ECZEMA IS DEEPLY PERSONAL. YOUR TREATMENT APPROACH SHOULD BE TOO.
Two people with the same rash can have completely different root causes.
Exploring your health history, the timeline of your flares, your gut health, your stress and your daily routine helps build a plan around what we find. Everything is tailored to you.
WE ALWAYS START WITH CAUSED FLARE
Eczema flares have a trigger and it's usually pretty clear once we drill down.
Whilst it’s important to assess how bad a flare gets, I want to know what happened before it began.
Skin that used to be calm can be set off by things like:
antibiotics; a new job; pregnancy; new makeup or creams; soaps; a death; a flu or virus.
WHERE YOUR ECZEMA SHOWS UP GUIDES ME ON WHERE TO DIG
Where your eczema shows up helps us piece together the puzzle.
Eczema on the hands often points to what you’re touching throughout the day.
In the creases of elbows and knees suggests allergies might be present.
Around the eyes can mean a reaction to products or things in your environment.
WE GET CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR GUT HEALTH
The gut and your skin are constantly communicating. The bacteria in your gut help signal when your immune system should react and when to settle.
Your immune system is ultimately responsible for those frustrating symptoms like inflammation, redness, itchiness.
Antibiotics, viral infections or digestive issues can shift your microbial balance and increase immune reactivity.
WE DISCUSS YOUR STRESS LEVELS
Ever notice your skin gets worse when your entire life is up in flames?
Chronic stress and excess cortisol slows how quickly your skin barrier repairs itself and make your nerves more sensitive to itch.
A bad night's sleep lowers the itch threshold again. Many people scratch in their sleep without realising, damaging the barrier more and exacerbating the scratch-itch cycle.
WE CONSIDER WHAT YOU’RE EATING
For some people, certain foods do drive flares but for many they don't. An unchecked food allergy may also play a role (but not always).
We look at what you might be consuming that contributes to inflammation, oxidative stress or blood sugar imbalance - all possible triggers for eczema.
We also prioritise nutrients the skin uses to repair and strengthen the barrier, like zinc, omega-3 fats and vitamin A.
WE AUDIT WHAT YOUR SKIN TOUCHES EVERYDAY
Think of your skin like a brick wall. In eczema, the mortar between bricks is patchier, allowing moisture to escape and irritants to enter more easily, increasing your chances of a flare. We review your external environment to identify triggers.
What might flare you:
perfumes or scented candles
laundry detergent and softener
hot or hard water
wool or rough synthetics
dust mites, mould, pet dander
CALMING THE SURFACE WHILST WORKING INTERNALLY
A topical treatment can change how your skin looks within days, which is why so many people stop there.
Topicals soothe inflammation, seal in moisture and protect the barrier - all valuable in their own right.
But they don't reach the internal environment that keeps sending the signals, so when the cream stops, the flare might return, sometimes worse.
Treating from both sides counts.