Research Into Eczema's Cause/Etiology and Treatments:
The Blending of Science and Reality

Eczema generally results from an overly acidic body and skin which creates an over active immune system response. The pH scale (potential of hydrogen), ranges from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. This acidic/alkaline scale is logarithmic meaning that each number is ten times stronger than the preceding number. For example, a pH of 2 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 3 and one hundred times more acidic than a pH of 4. So you will now be able to more easily understand why an eczema sufferer needs to minimize the acidic foods and drinks as it takes so many more alkaline foods and drinks to compensate. As you rethink your past eczema history, you will see that all the eczema triggers come from 'acidic items' regardless of whether they are foods, drinks, stress, being out of breath due to not enough oxygen or not being able to exhaust enough carbon dioxide. We all know that if we hold our breath for 60 seconds our face turns pink or red. We are aware, but hardly think that the actual cause is a combination of a build up of carbon dioxide, which is an acidic gas, and a shortage of oxygen, which is alkaline. Very similarly, when we exercise for a long period, we have a build up of lactic acid, which is an acidic body waste. Likewise, those with eczema need to be very concerned about the build up of acids in the blood stream due to the foods and beverages that we consume.

We all know of our triggers such as alcohol, coffee, pizza, candy/cookies, various medications, etc. which all have a pH below 7.0 and are termed acidic. Our objective therefore should be to balance, buffer, or neutralize the acids with alkaline. Water is alkaline with a pH of about 7.3, and likewise more alkaline foods (higher pH than 7.0) such as fresh vegetables and fruits are needed. Acidic foods and drinks are the problem with a pH of below 7.0 such as coffee at 2.2 pH and beer averaging 2.0 to 2.5 pH, wines at 3.0 pH, and whiskeys/gin/vodka at 4.0 pH. If you must drink alcohol, the best drink for your eczema is 2 ounces of gin, whiskey, or vodka mixed with 6 ounces of water which averages about 6.5 pH or so. The opposite is true when alcohol is mixed with soft drinks which have a pH of about 2 to 2.5 pH. So try hard to minimize the above drinks and delete them entirely if possible while increasing your alkaline foods.

To improve your total body and skin condition, eat and drink 90% of the alkaline foods with 10% meats while avoiding or reducing breads, pastas, sugars, desserts, etc. In doing so, you will have eliminated the cause or etiology and will have found a possible "cure for eczema" or at least a way to limit the symptoms.

The body has several different ways to ensure that the pH balance stays in the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45. These are referred to as buffer systems. Through normal day-to-day activity in the body, acids are formed as waste products that need to be neutralized, alkalized, or buffered and eliminated. Some of the acids are released with CO2 from exhaling; others are excreted via the kidneys. These systems work together in the healthy human body to keep the pH level within normal ranges. Sometimes with extreme intake of acidic foods and drinks, the normal system cannot compensate and the body becomes even more stressed resulting in more stress hormones, which are also acidic in nature causing more of an immune system response. Likewise, simple illnesses such as influenza, minor surgery, or emotional and mental stress continue to lower the pH of the body with more resulting skin blushing and flushing. Almost all medications are acidic except anti-acid medications such as Zantac, Milk of Magnesium, etc. So as you see, the 'cause or etiology' can easily be understood and is helpful in understanding the treatment. Because there is not a cure for eczema, it must be controlled using these easy steps.

You can make sure that your water and many foods are alkaline by purchasing pH paper at most drug stores to measure the pH of the water, drink, or foods. Your urine should be in the 6.6 to 7.0 pH range most often as the culmination of the body process.

The adrenal cortex secretes cortisol, a natural body hormone of about 10 mg of cortisol daily, with peak cortisol levels occurring early in the morning, therefore, your eczema will look best in early mornings after this natural anti-inflammatory drug. But since cortisol is a potent hormone, the prolonged secretion of it will lead to health problems such as the break down of cardiovascular system, digestive system, immune system, and musculoskeletal system with resulting osteoporosis and arthritis - rheumatism. "Eczema is in fact more than a rash that itches."

When any organism, system, or body does not have a chance for recovery, it will lead to both catecholamine and cortisol depletion. The entire concept is to not keep the body in a 'fight or flight' system with stress, stimulation, or the use of acidic foods and drinks. The pH of foods, drinks and stress hormones affects eczema, as well as the entire body and brain of the eczema sufferer. This sometimes affects the family and co-workers and their ability to function proficiently around the eczema sufferer.

Because of the immune system response, it's not uncommon to have more than one skin condition occurring at a time. The eczema sufferer often has seborrheic dermatitis, which makes for a most delicate skin condition. Seborrheic dermatitis involves over active sebaceous glands, which cause inflammation, flaking, and a red rash in the central portion of the face. If one looks closely, the flakes usually have a greasy look, smell, and feel. The dryness of seborrheic dermatitis is perceived because of the flaking, which consists of dried layers of accumulated oil.

Many people who suffer with eczema also develop a facial skin condition known as rosacea. Rosacea is a hereditary, chronic (long term) skin disorder that most often affects the nose, forehead, cheekbones, and chin. Groups of tiny micro vessels (arterioles, capillaries, and venules) close to the surface of the skin become dilated, resulting in blotchy red areas with small papules (a small, red, solid, elevated inflammatory skin lesion without pus, that is minor when the size is of a small measles lesion, moderate when about the size of a pencil eraser, and severe when the papule is the size of a small currency coin or the tip of the little finger) and pustules (pus-filled inflammatory bumps). The redness can come and go, but eventually it may become permanent. Furthermore, the skin tissue can swell and thicken and may be tender and sensitive to the touch.

Acne often co-exists with Eczema. Acne involves the presence of acne pimples. Acne is definitely food-related and stress-related. Stress and fatigue cause increased production of hormones by the adrenal gland with increased levels of androgens. These hormones worsen acne.

In women adult acne usually gets worse a week before the menstrual period as the natural estrogen in the body is reduced and as the estrogen increases during the menses; the menstrual period ends as the estrogen reaches the normal level. Acne rosacea often evolves from an irritated acne skin that has been abused with aggressive prolonged acne treatment. Acne rosacea usually develops in the 30's to 40's age range and the treatment must be more delicate as often what improves the acne further stresses the rosacea. Please note that acne pimples with pus resulting from bacteria are not rosacea papules, which do not have pus but a raised "red" lesion that usually does not change in any way for weeks or months.

Many of the acne treatments and anti-wrinkle products that have been used in the past have lead to rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis while the acne continues to be a problem. And likewise, the range of eczema treatments has often resulted in little eczema improvement and may even cause more symptoms. Thus dermatologists state that "eczema is a chronic progressive skin disease." Most dermatologists have been baffled by eczema and its treatment, and call eczema an "enigma." Others state that eczema is one of the least understood skin diseases. As the traditional treatments fail, alternative therapies have gained respect in the treatment of eczema. Treatment can be achieved naturally without using harsh chemicals. And always a good treatment is to reduce triggers by natural lifestyle changes.

Contained within the pages of this web site you will find valuable information on eczema, a description of eczema symptoms as well as tips on skin care for eczema. We at Bass & Boney, Inc., are constantly researching for new insight into the components of eczema along with leading edge eczema therapy in the treatment of eczema.