Eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, is often treated topically with creams and ointments, but did you know that its root cause may be linked to your gut? The leaky gut and eczema connection can be seen through the skin. With your skin being the largest detox organ, it often reflects the health of the gut and internal systems. In functional medicine, we frequently find that skin issues like eczema are tied to a deeper problem known as leaky gut.
What Is Leaky Gut?
Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, occurs when the lining of the gut becomes damaged. When the lining becomes permeable, it allows undigested food particles, toxins, and harmful microbes to pass into the bloodstream. This can trigger an immune response, leading to inflammation not only in the gut but also throughout the body. 70-80% of the immune system resides in the gut. Therefore when this barrier is compromised, it can result in a range of inflammatory conditions—including eczema.
Leaky Gut and Eczema: How Leaky Gut Affects the Skin
The skin is your body’s largest detox organ and acts as a mirror of what’s happening inside the body. When the gut becomes inflamed and leaky, toxins and allergens can escape into the bloodstream. This can trigger an immune response, causing skin flare-ups like eczema. This inflammation often manifests in itchy, dry, or red patches, as the skin attempts to detoxify the body by pushing toxins out. Essentially, eczema can be seen as a sign that your gut is struggling to maintain its integrity and function.
The Gut-Skin Axis: Why Eczema Is More Than Skin Deep
The leaky gut and eczema connection can be seen through a channel referred to as your gut-skin axis. This refers to the close relationship between gut health and skin conditions. When the gut is out of balance, the immune system becomes overactive, resulting in allergic reactions, skin irritations, and conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. Often, eczema sufferers also experience digestive issues like bloating, gas, or food intolerances, signaling a deeper imbalance in the gut.
Healing Eczema by Addressing Gut Health
Functional medicine approaches eczema by healing the gut and reducing inflammation from the inside out. Key strategies include:
- Elimination Diets: Remove common inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, and sugar. This can help identify potential triggers that may be causing leaky gut and eczema. Foods rich in gut-healing nutrients, like bone broth, leafy greens, and fermented foods, can support repair.
- Gut Repair Supplements: Collagen, L-glutamine, and probiotics can help restore the integrity of the gut lining, reducing inflammation and leaky gut symptoms that contribute to eczema flare-ups. GI integrity is one of our best for repairing the leaky gut and eczema connection!
- Reducing Toxic Burden: Supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways—through hydration, fiber, and liver-supporting herbs like milk thistle—can reduce the overall toxic load on the skin.
- Probiotics and Prebiotics: Balancing the gut microbiome is crucial for reducing inflammation and healing the gut barrier. Probiotics and prebiotic-rich foods like garlic, onions, and asparagus can promote beneficial bacteria and gut healing.
Signs You Might Have Leaky Gut
If you’re dealing with eczema and also experiencing digestive problems, chronic fatigue, food sensitivities, or brain fog, you may have leaky gut. Stool testing or food sensitivity panels can help identify if intestinal permeability is an issue for you.
Healing eczema starts from the inside, and addressing leaky gut can be a transformative first step. By focusing on gut repair, reducing inflammation, and nourishing the body with the right nutrients, you can begin to heal eczema naturally and achieve long-lasting relief.
Jade Green TNC CHHC
