More than 31.5 million Americans have eczema — so this irksome disease is very prevalent. You can develop eczema at any stage of life. And, eczema impacts people of all genders, ethnic backgrounds, and nationalities.(1)
There are many different treatments in circulation today. Is CBD among them? And, if so, how’s it stack up?
If you’ve got an itch to know, keep reading as we scratch the surface of this cutaneous topic.
Are you sure you even know what eczema is? It may surprise you that it’s actually the name given to a collection of non-contagious skin disorders.
Eczema includes seven conditions:
As an FYI — eczema is also called dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, which is likely why it’s often used interchangeably with the word eczema.(2)
Dermatitis has several hallmark characteristics. Eczematic skin may be:
These symptoms can land anywhere on the continuum of mild to severe. It’s also possible for the gravity of your eczema the change over time. Sometimes people sort of “grow out of it,” while others experience a worsening or shifts in how the condition manifests itself.
You should also know that there’s a link between eczema and allergies, asthma, and depression and anxiety.(3) So, be en guarde.
No one knows for sure what the root cause of eczema is. But the medical community has found that it stems from a combination of heredity and environment.
They’ve also determined that dermatitis is an inflammatory disease involving the immune system. New research suggests that it may be a bona fide autoimmune condition.(4) Some types of eczema are allergic responses to offending stimuli.
This brings us to possible triggers, which are many and varied. Eczema flare-ups may happen due to:(5,6)
While there’s no cure for dermatitis, there are tons of treatments available to help deal with the symptoms, heal your skin, and prevent further episodes. Huddle up with your favorite dermatologist (or GP) to figure out a solution that’s ideal for your brand of eczema and other personal health and lifestyle needs.
You doc may offer up one or more of the following Rx or DIY remedies:(7)
According to the National Eczema Association, following a clean-treat-moisturize protocol can help keep your dermatitis in check.(8)
Every day research is expanding the arsenal of eczema treatment options. For example, new applications for certain biologics are showing lots of promise.(9)
But how about cannabidiol? Is there a place for CBD in managing dermatitis?
Pretty much everyone agrees that more and larger-scale studies need to be done. However, existing research is encouraging.
Our current body of knowledge indicates that CBD — in conjunction with your body’s endocannabinoid system — just might give the skin you’re in the TLC it needs. The trail of evidence shows that CBD is helping to relieve or resolve skin issues by:
Plus, CBD’s credited with supporting people’s mental health. So, for those who experience anxiety or depression related to their skin conditions — CBD could attend to emotional well-being, too.
It’s CBD’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidepressant, and dermal-protective attributes in action!
Let’s take a look at the findings for harnessing CBD’s greatness for medical skin disorders as well as everyday skin health.
A 2020 review article concluded that CBD might help with a host of skin health needs.(10) Seriously, everything from wound care and pain relief to pigmentation issues and itch to skin protection and barrier function. Whew — that’s a big list!
The research team suggested that topical CBD treatments could benefit skin conditions like:
For many of the same reasons CBD is breaking through as a potential star in the treatment of medical skin conditions, it’s all the rage in regular beauty and personal care products. It may assist your skin with:(12)
You’ll find all manner of CBD-infused goods for the skin, hair, and nails. (Go ahead — open a new browser window and do a quick search. Can you say rabbit hole? Just come right back here!)
There’s also no shortage of DIY instruction so you can craft your own skin self-care products. We actually have several on this blog if you want to give them a go.
Because so many people with skin issues also experience depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and other psychological challenges, we wanted to speak to CBD’s capabilities in this realm. CBD has been shown to mediate stress, anxiety, depression, and other mood and behavior difficulties. You can find several posts on our blog that go into detail on these subjects — if you’re interested or it’s relevant.
Points being, though:
You’ve got a good fix on CBD’s general stake in skin health. So let’s go a bit more than skin deep on CBD and eczema specifically.
Does CBD for eczema work? Survey says: A very optimistic maybe. CBD may influence your dermatitis by helping to ease or prevent triggers as well as symptoms.
There isn’t much data to work from. Initial studies have typically been rather small and with varying levels of rigor. But let’s review what has been found.
According to the various studies, CBD has been found to be a safe, effective treatment for inflammatory skin disorders like atopic dermatitis. One expert stated that adults who want to give CBD a try for their dermatitis — “there’s little to lose.”(13)
The research indicates that CBD can:(14)
CBD can also intervene before you have flare-ups. For example, it could help you manage stress and allergies — both of which are eczema triggers. Cut the triggers off at the knees and you just might be able to avoid the itchy-scalies altogether.
Overall, it seems CBD may be able to enhance the quality of life for those with dermatitis.
You’ll want to start by discussing your needs with your healthcare team. Once you’ve got that down, it’s time to find the best-for-you CBD oil products.
Limited but growing research indicates CBD can help treat eczema, a very common skin condition most noted for itchy, rashy-looking skin. CBD’s many beneficial properties — anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, antidepressant, anti-pain, etc. — are to thank.
If you’re interested in trying CBD to ease your dermatitis woes, first consult with your doctor to determine the type of eczema you have and what treatment options are best suited to you. Then select an appropriate high-quality CBD oil product made from pure, domestic hemp — like one form Pure Craft!
LOVE THE SKIN YOU’RE IN WITH CBD
References
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