It’s not just you; eczema affects lots of people. Millions of people like you suffer from these severe dry and itchy skin conditions.
Science hasn’t figured out how to treat this skin condition, so there is no perfect cure. Our best guess is that you’ve already tried treatments, including steroid creams and prescription moisturizing creams, without any luck.
If you’ve ended up on this page, then you probably are tired of the standard treatment options for eczema and have discovered how CBD could assist in resolving this condition on a long-term basis.
This article will discuss how CBD oil can help treat eczema.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a chronic rash with itchy and red skin. Unfortunately, there’s no cure yet, and science doesn’t fully understand the condition. Scientists have not been able to identify what causes it, so they have concluded that several causes affect different people in different ways.
We know that impaired epidermal barrier function is one possible cause and that this could be due to many different factors, including lipids.
What are the Symptoms of Eczema?
The following symptoms indicate that you may have eczema:
- Bumpy areas of the skin that contain a clear liquid
- Symptoms such as dry, itchy skin, especially in the evening
- itchy and red patches on the skin
- a dry, rough texture or skin that appears cracked, thick, or scaly
It is estimated that up to 10.1% of Americans have some form of eczema.
What triggers eczema?
The exact reason for eczema is not apparent. However, certain skin reactions, genetic factors, or failing immune systems may cause it in some individuals.
The cause varies from person to person, but there are a few common triggers.
Eczema flares are commonly caused by:
- Eczema symptoms can worsen if the skin is dry, rough, or tight.
- Many chemicals irritate or worsen the symptoms of eczema. These chemicals are present in perfumes, shampoos and lotions, tobacco smoke, and environmental toxins.
- A stressful environment can trigger or aggravate eczema symptoms. There are some anecdotal reports that CBD can help manage stress.
Early research suggests that it might help reduce stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.
Treatment for eczema
Eczema is typically treated in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, available treatments vary in effects. Therefore, dermatologists usually prescribe topical steroids as part of a prescription.
Although corticosteroids seem to be safe, they may cause side effects. In addition, it is still a steroid, so there are many side effects to watch out for, mainly if you use it often and for a long time.
Among the side effects of steroids are:
- change in pigmentation
- atrophy
- delayed skin healing
- acne
- and in some extreme cases, changes in body functions that affect the adrenal glands
For constant drying skin, eczema patients often experience itchiness, so dermatologists may recommend moisturizing lotions to alleviate the symptoms. Lotions containing ceramides are highly effective for itchiness and soothing scaly skin.
If eczema doesn’t settle and results in frequent outbreaks, the doctor may prescribe a different medication to reduce and control the severity of eczema to identify what causes the condition.
Is CBD effective for eczema?
Several studies show that the body’s endocannabinoid system affects the epidermal barrier function. This effect could be responsible for eczema.
CBD has anti-inflammatory lipids, as well as cannabinoid receptors that are involved in regulating the genes in the skin that produce lipids. CB1 and CB2 receptors may also help CBD to improve natural skin processes. These two receptors play an important role in healthy skin.
Apart from helping control eczema symptoms and reduce its causes, CBD is also a very safe substance, whether used topically or orally. Many people who use it report no side effects.
FDA has yet to approve a single topical treatment for this skin condition or any other. Therefore, before trying CBD treatment for eczema, it is best to consult your doctor, especially if you have already taken the prescribed medication.
You may experience adverse side effects from CBD treatment if your medication interferes with it.
Safety of CBD use for eczema
In general, CBD is considered safe in treating eczema and other skin conditions. In addition, CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat conditions such as eczema that cause irritation, pain, swelling, and redness.
The best CBD product for flare-ups
There are many forms of topical CBD, including creams, lotions, serums, balms, and salves.
Hydrating your skin is crucial in preventing eczema. In particular, thicker topicals containing skin protection and moisturizing ingredients can benefit.
There are a variety of forms in which CBD products are available. Therefore, the availability of these products (especially those that contain THC) will vary from one state to another.
- Isolate: Contains CBD alone as the only active cannabinoid.
- A full-spectrum extract contains terpenes and other compounds naturally occurring in cannabis, including up to 0.3% THC.
- Broad: Contains CBD and another component/cannabinoid of cannabis plants but does not contain THC.
BOTTOM LINE
CBD products can be promising when it comes to treating eczema and its flare-ups. However, further studies will be necessary to determine their effects.
CBD is also free from steroids and other harmful chemicals often associated with side effects.
