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. 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 (alkaline) or not able to exhaust enough carbon dioxide (acidic). We all know that if we hold our breath for 30 seconds or 60 seconds, we will all notice that our face turns pink or red. We are aware, but hardly think that actual the cause is a build up of carbon dioxide which is an 'acidic' gas and we have a shortage of oxygen. Very similarly, when we exercise for a short period, we have a build up of 'lactic acid', which is a body waste, which is obviously acidic. 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 or is 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 such as more fresh vegetables and fruits are needed which are alkaline (higher pH than 7.0). Acidic foods and drinks are the problem with a pH of below 7.0 such as coffee at 2.2 and beer averaging 2.0 to 2.5, wines at 3.0, whiskeys/gin/vodka at 4.0 (2 ounces mixed with 6 ounces of water at 7.3 averages about 6.5 pH or so which is a good drink). The opposite is true when mixed with coke as Soft Drinks 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.

Selecting the best foods to add pH (primarily fruits and vegetables) by the use of greens to buffer your eczema immune system response. 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. 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. In doing so, you will have eliminated the cause or etiology and will have found a possible "cure for eczema". 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. With acidic foods and drinks, there is always more carbon dioxide (acidic) while alkaline foods produce much more oxygen (think of your high school classes of the tree, grass, and plants giving off oxygen). 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 and 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 "cure".

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, 6.8, and up to a 7.0 pH range most often as the culmination of the body process. As you can imagine if you drink and eat many acidic foods, the result will be deterioration of the skin, body organs and bones.

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 and therefore your eczema will look best in early mornings after this natural anti-inflammatory drug. The hormone that will report back to the original brain centers together with other body organs to tell it to stop the whole cycle. 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, musculoskeletal system with resulting osteoporosis and arthritis - rheumatism, and the immune system. "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 not to keep the body in a 'fight or flight' system with stress, stimulation, or the use of 'acidic' food/drinks. The pH of foods, drinks and stress hormones affects "eczema, the entire body and brain of the eczema sufferer" and sometimes affects the family and co-workers and their ability to function proficiently.

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 overactive 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 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 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 and the treatment is 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 dermatologist 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 the treatment of 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 also 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.