Dermatology Article

Skin is the largest human organ, and its impact on our physiological and psychosocial functions is vast.  On a physical level it protects against infection, assists with temperature regulation, and is imperative for the synthesis of vitamin D.  Emotionally, skin can help us to express anger (flushed face), fear (goose bumps), and fatigue (dark circles under eyes).  In a social context, skin represents a barrier between who we are on the inside, and the personality we outwardly project to others.  Needless to say, without good health of the skin, optimal health of the body, mind, and spirit is difficult to achieve.

Dermatology (the study of skin disorders) is a large field that presents many challenges to patients and health care professionals alike.  Oftentimes topical treatments (e.g. herbal or steroid creams) can be effective but do not truly address underlying health issues.  This can result in long-term dependence on medications, possible emergence of side effects, and possible recurrence of the original condition over time.  Naturopathic doctors (NDs) practice the principle of tolle causum - “find and address the root cause” – meaning that a ND thoroughly analyzes each patient case to determine what is ultimately behind the emergence of symptoms.  Upon finding the cause, the ND can then work with the patient to help address whatever it may be and ideally bring long-lasting relief.

Dietary sensitivities underlie many common skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis.  The health of the digestive tract is directly related to the health of the skin; therefore, when digestion is impaired by eating foods the body does not tolerate well skin issues can manifest.  From my experience, wheat, dairy, and refined sugar tend to be the largest culprits in aggravating these conditions.  With that being said, a short-term hypoallergenic (“low-allergen”) diet is often needed to determine all offending sensitivities.  Gut healing tools like L-glutamine, demulcent herbs, and probiotics are also indicated to help repair the digestive tract lining.

Immune system imbalance is a factor in several dermatological concerns, including eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, fungal infections and recurring warts.  Immune-balancing herbs like Astragalus membranaceus, Ganoderma lucidum, and Codonopsis pilosula can all help to boost areas of the immune system that are weak and dampen areas that are overactive.  Certain probiotic strains can also work to this end, along with phytosterols (plant version of cholesterol).

Nutrient deficiencies may contribute to skin issues on a small or a large scale.  Individuals who constantly eat foods with low nutritional value may simply need a good multi-vitamin (along with dietary counseling) to correct small deficiencies that can lead to poor skin health (e.g. vitamin C, copper, zinc, etc).  Other patients sometimes require “supraphysiological” (i.e. much higher than would normally be achieved through diet alone) doses of nutrients to achieve full therapeutic benefit.  The best examples of this would be short-term high-dose vitamin A for acne and eczema, or high-dose vitamin D for psoriasis (please note that high-dose vitamin A should not be taken during pregnancy due to high risk of fetal malformations).

Lifestyle factors are frequently overlooked as contributing factors to skin disorders.  Lack of exercise impairs circulation, resulting in diminished transport of nutrients to the skin and possible accumulation of waste product buildup there.  Unmanaged stress levels can also contribute to aggravations of skin conditions, especially acne, eczema, and psoriasis.  Smoking, excess caffeine or alcohol consumption, and recreational drug use are also associated with worsening dermatological presentations.

In my experience of managing skin disorders, I have found that a comprehensive approach tends to work best.  Although every patient is different, I typically use dietary modification, nutrient supplementation, and/or herbal medicine for skin conditions.  One common exception is in females who also have menstrual imbalances (including menopausal symptoms), in which cases I see favourable reactions with using acupuncture and Chinese herbs.  Skin conditions frequently do have effective, sustainable solutions – I encourage readers to seek them out!