Have you ever found yourself wondering how to get rid of the red, dry, inflamed skin patches on you or your child’s body? We understand how frustrating that can be and want to share some information with you today that may help reduce irritating flare ups and have your skin feeling great again.

Here’s some facts about the prevalence of eczema, how the nervous system is related, and natural methods to improve it.

Eczema affects 15%-20% of children and 2%-4% of adults in the US. It’s typically higher in children because their immune systems are still developing and are not as robust and adaptable as adults. Low immune function can be due to factors like antibiotics, autoimmune disorders, untreated infections, nutrient deficiencies or poor gut health. Allergies to certain foods, chemicals, and toxins in skin care and beauty products can also be contributing factors for developing eczema.

How Does the Gut-Brain Axis Affect Eczema?

When it comes to eczema, it starts in the GUT, but everything is controlled by your brain 🧠.

Eczema is thought to be a result of dysbiosis - either too many “bad” bacteria or not enough diversity of gut bacteria. Either way, when the microbiome is unhealthy this creates inflammation, which can lead to the development of common rash conditions.

✨What’s incredible is that your gut maintains constant two-way communication with the brain regarding both the quality and quantity of this bacteria. The brain receives these messages from the digestive system, interprets the information, determines an appropriate response, and then sends a message to your immune system, endocrine system (hormones), cardiovascular system, and digestive system on what to do.

➡The KEY to OPTIMAL gut-brain communication (and therefore a better immune response for those with eczema) is the VAGUS NERVE.

The vagus nerve exists in the brain stem, close to the top cervical vertebra, the atlas. Any nerve interference with the atlas (which can come from physical, emotional, or chemical stress)😫interrupts the gut-brain communication pathways. When the brain and gut can’t properly send and receive messages, DYSFUNCTION in other parts of the body and organ systems arise – including the skin.

🥰Chiropractic care can REMOVE nerve interference in the atlas through gentle, specific adjustments that improve the function of your vagus nerve that allow your gut-brain axis to do it’s job - so your body can heal itself from the inside-out.

Watch this video by Dr. Mckensie to learn more about the importance of the vagus nerve and everything it controls.

Top 3 Ways to Improve Eczema in Children

While doctors often recommend special ointments to add extra moisture to the skin or steroid creams to reduce skin inflammation, these options do not address the root cause. The following 3 methods help get to possible root causes of skin conditions rather than just treat symptoms.

1) 🤧 Reduce or eliminate food allergens and inflammatory foods from your child's diet: It’s possible your child’s skin issues are related to food sensitives or allergies. Talk to your child’s doctor about testing options. Common food allergies for kids with eczema include gluten, dairy, soy, and peanuts. Your child may not have food sensitivities, but certain ingredients increase inflammation in the body which weaken the immune system and exacerbate eczema. Avoid added sugar, high fructose corn syrup, fried foods, and inflammatory seeds oils like vegetable, canola, safflower, soybean, and peanut oil. For more information click HERE.

2) ☠️ Watch for harmful chemicals in the soaps, lotions, disinfectants, and detergents you use: Toxic ingredients that add chemical stress to the body and irritate the skin are hiding in many conventional lotions, soaps, and cleaning products today. To see how your personal care and cleaning brands rate for toxicity check out the Environmental Working Group website or app and consider switching to water-based cleaning brands like Norwex.

3) 💪 Get regular chiropractic care: Torque-release technique (TRT) adjustments reduce stress and inflammation stuck in the nervous system which helps heal and eliminate sensitivities in the body. The result is a better functioning nervous system and therefore a stronger gut-brain connection that can improve skin issues which often begin in the gut.

How exciting would it be to wake up without red, itchy skin patches and smooth, soft skin?

If you’ve yet to try chiropractic care to strengthen your gut-brain axis and immune system health, what are you waiting for? We’d love to help restore the health of your nervous system so you can stop worrying about the way your skin looks or feels and focus on what really matters in life.

If you have any questions about how we can support you or your child’s health journey please give us a call at (612) 516-3090 or simply reply to this email.