It is really heart breaking to read this news of a 41 year old lady who develop breast cancer on the exact spot which she uses Protopic and Elidel for her Vitiligo. Both of these are recommended for eczema suffers as well.  So many has used it and are still using it.  Just the other day, Protopic was recommended by her family doctor for her son’s eczema.  So I won’t be surprised if there are still many people using these 2 medication.  Please spread the word around.  The danger is very real.

Read the complete story here.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a type of eczema where the oil glands of the skin are affected. In skin, there are two types of glands: sweat glands and oil glands. The sweat glands release sweat as a temperature regulator for the body, and also releases toxic waste. The oil glands, which open up into the hair follicles, produces an oily substance for moisturization of the skin and to keep the hair smooth and silky. The oil glands are also called sebaceous glands. Another derivative of that word is Seborrhea, which means “flow of oil”. Thus, when you hear the term Seborrheic dermatitis, you know that the oil glands; as opposed to the sweat glands, are directly involved.

The sub-classifications of these different types of eczema are for the purpose of identifying the eczema more specifically. Seborrheic dermatitis is still eczema. It still represents a toxic release. It still signals an overwhelmed immune system due to the toxic activity. The flareup is still being caused or promoted by the toxins overwhelming the system; and therefore, identification of the toxins promoting the flareup is necessary.

The sub-classifications of the different types of eczema help in the identification process (identification of the allergen/irritant). For example; in contact allergic eczema, you know that an external substance making contact with the skin promoted the flareup. Poison ivy contact is an example of an external substance that would promote this type of dermatitis or eczema. With seborrheic dermatitis, you can begin to pinpoint the culprit of the irritation to that of an internal source, usually brought about by diet. With seborrheic dermatitis sufferers, a diet that favors saturated fats, processed sugars, and junk food is a major contributor to the imbalance. That diet promotes candida growth, which increases histamine activity and causes an eczema flareup. Candida yeast will travel to the most vulnerable areas of a persons body and promote the irritation. The weak points in an individual varies from individual to individual. With sebhorrheic dermatitis, the sebaceous glands or oil glands seem to be the most vulnerable points of attack. The most abundant areas of the oil glands in a human body are the scalp, sides of the nose, behind the ears, and the center of the chest. This is why your flareups are in the areas you’ve mentioned.

When diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis, your physician should definitely address the need to consume a diet rich in fiber. Fiber helps to eliminate candida overgrowth. In addition, the physician should also mention the need to replenish your essential fatty acids and vitamin E levels through diet; due to the fact that these essential nutrients help the skin/skin cells to retain moisture. In addition, that physician should definitely address the overabundance of saturated fats and processed sugars in the diet of seborrheic dermatitis sufferers; especially since they have established that this is a common denominator amongst sufferers of seborrheic dermatitis.

With seborrheic dermatitis, the oily substance that is normally released for moisture replenishment is consequently being released as a yellowish/pusslike substance. This type of release indicates the overactive immune activity, (as a result of battling germs or toxins), that’s taking place. When toxins or germs enter the body, the white blood cells go to battle against them. The pusslike substance is the consequence of such a battle. The fact that the oil glands of seborrheic dermatitis sufferers releases a yellowish or pusslike substance gives the indication that a battle, in that area, has taken place. It can also reveal candida overgrowth. In addition, the seborrheic dermatitis reaction also indicates the deficiencies that are evident; and therefore, are in need of replenishing.

For you, a focus on a diet rich in fiber and in the other essential nutrients, of which you are deficient, is essential. By implementing a diet rich the whole foods needed to replenish your deficient nutrients, you can restore balance to your system and promote the healing you desire. To help you in understanding what those deficiencies are, you can take a look at the following website: http://www.wholehealthmd.com Green vegetables (like brocolli, spinach, collard, & kale) which are rich sources of both the fiber and the beta carotene needed to boost your immune health, will be essential to restoring the balance and improving the health of your skin.

I think that it is very important for you to understand what nutritional sources those foods provide.

