The Real Reason Your Eczema Won't Budge (And What to Do About It)

Eczema is one of the most common and frustrating skin conditions people deal with - and one of the most misunderstood. If you've been told to simply keep applying steroid creams and avoid known triggers without anyone digging into why it keeps coming back, you're not alone. In this episode of the podcast, Briana takes a deeper look at what's actually driving eczema - and why a surface-level approach rarely leads to lasting results.

What Is Eczema, Really?

Technically known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that impairs the skin barrier, leading to dry, red, itchy, cracked, and sometimes infected skin. It most commonly appears in the creases of elbows and knees, underarms, and across the torso - and it can affect everyone from newborns to adults. The hallmark of eczema is its relapsing nature: it flares, settles, and flares again - often without an obvious cause.

The Key Drivers of Eczema

Rather than looking at eczema as one condition with one solution, it's important to understand the individual drivers at play. These typically fall into a few categories:

1. Skin Barrier Dysfunction

Think of your skin barrier like a brick wall - the skin cells are the bricks, and the fats holding them together act like grout. When this barrier is compromised, moisture escapes and irritants get in. Topical disruptions include harsh soaps, fragrances, hot showers, and chlorine. Internally, nutrient insufficiencies and low-grade inflammation are often the culprits.

2. Immune System Overactivity

Eczema frequently coexists with asthma, hay fever, and other allergic conditions - this is no coincidence. The immune system is on high alert, reacting to triggers it shouldn't. Here's the key connection: 70% of your immune system lives in your gut. If there's dysbiosis or gut inflammation, it can drive the immune overactivity showing up in your skin.

3. Gut-Skin Connection

Digestive symptoms, antibiotic use, a history of infections, and how a baby was born or fed can all influence the microbiome - and therefore the immune system. Microbiome testing can be a powerful tool in understanding what's happening beneath the surface.

4. Food Intolerances and Dietary Triggers

While eliminating dairy, gluten, and soy is common practice, it comes with risks - particularly in children, where restrictive eating can lead to nutrient deficiencies. A more targeted approach investigates why certain foods are triggering a reaction, rather than removing them indefinitely.

5. Nutrient Deficiencies

Some of the most important nutrients for eczema include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish, nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil) - support the skin barrier and reduce inflammation

• Zinc (seafood, nuts, seeds) - essential for skin repair and immune function

• Vitamin A (carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, liver) - supports skin integrity

• Vitamin D - often suboptimal in eczema sufferers; critical for immune regulation

• Protein - provides amino acids for skin barrier repair

• Glutamine - supports gut lining if gut health is a driver

6. Stress and Sleep

Cortisol - released in response to stress - actively suppresses immune function. This can impair the skin's ability to repair itself and trigger flares. Sleep and nervous system support are foundational, not optional.

What Does Treatment Actually Look Like?

An effective approach addresses both internal root causes and external triggers simultaneously. This might mean:

• Supporting gut health through targeted nutrition and supplementation

• Identifying and addressing specific nutrient deficiencies

• Investigating food intolerances through proper testing rather than blanket elimination

• Using prescribed creams or bleach baths where needed - without shame

• Working with a dermal therapist for topical support

• Prioritising sleep, stress management, and a whole food diet

Briana is clear: steroid creams aren't the enemy - but they shouldn't be the only tool. The goal is to understand what's driving the eczema and address it at the root.

The Bottom Line

If you or someone you love is stuck in that exhausting cycle of flaring and settling, it's time to look deeper. Eczema is not just a skin-deep issue - it's a signal from the body that something internal needs attention. Getting personalised support can be genuinely life-changing.