Millions of Americans suffer with skin chronic skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Do you suffer with psoriasis? Do you suffer with eczema? Are you wondering why I have put both of these skin disorders in the same article? I will be discussing the underlying cause of these skin problems and how taking a

functional medicine approach could provide the answers you have been looking for. Let’s start by briefly explaining the key features of psoriasis and eczema, then I will explain how taking an integrative medicine approach could be your best long-term solution.

Psoriasis

This is a very common skin condition that alters the normal life cycle of skin cells. Cells are building up too quickly on the surface of the skin. When this happens, these extra cells start to form thick scales, redness and itching. Psoriasis occurs when the immune system is overactive and poorly regulated; new skin cells are pushed to the skin’s surface in 3 or 4 days instead of 28 to 30. The underlying cause of psoriasis is abnormal immune system function and one of the key immune system cells involved are what we call T lymphocytes. These T cells have begun to target and launch an attack against health skin cells. The bottom line is that the immune system is failing to regulate itself. The best solution is to support health immune function so it can correct the mistake it has made and stop attacking normal and healthy skin cells.

Eczema

Eczema; also known as atopic dermatitis is another skin condition that is ultimately caused by an inappropriate immune system response. This skin disorder causes the skin to become red and itchy (an immune system response). Children are affected more often than adults but it can occur at any age. According to the National Eczema Association it may be accompanied by hay fever or asthma. Again, these are ultimately immune system problems! Have you ever seen a child start with eczema and then later in life suffer with ear infections and then develop asthma or allergies? All of these problems are caused by a poorly functioning immune system, they are just manifesting in different parts of the body! A healthy immune system should be destroying immune cells that are attacking your body as well as producing cells to regulate the entire immune system itself.

Treatment

If you suffer with psoriasis or eczema you know there is no “cure.” This is because medicine does not have anything to cure a poorly functioning and imbalanced

immune system! There is only one treatment offered and that is to suppress the function of an already struggling and compromised immune system. These common skin issues are not due to an “overactive” immune system; they are caused by an “unregulated” immune system. Functional medicine seeks to restore this regulation and normal immune system responses.

Masking an immune system problem with pills or creams does not help to restore this balance and you may find yourself battling additional or entirely different (and possibly more severe) immune system problems in the future. These skin conditions should be seen for what they are; a “warning” that the immune system is not functioning properly. Have you ever thought of it that way before? You probably haven’t; nor would I expect you to. This is the sort of thing that doctors should be telling you. You now have the opportunity to make better choices that can have a significant impact on the health and appearance of your skin and your entire body.

Ok, so how do we support the immune system so it can regulate itself and stop attacking and irritating your skin? In our Naperville office, we employ 2 different approaches to help a struggling immune system.

#1 Diet

When I say diet, I am really talking about identifying foods that are aggravating and overworking your immune system. We identify these foods using diagnostic blood tests (see our Food Allergy page for more information on food allergy and food sensitivity testing). Altering the diet this way is like taking a 100 pound sack off the back of our immune system. Changing your diet reduces the workload on your immune system so it can regulate itself more effectively.

#2 Nutrition  

The second way we support the immune system is to provide it with the nutrients it needs to work properly. Changing the diet reduces the workload and providing key nutrients nourishes the immune system. Just like the engine of your car will not function properly if you don’t put oil in it; your immune system can’t regulate itself without ideal levels of key nutrients. Most of us are already aware that nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A and zinc are required for normal immune function. However, with conditions like eczema or psoriasis, I often find that more individual-specific nutrient replenishment is required to get the immune system back on track.

We are all unique individuals and have different dietary and nutrient requirements to maintain a healthy and balanced immune system.

Be kind to yourself and your immune system. Discover what you can do to help get things back in balance again. If you need help, please contact our office.

If you would like more information about immune system regulation or Dr. Sexton go to napervilleintegratedwellness.com

Do your own research, inform yourself and ask lots of questions. When collecting information you MUST consider the source. There is no shortage of false, misleading, outdated, profit-driven and utterly biased information in healthcare today; even from the most respected sources.