Dairy provides essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and riboflavin (vitamin B2). [For Your Information/FYI - Riboflavin or vitamin B2 is essential for the normal growth and respiration (breathing) of the cells.] Dairy is also fortified with vitamins A & D

Whole grains provide such essential nutrients as fiber, antioxidants like vitamin E & selenium, iron, magnesium, zinc and B vitamins (including Niacin)

Eggs provide protein, iron, phosphorous, vitamin A, B complex vitamins and vitamin D

One of the main deficiencies that eczema represents is a vitamin A deficiency; in particular, the beta carotene form of vitamin A. Beta carotene is an immune booster which safely converts stored vitamin A in the liver for usage throughout the body. Considering that eczema represents an immuno disorder, it is understandable the importance of this essential nutrient for eczema sufferers. The caution with this vitamin (vitamin A); however, is that people are aware of the dangers of overdosing on this particular vitamin because it is stored in the body. This is why the beta carotene form of this vitamin is preferable because it promotes the conversion of the stored vitamin A. It is also preferable that this vitamin source (beta carotene) is consumed through its fruit or vegetable sources. Green leafy vegetables, carrots, and squash are a little more than a few of the food sources for beta carotene.

Considering the importance of whole foods for nutrient replenishment in the human body, you will then begin to wonder why such important foods are suggested for elimination from the diet of an eczema sufferer. It’s not the foods that are the problem; but rather, it is the processes by which man uses to produce the foods that create the problem. For example; antibiotics used to treat the cattle and poultry create the problems that eczema suffers would have with dairy and eggs. This is done by commercial farmers for high productivity; however, antibiotics promote candida growth, which instigates eczema flareups. Another problem is the harsh pesticides or chemical fertilizers used to grow the fruit and vegetables. Yet, another problem is that a whole grain, like wheat, loses a large portion of its nutrient sources (like fiber) in the milling process. This is why you are beginning to see the general public becoming more interested in organically grown fruits and vegetables, along with organic dairy and egg sources.

It didn’t make sense to me that these whole foods, which provided such essential nutrients to the body, were suddenly harmful to the body. Yet, when I investigated further, it made sense that the problem resided in the harsh chemical sprays, antibiotics, and food processing procedures. What I don’t like about the eczema food elimination list is that it doesn’t mention WHY those foods have become a problem (as I just did). If they did, more people could make an informed decision; and as a result, opt for organically grown products and not sacrifice their body’s nutritional needs by total elimination of the whole foods that provide the essential nutrients for which they are deficient.

Niacin (Vitamin B3) is  another deficiency that has been associated with eczema sufferers.   Niacin is a vitamin that is involved with the enzyme systems, which convert food into energy. It also prevents a very serious skin disease, called pellagra. Pellagra manifests as rough, thickened, blisterlike lesions of the skin of the hands, feet and face witha soreness of the mouth and tongue. It is the nicotonic acid from niacin that provides the preventative agent against pellagra. Food sources for Niacin are liver, whole grain breads and cereals, poultry, fish, peanuts, potatoes, and milk. Now assuming that you are familiar with the list of foods the medical community recommends eczema sufferers to eliminate from their diet and understanding the food sources for Niacin, its understandable why eczema sufferers still suffer after implementing their extreme elimination diet.  The very nutrients they need to restore their health are being further depleted by the extreme elimination diets.

Dust mites are a very real issue when it comes to eczema and it is often the most difficult to overcome.  Dust mites like fabric.  Therefore your bed linens, drapes/curtains, and carpeting are prime suspects for habitation. The best option is to use white cotton linens.  

Also, make sure you clean your bed linens more frequently to  interrupt their life-span in your fabrics.  To minimize breeding ground for dustmites, it is better to opt for blinds (especially wooden)and shutters over drapes or curtains.   Wood, tile, bamboo or cork floors are a better option over carpeting when it comes to dust mites as well.

One of the reasons manufacturers came up with hepafilters in vacuums and air purifier systems is because of the dust mites and other airborne allergen in homes. Keeping a watch on the filter in your heating system is also good. Most of them recommend a monthly changing. I’m most impressed with the Ionic Breeze as an air purifier in its technology.