?

  • posted by GrahamSPhillips
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    Would you be comfortable posting more of as full medical history (any ongoing medication, recent anti-biotics) plus an indicator of your diet? Stress obviously doesn’t help; getting enough (quality) sleep is crucial. How are you VitD levels? Just as dysbiosis of the gut bacteria causes gut problems, so dysbiosis of the skin bacteria causes skin problems. I wonder if that is where your problems lie? Have you considered having your microbiome analysed? It might give you some clarity. Final suggestion: the 5:2 diet (fasting) is profoundly anti-inflammatory and might help all your symptoms (skin included)
    Good luck!

  • posted by Leonie1
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    No problem. I’m on the contraceptive pill (loestrin 20) and take antihistamines (loratadine) every night. I would say about 4yrs ago I was on antibiotics twice in the same year and I think I was perscribed clarithromycin.
    My diet (4 past 3 weeks) has been according to phase 1 of the book and I’ve been very strict so no slip ups.
    Normally my diet has been a lot of meat pasta, rice etc. I have been off wheat for about 5months (as suggested by dr) so a lot of gluten free substituted and diary for about 3months as I knew it could be a problem with eczema
    Earlier this year (about April) I had a parasite (cytosparidium) at that time I was also tested for coeliac (as my father is) it came back negative but my ieg levels were anaphalctic the dr said so I have been referred to an allergy clinic (appt in sept!) and that was when I was told to come off wheat as I was eating it every day for the test and my eczema went crazy on my arms and hands.
    Last year I also had a weird attack where I was baking my and my hands started to super itch (no eczema at that point, in fact this flare up came from that) hive on my lip and lump in throat, later terrible stomach pains and vomiting. I have my suspicions it was raw egg (I licked the spoon) as when I was making flaxseed bread the same thing happened to my hands and I never kneeling eat raw egg normally.
    I have no idea if my vit d levels are any good, how would I get that tested? Dysbiosis of skin bacteria sounds interesting, something I’ve never heard of? Getting my microbiome tested, how would that help me? If levels are low is that an indication of leaky gut?

    Sorry but if a long post but any advice is most welcome!!

  • posted by GrahamSPhillips
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    Do you mean cryptosporidium ? If so what symptoms did you have and were you prescribed any treatment? Are you better now?

    I wonder why your IGE levels were so high – did your GP say it was due to the infections??

    It certainly seems like you don’t get on with gluten -many people don’t but only about 1% actually test positive for coeliac. You might find Tim Spector’s book Diet Myth helpful. A lot of people struggle with gluten – and its the microbiota who digest it for us, But if your microbiota is disrupted (dysbiosis) then maybe that explains a lot of your allergic conditions. They might all be linked.

    The 5:2 diet is profoundly anti-inflammatory so that’s certainly worth considering.

    Your GP can test your VitD levels – but its probably a waste of time because deficieny in the UK is so high – maybe purchase a good quality vitD (400iu) from your pharmacist and take each day.

    The point of having your micro biome analysed is that its the only way to know what’s really going on down there! Armed with that information you can then make specific alterations to your diet (and maybe lifestyle) to correct the dysbiosis and get back on track. That would also address leaky gut problems

    Hope that helps

  • posted by Firefox7275
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    Leonie: Sounds like an inflammatory diet and lifestyle, great you have identified and begun to address so much yourself! Busy stressful life, the impact of stress on sleep quality and diet, exposure to allergens, processed wheat and/ or processed wheat substitutes. Anti inflammstory foods include oily fish, low sugar fruits and non starchy vegetables, beans and lentils, some nuts and seeds. So pretty much Clever Guts!

  • posted by Firefox7275
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    The main dietary source of vitamin D is oily fish, a little in organic/ free range eggs. Otherwise sunlight around midday but only about half the year in the UK and similar latitudes. Your family doctor can blood test for vitamin D. But ask for the exact number result, because some only inform and treat if in full blown deficiency. I didn’t get told for three years after my first low result.

    Oily fish is also rich in omega-3s (anti inflammatory, lack is implicated in asthma, eczema, hayfever, other mild to moderate allergies, but NOT anaphylaxis).

  • posted by Firefox7275
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    Leonie: as regards the food diary … The longer yoy keep it the easier to see patterns. Note all symptoms of all health issues, from mood to skin to gut to allergies. Share with your family doctor, allergy specialist, dietician if you can score a referral, any other medical person.

    IMO look as much for nutrient gaps/ insufficiencies as intolerances/ sensitivities. Missing out on or subbing major food groups or types (oily fish, wheat, dairy, eggs) often leaves thr diet low on one or more nutrients.

  • posted by Leonie1
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    Thanks GrahamS for all that info. Yes sorry I had cryptosporidium, symptoms were extreme diarrhoea for 2 weeks, day and night and vomiting once. I was given no treatment as body would fight it. I also got a helping hand from a naturopath to kill it off with some drops. Completely fine now, all back to normal.
    The dr gave me no indication why my IGE levels were high, just referred me
    I likely too will say my vit d levels are low so will get some vitamins and will def get the microbiome tested which will help me to be more focused going forward. Thank you! .

  • posted by Leonie1
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    Thank you Firefox7275 your positivity means a lot, I suppose I have found a lot out on my own and yes my lifestyle evidentally was inflammatory! Trying to put that right and feeling so much better for it, (I don’t think I have ever slept so much as I have recently!!) I definitely feel I’m on the right path and with the help advice of the community it really helps and directs me, so really do appreciate all your expertise!

  • posted by navgosal
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    I have eczema and when I try to use self-tanners, I get an eczema-like reaction. I’m not sure if it’s eczema or if it’s an allergy to it. Is it possible that if I heal my leaky gut, I can get rid of this allergy/reaction to self-tanners?

    Thanks,
    Nav

  • posted by Leonie1
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    Hi Nav

    I’m no expert but if it’s just when your using self tanners then it sounds like a reaction to it. I’m not sure if healing your gut will help as your skin is sensitive to the chemicals. Maybe try a natural self tanner which is out there, maybe less harsh?

  • posted by Firefox7275
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    Navgosal: eczema is AKA dermatitis. In the same family as atopic eczema is irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Distinguishing is very difficult. Allergies cannot be cured but milder ones can have their symptoms reduced.

    Self tanning is not suited to sensitive/ reactive/ eczematous type skin. You have to exfoliate (attack the skin barrier), often with harsh foaming surfactants. Then layer on (often fragranced) chemical soups.

    Diet is highly relevant in those with any of the asthma-eczema-hayfever inflammatory triad. But so is skincare. We need to support our skin’s faulty barrier function, strengthen not destroy or irritate.

  • posted by GrahamSPhillips
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    It all depends on what is in the “self tanners” . You say you have leaky gut- what leads you to that conclusion? The skin has its own unique microbiota – and if disrupted then yes, you get the equivalent effects to gut dysbiosis

  • posted by Hanna1986
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