red , inflamed and itchy skin — affects more than six million people in the UK and over 30 million in the US . The variations of eczema can be caused by any number of factors , including genes , allergens , weather , age , mobility , poor circulation and even stress levels . ( But it doesn ’ t transfer from one person to another ; eczema is not contagious .)
Treatments for eczema are as diverse as the disease itself and have historically included oral and topical medications . But the credibility of holistic approaches is steadily growing . So it wasn ’ t too surprising when D also told me that — in addition to treating his gut flora and liver — he ’ s been advised to prioritise regular exercise and good sleep , and to better manage his stress levels .
More than medicine
Contemplating the link between what ’ s going on inside and what ’ s happening on the body ’ s outer surface is a fixture in most modern dermatological reading material , but much of it is relatively theoretical and anecdotal . For example , stress has been known to trigger eczema , but it ’ s not clear why .
Now , researchers are digging deeper into those links . If stress can cause flare ups , can the opposite of stress cause the opposite of flare ups ? Can a calm mind bring calm skin ? Three researchers — Doctors Mamta B . Jhaveri , Kuang-Ho Chen , and Suephy C . Chen of Emory University and the Atlanta VA Medical Center ( both in Atlanta , Georgia , USA ) — built a study around such questions .
They knew that chronic pruritus ( pruritus is the medical term for itchiness ) from eczema can take a significant toll on one ’ s quality of life and that meditation has been shown to deactivate parts of the brain stimulated by chronic itch and stress . So , in their study , “ The Efficacy of Meditation for the Treatment of Chronic Pruritus : A Pilot Trial ,” researchers took 10 adults through an eight-week meditation course . The participants completed questionnaires before and after the course , reflecting on the severity and the nature of their pruritus . ( Full details of the study can be found in the research section of the National Eczema Association ’ s website .)
Conclusions include the surprising finding that sensations of itch didn ’ t interfere with subjects ’ ability to meditate . Consider how notable that is . Even people who don ’ t have diagnosable skin conditions can appreciate how an unscratchable itch can derail the most serene of moments .
Further , learning to meditate had an impact that reached beyond the meditation classroom . While the researchers acknowledge this was a small number of subjects and they must therefore limit analysis , they found that participants practicing meditation seemed to lighten the emotional burden posed on them by pruritus . Participants reported the quality of their sleep had improved , as had their ability to cope with stress and relationships ; this can positively disrupt the self-perpetuating cycle of stress causing eczema , which causes itching , which causes stress , and so on .
Results are exciting for people like D — those who struggle with the effects of dermatitis and are tired of the endless stream of medications . A study like this offers a tantalising peek into a world of mindful treatment that is only just beginning to be discovered .
A dose of caution
This doesn ’ t mean anyone should immediately eschew prescription pads for yoga mats . Traditional medicine plays a vital role in treating many types of eczema , especially in cases where infections are likely and can be very serious . But if your bathroom cabinet is bursting with a frustrating amount of shampoos and tubes and pills and lotions , maybe your next course of medication should be a class in meditation .
ISSUE # 05 | 2017 | SkinHealthMagazine . com 35